Australian Naval Notes No. 1: 2016

Transcription

1 Australian Naval Notes No. 1: 2016 A bi-monthly newsletter intended to increase the awareness of issues as they affect the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) in current, past and future scenarios. Edited by ross.gillett@hotmail.com This is the maiden issue of the new and free Australian Naval Notes. It will span a total of 20 or more pages per edition and is available via direct . Readership will grow with each passing issue, and comments/ s to the editor are always welcome. Contents 2 - Comments 3 - Australian Naval News 6 - New Zealand Naval News 8 - Looking Ahead - a future course for the RAN 11 - Other Ideas - passenger ships in Sydney Harbour 12 - HMCS or HMAS? 13 - The RAN in Overseas thoughts Adelaide Notes: All photographs are from the RAN web page, unless otherwise credited. If you enjoy the new Australian Naval Notes, please share it with other naval persons, both serving and retired.

2 Comments Sub secrets Lost submarine secrets seem to have been the headlines in much of the Australian media over the past few weeks. However, all of the data that appeared in the press and on the web concerned the smaller (and older design) patrol submarines of the Scorpene class, built for other navies. No data relating to the much improved Barracuda class nuclear powered attack submarines for the French Navy, or the Shortfin Barracuda class to be built for the RAN as conventionally powered boats was stolen and released. If there will be some positive outcome of this for the RAN it should be expected that the already proven safeguards in place for the existing Collins class boats will be further enhanced for the new submarines, to be modified from the French nuclear design. As well, further improvements in such safeguards will be developed over the next decade as the RAN design is finalised prior to start of construction in South Australia. If the media reports of early September are correct, the Indian Navy has advised the French builders, DCNS, that a follow on order for three Scorpene class boats, above the six on order, will now not proceed. Who India will now turn towards to satisfy its needs for a sizeable submarine fleet, is the question, but most likely Russia, which has supplied many boats over earlier decades. A new order? The recent RIMPAC 2016 saw the new LHD HMAS Canberra operate a number of USMC AAV7A amphibious vehicles. With the veteran LARC-Vs ageing every passing day, maybe now is the time to consider the purchase of a small number of these AAVP-7A1s for the Navy, and to add such an order onto the end of a recent decision by Japan to acquire a small number of new build vehicles from the USA. The mid 1960s era LARC-Vs cannot last forever, and the USMC craft provide a much greater degree of protection for its embarked troops. New build AAVP-7A1s are not expensive pieces of equipment, and the two LHDs need to operate the best equipment from their well decks as part of the new-look ADF amphibious force now being developed.. Still growing It's good to see that Sydney's long-commissioned shore establishment HMAS Penguin continues to be developed. The latest news from the Middle Harbour site has been the opening of a new RAN/Army Dive school. Over a number of years various groups have called for the sale of a number of naval bases, so it's good to see that Watson, Waterhen and Penguin continue to provide valuable support services, Moreton has recommissioned, and Creswell, Stirling, Cairns, Kuttabul, Albatross and Cerberus are also being further developed to meet the needs of the navy of the future. HMAS Farncomb sails from Port Adelaide. Paul Charlton. 2

3 Australian Naval News Compiled by Cerberus Adelaide Tasmania During August, the LHD HMAS Adelaide (right) operated off the east coast of Tasmania to undertake Chinook (CH-47F) medium lift helicopter first of class flight trials to ensure the safe operation of the helicopters onboard. Cold weather aspects of the first of class flight trials were conducted of the east coast of the island state, with the hot aspects of the flight trials to be held in waters off Northern Australia. The centre image from Chris Sattler shows the ship departing from Sydney with the F model Chinooks embarked. Fiji commitment The ADF s commitment to Fiji in the days following Tropical Cyclone Winston was remembered during HMAS Canberra s return visit to Fiji during August. Canberra was in Suva to conduct official engagements following her participation in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 16. Canberra s commanding officer Captain Chris Smith said he was keen to see how the country had continued to recover from the cyclone. We worked very closely with Fiji s National Disaster Management Organisation during the emergency, and to sit down together and reflect on what worked and what can be improved is a great way of continuing to build our strong partnership. After arriving in Townsville on 25 August for a short stopover to unload gear, Canberra and her ship's company then received a warm welcome from family and friends as the LHD returned to Sydney on 31 August after completing a three month deployment to RIMPAC 16 and her visit to Fiji six months on from Operation Fiji Assist. Aegis training Some of the crew members set to serve onboard the new guided missile destroyer HMAS Hobart when she is commissioned later this year, have trained on the Aegis combat system onboard a US Navy Aegis-equipped ship. Eight Hobart electronics technicians embarked in the USS Spruance, an Arleigh Burke class destroyer of the USN, in Darwin for the training. The event enabled the sailors to consolidate their previous training by utilising tailored scenarios that displayed capabilities and functionality unique to the Aegis weapon system. Several members of Hobart s company had already undertaken Aegis combat system training in the USA. The ship is set to enter contractor sea trials in September and will be delivered to the RAN in The three new Hobart class destroyers will replace the RAN's Adelaide class guided missile frigates. NUSHIP Brisbane, taken by Lindsay Rex, is shown at the lower right. Paradise Chinooks Brisbane Sheean up top HMAS Sheean, a Collins class submarine arrived at Subic Bay in Olongapo City, Zambales, on 19 August for a week long port visit. Capt. Lued Lincuna, Philippine Navy spokesman, said the submarine docked at Alava Pier, Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Philippine Navy delegates rendered customary welcome ceremony upon arrival of the visiting navy headed by the ship s commanding officer, Commander Jason Cupples, followed by a port briefing on health and security aboard the submarine, Lincuna added. The visit and the personnel interaction with their Filipino counterparts, he said, are in accordance with the Philippine-Australia Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), to provide for a comprehensive legal framework to support defence personnel engaged in joint training and other related activities conducted in the Philippines or in Australia. 3

4 Paluma class Paradise Toowoomba Updates for Paluma class On 25 August 2016 it was announced that FarSounder has been contracted to provide four complete FarSounder-1000 systems and spare parts as part of an upgrade programme of the RAN s four Paluma class hydrographic survey motor launches (SMLs) (left top). The FarSounder D forward-looking sonar system provides the user with real-time navigation information up to 1,000m range ahead of the vessel. The system is fitted with a stainless steel Transducer Module with an underwater wet matable connector, a power module in-rack-mountable chassis, waterproof connection cable, a SonaSoft user interface software, and a marinised bridge computer. FarSounder engineering vice-president Matthew Zimmerman said: The FarSounder team is proud to be a part of this upgrade programme for the RAN fleet. We appreciate our inclusion and that our products are recognised for the benefit they bring to this class of vessels. BAE Systems will serve as the prime contractor for the project, while Seismic Asia Pacific, as the FarSounder dealer, is responsible for the purchase of the equipment and supporting the systems integration. The four 360 metric tonne SMLs are HMA Ships Paluma, Mermaid, Shepparton and Benalla. Each SML operates in the shallow waters of northern Australia, and generally work in pairs. They feature the latest survey and computerised hydrographic data processing equipment, and navigation aids. Recently, FarSounder supplied its FarSounder-1000 systems for two US Navy transferred Osprey class mine hunter coastal (MHC) vessels. Paradise In mid August Exercise PARADISE got underway from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (left centre)), with little fanfare but with much promise for the participating RAN and PNG navies. The exercise is the primary bilateral maritime engagement for the two groups and was designed to enhance their ability to work together in maritime surveillance and security. The Armidale class patrol boat HMAS Wollongong participated, alongside the local Pacific class patrol boats, HMPNG Ships Seeadler and Moresby. All vessels practiced tactical communications, surveillance, force protection, seamanship, navigation, boarding operations and gunnery. Wollongong's crew also visited Bomana Cemetery before the start of the exercise to pay their respects. Executive Officer, Lieutenant Mark Doggett, said those who attended were moved by the level of sacrifice and the care taken for the cemetery, the largest war cemetery in the Pacific, containing the graves of 3,779 Australian and Allied soldiers, sailors and airmen who lost their lives during the Second World War. Wollongong returned to her home port, HMAS Cairns, in late August. Toowoomba A significant milestone was achieved on 1 August with the formation of a seventh Anzac class frigate crew - the first time since Personnel formed up to crew HMAS Toowoomba (left), undergoing an Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) upgrade at Henderson Shipyard, Western Australia. The frigate was returned to the water in September, as the seventh frigate to receive the upgrade, which involves the installation of cutting edge, Australian-developed radar technology. However, unlike earlier class upgrades, Toowoomba did not undergo a crew swap - where a crew from a ship about to enter deep maintenance takes responsibility of a ship coming out of maintenance. This time the frigate will return to service with a whole new crew. Toowoomba is expected to return to Fleet Base West by late November and start her work up in early 2017, before participating in Exercise TALISMAN SABRE The group photograph (left lower) depicts the ASMD Project personnel and many sub-contractors, at the BAE Systems Australia Henderson Dockyard, with HMA Ships Toowoomba and Stuart in the rear. 4

