On This Day

On This Day - 15 April

1918

Australian-born Squadron Leader H. R. Busteed, demonstrated the landing of aircraft using arrester cables on HMS FURIOUS. Busteed conceived and perfected the technique. CMDR A. G. H. Bond, RAN, assumed command of the Australian Torpedo Boat Destroyer Flotilla at Brindisi, Italy. HMS VENDETTA, (destroyer), participated in the raid in the Kattegat by British light forces.

1941

The Bathurst class minesweeper, (corvette), HMAS BURNIE was commissioned. BURNIE was laid down at Mort's Dock, Sydney, on 3 June 1940, and launched on 25 October 1940. HMAS PERTH, (cruiser), joined ADML Cunningham's battle fleet in the bombardment of the main Italian supply port of Tripoli.

1942

HMAS VENDETTA, (destroyer), reached Port Phillip after an epic 72 day tow from Singapore. The destroyer had been immobilized in dry dock at Singapore when the Japanese invaded, and was towed south to Australia by a variety of vessels. She endured air attack and bad weather during the 5000 mile journey. Her Commanding Officer during this period was LEUT W. G. Whiting, RANR, who was awarded the DSC for 'outstanding leadership, initiative and seamanship'. The US Submarines S38, S42, S43, S44, S45, S46 and S47, arrived at Brisbane to operate against the Japanese in the Solomons.

1943

Japanese bombers attacked naval installations at Darwin, NT. The bombers were met by strong fighter defence. HMS MAJESTIC which later was commissioned as HMAS MELBOURNE, was laid down at Barrow-in-Furness, England. HMAS STUART rescued the crew of an Anson aircraft which crashed into the sea off Port Perpendicular.

1944

The Fremantle-based USS REDFIN, (submarine), sank the Japanese transport SHINYU MARU, in the South China Sea.

1954

HMAS Culgoa paid off into Reserve on 15 April 1954, having steamed 167,447 miles. She remained in Reserve until used as an accommodation ship for Sydney minesweeping base, HMAS Waterhen. On 15 February 1972 Culgoa was sold to NW Kennedy Ltd of Vancouver, Canada. In March 1972 she left Sydney under tow for Hong Kong en route to Taiwan for breaking up

1969

VADM Sir Roy Russell Dowling, KCVO, KBE, CB, CBE, DSO, died in Canberra.

1977

RADM N. E. McDonald was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Her Majesty's Australian Fleet.

1980

The Minister for Defence, Mr. D. J. Killen, announced the expenditure of $1,065 million for the building of four guided missile frigates and support equipment.

1983

The Australian Government announced that HMS INVINCIBLE, (aircraft carrier), would be renamed HMAS AUSTRALIA when she joined the RAN. As a result of the Falkland's War the British Government decided to retain HMS INVINCIBLE, and offered HMS HERMES as a replacement. However, in 1983 the newly elected Labour Government cancelled the potential purchase of the ship. Among the reasons given were age of ship, high personell maning requirement, cost, and new directions for the RAN.

2020

Australia officially transferred ex HMA ships Melbourne and Newcastle to the Chilean Navy during a commissioning ceremony at HMAS Watson Naval Base in Sydney. The two frigates were retired from service by the Royal Australian Navy in 2019, and bought second hand by the Armada de Chile, which has renamed them Almirante Latorre  (ex HMAS Melbourne) and Captain Pratt (ex HMAS Newcastle) for Chilean Navy service