HMAS PALUMA, a former stores carrier, was commissioned as a survey vessel. ...
On This Day
Australian Naval History on 11 March 1957
The tug HMAS EMU, (LCDR J. Toulouse, RANVR), rescued six survivors of the merchant ship GOLD SEEKER from Bowen Bay, Bathurst Island. ...
Australian Naval History on 18 February 1957
723 Squadron recommissioned with five Sycamore helicopters, two Austers and two Firefly target tugs. ...
Australian Naval History on 12 February 1957
The Daring class destroyer HMAS VOYAGER, (CAPT G. J. B. Crabb, DSC, RAN), was commissioned. VOYAGER was laid down in Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney, and launched on 1 March 1952. ...
Australian Naval History on 21 December 1956
HMAS Arunta (I) passed to dockyard control for refitting for Operational Reserve. She had steamed 95,221 miles during her second commission bringing her total mileage to 357,273 since commissioning in ...
Australian Naval History on 27 November 1956
Firefly VX381 was involved in a midair collision over Jervis Bay, NSW. The pilot, SBLT(P) David Eagles RN, was able to successfully ditch the aircraft in Hare Bay and he ...
Australian Naval History on 8 November 1956
HMAS Koala paid off having steamed 79,183.9 nautical miles. On 18 April 1957 she was placed in Reserve Commission at Waverton Boom Depot. Koala was eventually sold late in 1969 ...
Australian Naval History on 27 October 1956
HMAS VAMPIRE, (Daring class destroyer), was launched at Cockatoo Island, Sydney. ...
Australian Naval History on 25 October 1956
723 Squadron decommissioned after having grown considerably, taking on a number of new aircraft to meet its training and support responsibilities. Most of the Squadron’s aircraft were transferred to 724 ...
Australian Naval History on 9 October 1956
De Havilland Sea Vampire Trainer A79-841 crashed into the sea off Greenwell Point near Nowra, NSW. The pilot, Commander Daniel Buchanan, RAN was declared missing, presumed dead. The wreckage was ...
Australian Naval History on 29 September 1956
In the first of the only two offensive actions undertaken by Royal Australian Navy ships during the Malayan Emergency (1948-60), HMA Ships Anzac (II) and Tobruk (I) bombarded terrorist positions ...
Australian Naval History on 8 August 1956
HMA Ships DELORAINE and LITHGOW were sold out of service for breaking up at Hong Kong. Lieutenants Barry Thompson and Keith Potts of 808 Squadron were both killed when their ...
Australian Naval History on 16 July 1956
HMAS Gladstone paid off at Melbourne. She was not to be idle for long however, as she was sold to the Port Phillip Pilots’ Association. She served as a pilot ...
Australian Naval History on 16 June 1956
HMAS GLADSTONE, (minesweeper), was sold to the Victorian Government, and renamed AKUNA. ...
Australian Naval History on 18 May 1956
HMA Ships BOWEN and LATROBE, (minesweepers), were sold out of service for breaking up in Hong Kong. ...
Australian Naval History on 9 May 1956
The aircraft carrier HMAS MELBOURNE, (CAPT G. G. O Gatacre, RAN), arrived at her home port of Sydney, on completion of her maiden voyage from the United Kingdom ...
Australian Naval History on 8 May 1956
First Gannets delivered to RAN FAA after travelling from the UK to Australia on HMAS Melbourne II. They were offloaded at Jervis Bay by lighter ...
Australian Naval History on 24 April 1956
The aircraft carrier HMAS MELBOURNE, (CAPT G. G. O. Gatacre, RAN), arrived at Fremantle on her maiden voyage to Australia. ...
Australian Naval History on 26 March 1956
The boom defence vessel HMAS KIMBLA, was commissioned. KIMBLA was laid down in Walker’s Yard, Maryborough, QLD, on 4 November 1953, and launched on 23 March 1955. She was later ...
Australian Naval History on 12 March 1956
HMAS Melbourne sailed from Glasgow for Australia with 808 Squadron (Sea Venom all weather fighters) and 816 and 817 Squadrons (Gannet anti-submarine aircraft) embarked. ...
Australian Naval History on 8 March 1956
HMAS Melbourne arrived at Glasgow, Scotland where the two squadrons of Gannets (24 aircraft in all) were loaded on board (along with two squadrons of Sea Venoms and two Bristol ...
Australian Naval History on 27 February 1956
Sea Venoms where were formally accepted into RAN service. 808 Squadron had reformed in the United Kingdom on 23 August 1955 and was the first RAN Squadron to be equipped ...
Australian Naval History on 10 February 1956
HMAS Swan recommissioned for service as a Cadet Training Ship. She was reclassified as a frigate and also fitted to operate as a survey ship. ...
Australian Naval History on 31 January 1956
HMAS Murchison paid off into Reserve. Since commissioning the ship had steamed 175,712 miles. Without being again brought into seagoing service, Murchison was sold for breaking up to the Tolo ...
Australian Naval History on 17 January 1956
HMS NAPIER, (destroyer), formerly HMAS NAPIER, was paid off for disposal. ...