5 Final Seahawk handed over On 28 July Lockheed Martin delivered the 24th, and final, MH-60R Seahawk helicopter to the USN in support of the Navy s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program with the RAN, the company said in a 28 July press release. The milestone delivery took place the day before at Lockheed Martin s Owego, N.Y. facility. In late 2010, the Government had not yet made a decision to acquire the Romeo, and yet here we are in mid-2016 accepting the 24th, and final, aircraft, Commodore Scott Lockey, director general, Navy Aviation Systems said. The RAN has since formed the first three embarked flights, conducted the first Hellfire missile shoot and performed a highly successful DIPEX against a Collins class submarine. Australia selected the MH-60R Romeo Seahawk helicopter (right) in June 2011 to fulfil the need for a fleet of 24 new-generation, multi-role naval combat aircraft. In addition to the MH-60R helicopter s primary mission areas of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, it also has the capability for secondary missions including search and rescue, vertical replenishment, naval surface fire support, logistics support, personnel transport, medical evacuation, and VHF/UHF/link communication relay. The sale to Australia marked the first international sale of a U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter. The RAN took in-country delivery of its first mission-ready aircraft in 2014, and the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter training Squadron, 725 Squadron, was commissioned in Nowra, New South Wales in June Seahawk LHD LC New contract In July Navantia signed a new contract with the Capability and Sustainment Group (CASG) for platform design services. The contract allows Navantia Australia to provide services as engineering and technical assistance directly to the client (CASG) for the pair of LHDs and their LLC force of 12 craft, which Navantia also built for the RAN. As a very relevant agreement for Navantia Australia's interests, it has established a direct channel of provision of services with the RAN that will permit stronger relationships, as well as open new opportunities to provide services fundamentally from Australia. For Navantia, this milestone was one more step in the direction of increasing its local capability and penetrating as a trustworthy supplier into Australia, as well as an accolade within the confidence deposited in Navantia Australia. Later in Sydney, on 23 August, the Amphibious Landing Craft Faculty at HMAS Waterhen completed the first LHD Landing Craft Coxswains course (right centre), a key developmental milestone for the amphibious capability of the ADF. Stoker Black Carillion The Royal Australian Navy Submarine Escape and Rescue Centre (SERC) conducted Exercise Black CARILLON 16 in the Western Australian Exercise Area (WAXA) between 5-9 September The focus of the exercise was to practice and prove established rescue procedures used in the rare instance of a submarine emergency that require the evacuation of personnel from a simulated disabled boat. Black CARILLON 16 also demonstrated the capabilities of the recently acquired rescue gear ship MV Stoker and the Transfer- Under-Pressure chamber (right); the working procedures between the first on site intervention ship and rescue gear ship and conduct rescue exercises on a simulated Disabled Submarine (DISSUB). 5

6 Darwin Bits and pieces The landing helicopter dock ship HMAS Adelaide was opened to the public at Port Adelaide on 26 June. All five thousand odd (free) on-line tickets were taken up well before her arrival. There were no helicopters aboard but four landing craft were carried, including L4408 (which could be inspected by the public). More than 200 crew members from HMAS Darwin marched through the City of Darwin on 7 July, to exercise their Freedom of Entry. The guided missile frigate (FFG) arrived in the port on 6 July, her first port visit in Australia after a six month Operation MANITOU deployment to the Middle-East. During her time away Darwin seized a large cache of illicit weapons and narcotics. Sailing into Sydney Harbour, Darwin (left) returned to Fleet Base East on 17 July. Perth (right) The Collins class submarine HMAS Rankin returned to HMAS Stirling on 8 July after a nine month (267 day) deployment. An RAN spokesman described it as "the longest single deployment for a Collins class submarine". She operated as far as Guam, Japan and South Korea. The Australian Mine Warfare Team 16 was officially named at a ceremony at HMAS Waterhen on 14 July Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, AO, CSC, RAN, attended the ceremony, which included the symbolic transfer of the '16' from the long decommissioned 16th Mine Sweeping Squadron. The survey ship HMAS Melville operated in the Timor Sea during July. In late August the Anzac class HMAS Perth (left) took part in a joint anti-submarine exercise off the coast of Oman in the Middle East Region during her deployment for Operation Manitou. A number of countries were involved in the exercise including Australia, United States, England and France. The ships involved were Perth, HMS Portland, RFA Fort Victoria, USS Nitze, USS Mason and submarine USS Dallas, with France providing air assets. New Zealand Naval News Across the Tasman On 5 June, the offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Otago sailed from Auckland to conduct fisheries patrols in support of south-west Pacific nations. The operation was sponsored by New Zealand s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with the ship embarking compliance officers from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Pacific island nations. Over the following two months Otago conducted port visits as part of defence diplomacy activities. The RNZN will acquire a third offshore patrol vessel (OPV), designed to operate in the Southern Ocean and near to Antarctica, with an ice strengthened double-hull. In 2016 the RNZN now operates just nine active vessels, following the earlier announcement by the Government to sell off two of its four smaller Rotoiti class inshore patrol vessels. The third OPV will take the lessons learned from operating two existing Australian built vessels, HMNZS Ships Otago and Wellington. The new OPV is expected to be delivered in An endurance of around 30 days will enable the OPV to sail south to the Antarctic and remain on station there for a significant period of time. On 8 August, HMNZS Canterbury arrived in Sydney Harbour, the visit for a docking in the Captain Cook Graving Dock at Garden Island. The logistic ship was placed into the inner dock, and her two landing craft and the Manly ferry Queenscliff worked on in the outer dock. 6

