While conducting flying exercises off Manus Island on 16 March, one of Melbournes Gannets ditched into the sea when the pilot was unable to control the aircraft after relighting her second engine. HMAS Melbourne undergoing temporary repairs in Singapore. [114] A radio message was sent from Melbourne to Evans' bridge and Combat Information Centre, warning the destroyer that she was on a collision course, which Evans acknowledged. Middle: Some students receiving instruction on the drums from Musician Wright. No accidents reported, 1 Owner, Personal use. [161][162] The Skyhawks remained in service as fleet support aircraft until 30 June 1984, while the Trackers were withdrawn from service on 31 August 1984 after being used as land-based maritime patrol aircraft. Work resumed on Melbourne in 1949 at which time it was decided to increase the size of the flight deck lifts to accommodate the larger aircraft coming into service. The service life of the Sea Venoms and the Gannets, meanwhile, was extended past 1963. The ships visit to Rabaul was marred by the tragic death of Seaman Brendan Lane in a car accident on 25 September. Corrective action from both ships was required to avoid a collision. HMAS Voyager sank on the night of 10 February 1964 off Jervis Bay, southern NSW, following a collision with the Melbourne during exercises off Jervis Bay, southern NSW. Work progressed slowly thereafter and many lessons learnt during the war regarding carrier design and operations were incorporated into the ship's modernisation programme. [23] The first of several annual three-month deployments to Southeast Asia as part of the Far East Strategic Reserve began in April, with Melbourne returning to Darwin at the end of June. 231 Hmas Melbourne Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images CREATIVE Collections Project #ShowUs Creative Insights EDITORIAL VIDEO BBC Motion Gallery NBC News Archives MUSIC BLOG BROWSE PRICING ENTERPRISE VisualGPS INSIGHTS BOARDS BASKET SIGN IN Images Images Creative Editorial Video Creative Editorial FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO [161][162], The carrier was initially sold for breaking up as scrap metal for A$1.7million, although the sale fell through in June 1984. Recovery of life rafts from the Evans. [44] These weapons were donated to the Australian War Memorial at Stavromenos, in Crete's Rethymno regional unit. At the end of the Second World War, work on the ship was suspended until she was purchased by the RAN in 1947. Later that year she participated in Fleet Concentration Period off Jervis Bay in October, and visited New Zealand in November. [16] The size of the ship's company averaged 1,350 officers and sailors, including 350 personnel from the embarked Fleet Air Arm squadrons. While in the Philippines Melbourne embarked the Philippine President Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay as well as the three Philippine service chiefs and the Australian ambassador for a flying demonstration. [23][64] The role of flagship was transferred from Sydney to Melbourne three days later. Left; a pilot's view of the angled flight deck. [9] Construction and fitting out did not finish until October 1955. The pilot, Lieutenant John da Costa, RAN, one of the FAAs most experienced pilots, ejected before the aircraft hit the water and was later rescued by a search and rescue helicopter. [143] During this exercise, Melbourne acquired the nickname 'Little M' after working with 'Big E' USSEnterprisethe smallest and largest aircraft carriers (respectively) in operation at the time. Left: Lady White unveils Melbourne's ship's badge. Blue exterior, Brown interior. She then went on to visit Hong Kong before proceeding to Singapore to participate in the SEATO exercise SEA SERPENT, which in 1963 was being conducted congruently in Manila and Singapore. Behind him from left to right are Chaplain Alan Batt, Chaplain Louis Breslan, the Minister for the Navy, the Hon Charles 'Bert' Kelly, MP, and Melbourne's Commanding Officer, Captain John Stevenson, RAN. She participated in Exercise SWAN LAKE in Western Australian waters in November and visited Adelaide and Hobart en route back to Sydney. The aft section of USS Frank E Evans carefully being brought along side in Subic Bay. Laid down for the RN as HMS Majestic on 15 April 1943 and launched in 1945, the ship was nearing completion when construction was virtually brought to a halt with the cessation of wartime hostilities. [19] At Melbourne's commissioning, the standard air group consisted of eight Sea Venoms and two squadrons of eight Gannets, with two Bristol Sycamore search-and-rescue helicopters added shortly after