On This Day
1976-1999 > Post Vietnam
On This Day - 1976-1999
- March 4, 1985
The Indonesian Navy patrol boat KRI SIADA, ex HMAS BARBETTE, ran aground on North West Reef off Cape York, QLD. She was later re-floated and towed to Thursday Island for repairs.
- March 3, 1985
HMA Ships CESSNOCK and IPSWICH, (patrol boats), each apprehended two Indonesian fishing boats poaching in Australian waters off Melville Island.
- March 1, 1985
A permanent and purpose built Maritime Headquarters for the RAN was established at Fleet Base East, Sydney.
- February 22, 1985
HMAS BARBETTE, (patrol boat), was transferred to the Indonesian Navy as a gift and renamed KRI SIADI.
- February 15, 1985
HMAS Kimbla paid off. During her long career Kimbla steamed 363,038 nautical miles at an average speed of just seven knots. At the time of her decommissioning Kimbla held the distinction of being the longest serving commissioned ship in the RAN and the last to use a reciprocating steam engine as a form of propulsion.
- February 12, 1985
The Australian Government announced a $4000 million plan for the replacement of destroyer escorts still in service.
- February 11, 1985
HMAS ATTACK, name-ship of the RAN’s Attack class patrol boats, sailed from Sydney streaming a 38.7 metre paying off pennant. The patrol boat was transferred to the Indonesian Navy as a gift.
- January 18, 1985
The Australian Prime Minister, Mr. R. G. Hawke, announced the cancellation of the combined United States, New Zealand and Australian naval exercise, Sea Eagle, following New Zealand’s refusal to provide port facilities to U.S. nuclear armed warships. The action posed a threat to the ANZUS Treaty and Australian naval defence.
- January 17, 1985
Divers from Clearance Diving Team 1 raised a Japanese aerial bomb from the seabed under Darwin’s new Fort Hill Road.
- January 2, 1985
Chaplain G. Mayne, RAN, was appointed Catholic Military Chaplain of Australia. The equivalent naval rank to this office was Admiral. He later became Bishop Mayne.
- January 1, 1985
Position of Director WRANS abolished
- December 15, 1984
The Fremantle class patrol boat HMAS BUNBURY, was commissioned. BUNBURY was laid down in Cairns, QLD, and was the last of fifteen Fremantle class patrol boats built for the RAN.
- December 13, 1984
The Department of Defence Support, responsible for the management of naval dockyards and new ship building, was abolished.
- November 2, 1984
The last of the Australian-built Fremantle class patrol boats, HMAS BUNBURY, was launched at Cairns, QLD.
- October 31, 1984
The Australian Government announced that HMA Ships ATTACK, BARBETTE, and BUCCANEER, (patrol boats), would be transferred as a gift to the Indonesian Navy.
- October 15, 1984
The Australian Government approved the expenditure of $51 million for the purchase of eight Sikorsky Seahawk helicopters for the RAN.
- October 9, 1984
The Australian Government decided to equip the RAN with Sikorsky S70B helicopters. The initial order for eight Seahawks cost $360 million.
- September 24, 1984
HMAS ONSLOW became the world’s first conventionally powered submarine to be upgraded to guided missile capacity, on completion of a $39 million conversion at Cockatoo Dockyard, Sydney, when Harpoon sub-surface to surface UGM48 missile capacity was installed
- September 8, 1984
The Fremantle class patrol boat HMAS GLADSTONE, was commissioned.
- August 31, 1984
The first male nursing officer, (SBLT G. Villiani, RAN), joined the Navy. He was unable to join the RANNS as it was a ‘womens’ service,’ so he joined the RAN as a special entry officer for nursing duties.
- August 26, 1984
HMAS GERALDTON, (patrol boat), was stranded, and damaged both propellers when she run aground on a reef northwest of Broome, WA.
- August 21, 1984
HMAS TOBRUK, (amphibious heavy lift ship), was used as floating accommodation for delegates attending the South Pacific Forum Conference held at Tuvalu, (formerly Ellice Islands), north-west of Fiji.
- August 17, 1984
HMAS IPSWICH, (patrol boat), intercepted and detained the Taiwanese fishing vessel YUAN JAAN, for illegally fishing off Mermaid Reef, west of Broome, WA. A court later ordered the forfeiture of the ship and her equipment.
The keel of the RAN’s first catamaran minesweeper, HMAS RUSHCUTTER, was laid at Tomago, NSW.
- August 5, 1984
The RAN’s first female Chief Bosun’s Mate, PO Janet Wicks, was appointed to HMAS CERBERUS, VIC.
- August 3, 1984
All women joining the RAN became liable for sea service