7 New Kiwi tanker In another major decision for the RNZN the Government has announced an order for a new $348 million naval tanker from Hyundai in South Korea. The new vessel will replace the replenishment tanker HMNZS Endeavour, commissioned in April To be powered by diesel engines driving twin props, the new tanker will have provision for two mini-typhoons and a Phalanx CIWS for self-defence. At least 12 TEU containers in a single tier will be carried. Book Review Honour Denied Written by Dr Tom Lewis and published by Avonmore Books, this Australian naval book focuses upon Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean, a Tasmanian Hero. It asks the very important question; why hasn't one member of the RAN ever been awarded the Victoria Cross, for after all, up to early 2016, 96 Army and four RAAF personnel had received the prestigious award. The tanker will be able to refuel two ships at a time while underway, carry and refuel Defence Force helicopters, produce and store water, and store and transport bulk goods. The design will include icestrengthening and winterisation features. This will allow her to deliver fuel and other goods to support Scott Base and McMurdo Station, during summer months once an icebreaker has cleared a path. Endeavour is now unable to operate helicopters and is scheduled for decommissioning in 2018, two years before her replacement's expected delivery. Celebrating 75 years A newly completed model (below) of the Royal Navy s Indefatigable class battlecruiser HMS NEW ZEALAND, a two metre long model by Graham Beeson, of Whangaparaoa, will soon be displayed at the National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy at Torpedo Bay, near Devonport. Note: If you re enjoying the new Australian Naval Notes, please pass it on to other naval persons, both serving and retired. According to the author, it was from not a lack of bravery that this unjust situation has arisen, but from substantial unfairness. For example, while his fellow crew members aboard the Bathurst class corvette HMAS Armidale were abandoning their ship, Tasmania's Teddy Sheean returned to his 20mm Oerlikon gun to continue firing at a force of attacking Japanese aircraft. To be awarded a VC, during the Great War and then Second World War, the RAN, unlike the Army and RAAF, had to apply for their awards through Britain's Royal Navy, with its many additional levels of 'red-tape'. As well as Sheean, two other naval heroes also deserved such an award, CAPT Hec Waller aboard the light cruiser HMAS Perth, lost in the battle of the Sunda Strait on 1 March 1942 and LCDR Robert Rankin aboard the sloop HMAS Yarra just three days later. The tiny Yarra engaged the enemy with her four inch guns, but the convoy she was escorting was quickly overwhelmed. Sometime after 0800 Rankin finally gave the order to abandon ship. A direct hit on the bridge killed him minutes later. Of Yarra's complement of 151 men, only thirteen were rescued. Keith Payne, VC AM, in his afterword to Honour Denied, wrote; 'I feel that there were cases in World war II in the Navy where a Victoria Cross should have been recommended and awarded... It is never too late for a gallantry award to be recommended and approved, especially since we have our own awards system. Author Dr Tom Lewis should be congratulated for pursuing and thus highlighting this important part of RAN history and its associated or should I say, lack of suitable awards. Navy has and continues to be engaged in many important actions with much effort and in many cases, heroism by its crews. 7

8 LOOKING AHEAD A future course for the RAN With the very much delayed Defence White Paper (DWP) now released, the future shipbuilding plans announced for Navy last year have been confirmed and in some instances upgraded. Announcements regarding the successful tenders for the new generation of front line surface warships is still a way off, but at least the nation has received confirmation of the numbers to be acquired by the RAN over the coming decades; - nine Future Frigates, with the building process to begin in 2020 and the lead units in service from the late 1920s, and - twelve offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) with the initial unit to start construction from 2018 following its own Competitive Evaluation Process. Although the successful tender for the twelve new submarines was announced in May, it will be many years before building begins, and even longer for the first boat to start sea trials. Growth Of the four major projects announced, including the order for the two new modified Cantabria class AORs, the OPVs will become the first delivered units of the entire naval construction project. The new class is scheduled for delivery, one OPV per year from 2020, after which they will perform a variety of roles including "enhanced border protection and patrol missions over greater distances than is currently possible with the existing patrol boat fleet. Building will start in 2018, with all twelve to be delivered by 2030", the DWP commented. Across the globe the Royal Navy is now building three new OPVs, and recently announced the order for another two of same class, to provide a force of six modern corvette sized OPVs, which will also help relieve the pressure on that Navy's reduced force of traditional destroyers and frigates. If the RAN's planned vessels are also corvette sized, and if properly armed, and not just 'fitted for', the new ships will also enhance the Fleet's overall capacity to satisfy many of those medium length deployments. The inclusion of an aviation capability in the OPVs will raise ADV Cape Byron alongside at Austal, with Cape Nelson ready for launch, 17 April Chris Gee. the status of such a platform from the existing small patrol boat era to a new and more versatile corvette level of operations, which in turn will provide the Fleet with a much more versatile vessel able to perform some of the tasks normally assigned to the larger frigates that undertake long range overseas missions up to six months away from base. The role of the new OPV becomes even more important as the complexity of the next generation of frigates grows in size, up to 6,000 tonnes, close to the level of the three new Hobart class guided missile destroyers. Contenders Three contenders for the new OPV force were announced, Damen with their Type 1800 offshore patrol vessel, Fassmer's OPV 80 and Lürssen's PV80. The Damen 1800 is described online via their own 'sales' brochure. Some of the features of this OPV include; a spacious bridge, with a separate OPS room for surveillance and gun control. The ship's flight deck is supported by a hangar and refuelling for a helicopter up to The size of a NH90, or MRH- 90 in Australian service. Wave compensated davits (up to sea state 5) are fitted to accommodate a pair of 9.0 m interceptors / boarding boats. Below -deck spaces - multi-role or dedicated - feature accommodation for survivors or embarked forces, storage of mission equipment and packaged goods. An aft deck space allows for two containerised mission modules. For the OPV crew, Each will include heated and air-conditioned accommodation for 46 personnel in single, double and four berth cabins, mess rooms, a recreation area, galley, laundry, gymnasium and sickbay, with treatment and recovery area for four persons. The main 76mm gun, located forward of the bridge, is supported by two 20 mm weapons. The company brochure indicates the role of their Type 1800 as border and EEZ surveillance, counter piracy and smuggling, counter drugs and weapons trafficking, SAR, fishery inspection, disaster relief and logistical support. Length overall in 83 metres, with a fuel oil capacity of 200 cubic metres, a maximum speed of 22 knots and range of 5,000nm at 12 knots. (As with all three tenders, some of these figures could change depending on specific RAN requirements.) The Fassmer OPV 80 has been ordered by Chile, with two OPV 80s already delivered. These large offshore patrol vessels possess exceptional seakeeping characteristics and according to the company, have set numerous new standards in this area. Their advanced hull design makes the vessel fully seagoing and ideal for multi-functional tasks in naval and coastal missions. A special deck layout features the helicopter landing platform and a big rescue zone. The vessel can accommodate up to 100 persons and has a maximum speed of 25 knots. Lürssen, with their PV80 have designed the vessel to handle a range of new threats and a multifaceted array of deployment scenarios. The OPV is characterised by excellent seaworthiness for high seas and thus deployment beyond coastal areas. This ship type is also designed to support air and land surveillance operations, as well as helicopter missions. The outstanding features of Lürssen offshore patrol vessels include cost-efficient construction to allow expansion of functionalities at a later date, solutions for the care and lodging of crew as well as customised weapons, sensor and fire control systems. Prevention of smuggling and piracy is like the other designs on offer, via inflatable boats (RIBs) carried on board. Length is 89 metres, with a maximum speed of 22 knots. 8

