On This Day

1976-1999 > Post Vietnam

October 8, 1993

The advance party of Australian, Tongan, Fijian, and Vanuatan troops, (South Pacific Peace Keeping Force), arrive in Bougainville, as part of Operation Lagoon, (support to a PNG lead conference to try and bring about peace in strife torn Bougainville).

October 4, 1993

HMA Ships TOBRUK, (landing ship heavy), and SUCCESS, (auxiliary oiler replenishment), depart Townsville with stores and ADF personnel for Operation Lagoon in Bougainville.

September 2, 1993

The first planning conference for the deployment of a South Pacific Peace Keeping Force, (SPPKF), to Bougainville, to support a conference on bringing peace to the war torn island, was held. Within five weeks the force had been raised and deployed to Bougainville

August 28, 1993

HMAS COLLINS, the first of the Collins class submarines, was launched in Adelaide.

August 17, 1993

The 19.5 metre diving boats SEAL and PORPOISE were taken over by the RAN at Geraldton, WA. They will join SHARK, which is already in service with Clearance Diving Team 4.

A RAN press release announced the name change of the second Anzac class guided missile frigate from Arrente, to the original ARUNTA, as used by her predecessor.

June 29, 1993

HMAS GLADSTONE, (patrol boat), arrived on station in the southwest Pacific, for deployment to Tonga, Vanuatu, and Fiji.

June 25, 1993

Last Sea King delivered to RAN FAA

June 22, 1993

The guided missile frigate, HMAS Sydney (IV), departed for Operation DAMASK.

June 16, 1993

HMAS Jervis Bay I arrived at Townsville after second mission to Mogadishu, Somalia as a part of Operation SOLACE, the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the US-led operation to bring peace and humanitarian relief to the war torn African nation

May 30, 1993

HMAS SYDNEY, (guided missile frigate), sailed from Darwin en-route to the Red Sea, to take part in UN trade sanctions against Iraq, as part of the RAN’s ongoing Operation Damask.

May 20, 1993

HMAS JERVIS BAY and HMAS Tobruk departed from Mogadishu with personnel and cargo at the conclusion of Operation Solace

May 15, 1993

The RAN sail training yacht FRANKLIN, built at Garden Island, Sydney, in 1957, was transferred to the Australian Army and renamed RISING SUN.

March 15, 1993

HMAS Cessnock II escorted Queen Elizabeth II into Darwin Harbour

March 14, 1993

CMDR Warwick Seymour Bracegirdle, DSC and 2 Bars, RAN, died at his home in London. The award of three DSC’s, coupled with two MID, was a rare achievement. His first award was for service in HMAS PERTH in the Mediterranean in 1941, his second for service in HMAS SHROPSHIRE in the Philippines in 1944-45, and his third for Service in Korea in 1952. CMDR Bracegirdle was the eldest son of RADM L.S. Bracegirdle, who had commanded the RANBT in WWI, and was later the Military Secretary to the Governor General.

March 13, 1993

The 35th Anniversary of HMAS CRESWELL at Jervis Bay, NSW, was celebrated by a visit of the first Captain, RADM W. J. Dovers, DSC, and members of the 1958 Normal Intake. HMAS CRESWELL was formerly HMAS FRANKLIN, in 1930 HMAS CERBERUS, and in 1958 commissioned HMAS CRESWELL.

January 14, 1993

HMAS Jervis Bay arrived at Mogadishu to land cargo and personnel for Operation Solace. HMAS Tobruk II arrived on 17 January to unload additional personnel and cargo. HMAS Tobruk II remained in African waters for the next four months providing logistic support and hotel services to ground forces in Mogadishu, and conducting exercises with other units of the Multi-National Force

December 29, 1992

HMAS Tobruk II departed from Townsville for Somalia as a part of Operation SOLACE, the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the US-led operation to bring peace and humanitarian relief to the war torn African nation

December 19, 1992

HMAS Jervis Bay I departed Sydney for Mogadishu, Somalia, to provide strategic sea-lift for Operation SOLACE, the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the US-led operation to bring peace and humanitarian relief to the war torn African nation

November 17, 1992

The former HMA Ships STUART and YARRA, (destroyer escorts), were reported broken up in an Indian ship-breaking yard.

November 13, 1992

HMAS TEAL, (former minesweeper), was advertised for sale under a liquidator’s order in Greek waters. The 152 foot long vessel was converted to a cruise ship with accommodation for 49 passengers and a crew of 21, in 1987.

October 31, 1992

At 11:41am in position 11 36.29’S, 135 38.33’E off Arnhem Land, HMAS Moresby II became the first RAN vessel to steam one million nautical miles. The ship was appropriately running a survey line at the time. She anchored in Refuge Bay at Elcho Island that evening to celebrate the event.

October 22, 1992

The Australian Government agreed to build 22 Pacific patrol boats for presentation to eleven of the emerging nations in the Pacific area. Successful contractor for the $138 million contract was Australian Shipbuilding Industries in Western Australia.

October 19, 1992

The newly-commissioned HMAS ADELAIDE, (guided missile frigate), was home-ported on Fremantle, W.A.

September 29, 1992

The Taiwanese fishing trawler LIAN YIH SHENG No. 2, valued at more than $200,000, was apprehended by HMAS BUNBURY, (patrol boat), illegally trawling in the Australian Fishing Zone off North West Cape, WA.

August 25, 1992

Serious allegations of sexual harassment of a female officer in HMAS SWAN, (destroyer escort), were made public.