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Latest News for our Navy Network |
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 30
AprilCollege icon sails home Restored ex-Royal Australian Naval College (RANC) yacht Franklin II sailed back to her former home port of HMAS Creswell in Jervis Bay on April 21. Franklin II, the Sydney to Hobart yacht, was escorted into Creswell boat harbour by the current Navy yacht, Navy One (formerly Franklin III), where the owner, Peter Schwartz, was presented with the original nameplate and the plaques recording her Sydney to Hobart ventures. More..... |
30 April Young
Endeavour applications now openAPPLICATIONS are now open for young Australians to join Sail Training Ship (STS) Young Endeavour for voyages between May and December 2021. STS Young Endeavour will visit New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria during the COVID-19 safe voyage program, allowing more young Australians the opportunity to set sail on an adventure of a lifetime. More..... |
30 April Where’s
the combined joint headquarters in northern Australia?Have you ever heard of Combined Joint Headquarters (CJHQ) Top End? Before you go racing to Google, it doesn’t exist! Yet Australia and its partners need such an arrangement. It’s time to leverage our strategic geography and make a bold commitment to maritime security and multilateral military cooperation by establishing just this kind of headquarters. At the very least, a CJHQ in northern Australia could help to coordinate humanitarian assistance and disaster responses in a region facing more frequent and intense weather events. More..... |
29 April Lessons
for Australia after loss of Indonesian submarineThe loss of any submarine should be a catalyst for countries with submarines to review the likely causes and responses to determine if any lessons can be learned, in much the same way that airlines seek to learn from air disasters. The tragic sinking of the Indonesian submarine KRI Nanggala 402 with its 53 crew has added significance for Australia because of our proximity, being between Australia and the highly contested South China Sea. What submarine search and rescue capability does Australia have and what is available in the region? More..... |
29 April Maitland
returns home after fishery patrolsHMAS Maitland has returned home after taking part in Australia’s latest contribution to Operation Solania, supporting the Solomon Islands’ efforts in border security and protecting regional fisheries. Operation Rai Balang, which was the first iteration of Operation Solania this year, was held from March 3-19 at the request of the Solomon Islands’ Government. More..... |
28 April Marking
a century on Anzac DayA former sailor in HMAS Bathurst had planned a quiet one for his 100th birthday on Anzac Day. A handmade model of Bathurst that George King constructed over a period of years is his tribute to the ship that took him across the world during the height of World War II. A vivid symbol of the time the then-Able Seaman spent aboard, he said he compared plans and pictures of the ship to build it. More..... |
 MMHN
Update April 2021Greetings The past month has seen progress on a wide range of issues with great potential to enhance recognition of Victoria’s maritime heritage. At the same time, there is ongoing lack of clarity around future plans for Victoria Harbour and Central Pier and indications of some missed opportunities. In this April edition of MMHN Update, we summarise some of the latest developments. More..... |
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27 April
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27 April British
name enormous carrier strike group heading for the
Indo-PacificThe largest fleet of Royal Navy warships to deploy internationally since the 1982 Falklands War is heading to the Indo-Pacific region next month as the British government seeks to raise its presence in the Far East. The maiden deployment of a UK carrier strike group led by the Royal Navy’s new 65,000 tonne HMS Queen Elizabeth has been on the cards for months but this is the first time the MoD has detailed the destinations, ships, aircraft and submarines involved. More..... |
26 April China
Commissions Three Naval VesselsThe Type 094 nuclear ballistic missile submarine “Changzheng-18”, the Type 055 destroyer “Dalian”, and the Type 075 Amphibious Assault Ship “Hainan” went into service on April 23, 2021. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the commissioning ceremony of three naval vessels, the Changzheng-18, the Dalian, and the Hainan. More..... |
| 26 April Navy's only VC recipient commemorated in Tasmania |
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25 April Navy's
first VC recipient commemoratedNavy personnel have marked Anzac Day in Latrobe, Tasmania to honour Navy’s first Victoria Cross recipient, Ordinary Seaman Edward “Teddy” Sheean. More than 600 people joined Teddy’s relatives and crew from Navy Headquarters Tasmania, HMAS Sheean and HMAS Armidale at a service and march. |
25 April HMAS
Anzac commemorates at seaHMAS Anzac has held a Dawn Service in the South China Sea to commemorate Anzac Day. The ship, currently on a regional deployment in South East Asia, paused to allow ship’s company to mark the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops on the Gallipoli peninsula on 25 April 1915. More..... |