9 More Cape class The 14 December 2015 decision for the Maritime Border Command (MBC) to acquire two additional Cape class patrol boats was a good indication of the success of the WA based Austal design. The company won the $63 million contract to build the two extra Capes for delivery in mid The boats' owners, the National Australia Bank, will charter them to the Department of Defence for a minimum term of three years. NAB awarded the contract to build the boats to Austal, which has the option of buying back the vessels at an agreed price if Defence returns them after three years. Austal will also provide in-service support for the vessels. As previously highlighted in the AW magazine, two the eight completed Cape class MBC vessels are now being crewed by naval personnel in an effort to help relieve the pressure on the 13 Armidale class patrol boats (ACPBs). The pair of Cape class boats, ADV Cape Byron and ADV Cape Nelson, were transferred to Navy until late 2016 to help support the intensive program of maintenance for the Armidale class vessels and to fill the gap created by the loss by fire of HMAS Bundaberg.. (left) Damen's Type 1800 OPV. Damen. (centre) Fassmer OPV80 design. Fassmer (bottom) Lurssen OPV 80. Lurssen 9

10 Cape Byron was introduced into RAN service in July 2015, followed by Cape Nelson in October. Both vessels were home-ported at HMAS Cairns. Crews Each Cape class vessel has been assigned two full Navy crews who operate on rotation, an arrangement which mirrors the system used by the MBC, and which allows the boats to operate almost continuously on assigned maritime security duties. The earlier transition from the old Fremantle class patrol boats to the Armidale class produced an increase in both capability and also lifestyle for the crew. Now in 2016 the Cape class boats have provided another incremental change, via a number of subtle improvements in the way equipments are configured and how the vessel is fitted out, the result of lessons gained from operating the Armidale boats over more than a decade. The two 'loaned' Cape class boats have retained their blue colour scheme from MBC, so outwardly the boats look different. However, the work being performed and the personnel crewing Cape Nelson and Cape Byron are the same as with other Navy platforms. On duty In December 2015 Cape Byron completed the RAN's first Cape class patrol of the northern approaches to Australia, the focus being on the Ashmore Reef and the Kimberley Coast. Cape Nelson then began similar patrols. The boats have been tasked in the support of Australia s maritime security needs throughout northern Australia operating from the North West Cape across northern Australia, around to Cairns and the northern Great Barrier Reef in the east. Captain Patrol Boats, Captain Bryan Parker, RAN, welcomed the addition of the new boats to the fleet. The employment of Cape Byron and Cape Nelson means that Navy will continue to meet its commitments to Government for maritime security following the unfortunate loss of Bundaberg and other Armidale class fleet availability issues", he said. The 57.8 metre long Cape boats have been well accepted by our crews, and are quickly making an important contribution to Navy operations". More of same? Could a possible solution to the long-term availability of the ACPBs eventually lead to a specific RAN order for some of the more advanced Cape class which would then operate with the soon to be ordered OPVs, a combination of say four Capes and the eventual twelve OPVs? This type of arrangement would ensure a suitable number of low and medium level patrol assets to work in conjunction with the MBF. In line with this, the 2016 DWP made the following observation; "the Armidale class will be supplemented by additional patrol craft as required until they are replaced by the offshore patrol vessels, to ensure there is no gap in Navy s border protection capability." Another advantage of such a patrol force would be the extension in building the Cape class by Austal to help partly forestall the 'valley of death' in local ship construction in that state, expected over the next few years. The Cape class could never be described as expensive to build, so any additional orders would hardly stress the Defence budget! ADV Cape Byron. RAN. 10

11 OTHER IDEAS New era cruise ship operators signal intentions Navy has been part of Sydney Harbour for 228 years now, the cruise ship operators, for a lot less. There was time, about 25 years ago, when Sydney Harbour was graced with sufficient wharf space for numerous merchant or passenger ships to berth. Then along came the developers who convinced the relevant state authorities that those wharves were too antiquated and should be pulled down. In return for this the Governments of the day would receive high returns for the old wharfage and replace them with updated or new construction for hotels and private units/apartments. Most importantly, with nil consideration for future cruise ship schedules, these Governments consigned future wharf space to the 'too hard' basket. Put simply, this is how Port Jackson lost the allimportant passenger liner spaces in Woolloomooloo Bay (right), No. 13 Pyrmont, and even the more modern Darling Harbour facility near to the current King Street ferry wharf. In return the existing Overseas Passenger Terminal was upgraded and lengthened, and a new terminal built on the southern shore of Balmain. But that's not enough they say. Using the media Every now and then, stories appear in the media, calling for Garden Island, including Fleet Base East to be handed over to those same authorities who so willingly sold their previous infrastructure to the highest bidder. Naturally, Navy would have to downsize or move out, to where I don't know. Many years ago now, Navy was willing to move to a new Fleet Base in Jervis Bay, but due to local and other critics this never proceeded, their argument to protect the local environment in that area that Navy would ruin! Two Federal elections ago, then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, from out of the blue, announced that FBE would be shifted to the flood prone Brisbane River. No mention was made of the cost of relocating the facilities, especially the huge Captain Cook Graving Dock, let alone the movement of thousands of defence and support personnel, and their families, to the Sunshine State. Necessary support The Captain Cook Graving Dock is now the ONLY large dock in Australia, with one medium sized dock in Auckland and the other in Williamstown. That s all there is. The former Cairncross dock facility in Brisbane is now also gone. That's nowhere in Queensland, South Australia or West Australia that is suitable for such large dock needs. Tasmania, the River Derwent Is too far away. Yes, smaller frigates and can now be hauled ashore south of Fremantle, but nothing too large. If the Captain Cook dock goes, navy would have to send its big ships to Singapore, the nearest big dock, in a time of war! There are hundreds of businesses in the greater Sydney area that also support Navy, as well as the all important shore establishments of Waterhen, Watson and Penguin, training facilities at Mascot and for aviation community, the huge HMAS Albatross and nearby Jervis Bay for training. Now come the ever constant calls from the growing cruise ship community for Navy give up its wharf space on a casual or permanent basis. No mention is given to security concerns or the size of the only road leading to FBE, from one direction one lane, from the other, two lanes (which the Lord Mayor of Sydney wanted to reduce to one lane each way). Forget about the local residents with parking, just plant more trees and create even worse traffic jams. The best option So what's the answer to Sydney's chronic shortage of passenger ship wharves? It's quite simple really. If passengers disembarking in Laem Chabang, the outer port for Bangkok, have to travel for two hours to get to the capital city of Thailand, then build a new wharf at Port Botany, and those passengers can travel just 20 minutes to the 'harbour city', and as well, view the bay first visited by Lieutenant James Cook in 1770, Captain Arthur Phillip in 1789 and the French navigator, La Perouse, after which the nearby suburb is named. First Fleet park is located across the entrance to the bay and with a new ferry service provided to transport passengers from north to south, a new business would be created. Another advantage of the Port Botany cruise passenger terminal would be its proximity to the Sydney airport network. Summing up The wharf space at Port Botany is there, close to planes and trains, a new ferry service would arise, and there would be employment for hundreds to build the new facility. Navy needs it own wharves, graving dock and support infrastructure, especially since the arrival of the three big amphibious ships in recent years. Navy has been part of Sydney Harbour for 228 years now, the cruise ship operators, for a lot less. 11

