On This Day

1976-1999 > Post Vietnam

May 28, 1984

The landing craft heavy HMAS BALIKPAPAN, (LEUT W. Richards, RAN), set out on the longest voyage ever undertaken by a vessel of her class. She departed Brisbane on a 5400 nautical mile journey to Malaysia, carrying RAAF equipment, vehicles, and personnel.

May 27, 1984

The RAN was rated as the sixth most powerful navy in the Pacific, behind the USSR, USA, India, Taiwan and South Korea.

May 21, 1984

The first Ecureuil UH-1B (Squirrel), helicopter, joined the RAN’s HC 723 Squadron at HMAS ALBATROSS, Nowra, NSW.

May 18, 1984

The RAN established the world’s first seabed mine de-magnetising range, at Shark Point, Sydney. Ships passing over the range are automatically de-magnetised.

May 14, 1984

The first of six Aerospatiale AS350BA Squirrels Helicopters arrived at HMAS Albatross for naval service. The Squirrels were initially acquired to provide an interim embarked capability for the RAN’s Adelaide Class guided missile frigates until the introduction of the Sikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawks

May 4, 1984

HMAS IBIS, (minesweeper), was paid off at Sydney for disposal after 22 years service in the RAN.

April 14, 1984

HMAS GEELONG, (patrol boat), and the second ship of the name to serve in the RAN, was launched at Cairns, QLD.

March 23, 1984

HMAS CESSNOCK, (patrol boat), rushed emergency medical aid and food supplies to cyclone devastated Borrodoola in Western Australia.

March 22, 1984

HMAS IPSWICH, (patrol boat), apprehended an Indonesian fishing vessel poaching in the Australian Fishing Zone, after a game of hide and seek in mangrove swamps. The vessel was escorted to Koolan Island and charged.

March 18, 1984

HMAS CESSNOCK, (patrol boat), provided relief aid and communications when Cyclone Kathy devastated communities on the Gulf of Carpentaria.

March 10, 1984

The Fremantle class patrol boat HMAS DUBBO, was commissioned.

March 3, 1984

HMAS SUCCESS, (Durance Class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment), was launched at Cockatoo Island Dockyard by Lady Helen Stephens, (wife of the Governor General Sir Ninian Stephens). At the time she was the largest ship built for the RAN and the largest ever built in the port of Sydney. When launching the ship it took twelve blows on the bow to break the bottle of champagne .

February 28, 1984

First Aerospatiale AS350B Squirrel delivered to RAN FAA

February 14, 1984

A Sydney-based syndicate announced plans to acquire the aircraft carrier, HMAS MELBOURNE for conversion to a floating gambling casino to be moored outside territorial waters off Eden, NSW. The far-fetched scheme never eventuated, and MELBOURNE was later sold for scrap.

February 13, 1984

Ships of the RAN were placed on standby for a possible rescue mission following reports of earthquakes close to Rabaul.

February 9, 1984

816 Squadron, equipped with Westland Wessex Mk.31B helicopters, commissioned at Nowra.

February 7, 1984

RAN Squadron HS816 commissioned and equipped with the Westland Wessex Mark 31B to operate in an Army support role. The squadron was decommissioned three years later

January 21, 1984

HMAS DUBBO, (Fremantle class patrol boat), was launched at Cairns, QLD.

January 20, 1984

The destroyer escort HMAS STUART, (CMDR. C. Barrie, RAN), became the first large RAN warship to be home-ported on the Australian west coast.

January 18, 1984

HMA Ships WARNAMBOOL and BARBETTE, (patrol boats), escorted a Taiwanese motor trawler apprehended poaching in Australian waters off Great Detached Reef, into Cairns. The trawler was found guilty by a special court and fined $3000.

December 10, 1983

The Fremantle class patrol boat HMAS GERALDTON, was commissioned. GERALDTON was laid down in Cairns, QLD.

December 9, 1983

Claims that Harrier VSTOL aircraft from HMS HERMES theoretically ‘shot down waves’ of RAAF aircraft during Operation Kangaroo 83, revived misgivings about the withdrawal of carrier borne aircraft from the RAN.

December 8, 1983

851 Squadron aircraft perform last flypast of RAN fixed-wing aircraft at HMAS Creswell

December 2, 1983

A sailor and an RAAF fitter .were killed when a RAN Wessex helicopter, piloted by SBLT M. Henche, crashed in Bass Strait.

November 26, 1983

Redundant flying officers of the RAN Fleet Air Arm were recruited by the RN to man a Fleet Air Arm Squadron.