| 25 AprilUnknown
Australian solider of the Great War identified ON Anzac Day, the final resting place of a previously missing First World War soldier has been identified in France. Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester today announced that the final resting place of Private Leslie Styles, 40th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force had been confirmed. “Private Leslie Styles, from Ringarooma, Tasmania, enlisted on 4 March 1916 and during the Battle of Amiens on 12 August 1918 was killed in action shortly after he and three other soldiers successfully took two German machine gun posts,” Mr Chester said. More..... |
24 April Debris
from KRI Nanggala 402 submarine found, Ending Hopes of
RescueThe Indonesian Navy has declared submarine KRI Nanggala 402 has sunk, with all hands lost. Debris located. Condolences to the families of the 53 men lost. Debris believed to be from the missing Indonesian navy submarine has been found, Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff Yudo Margono told a news conference Saturday. Six pieces of debris believed to be from the submarine, which was lost in the Bali Sea on Wednesday, were presented to journalists. More..... |
| 23 April HMA Ships Sheean and Armidale arrive in Devonport, Tasmania |
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23 April Inspired
by grandfather’s sacrificeWith a long family history in the Army, it was only natural for this young sailor to join the military – but unlike her father and grandfather, she found her choice of career in the Navy. Leading Seaman Elizabeth McCallum grew up in a family of Army officers with her grandfather Alec Weaver, a former Major General, being a veteran of World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam wars. More..... |
23 April Australia joins Indonesian search mission Indonesia has accepted Australia’s offer to assist in the search for missing submarine, KRI Nanggala (402). HMA Ships Ballarat and Sirius, both presently at sea on separate regional deployments, are making best speed for the search area. The Anzac Class frigate Ballarat, equipped with sonar capabilities and an embarked MH-60R helicopter, is expected to be in the search area today after transiting the Lombok Strait. More..... |
| 22 AprilTens
of thousands of Defence personnel to support Anzac Day THIS Anzac Day, tens of thousands of Australian Defence Force personnel will be providing ceremonial support to regional towns, schools, veteran and community groups, local memorials and aged care facilities. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Darren Chester said the ability to gather in person to honour our service men and women was a welcome return. More..... |
22 April Bridging
Train carries precious cargoAlthough the Royal Australian Navy Bridging Train (RANBT) only existed for two years, the unit performed crucial work for the Navy and Army. The Navy engineers, or sappers as they are known in the Army, operated in World War I, working in Gallipoli and the Suez Canal. The term ‘train’ relates to the horse-drawn wagons that would move in a train carrying the unit’s heavy timber, building materials and equipment needed to build roads, railways and bridges. More..... |
22 April Rescue
vessels begin search for missing Indonesian submarineAn Indonesian submarine with 53 personnel on board has gone missing in deep waters during a training exercise, with a submarine rescue vessel from Singapore already on its way to assist in the search. The German-built Type 209 diesel-electric submarine KRI Nanggala was declared missing in the early hours of Wednesday morning local time in waters north of the Indonesian resort island of Bali after it failed to report the results of a torpedo drill it was undertaking at the time, according to an Indonesian navy spokesman quoted by Reuters. More..... |
20 April New
weather forecasting kit put to the testNavy’s Maritime Geospatial Warfare Unit (MGWU) on April 8 tested its newest deployable meteorological equipment in a field adjacent to HMAS Penguin in Sydney. Conducted as part of Exercise Sparrow, the test was planned and executed by Lieutenant Matthew Bell, a member of the unit’s Mobile Meteorology and Oceanography Team Two. More..... |
20 April Providing
an ideal platform for engineering careerJust a couple of hours into his day at sea on HMAS Anzac III, Lieutenant Lazarus Lai De Oliveira has reported on the operational state of the ship, briefed a group of weapons-electrical sailors on taskings and supervised high-tech equipment trials. Before the day is over, he will have helped maintain all of the ship’s radar, sonar, communications, navigation and weapons systems. More..... |
19 AprilEstablishment
of a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran suicide The death of any Australian Defence Force member or veteran is one death too many and a tragedy that is deeply felt by all Australians. Tragically, and heartbreakingly, this includes death by suicide. Recognising this, the Government will take the step of recommending to the Governor‑General the establishment of a Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide, following a period of consultation on draft Terms of Reference, with the relevant community and state and territory governments. More..... |