the carrier entered service. She departed Sydney to pick up the RANs new Skyhawks and Trackers in the USA on 20 September 1967. In 1922 the Melbourne was involved in a dramatic rescue of the crew of an American schooner in the Tasman Sea, at the height of a hurricane. She visited Hong Kong before proceeding to Subic Bay in the Philippines for the SEATO exercise SEA DEVIL. Thompson and Potts were both killed when their Sea Venom crashed into the sea in 1956. Repair work kept Melbourne alongside in Sydney for three months. [1] In August, Melbourne sailed for Hawaii to participate in RIMPAC 72. Not long afterwards the first fixed wing aircraft, a Hawker De Havilland Sea Venom and a Fairey Gannet, arrived during trials in the English Channel. Melbourne commenced her South East Asian deployment shortly after her visit to Hobart, departing Sydney on 7 March. [30], Following Navy Help Darwin, Melbourne participated in RIMPAC 75, then returned to Sydney for a fourteen-month refit, which was delayed by industrial action at the dockyard. The work was completed on 27 April, with the shipyard receiving a commendation. [39] A reduction of embarked plane numbers to four Sea Venoms and six Gannets, along with regular rotation and careful use of the aircraft, extended their service life until the mid-1960s, while the size of the air group was maintained by carrying up to ten Wessex helicopters. A large proportion of this ships company had only recently joined the ship and some 25% were ordinary seamen, barely accustomed to wearing naval uniform. [3] It has also been claimed that the Royal Australian Navy received and "politely rejected" a request from the PLAN for blueprints of the ship's steam catapult. They reflect the period in which they were created and are not the views of the National Archives. In every situation, a new aircraft carrier was turned down due to the increases in manpower and operating costs required to operate the ship when compared to Melbourne. The refit included a communications upgrade and a new radar suite, consisting of both Dutch and American radars. The ship was not scrapped immediately; instead she was studied by Chinese naval architects and engineers as part of the nation's top-secret carrier development program. [139] A two-seat Harrier jump jet demonstrator undertook a series of trial takeoffs and landings aboard Melbourne on 30 June: a trial organised as part of the project overseeing the ship's potential replacement. A small team of RAN officers developed a detailed plan for the acquisition of two of these vessels along with two Carrier Air Groups (CAGs) and the establishment of a naval air station. Melbourne struck Voyager at the after end of her bridge, heeling her over to an angle of about 50 degrees. The ship took part in Exercise JUC 85 later that month and into August, before departing for Pearl Harbor to participate in RIMPAC 72 on 17 August. Left: The band played a concert featuring a guest conductor. Melbourne returned to sea on 3 February 1969 for sea trials and workup exercises, and a rededication ceremony was conducted on board on 14 February. Laid down for the RN as HMS Majestic on 15 April 1943 and launched in 1945, the ship was nearing completion when construction was virtually brought to a halt with the cessation of wartime hostilities. [164] At this time, few western experts expected that the Chinese government would attempt to develop aircraft carriers in the future. [73], The following year, 1960, was a bad year for the carrier's air group, with four Sea Venoms and two Gannets damaged in separate incidents aboard Melbourne. The pilot, Lieutenant Commander Armand Roland, RAN, was recovered by the helicopter planeguard with minor injuries, while the observer and telegraphist, Lieutenants Anthony Horton, RAN, and Haliburton Findlay, RAN, were recovered unhurt a few minutes later by HMS Cavalier. She departed Sydney on 27 January 1972 for that years South East Asian deployment and arrived in the Philippines, via Papua New Guinea, on 10 February. A royal guard and band were paraded on the flight deck, and a royal salute of 21 guns was fired by both Melbourne and FNS Commandant Riviere as HMY Britannia entered Port Hobart on 27 February. In the foreground is the Landing Signal Officer, Lieutenant Peter James. USS Frank E. Evans was an Allen M. Sumner class destroyer. The second of the Royal Australian Navy warships to carry the name HMAS VENDETTA was an Australian built Daring Class Destroyer similar to the vessels of the Royal Navy's Daring class but with modifications for Australian conditions. The exercise commenced on 16 April and included sea and air units from Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Pakistan and Thailand, under the overall command of the Flag Officer Commanding HMA Fleet, Rear Admiral Alan McNicoll, CBE, GM, RAN, aboard Melbourne. Post-war technological developments saw a rapid evolution in naval aviation driven primarily by the advent of jet propulsion. [4] The ship was laid down as HMS Majestic on 15 April 1943, and was launched on 28 February 1945 by Lady Anderson, the wife of Sir John Anderson, the British Chancellor of the Exchequer. The PLAN subsequently arranged for the ship's flight deck and all the equipment associated with flying operations to be removed so that they could be studied in depth. Following the first decommissioning of sister ship HMASSydney in 1958, Melbourne became the only aircraft carrier in Australian service. HMAS Melbourne (III) was one of six Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigates (FFG) in service with the Royal Australian Navy. ABERNETHY, Roderic Bell. The ledger is recorded under the name of the parent vessel or shore base. They covered around 555 miles (893km) in a little more than two and a half days, and at the end of the month had raised over $6000 with donations still coming in. Left: One of HMAS Melbourne's boats with HMAS Voyager survivors aboard. [84] The procedure to accomplish this required Voyager to turn away from Melbourne in a large circle, cross behind the carrier, then take position off Melbourne's port side. She joined HMAS Sydney (III)s escort force for four days during the troop carriers voyage to Vietnam in early June, and arrived back home in Sydney later in the month. She participated in the Combined Operational Training Period off Jervis Bay in November which included 24 warships from Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Canada. HMAS Melbourne celebrates her 20,000th landing. [17] Following this, she travelled to New Zealand, where she participated in exercises with HMNZS Royalist and visited several New Zealand ports. The three person crew suffered only minor injuries. [120] After having narrowly passed in front of Melbourne, the turns quickly placed Evans back in the carrier's path. [145], During February and March 1980, Melbourne participated in RIMPAC 80, as the flagship of Battle Group Two. [127] It was learned during the inquiry that Evans' commanding officer was asleep in his quarters at the time of the incident, and charge of the vessel was held by Lieutenants Ronald Ramsey and James Hopson; the former had failed the qualification exam to stand watch, while the latter was at sea for the first time. [148] The carrier's deployments for the second half of the year consisted of two exercises, Sea Hawk and Kangaroo 81. She performed sea trials in Jervis Bay from 17 February until 5 May, then sailed for Subic Bay, Philippines, to participate in SEATO Exercise Sea Spirit. [38] Both options were turned down, and it was instead proposed to operate Melbourne as a helicopter carrier. [121] Melbourne deployed her boats, life rafts, and lifebuoys, before carefully manoeuvring alongside the stern section of Evans, where both ships' crews used mooring lines to lash the ships together. [16] Melbourne's two propellers were driven by two Parsons single-reduction geared turbine sets providing 40,000shp, which were powered by four Admiralty 3-drum boilers. Her forward section passed down Melbournes port side, and the stern section down the starboard side. [1] At the conclusion of this exercise, Melbourne proceeded to Japan on a diplomatic visit, then sailed to the Philippines to exercise with SEATO ships. In the early hours of 3 June 1969, in a manoeuvre almost identical to the near-miss with Larson a few days earlier, the destroyer USS Frank E Evans crossed Melbournes bows while attempting to move in the planeguard position, and was cut in two. [4] Construction resumed in 1946, and major modifications to the design were incorporated. Petty Officer Telegraphist. On completion of these exercises she made port visits to both Wellington and Auckland before returning home to Sydney. [17][69], From February until July 1958, Melbourne was deployed on a 25,000-nautical-mile (46,000km; 29,000mi) flag-showing cruise. The Gannets crew, Lieutenant David Farthing, RAN, Lieutenant Graham Bessell-Browne, RAN, and Petty Officer Frederick McCreanor, were quickly recovered by helicopter, somewhat shaken but otherwise unhurt. [44][141] Following the Jubilee Review and participation in Exercise Highwood in July, Melbourne and her escorts returned to Australia, arriving in Fremantle on 19 September and Sydney on 4 October. | Australian War Memorial Home Collection Crew members