The FFG-7, (Adelaide), class guided missile frigate HMAS CANBERRA, (CMDR B. Wilson, RAN), was commissioned in Seattle, USA. CANBERRA was laid down in Todd Shipyard, Seattle, USA, and launched on ...
On This Day
Australian Naval History on 14 March 1981
HMAS WARRNAMBOOL, (Fremantle class patrol boat), was commissioned. ...
Australian Naval History on 7 January 1981
HMAS ADELAIDE, (guided missile frigate), ran aground off Puget Sound, USA and sustained serious underwater damage. In the subsequent court martial the Commanding Officer of ADELAIDE was found guilty of ...
Australian Naval History on 28 November 1980
The Defence Department invited tenders for the construction of two prototypes of an Australian designed mine hunter catamaran to replace the Ton class mine hunters. ...
Australian Naval History on 27 November 1980
CDRE E. E. Johnson, OBE, RAN, was appointed Administrator of the Northern Territory. CDRE Johnson was honoured for his services in the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy. ...
Australian Naval History on 15 November 1980
The guided missile frigate HMAS ADELAIDE, (CMDR G. R. Lamperd, RAN), was commissioned. ADELAIDE was laid down in Seattle, USA, and launched on 21 June 1978. Mrs Elizabeth Synnot, (Wife ...
Australian Naval History on 28 October 1980
HMAS COOK, (oceanographic ship), was commissioned at Williamstown Dockyard, VIC, under CMDR I. Pullar, RAN. ...
Australian Naval History on 25 October 1980
HMAS WARRNAMBOOL, the second of fifteen Fremantle class patrol boats ordered for the RAN, was launched at Cairns, QLD. ...
Australian Naval History on 24 October 1980
The Russian Ship, STOROZHEVOY, (guided missile frigate), shadowed HMA Ships MELBOURNE, (aircraft carrier), and PERTH, (guided missile destroyer), in the Indian Ocean. A Tracker SE2 aircraft from MELBOURNE also sighted ...
Australian Naval History on 21 October 1980
HMAS MELBOURNE, (aircraft carrier), lost her second Skyhawk fighter-bomber on her deployment in the Indian Ocean. The first was lost in the Andaman Sea on 2 October. Both pilots were ...
Australian Naval History on 26 September 1980
RADM D. W. Leach, Chief of Naval Personnel, announced that it took:- 4 years and cost $6,300, to train a Leading Seaman Quarter Master Gunner; 6 years and $60,000 a ...
Australian Naval History on 8 September 1980
An Australian Squadron, consisting of HMA Ships MELBOURNE, PERTH, DERWENT, STALWART, and SUPPLY, and HMAS OTAMA, (Oberon class submarine), was deployed in the Indian Ocean on an extended flag-showing cruise ...
Australian Naval History on 27 August 1980
HMAS FREMANTLE, the first of 14 Fremantle class patrol boats ordered for the RAN, arrived in Sydney at the end of her 14,509 mile maiden voyage. ...
Australian Naval History on 9 August 1980
The keel of HMAS SUCCESS, a 17,000 ton replenishment vessel for the RAN, was laid by the Minister for Defence, Mr. D. J. Killen, at Cockatoo Island Sydney. ...
Australian Naval History on 30 July 1980
The destroyer escort HMAS YARRA, (CMDR P. A. Knife, RAN), represented Australia at the New Hebrides Independence Celebrations at Vila. ...
Australian Naval History on 23 July 1980
HMAS ARDENT, (patrol boat), apprehended two Indonesian luggers poaching in Australian fishing waters north-west of Derby, WA. ...
Australian Naval History on 20 July 1980
HMAS Adroit hosted a reception for NOCNA, Captain R McKenzie, ADC, RAN, and nine guests including Rear Admiral Shapiro, USN; and Miss Australia 1980, Miss Eleanor Moreton. The guests were ...
Australian Naval History on 8 July 1980
The Minister for Defence, Mr. D. J. Killen, announced that the Government had approved a feasibility study of the building of submarines at Vickers Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney. ...
Australian Naval History on 3 July 1980
The first WRANS midshipmen passed out of the Royal Australian Naval College. ...
Australian Naval History on 17 June 1980
The destroyer escort HMAS SWAN, (CMDR D. T. Read, RAN), rescued 72 Vietnamese refugees from a disabled vessel in the South China Sea. ...
Australian Naval History on 7 June 1980
The Minister for Defence, Mr. D. J. Killen, announced increased air and sea defence for Australia’s off-shore oilfields. ...
Australian Naval History on 5 June 1980
Evaluations of the US designed Mk 48 heavyweight torpedo, (for potential use in the Oberon class submarines), commenced at HMAS WATSON. ...
Australian Naval History on 30 May 1980
HMA Ships ATTACK, ADVANCE, and BUCCANEER, (patrol boats), commenced offshore oil rig patrols. The patrols were organized to prevent terrorist attacks on the oil rigs ...
Australian Naval History on 29 May 1980
Queen Elizabeth II, approved three new long service medals, (15 years service), for members of the Australian Defence Force. These were the Defence Force Service Medal, (DFSM), for all regular ...
Australian Naval History on 19 May 1980
The rank of Provisional Warrant Officer was abolished in the RAN. ...