12 HMCS or HMAS? John Rogers, from 'Friends of the Cerberus' asks whether they were Commonwealth or Australian warships between 1901 and 1911 Some writers discussing Australia's naval history state that on federation H.M.V.S. (Her Majesty's Victorian Ship) Cerberus became H.M.C.S. (His Majesty's Commonwealth Ship) or A.C.N.S. (Australian Commonwealth Naval Ship) Cerberus. The reasoning is that the Australian Navy did not begin until the formation of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 1911 and hence H.M.A.S. was only appropriate from that date. The alternative view is that the naval vessels of the colonies transferred to the Commonwealth of Australia upon Federation in Had Australia been attacked after Federation then her naval vessels, the Australian Navy, would have attempted to defend the new nation. It therefore follows that the designation H.M.A.S. would have been appropriate. One thing learnt while researching the history of Cerberus, is that whereas reasoning does not always provide the correct answer, research does. A letter written by Lieutenant Colquhoun to Lord Tennyson in 1905 was written on letterhead bearing the words H.M.A.S. Cerberus. Furthermore, a works order written in 1908 is on Commonwealth Naval Forces of Victoria letterhead, bearing the words H.M.C.S. Cerberus. Federation 1901 On Federation in 1901 the Victorian ship H.M.V.S Cerberus became H.M.A.S. Cerberus. The Royal ascent that was not required for Cerberus to be designated Her Majesty's Victorian Ship was likewise not required for Cerberus to be designated His Majesty's Australian Ship. The Royal ascent granted in 1911 simply meant that whereas the Victorian Navy was never known as the Royal Victorian Navy, the Australian Navy, known as the Commonwealth Naval Forces until 1911, did gain the word Royal in its name, and from 1911 until this day has been known as the Royal Australian Navy. The ships that belonged to the Commonwealth Naval Forces in 1910, both old and new, and had been designated H.M.A.S., now belonged to the Royal Australian Navy and were and are still designated H.M.A.S.. Newspaper references While going through newspapers of the first decade of the 1900s I was surprised to discover a handful of references to HMCS Cerberus (C for Commonwealth) between 1901 and Given that there were 34 references to HMAS Cerberus and only 8 references to HMCS Cerberus, the HMCS references could have been dismissed as reporting errors except for one instance. In October of 1902 Captain Tickell of the Cerberus wrote a letter to the editor of the Argus about how to avoid boating fatalities. At the end of the letter Captain Tickell signed as:- H.M.C.S Cerberus. The Argus, 17 October 1902 So on one hand we have eight newspaper references to HMCS Cerberus and a letter from her Captain. On the other hand we have 34 newspaper references to HMAS Cerberus and the official letterhead used above in 1905 by Lieutenant Colquhoun. For the same period there were also 25 references to HMVS Cerberus, no doubt a hangover from the previous 30 years. It is most likely the case, that as the Commonwealth Naval Forces was only formed on 1 March 1904, prior to this, at least one local commander was simply assuming that a future Commonwealth Navy would designate its ships as H.M.C.S.. As we can see from the letterhead, H.M.A.S was settled on as the official designation by the new Commonwealth Naval Forces. Obviously this designation continued to be used after 10 July 1911 when the Commonwealth Naval Forces changed its name to the Royal Australian Navy. It is worth noting that the Royal Canadian Navy designates its ships as H.M.C.S. (left) H.M.C.S. Cerberus letterhead. C.N. would have stood for Commonwealth Navy and H.M.C.S. for His Majesty's Commonwealth Ship. Courtesy of papers of Baron Hallam Tennyson, extract from Colquhoun letter 3 July 1905, Deakin Papers, National Library of Australia, MS 479. (right) A letter written by Lieutenant Colquhoun to Lord Tennyson in 1905 was written on letterhead bearing the words H.M.A.S. Cerberus. 12

13 Royal Australian Navy 1955 The highs and lows by Ross Gillett Overview In 1955 Australia s Navy was on the verge of a new era of operations. It was an important 12 months for the RAN. Not only was the new light fleet aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne about to be commissioned, but a new period in air operations was also set to begin via a modern force of DeHavilland Sea Venom jet fighters and Fairey Gannet anti-submarine aircraft. The Navy was shifting its emphasis from the earlier (1948) light fleet carrier, Sydney, with her embarked squadrons of Sea Fury and Firefly piston engine aircraft, to the era of jet operations. Although Melbourne would carry fewer aircraft than her older sistership, the new carrier would also introduce with her, a steam catapult, mirror landing aids and angled deck, all of which would increase the number of sorties able to be undertaken by the new ship at sea. During this period three new Daring class destroyers were being built and two Q class destroyers had been converted into fast anti-submarine frigates ( ), with two sister ships still to join the Fleet, in September 1955 and December Another newcomer was the boom defence vessel Kimbla, completed in 1956 to a much improved pre-war design. The RAN was changing in complexity and the roles it would perform. Plans were also in hand for a new class of Type 12 anti-submarine frigates to supplement and eventually replace the Type 15s. Older war tonnage was being withdrawn front line duties, with some being employed in support roles such as training and oceanographic duties. The mid 1950s also witnessed the departure of the last County class heavy cruiser, Australia, which served her final years as a training ship. (from top) - HMAS Warramunga sails past Garden Island. Roger Martin via Russell Priest. - HMAS Vengeance visiting Hobart in November 1954 to celebrate the Queen s visit and Tasmania s sequi-centenary. Reg Wilson via Russell Priest. The veteran heavy cruiser Australia departs Sydney, past Bradley s Head on 26 March 1955, at the start of her final voyage to the ship-breakers. RAN. 13

14 The only other surviving cruiser was the modified Leander class light cruiser Hobart, which in 1955 was laid up in reserve at Athol Bight in Sydney. These were the days when the RAN still maintained a large reserve fleet, at various locations around the continent. War built Bathurst class corvettes, River class frigates and an odd assortment of patrol and support craft rested silently at their moorings awaiting a possible recall to service. Around this time naval authorities also realised the need to provide some new force of minesweepers to replace the increasing number of old Bathurst class being retired from service. At the close of the Second World War, the RAN included almost 80 purpose built vessels able to perform the patrol boat role, but by the mid to late 1950s, the numbers of these craft was about one dozen, a mix of former Harbour Defence Motor Launches and 63 foot air sea rescue vessels. Other Fleet reductions saw the two active River class frigates Hawkesbury and Macquarie paid off in 1953 and 1954 and the four modified River class, reduced to reserve between 1954 and In the late 1940s it was decided to rename the light fleet aircraft carrier Majestic, then being completed to a modernised design in the UK, as the RAN s second Melbourne. The carrier was undergoing major modifications to allow her to operate the next generation of Fleet Air Arm aircraft. In the meantime, the Admiralty lent the Colossus class carrier Vengeance to the RAN so that all two carrier commitments could be maintained. The ship arrived in Australia during March 1953 with the plan to retain her and Sydney in service, until the arrival of Melbourne. The latter would then operate as the sole carrier, with Vengeance returning to the RN and Sydney sailing to Britain to be modified to the same level as the newer Melbourne. This plan would provide two fully modernised aircraft carriers capable of operating the latest types of naval aircraft. However, near the end of 1954 Government policy in regard to two carriers changed, to one of placing the emphasis on RAAF shore-based aircraft. The naval aviation budget was reduced and Vengeance altered her role to that of training ship and aircraft ferry between Australia and Korea. Subsequently, Vengeance sailed to Britain with her crew transferring to the soon to be completed Melbourne. The highly capable Melbourne was commissioned on 28 October February - Queenborough sailed from Garden Island for the UK for anti-submarine training. She returned to Sydney in December. 01 April - Prime Minister, Robert Menzies, announced commitment of Australian forces to Far East Strategic Reserve in Malaya/Singapore, including two frigates or destroyers, with an annual visit by carrier Melbourne. April - Bar class boom defence vessel Karangi active to 31 May May - Sydney conducted final flying ops. 16 June - Vengeance sailed from Garden Island, arrived Devonport, UK, on 13 August. 02 July - Tribal class destroyers Arunta and Warramunga sailed to Singapore, as first permanent deployment of naval forces to South-East Asia. 23 September - Q class frigate Quickmatch recommissioned. 18 October - Unmodernised Tribal class destroyer Bataan laid up. 25 October - Vengeance paid off in UK. 28 October - New light fleet aircraft carrier Melbourne commissioned in UK. 09 November - Decommissioned tank landing ship Lae was sold. A year later she was taken in tow to Hong Kong for breaking up, but was wrecked on South Percy Island on 3 November December - Kangaroo paid off to reserve. HMAS Vengeance alongside in Hobart during November Reg Wilson via Russell Priest. 14