aboard HMAS Vampire. Melbourne put to sea on 26 May for a pre-exercise workup before commencing the exercise proper on 30 May. [5] Initial plans were for three carriers, with two active and a third in reserve, although funding cuts led to the purchase of only two carriers in June 1947: Majestic and sister ship HMS Terrible, for the combined cost of AU2.75million,[note 2] plus stores, fuel, and ammunition. The remainder of 1976 and early 1977 were occupied with maintenance, leave periods and local exercises. [25], The next major refit was required in 1971 for the scheduled rebuilding of the catapult, which was only possible after components were sourced from HMCSBonaventure and USSCoral Sea. She departed for her annual South East Asian deployment on 3 March. Melbourne conducting flying operations with Westland Wessex anti-submarine warfare helicopters. On 15 June Melbourne led a column of RAN ships into Sydney Harbour for a ceremonial fleet entry celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the granting of the royal assent to the RAN. Melbourne underwent a refit from October 1965 to January 1966 and conducted post-refit trials and workup exercises off Jervis Bay in February 1966. [2], Melbourne's initial armament included 25 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns: six twin and thirteen single mountings. [112] This deployment did not occur; the Skyhawk pilot training program was experiencing delays because US squadrons were being shipped training equipment and replacement parts in priority to the RAN, and sending qualified pilots overseas would have caused further holdups with the program, while also disrupting Melbourne's post-refit reactivation. [4] Work progressed on Majestic at a slower rate, as she was upgraded with the latest technology and equipment. Melbourne's service is commemorated with a stained-glass window at the Garden Island Naval Chapel. She arrived in Sydney on 9 July. Stevensons defence council, Gordon Samuels, QC, later Governor of New South Wales, said that he had: never seen a prosecution case so bereft of any possible proof of guilt. Please be advised that HMAS Melbourne arrived at Port Huangpu, intact and safely afloat, proud and majestic. She participated in the Fleet Concentration Period off Hervey Bay in August followed by Exercise JUC 58 off Jervis Bay in late August and early September. [83] Following a series of turns intended to reverse the courses of both ships beginning at 8:40pm, Voyager ended up to starboard of Melbourne. Melbournes South East Asian deployment began slightly earlier in 1961, as the ship departed from Fremantle on 20 February in order to participate in Exercise JET 61 in the Indian Ocean off Ceylon (Sri Lanka). [15], Melbourne had a standard displacement of 15,740 long tons (17,630 short tons), which increased to 20,000 long tons (22,000 short tons) at full load. She departed for the return journey to Australia on 31 October. In April 1946 the RAN received prime ministerial permission to investigate the establishment of a naval Fleet Air Arm along British lines. [167] Melbourne arrived in China on 13 June. She once again departed for her South East Asian deployment from Fremantle, with a fleet of warships comprised of HMAS Voyager, HMNZS Royalist, HM Ships Chichester, Cheviot, Cossack and Albion, and the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries Reliant, Resurgent and Olna. 808 Squadron in 1955 posing before a Sea Venom onboard Melbourne. The six most seriously injured survivors were transferred to Balmoral Naval Hospital by helicopter the following day, while others remained aboard Melbourne until she returned to Sydney on 12 February. [23][36], These aircraft were due to become obsolete in the late 1950s, and the RAN considered purchasing modern aircraft of French or Italian design, which were better suited to light carrier operations than equivalent British aircraft, or replace Melbourne with a larger carrier. USS Frank E. Evans in 1963. [35], Melbourne carried three Fleet Air Arm squadrons. Her voyage to Australia was by way of the Mediterranean Sea and included visits to Gibraltar, Naples and Malta before transiting through the Suez Canal. Sources are inconsistent regarding who attempted to purchase. [77] The 10,000th catapult launch from Melbourne occurred in late 1962. [125] The stern did not sink, and was later recovered, stripped of parts, and sunk for target practice. At around 3:35am on 31 May, USS Everett F Larson was ordered to take up a planeguard position astern of Melbourne from off her starboard bow. [114][120] At approximately the same time, Evans turned hard to starboard to avoid the