19 April U.S.
Navy commissions 12th Independence-variant LCS USS OaklandThe U.S. Navy commissioned the newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS), USS Oakland, (LCS-24) during a ceremony held in Oakland, California on 17 April. Acting Secretary of the U.S. Navy Thomas W. Harker, managed the commissioning ceremony. Ms Kate Brandt, Google Sustainability Officer, is the ship’s sponsor. The ceremony was highlighted by a time-honoured Navy tradition when Ms Brandt gives the order to “man our ship and bring her to life!” More..... |
19 April Inside
the Russian Navy’s Project 21631 Buyan-M Class Corvette “Uglich”Photos: Marina Lystseva Buyan M Class "Uglich" General characteristics Type: Guided missile corvette Displacement: 949 tons (full) Length: 75 m (246 ft) Beam: 11 m (36 ft) Height: 6.57 m (22 ft) Draft: 2.5 m (8 ft) Propulsion: 2 shaft CODAD,... More photos at: https://navalpost.com/russian-project-21631-buyan-m.../ |
| 19 April Podcast: Policy, Guns and Money: Australia’s WPS action plan, intelligence careers and Covid-19 in the Indo-Pacific Australia’s second WPS national action plan outlines how Australia will live up to its commitments to the women, peace and security agenda. ASPI’s Emilia Currey and Lisa Sharland discuss the plan, how it differs from the first NAP, the challenges that need to be overcome as well as domestic concerns. |
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19 April Remembering
Eric Grove: historian and teacher who inspired a generation
of naval strategistsby Malcolm Davis In 1997, when I was a young and inexperienced PhD student with my sights set on a career in strategic analysis, several people shaped my thinking, but none more than Professor Eric Grove. Eric, who passed away last week at the age of 73, guided his students like a navigator at sea. He helped steer my career through its earliest period, avoiding rocks and shoals of academic misstep and inspiring my thinking along paths that allowed me to finish the first of many journeys. More..... |
19 April US
naval officer recognised for tactical workThe tireless work of United States Navy (USN) officer Commander Robert Eilers in supporting the tactical development for Hobart- and Hunter-class ships has been recognised by the Royal Australian Navy. Commanding Officer HMAS Sydney Commander Ted Seymour on April 7 presented Commander Eilers with a Commander Australian Fleet Silver Commendation on behalf of Commander Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Mark Hammond. More..... |
| 18 April HMA Ships Anzac and Sirius take part in Exercise La Perouse |
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| 17 April HMAS Melbourne Association - Anzac Day 2021 Dear Shipmates, and families The last 12 months has kept many of us apart and as you know we were not able to have a normal ANZAC Day in 2020. I am pleased to say the committee of the HMAS Melbourne Association have been meeting during this time and very much look forward to the upcoming ANZAC Day 2021. With a couple of false starts we can now freely march in all capital cities and I am pleased to say that the HMAS Melbourne Association banner will be carried in both Sydney and Melbourne this year and from 2022 also in Brisbane. Attached is the details for the march and I will be sending through further timings and muster points early next week once they are finalised. It will be great to see you and continue the legacy of our Shipmates and look forward to seeing you. Please, if you have any questions or require any special support for the day please let me know Craig Hooley President HMAS Melbourne Association 0408673029 |
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 17 April Centaur Commemorations and Exhibition Melbourne 2021 Advance notice of the Centaur Commemorations planned for Melbourne this year. It is coming out earlier than the newsletter in order to give travellers time to make their arrangements. We hope as many members as possible will be able to take this opportunity to commemorate Centaur, visit the Imagining Centaur Exhibition and enjoy the company of other Centaur people, all at the Shrine of Remembrance on Sunday 16th May 2021. |
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| Support
Centre Dedicated to Veterans Sky News host Peta Credlin says a "first of its kind wellbeing centre" set up in Melbourne to help veterans and their families is something that is "real support when they need it". |
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17 April Russia
develops submersible patrol shipRussian submarine designer Rubin Design Bureau revealed it has developed a submersible patrol ship combining the features of a submarine and a surface patrol vessel. Named Sentry (Border and Offshore Submersible Sentry, BOSS), the concept is intended for foreign clients, according to Rubin. Offshore patrol vessels are relatively inexpensive, which makes them affordable for countries with constrained budgets. More..... |
