The keel for HMAS SYDNEY, the third guided missile frigate ordered from the USA, was laid at Seattle, USA. ...
On This Day
Australian Naval History on 8 January 1980
A contingent of nine RAN officers sailed in the Antarctic relief ship NANOK S for a 40-day deployment in Australia’s Antarctic bases of Casey and Mawson. ...
Australian Naval History on 18 December 1979
Iroquois helicopters from No. 723 Squadron, and 150 personnel from RAN ships and establishments fought disastrous bushfires in the Sydney metropolitan area. ...
Australian Naval History on 1 November 1979
The Australian 200 nautical mile fishing zone was proclaimed, greatly increasing the surveillance role of the RAN. ...
Australian Naval History on 9 October 1979
HMAS Vendetta was decommissioned. In her 21 year career, she had steamed 670952 nautical miles. She subsequently served as a source of spare parts for Vampire (II), the last Australian ...
Australian Naval History on 31 August 1979
CPO Jackson, of HMAS KIMBLA, (survey vessel), was washed overboard and drowned in heavy seas, while the ship was leaving Port Philip Bay, VIC. His body was never recovered. ...
Australian Naval History on 23 August 1979
The Minister for Defence, Mr. D. J. Killen, announced the building of an underway replenishment ship for the RAN at Cockatoo Island. The ship was named HMAS SUCCESS. ...
Australian Naval History on 20 August 1979
Trials of the Australian-designed and developed Mulloka Submarine Sonar System were completed in HMAS YARRA. ...
Australian Naval History on 17 August 1979
The Australian designed and manufactured Mulloka Sonar System, was accepted for service in the RAN ...
Australian Naval History on 1 July 1979
The WRAN officer rank titles were replaced with male officer rank titles. The Navy began training its WRAN officer cadets at RAN College at Jervis Bay with their male counterparts. ...
Australian Naval History on 4 May 1979
RAN Clearance Divers blasted a new harbour and shipping channel out of a coral reef at Noro, Solomon Islands. This was done to allow local fishermen better access to the ...
Australian Naval History on 1 May 1979
The initial engagement period for General Entry Sailors was reduced from nine to six years. ...
Australian Naval History on 21 April 1979
VADM Sir James Willis, KBE, AO, RAN, is appointed Chief of Naval Staff. ...
Australian Naval History on 12 April 1979
RADM D. Leach, CBE, MVO, was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Her Majesty’s Australian Fleet. ...
Australian Naval History on 9 March 1979
The Minister for Defence, Mr. D. J. Killen, officially opened the new guided missile frigate berth at Garden Island, Sydney. ...
Australian Naval History on 15 January 1979
The RAN Staff College was officially opened at HMAS PENGUIN, Sydney, under the command of CAPT N. Ralph, AM, DSC, RAN. Prior to this all RAN officers undergoing staff training ...
Australian Naval History on 5 January 1979
HMAS HOBART, (guided missile destroyer), was dispatched on a 3000 nautical mile mercy dash to Heard Island to evacuate a seriously ill biologist. ...
Australian Naval History on 1 December 1978
HMAS CANBERRA, (guided missile frigate), was launched at Seattle, USA. ...
Australian Naval History on 1 October 1978
Female Officers of the WRANS were granted equal pay with their male counterparts. ...
Australian Naval History on 28 July 1978
HMAS STIRLING, (shore establishment in Western Australia), commissioned. Located at Garden Island WA,. near the town of Rockingham, the base is often referred to as Fleet Base West. ...
Australian Naval History on 1 July 1978
HMAS VENDETTA, (destroyer), represented Australia at the Solomon Island Independence Day celebrations, at Honiara. ...
Australian Naval History on 21 June 1978
HMAS ADELAIDE, (guided missile frigate), was launched at Seattle, USA. ...
Australian Naval History on 8 May 1978
RADM G. J. Willis, AO, was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Her Majesty’s Australian Fleet. ...
Australian Naval History on 27 April 1978
The Oberon class submarine HMAS OTAMA, was commissioned. OTAMA was laid down at Scott’s Yard, Greenock, Scotland, on 28 May 1973, and launched on 3 December 1975. HRH Princess Anne ...
Australian Naval History on 21 April 1978
CDRE Sir James Ramsay, became the first officer of the RAN to be knighted twice. CDRE Ramsay, a Knight Bachelor and Governor of WA, was created a KCMG. ...