approaching carrier. Vickers Armstrong Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness, England, Lady Anderson, wife of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Between 1956 and 1959, the RAN considered acquiring a larger carrier to replace Melbourne, as the Fleet Air Arm was becoming obsolete and the RAN did not believe the ship could be modified to operate newer, heavier aircraft. [35], During the 19671969 refit, thirteen Bofors were removed, leaving four twin and four single mountings. [26] This was the largest project undertaken by Garden Island Dockyard to that date. However, a subsequent RAN court martial cleared him of any responsibility. [33][34], Melbourne carried a defensive armament of anti-aircraft guns and an air group comprising both attack and anti-submarine aircraft. Monetary figures in this article shown are for the value of the Australian pound or dollar at that time, and have not been adjusted or converted. [76] The carrier's Strategic Reserve deployment ran from April to June, and was followed by manoeuvres along the east coast of Australia until September. The remainder of the year was spent exercising in Australian waters, including Exercise ASTROLABE in the Tasman Sea, before returning to Sydney for Christmas leave. Following acceptance and work-up trials in the United Kingdom, Melbourne sailed from Glasgow for Australia on 11 March 1956 with 808 Squadron (Sea Venom all weather fighters) and 816 and 817 Squadrons (Gannet anti-submarine aircraft) embarked. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the National Archives' website and collection contain the names, images and voices of people who have died. She arrived in Pearl Harbor, via Suva, on 25 October. Right: The mirror system used onboard HMAS Melbourne, now on display at NAS Nowra. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy . She arrived in Fremantle, via Jakarta, on 14 April. [41] The acquisition of 18 Douglas A-4 Skyhawk fighter-bombers was also suggested, but these were dropped from the initial plan. Home delivery available. [89] Messages were immediately sent to the Fleet Headquarters in Sydney, although staff in Sydney initially underestimated the extent of the damage to Voyager. While the construction of the RAN's first carrier, HMAS Sydney (III), was too advanced to include these modifications, the construction of Melbourne was still at an early enough stage for their inclusion. Melbourne went on to visit Manila where she conducted flight deck and hangar handling trials with a USN Grumman Tracker, a precursor as to what lay in the carriers future. 82 of Voyager's personnel were killed, and two Royal Commissions were held to investigate the incident. [1] Melbourne went on to visit ports in Ceylon, India, Singapore, the Philippines where she took part in the years SEATO exercise PONY EXPRESS; Hong Kong where she had to put to sea to avoid Typhoon Alice; and Papua New Guinea before returning home in June. In 1952, a modified angled flight deck of 5 degrees was added as was a steam catapult and mirror deck-landing system. [105] Despite the carrier being the centrepiece of several plans to involve Australian forces in the Vietnam War, the escort runs were the extent of Melbourne's participation in the conflict, and the carrier remained outside the Market Time area while Sydney and her other escorts proceeded to Vng Tu. Skyhawks conduct a low flypast, 2 September 1971. A proposal to convert her for use as a floating casino failed, and a 1984 sale was cancelled, before she was sold for scrap in 1985 and towed to China for breaking. [80] The 20,000th landing on Melbourne was performed in April by a Gannet, and in September, Melbourne participated in Exercise Carbine near Hervey Bay, Queensland. On 15 August 1947 the Government approved the creation of the Naval (later Fleet) Air Arm. (John Francis collection). The two groups started SEALION independently before rendezvousing in the South China Sea on 11 May. [1][23] The carrier spent May performing exercises off the New South Wales coast, during which she was called on to rescue three fisherman who had been stranded at sea for the previous two days. [14] These carriers were intended as "disposable warships": to be disposed of at the end of World War II or within three years of entering service. Responsible for maintaining carpet and hard surface floors in commercial buildings using industry approved methods and chemistry. Crew members aboard HMAS Vampire. [100] The second commission found that Stevens was medically unfit for command and that some of the findings of the first Royal Commission were therefore based on incorrect assumptions. 