15 (from top) - Type 15 frigate HMAS Queenborough in London, August The ship was undertaking four months of extensive training, as part of an overall ten month deployment. RAN. - The new boom defence vessel Kimbla, 23 March 1955, about to be launched. RAN. - Clearance divers approach the diving barge Porpoise in RAN. - HMAS Castlemaine alongside Flinders Naval Depot. Eric Hogben. Kiwi plans Sydney, Quadrant and Cootamundra and HM submarine Thorough visited New Zealand in The corvette Cootamundra became the first ship to sail, when she departed Sydney on 20 January for Auckland. While in New Zealand waters she attended the celebrations at Waitangi, in the Bay of Islands, on 6 February to mark the 144th Anniversary of the Waitangi Treaty. Cootamundra then called into Whangarei and Wellington before sailing for Sydney on 22 February. Quadrant, accompanied by Thorough, arrived at Auckland in March, to participate in anti-submarine exercises with ships of the RNZN. Sydney, wearing the flag of FOCAF, enjoyed a much longer visit, for 24 days in May. Classified as a training ship since the end of April, Sydney was berthed in Auckland from 6-10 May, and visited the Bay of Islands, Wellington and Christchurch before departing for Sydney on the 29th. Active Bays The Bay class frigates Murchison and Condamine sailed from Sydney in company on 15 February, bound for northern waters. Condamine proceeded to Japan as a relief for her sistership Shoalhaven, which had been in Korean waters since July Murchison was to conduct a tour of duty in northern Australian waters. At Cairns on 20 February Murchison took over the patrol duties from Wagga, which returned to Sydney from Manus. Murchison then proceeded with Condamine for Darwin, arriving on 25 February. Shoalhaven sailed from Kure on 27 February for Hong Kong, where she handed over her duties to Condamine. Shoalhaven returned to Garden Island in Sydney on 26 March. Vengeance During February the light fleet carrier Vengeance undertook two cruises between Sydney and Tasmania. On the first occasion she visited Hobart between 4-12 February, and was present at the annual Hobart Regatta. On 16 February she again sailed from Sydney for Hobart, calling at Westernport and eastern Tasmanian anchorages en route. After a four-day stay in Hobart, 4-8 March, she returned to Sydney on 12 March. Launch The new boom working vessel, Kimbla, was launched at Maryborough by Mrs. Bull, the wife of Captain (E) J.W.N. Bull, RAN, General Overseer, East Australian Area, on 23 March. Kimbla was the 14th ship built by Walkers Ltd. for the RAN and the first since the Second World War. (left) HMA Ships Sydney (left) and Vengeance at Garden Island in George Self. Concrete warrior The Navy s only manned concrete vessel, the diving barge Porpoise was anchored off Clark Island to begin operational training for navy clearance divers from March Over the following 15 years the diminutive craft could be seen on Sydney Harbour, carrying out her very static role. 15

16 A 1955 photograph of the Tribal class destroyer HMAS Warramunga in Hobart. Reg Wilson via Russell Priest. (left) View of the heeling trials for HMAS Warramunga, at the oil Wharf, Garden Island, on 8 January RAN. (below) HMAS Bataan was paid off by the RAN on 18 October

17 HMAS Sydney alongside in Hobart 8 February David Kirby via Russell Priest. HMAS Air Trail in late These 63 foot air sea rescue vessels worked with the carriers Sydney and Vengeance in the Jervis Bay region. RAN. (below) All dressed up HMAS Gladstone, 21 October 1955, alongside the South Elizabeth Street Pier, Hobart. Lindsay Rex. 17

18 Malaya Less than three years after the close of the Second World War communist terrorists began the policy of hit and run violence in Malaya, designed to demoralise the elected leaders. The resultant Malayan Emergency was declared in June 1948, lasting until July From 1955 RAN ships and personnel contributed to the defence and development of the Federation of Malaya. The directive for the Strategic Reserve, issued in January 1956, gave it two roles. The primary mission was to provide 'a deterrent to further Communist aggression in South East Asia', with the British Defence Coordinating Committee (Far East), able to deploy units in defensive operations in the event of an attack on Malaya, Singapore, or the sea lines of communication around them. The secondary role was 'to assist in the maintenance of the security of the Federation of Malaya by participating in operations against the Communist Terrorists', but this was not to occur to the prejudice of the primary role. The RAN's contribution would normally comprise two destroyers or frigates, the aircraft carrier Melbourne on a regular annual visit, plus the provision of additional ships if a larger emergency arose. The Tribal class destroyers Arunta and Warramunga became the first RAN vessels to join the force in June 1955, followed by Anzac and Tobruk, Melbourne, the Q class frigates, Quadrant, Queenborough, Quiberon, Quickmatch, training carrier Sydney, and eventually, the new Daring class destroyers, Vampire, Vendetta and Voyager. A number of the ships provided shore bombardments against terrorist positions in the Johore State. As members of a larger naval organisation, the deployments also provided valuable experience in the conduct of naval warfare exercises with their Royal Navy counterparts. However, during one such exercise off Singapore in 1955 two star shells from an accompanying Royal Navy destroyer struck Tobruk, killing two crew members and injuring seven others. Between 1955 to 1960, a total of 13 RAN ships served with the Strategic Reserve. Some attachments were for shorter periods, involving participation in exercises conducted under the auspices of SEATO. Most spanned between six and nine months each. Far East Strategic Reserve The FESR originated in a June 1953 correspondence from Harold Alexander, the British Minister of Defence, to Philip McBride and Thomas Lachlan MacDonald, his defence equivalents in Australia and New Zealand, respectively. The letter suggested the creation of a joint military force based in South-East Asia and tasked with the protection of strategically important Commonwealth interests in the region. These included the states of Malaya, Sarawak, North Borneo (which later combined to become Malaysia), and Singapore. The FESR would protect against the threat of attack by communist forces. Subsequent correspondence between the three Defence Ministers and their departments led to a meeting in Melbourne during October From this gathering it was decided to create the FESR as a multinational force consisting of Navy, Army and Air Force units from the three nations' armed forces. Two years later, in1955, the Reserve was established. The naval element of the new FESR consisted of a strike carrier group, supported by land and ship based fighter and bomber squadrons. The Strategic Reserve's main role was to protect Malaya and other Commonwealth interests in the south-east Asia, region from attack by (above) HMAS Shoalhaven berthed at the South Elizabeth Street Pier in Hobart, 12 November Lindsay Rex. (right) Remains of HMAS Lae, aground on South Percy Island in November Lae was sold earlier on 9 November RAN. (above) HMAS Anzac sailing from Garden Island in Sydney for Malaya, 16 November RAN. external communist forces, with operations against internal communist organisations listed as the secondary mission. Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced the decision to participate in the FESR in April The Navy s aircraft carrier Sydney, then later Melbourne, were to conduct an annual visit to participate in training exercises. The Australian forces remained under Australian command and control unlike earlier deployments in conjunction with British forces, but were to be used under the directives of the British Commander in Chief, Far East Station. Early Australian naval units deployed to the FESR and based out of Singapore Naval Base included; - the carriers Melbourne and Sydney, - destroyers Anzac, Arunta, Tobruk, Vampire, Vendetta, Voyager and Warramunga and - frigates Quadrant, Queenborough, Quiberon and Quickmatch. 18

