On This Day
1976-1999 > Post Vietnam
On This Day - 1976-1999
- August 8, 1994
The hull ex-HMAS ADROIT was sunk as a target off the WA coast by A4 Skyhawks of the RNZAF.
HMAS DERWENT was decommissioned at HMAS STIRLING after a 30-year career which saw her steam in excess of 800,000 miles. Her hull was later used as a guinea pig for blast and fragmentation tests, organized by scientists from the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, (DSTO), led by CMDR J. Mathias, RAN. The team observed the effect of damage caused by bombs and shells on the old ship in order to make improvements for ship survivability. DERWENT had the distinction to be the first RAN vessel to fire a guided missile on 25 May 1964, less than a month after commissioning.
- July 18, 1994
The USS ANTIETAM, (heavy cruiser 9,466 tons), arrived in Australia on a goodwill tour. She was returning from duty in the Persian Gulf.
- July 7, 1994
The Department of Defence placed a $23 million contract with AWA Defence Industries, to develop an active missile decoy to protect RAN ships from skimming type missiles.
- July 1, 1994
The Department of Defence placed a $58 million contract with Westland Helicopters for the updating of the Navy’s Sea King helicopter fleet, and flight simulator. The updating will extend the life of the aircraft until the year 2008.
- June 30, 1994
Visits of units of the RAN to Asian neighbours of Australia doubled in the financial year. Singapore, with 23 visits, was closely followed by Indonesia.
- June 18, 1994
Two workmen were killed when acetylene cylinders exploded on the floor of the Captain Cook Graving Dock at Garden Island, Sydney. The men were working on the Australian icebreaker AURORA AUSTRALIS.
- June 15, 1994
The Minister for Defence, Senator Robert Ray, announced the successful tenderer, for the building of six coastal mine hunter vessels, was Australian Defence Industries. The mine hunters will be similar to the Italian Gaeta class, and cost $1 Billion. Delivery will commence in 1998.
- May 23, 1994
Exercise RIMPAC 94 commenced in Hawaiian waters, involving ships from Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and the United States. HMA Ships HOBART, SYDNEY, DARWIN, SUCCESS, and OVENS, were involved.
- April 18, 1994
The training ship HMAS JERVIS BAY, (ex MV AUSTRALIAN TRADER), decommissioned at Garden Island Sydney. Nicknamed at times JB, the Love Boat, (due to being the first RAN vessel to embark female personnel), and even the Gay Bay, she conducted training for thousands of trainee officers over a 17 year career.
- April 11, 1994
The Naval Depot in Brisbane, HMAS MORETON, was decommissioned after over 60 years of service. The base opened in 1933 as HMAS PENGUIN IV; in 1940 it changed to HMAS BRISBANE, and in 1942 to HMAS MORETON. The base occupied the site at New Farm for several years before de-commissioning. For many years the base was the home of the Amphibious Squadron, comprising the landing ship HMAS TOBRUK, and several landing craft heavy, (LCH). Naval support activities were transferred to the new Naval Headquarters, Southern Queensland, located at Bulimba Barracks.