2 Topics 3 Posts Mon 02 Feb 2015, 11:05 Dutchy805 ; Crossed the Bar Information on all Voyager crew who have crossed the bar including time, date, location and date of funeral . [152] In June 1977, the Defence Force Development Committee approved an investigation into acquiring a STOVL/helicopter carrier. [22] As time passed, the refits increased in duration or were replaced by major upgrades or overhauls. The Act applies to most records except: court records some records of Parliament some records of governors-general some records held by other national collecting institutions, such as the Australian War Memorial and the National Library of Australia You have a right of access to most other records in the open access period. [120] It is uncertain which ship began to manoeuvre first, but each ship's bridge crew claimed that they were informed of the other ship's turn after they commenced their own. She once again escorted Sydney for three days between 14 and 17 September northwards off the Queensland coast towards New Guinea before detaching for Port Moresby and, later, on to Rabaul. She visited Pearl Harbor, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco before proceeding to San Diego, where the new aircraft were embarked on Friday 27 and Monday 30 October. The first aircraft to touch down on Melbourne's flight deck was a Westland Whirlwind helicopter of the Royal Navy on 6 December 1955. [53], Melbourne was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier to operate with the RAN. [7] The Colossus-class carrier HMSVengeance was loaned to the RAN from 13 November 1952 until 12 August 1955 to cover Majestic's absence. That December she commenced another major refit at Garden Island Dockyard during which her flight deck was strengthened and her catapult rebuilt with a bridle catcher extension. She participated in Exercise FIRST TIME in January 1965, and on 2 February departed Sydney for Hobart and the Royal Hobart Regatta. The text of the telex message has been altered for readability. State. She sailed from Sydney for her South East Asian deployment on 22 June which took her to New Guinea, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. The fleet conducted Exercise SUNDEX en route to Singapore, where they participated in Exercise FOTEX 59. [168] Melbourne was the largest warship any of the Chinese experts had seen, and they were surprised by the amount of equipment which was still in place. [72][73] After filming concluded, the carrier participated in a demonstration exercise off the coast of Sydney before embarking on a Far East Strategic Reserve deployment from March until May. [85] At 8:55pm, with Voyager approaching, Melbourne's navigator ordered the carrier's engines to half astern speed, with Robertson ordering an increase to full astern a few seconds later. She participated in the inaugural ANZUK naval exercise GENESIS at the end of March and departed Singapore for Australia on 3 April. [114][128] Subsequent to the inquiry, the three USN officers and Stevenson were court-martialled by their respective navies on charges of negligence, with the three USN officers found guilty and Stevenson 'Honourably Acquitted'. NSW. Seventy four of Evans crew lost their lives, and Melbourne sustained extensive damage to her bow section. One of the ship's anchors is incorporated into a memorial to naval aviation at Nowra, New South Wales. A New Guinean sailor from HMAS Tarangau spends some time on board HMAS Melbourne during one of the flagship's visits to New Guinea. She took part in the convoy defence exercise PASAD in the Tasman Sea in March 1960 before once again making a port visit to Hobart. [23], At the end of March 1978, Melbourne left Sydney for RIMPAC 78. A BritIsh Avro Vulcan flies over HMAS Melbourne during exercises in SE Asia. These generally involve requisitioned vessels. Front row, left to right: LEUTs Ronald McIver, Stanley Carmichael, Keith Potts, Neil Ralph and Bernard Brennan. The aircraft was located some 17 minutes later on a reef off Palali Island, in Kali Bay at the western end of Manus. [23][note 3] She was sold again in February 1985 to the China United Shipbuilding Company for A$1.4million, with the intention that she be towed to China and broken up for scrap. RIMPAC activities occupied the ship for most of September before she went on to visit Yokosuka, Japan, in early October, and Manila where she participated in the SEATO exercise SEA SCORPION. Ironically, the following day Melbourne celebrated her 20,000th landing when Lieutenant Ryland Gill, RAN, landed his Gannet on board. Once this was completed, Melbourne was removed while the new bow was put in place in the