19 Auster down On 30 August 1955, a pilotless Auster light aircraft took off from Kingsford Smith Aviation Flying School at Bankstown and began circling the skies above Sydney. The aircraft eventually crossed the coast at Vaucluse and the RAAF were tasked with shooting it down when it was five miles off the coast. After two abortive attempts by the RAAF it fell to two Sea Furies from 805 Squadron, to bring the errant aircraft down. Problems On 1 September an interesting tow left Sydney heading north. The towing vessel was the 382 ton SS Isabel, owned by the Isabel Navigation Co. (John Manners and Co. Ltd.), and the ships towed were the former ocean minesweepers Ballarat and Goulburn purchased by John Manners and Co., Hong Kong; and renamed Carmencita and Benita respectively. The first leg of the tow was to have been to Rabaul, where John Manners and Co, had sold Benita to Messrs, Nelson and Robertson Pty. Ltd, as a lighter for copra storage. At the time, Benita was virtually a hulk, almost completely gutted out and her engines removed in Sydney. Isabel was to continue towing Carmencita to Kobe, where she was to be broken up. Carmencita has been demilitarised, although her boilers and engines were in suitable condition for refitting to permit the vessel to steam. Little publicity accompanied the departure of the tow from Sydney, Benita being the first ship at the end of the tow-line and Carmencita being secured to the stem of Benita. All went well for ten days, the tow making a good speed greater than five knots. However, on 12 September, whilst in position 500 miles north-east of Townsville, Carmencita broke adrift and Isabel began a search for her whilst still towing Benita. After several days fruitless searching, during which an air search by RAAF aircraft from Townsville was also unsuccessful, Isabel continued on to Samarai, with Benita. Leaving Benita at Samarai the towing vessel returned to the area to search and was fortunate in recovering Carmencita on 20 September. The tug proceeded to Cairns for fuel and departed with Carmencita on 29 September for Kobe, via Hong Kong. Another Melbourne HMAS Melbourne's early movements were a mixture of trials. After commissioning the ship's log provided the following data; 28 October - Commissioned at Barrow-in-Furness. 31 October to 1 November - Passage to Liverpool. 1-6 November - Docking Gladstone Dock Liverpool. 7-8 November - Liverpool to Clyde for Acceptance trials November - Clyde area; measure distance, paravanes turning trials November - Clyde to Devonport November - In Devonport. Ammunition ship. 21 November -11 December - Sea Trials (Radio) in Plymouth area December - Plymouth to Portsmouth. 14 December - Catapult dead load trials until 8 Jan When MELBOURNE joined the Australian Fleet in 1955, she had the only military jet aircraft in the Australasian area, (and in the whole of the western Pacific region I believe), which could be operated at night and in poor visibility. With that capability being unique in our region, and with the ability geographically five hundred miles every 24 hours, the addition of Melbourne to the RAN added significantly to the Free World defence posture. The ability to use fully the potential of any ship depends on the quality of its complement. She commissioned with a ship's company as fine as could be found in any ship in any navy, and with Air Group personnel of matching efficiency. Her air crews earned a high reputation for good airmanship, when the squadrons were being formed and trained in the United Kingdom. Groundings In the evening hours of 11 November, the Second World war built MWL255 grounded on a reef at Lolobau. To lighten the motor water lighter, sixty tons of water was discharged from the forward tanks. As one pump was unserviceable and the other failed after five minutes it was necessary to bring buckets into play. This proved to be a most laborious task, but some sixteen hours later MWL255 refloated. She suffered no damage. On 12 December, Emu sailed from Darwin for Entrance Island with two Native Affairs Patrol Officers embarked. The circumstances surrounding Emu s visit arose after the frigate Shoalhaven grounded upon an uncharted patch in Boucaut Bay near an approved anchorage for the Japanese pearling fleet. The Staff Officer (Intelligence), WA Area, made a reconnaissance flight in a Lincoln aircraft over the Boucaut Bay area and sighted an uncharted shallow patch nearby. On the return flight to Darwin seven pearling luggers were sighted at anchor in the prohibited area off Entrance Island. Emu then sailed from Darwin to investigate and landed the two Patrol Officers at Entrance Island whilst the pearling luggers were away diving, and proceeded to Boucaut Bay, where she confirmed the navigational hazard without being able to investigate closely owing to rough conditions. Emu then returned to Entrance Island and was advised that the three luggers which had arrived at Entrance Island during her absence had warrants served on them. MWL 255 in New Guinea waters. RAN. Last BDV The RAN boom defence vessel, Kimbla, completed by Walkers Ltd. in Maryborough, was commissioned there on 13 December. She sailed the following day for Sydney, arriving on 20 December. Carrier Policy In late 1955 it was announced that the policy for aircraft carriers in the RAN would now call for only one carrier, Melbourne, to be retained in an operational state. The second carrier, Sydney, would from 1956, be employed as a training ship and at a minimum of 30 days notice for flying operations with piston-engined aircraft only. With no intention to modernise Sydney, no replacement equipment of a modem design would be ordered for fitting, except in special circumstances. (right) November 1955 HMA Ships Fremantle and Junee, dockside in the port of Fremantle. RAN. (below) The veteran light cruiser Hobart is towed by an RAN tug from Newcastle in December 1955, after the cancellation of her conversion to a training ship. Cyril Renwick Melbourne's first Commanding Officer, Captain GGO Gatacre described his new ship; "Melbourne's ability to operate jet aircraft, round the clock, was of new and great importance to the RAN. Furthermore, a mobile air base, (for such is Melbourne), with that capability, added a big. new dimension to the posture of Australia. 19

