On This Day

On This Day - 2 June

1885

The strength of the NSW Naval Brigade reached 640, in all ranks.

1919

HM destroyers Voyager (later HMAS) and Vivacious attacked the Russian Bolshevik destroyers Azard and Gavril at the entrance to Petrograd Bay.

1924

HMAS GERANIUM, (survey vessel), embarked a Fairey HID seaplane. GERANIUM was the first Australian ship to use aircraft for surveying.

1944

Australian troops landed on Karkar Island after bombardment by Australian ships.

1961

The Chilean Navy's ESMERALDA, (barquentine), visited Sydney. The training ship was the first large sailing vessel to call at the port for ten years.

1984

The Fremantle class patrol boat HMAS GEELONG, was commissioned.

1988

Cairns Port Division, of the Royal Australian Naval Reserve, was established under CMDR I. W. Hall, RANR. The Division was established to operate HMAS TARAKAN, (landing craft heavy), and provide support to Fleet units based on Cairns.

1991

During Operation Gulf Storm, HMAS BENDIGO, (patrol boat), intercepted and boarded the first of 42 foreign fishing vessels intruding in Australian waters, off the east coast of Tasmania. This training exercise was conducted with the- Australian Fisheries Service.

2001

The Huon class mine hunter coastal HMAS GASCOYNE, was commissioned. GASCOYNE was laid down in ADI Yard, Newcastle, NSW, and launched on 11 March 2000.

2004

During a two week 'blitz' on illegal fishing vessels in Northern Australian waters, more then 15 Indonesian fishing vessels were detained. HMA Ships BUNBURY, WARRNAMBOOL, and WHYALLA, (patrol boats), assisted Australian Customs vessels to apprehend the illegal fishing boats.