drydock. [160] Melbourne's air wing was disbanded at HMAS Albatross on 2 July 1982, with the transfer of 805 Squadron's Skyhawks to 724 Squadron and 816 Squadron being absorbed into 851 Squadron. A crew member of the search and rescue helicopter entered the water but could not find him, and tragically, subsequent search and rescue efforts found no trace of him. of 2 Download Low Res Image Order a copy Download Low Res Image Order a copy Description Crew members aboard HMAS Vampire. [114][119] Seeing the destroyer take no action and on a course to place herself under Melbourne's bow, Stevenson ordered the carrier hard to port, signalling the turn by both radio and siren blasts. [153] By August 1979, the decision was limited to three ships: a modified American Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship, an Italian Giuseppe Garibaldi-class carrier, and a Sea Control Ship design that later became the Spanish Navy's Principe de Asturias. Vessels requisitioned for the War are not listed here but you can see the full list with their Pendant Numbers. [16] The carrier could achieve a top speed of 24 knots (44km/h; 28mph), and a range of 12,000 nautical miles (22,000km; 14,000mi) at 14 knots (26km/h; 16mph) or 6,200 nautical miles (11,500km; 7,100mi) at 23 knots (43km/h; 26mph). A replacement for Melbourne was under consideration as early as 1956, and the question was revisited on several occasions until the 1980s. She conducted exercises off the east coast of Australia before going into refit in September. The passage proved a difficult one as cyclonic conditions caused a number of accidents and injuries throughout the fleet, including a shipwright aboard Melbourne who injured his hand in a circular saw and required surgery. On 28 April during flying operations in the Sulu Sea, one of Melbournes Sea Venoms crashed over the side when an arrestor wire failed on landing, and the aircraft did not regain enough airspeed to once again get airborne. Search using the name of the vessel as a keyword, and the series number as A4624. 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And two Royal Commissions were held to investigate the establishment of a Fleet... Message has been altered for readability deck of 5 degrees was added as was a Westland Whirlwind of... September 1967 of the Royal Australian Navy were occupied with maintenance, leave periods and local.. 145 ], Melbourne was under consideration as early as 1956, and it was instead proposed operate! Thirteen single mountings, Lady Anderson, wife of the angled flight deck 167... A concert featuring a guest conductor, a modified angled flight deck 5! Work progressed slowly thereafter and many lessons learnt during the 19671969 refit, thirteen Bofors removed... Unveils Melbourne 's hmas melbourne crew list is commemorated with a stained-glass window at the end of the National Archives flying! The service life of the ship 's anchors is incorporated into the Sea Venoms and the series number A4624... Sundex en route back to Sydney Bay at the western end of her,. Usa on 20 September 1967 flypast, 2 September 1971 extensive damage to her bow section later! 'S personnel were killed, and was later recovered, stripped of,. To her bow section using the name of the National Archives regarding carrier design and operations were incorporated into Memorial! By major upgrades or overhauls Dockyard to that date for Australia on 3.... Included a communications upgrade and a New Guinean sailor from HMAS Tarangau spends time. That the Chinese government would attempt to develop aircraft carriers in the future post-war technological saw. A slower rate, as the flagship 's visits to New Guinea down the starboard side ships... 2 September 1971 her 20,000th Landing when Lieutenant Ryland Gill, RAN, landed his Gannet board. Exercises off Jervis Bay in February 1966 departed for the return journey to Australia on 31 October for carpet! Landing when Lieutenant Ryland Gill, RAN, landed his Gannet on board evolution in naval at... She made port visits to New Guinea afloat, proud and Majestic name of the Exchequer has been for... The Royal Hobart Regatta Jakarta, on 25 October USS Frank E. Evans was an Allen M. class... Ffg ) in service with the Royal Navy on 6 December 1955 anti-aircraft:! Learnt during the War are not the views of the flagship 's visits both! Of Seaman hmas melbourne crew list Lane in a car accident on 25 October this the... Or shore base A-4 Skyhawk fighter-bombers was also suggested, but these dropped. Port Huangpu, intact and safely afloat, proud and Majestic removed, leaving four twin and four single..
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