20 SECRET Australia Station Intelligence Summary Produced by the Naval Intelligence Division of the RAN, located at Navy Office in Melbourne, this is a summary of some of the monthly reports between the months January to December January - February HMAS Melbourne (Majestic) arrived in Belfast to enter dry dock on 25 January from Vickers Armstrong's Yard, Barrow-in-Furness. Her anchor and gun trials have been satisfactorily completed. She is expected to undock about 7th February and proceed on her sea trials, returning to Barrow-in-Furness about 11th February. After carrying out a short cruise to Talasea (New Britain) and Bali (Witu Group) between 19th and 21st January, Wagga sailed from Manus for Sydney on 27th January. En route she is visiting Umboi, the Trobriands, Milne Bay, Samarai and Port Moresby, and after passing through the Great North Channel, is calling at Torres Strait islands, Portland Roads, the Flinders Group, Direction Island and Cairns. The Staff Officer (Coast Watching), Australia Station, is embarked at Cairns. Wagga will turn over her northern patrol duties to Murchison about 20th February, and will proceed direct to Sydney, where she is due to arrive on 26th February. Between 4th and 12th February two RAN helicopters, as well as flying and ground crew, were lent to the Hydro Electric Commission of Tasmania for a reconnaissance of large areas of rugged mountain country in the King and Franklin Rivers region of Western Tasmania to investigate hydro-electric power resources. The helicopters were embarked in Vengeance at Jervis Bay on 2nd February and flew off when she arrived at Hobart. Murchison and Condamine sailed from Sydney in company on 15th February, bound for northern waters. Condamine is proceeding to Japan to relieve the frigate Shoalhaven, which has been in Korean waters since July 1954, and Murchison is to do a tour of duty in Northern Australian waters. At Cairns on 20th February Murchison took over the patrol duties from Wagga, which was returning to Sydney from Manus, and proceeded, with Condamine for Darwin, arriving on 25th February. Shoalhaven sailed from Kure on 27th February for Hong Kong, where she will hand over her duties to Condamine, and is due at Sydney on 26th March. March - April Vengeance will be relieved as training ship by Sydney in early May and will be immediately taken in hand for preparations for her passage to the United Kingdom. She will sail from Sydney on 16th June for Devonport, England, and will call at Melbourne, Fremantle, Singapore, Aden, and Suez en route. She will arrive in the United Kingdom on 5th August. Preparations for her transfer to Reserve will be progressed during the passage, and a further 14 weeks will be allowed in Devonport for placing her in Reserve. Her crew will leave Devonport at the end of November to join Melbourne for commissioning at Barrow-in-Furness. It has been approved in principle that Hobart be fitted for service as a C.O.R.S. Headquarters Ship and Engineering Training Ship. She will be retained at 18 months availability for operational service. Cover page for the then secret February 1955 issue of the Australian Station Intelligence Summary. Twelve of these were distributed annually during most of the 1950s. RAN. Seven ships of the RAN carried out convoy exercises escorting merchant shipping in the Tasman Sea on 14th and 18th April when MVs Wanganella and Monowai, en route from Sydney for New Zealand, were escorted for the first 300 miles of their voyages. The ships taking part were Sydney, Vengeance, Tobruk, Anzac, Arunta, Warramunga and Quadrant, providing Wanganella and Monowai with protection from 'enemy submarine, surface raider and aircraft attacks. Sea Furies gave fighter protection against enemy 'bombing attacks', while the Fireflies searched for submarines. The escorts met with each of the merchant ships outside Sydney and protected them for 20 hours each. Wanganella and Monowai were not blacked-out at night and radio silence was not imposed. Various manoeuvres, station-changing and communications exercises were carried out, and the passengers in the merchant vessels were given the rare chance of seeing the RAN at work under simulated war conditions. This was the first occasion since the SWW that merchant vessels have taken part in convoy exercises with the RAN. May - June During their passage from Darwin to Singapore between 27th May and 7th June, Black Prince, Anzac, Tobruk, Arunta, Warramunga, Quadrant and Pukaki safely escorted a 'convoy', repelling attacks made by the 'enemy' submarines, Thorough and Tactician. HMA and HMNZ Ships were successful in an engagement with an 'enemy' force (HM Ships Newcastle, Concord, Cossack and HMNZS Kaniere) which was escorting a 'convoy' (RFA Gold Ranger) supposedly carrying a cargo of electronic equipment. This action, which took place in the Indian Ocean, lasted one hour. During the first series of combined exercises which took place in the South China Sea, the four RAN destroyers assisted in preventing 'enemy' coastal craft (from the Royal Malayan 20

21 Navy) using the South China Sea as a route for the transport of food and ammunition to land forces operating on the Malayan Peninsula. On 15th and 16th June a 48-hour escort of a nine-knot convoy (RFAs Fort Charlotte, Fort Sandusky, Gold Ranger and Wave Victor) was carried out in the South China Sea. The convoy, which was assisted by maritime aircraft from Singapore, was attacked on four occasions by a 'raider' (Black Prince) and three 'hostile' submarines, Telemachus, Tactician and Thorough. Newcastle engaged the raider with gun fire while the destroyers in the escort made torpedo attacks. At the end of this 400-mile convoy Black Prince, Anzac, Quadrant and Pukaki visited Manila and Tobruk, Arunta, Warramunga and Kaniere, visited Bangkok between June. On 28th June Quadrant sailed from Singapore for Sydney; Tobruk and Anzac were due to sail on 2nd July for Sydney and Melbourne respectively. Arunta and Warramunga are remaining in the Malayan area as the RAN component of the Strategic Reserve. They are to be relieved in late November by Tobruk and Anzac, who will in turn carry out nine months duty on the Far East Station. July - August During August Arunta carried out a self-refit and docking at Hong Kong. Warramunga visited Japanese ports from mid-july until mid-august, and is at present at Hong Kong for refit. The frigate Queenborough become the first RAN ship to visit the port of London when she proceeded up the Thames for a six-day visit in early August during her summer leave period. Arrangements have been made for the Prime Minister, Sir Anthony Eden, to visit the ship on or about 19th September. The RAN fleet tanker, Tide Austral, after having remedied some minor defects which developed during her trials, is now operating under charter to the Admiralty, carrying oil fuel from the West Indies to the United Kingdom. On 1st August Wagga and Cootamundra embarked the Flag Officer-in-Charge, East Australian Area, senior representatives of the Orient Steamship Company, the Maritime Services Board of NSW, the Australian Shipbuilding Board, and five press and radio representatives, and proceeded outside Sydney Heads for a mine-clearance demonstration. An acoustic sweep, an 'A' sweep, a magnetic sweep and a single Oropesa searching sweep were carried out in quite a choppy sea, which caused some of the publicity representatives to realise that they were really at sea! The demonstration was actually part of FOIC s annual inspection of vessels under his command, and duly received publicity in the press and over the radio. In August it was announced that Condamine and Shoalhaven will pay-off in November and December respectively, and Arunta and Barcoo in March Swan will rejoin the Fleet as a training ship in October, and Quiberon and Voyager are due to commission at the end of Queenborough, on route from the UK to Australia, will join Arunta and Warramunga in Singapore on 3rd December and will sail in company with them for Sydney on 5th December, The ships are due in Sydney on 19th December. Tobruk and Anzac, who will be replacing Arunta and Warramunga on the Far East Station, are due to sail from Sydney for Singapore in mid-november. They will call at Fremantle en route on 23rd November. During a visit to Darwin in August personnel from HMAS Fremantle took part in an 'assault' operation on HMAS Melville. On 17th August a landing party of one officer and fourteen ratings left the ship by whaler to obtain valuable information from an agent' detained in the cells at Melville. The landing party, looking like devils incarnate, waded ashore, scaled the cliff-face, regrouped into two sections and assailed Melville. Number One Section proceeded direct to the objective, and, after overcoming and locking up the sentry, the 'agent' was interrogated. He refused to part with the information until it was explained that no harm would come to him. (above) HMAS Arunta, 1955 refuels from a USN oiler. Note oil on the funnel from a burst line. Les Napper. (below) HMAS Arunta, in the KGV dry dock, Singapore, Les Napper. October - December On 22nd October MWL 255 (Lieutenant-Commander R. McKauge, RANVR in command) sailed from Lombrum on a visit to Coast Watching stations in the New Ireland and New Britain areas. Mr. E. Fitzgerald, of NID Melbourne, was embarked for the purpose of the cruise. In all, sixteen Coast Watching stations were visited and issued with replacement tele-radio equipment, or serviced. The cruise proved to be extremely interesting, as many of the places visited were well off the beaten track. The ship s company included nine members of the Papua-New Guinea Division of the RAN. At Anir Island midnight bathing was indulged in at what are known locally as the 'Lacey Medicinal Baths', a swimming hole in a river. 21