16 April U.S.
Navy Decommissions USS Bonhomme RichardThe U.S. Navy held a decommissioning ceremony for amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at Naval Base San Diego April 14. USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) was decommissioned after 22 years of service, following a fire last summer on the amphibious assault ship that damaged the island and flight deck beyond affordable repair. More..... |
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16 April Nuclear
submarines could lead to nuclear power for Australiaby CDRE Denis Mole RAN Rtd. In Adelaide’s The Advertiser newspaper on 7 March, former defence minister Christopher Pyne said, ‘Then there is the nonsensical argument that the Attack Class submarines are no good because they aren’t nuclear. Almost all of these arguments are driven by people who either know nothing at all about submarines and defence or have outdated information that is no longer relevant. ’ Pyne must therefore believe that Australia’s current and recent submarine commanding officers know nothing about submarines. More..... |
16 April Uncovering
a hairy historyBeards have had a long association with sailors and in recent years there has been a growth in all things beard-related. Navy beard regulations date back to the late 19th century. Significant changes to facial hair policy were made in 1879 with the introduction of the Queen’s Regulations and Admiralty Instructions. More..... |
15 April Band's
debut rocks shipMany bands have formed in a lounge room or garage, but it’s rare for a band to emerge from the belly of a Navy frigate. HMAS Anzac’s six-member Hödr’s Knörr made their debut on March 20 in a night of entertainment on the ship’s flight deck during a recent logistics visit to Singapore. The band went on to perform for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force warship JS Akebono as the ships sailed in company through the South China Sea, while future performances are planned for later in Anzac’s current regional deployment and back in Australia. More..... |
15 April Australian
troops to drawdown in AfghanistanToday the Government announces that Australia will finalise the drawdown of our contribution to the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. Over the past two years, we have been reducing our military presence in Afghanistan from a high of over 1,500 personnel to around 80 personnel currently. In line with the United States and our other allies and partners, the last remaining Australian troops will depart Afghanistan by September 2021. More..... |
14 April Officials:
the Philippines Expanding South China Sea Patrols Near
Disputed ReefThe Philippines has sent additional ships on Tuesday to its maritime territory that is subject to China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, officials announced on Tuesday. The Task Force-West under the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea deployed another Coast Guard cutter, four Navy ships and two other vessels from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to the South China Sea and Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), where Whitsun Reef is located, for maritime patrol. More..... |
14 April Taiwan
launches new amphibious vessel with anti-ship missilesTaiwan has launched the first of a new class of multimission amphibious ships that can carry troops and equipment to its offshore and South China Sea islands. The vessels can also conduct surface warfare missions with anti-ship missiles. The landing platform dock, named Yu Shan after Taiwan’s tallest mountain, was launched at the shipyard of the state-owned shipbuilder CSBC Corporation in the southern Taiwanese port city of Kaohsiung on Tuesday. More..... |
14 April Swimming
test no problem for recruitTests do not normally rate as a favourite moment, but for Recruit Isabella Thaiday, it was her time to shine. Raised in Redlynch, Queensland, she did not have far to travel for her opportunity with the Navy Indigenous Development Program in Cairns. More..... |
14 April Take
two in Navy supplies opportunitiesFrom the small farming community of Ladysmith near Wagga Wagga in NSW to the high seas on a Navy warship, Tristan Strong has found his calling. Growing up on the farm his father still runs in Ladysmith, Able Seaman Strong is the first of his family to join the military, spurred on by a desire for constant change and new opportunities. More..... |
14 April The
human face of leadershipCommander Kelly Haywood still doesn’t know who nominated her for the ACT Award for Excellence in Women’s Leadership. Despite winning the award for advancing equality in leadership, she said the fact someone took the time to write the nomination was more recognition than she needed. More..... |
13 April Surveying
a solution to Antarctic traffic jamWith a university degree in Antarctic science, Leading Seaman Tanya Maksimovic knew exactly what do when confronted by an elephant seal taking a nap on the road to Davis Station in Antarctica. The hydrographic systems operator was on deployment at the time. ��We are always respectful of wildlife, so when a huge elephant seal decides the road at Davis Station is a good place to sleep, you just have to wait and it could be a couple of hours before you can get your vehicle out,” Leading Seaman Maksimovic said. More..... |
| 13 April Navy welcomes HMAS Supply into service |
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| 12 April Operation NSW Flood Assist - Navy & Air Force aid Macksville clean-up |
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12 April Making
memories on board SupplyWhen Benalla local Able Seaman Cody McNulty joined the Navy in 2016, Tasmania was the furthest he had been from home. Now, Able Seaman McNulty travels the world and supports Navy’s newest capability, the recently commissioned HMAS Supply II. During his time as a school-based diesel mechanic for Extons, he realised his love for all things mechanics. More..... |
12 April Milestone
for ADF martial artsA contest of wit and skill, judo is hand-to-hand combat routed in tradition and respect. It is the entanglement of two opponents focused on techniques to exploit their opponent’s attack and use their movement to an advantage with speed and power. Black belt Lieutenant Commander Murray Simons said judo was a powerful way of teaching confidence, poise, loyalty and integrity. More..... |
12 April Serving
in Sydney a family traditionAmong HMAS Sydney’s crew are two sailors with particularly strong connections to the ship. Seaman Jack Woolmer is the fourth generation of his family to serve in a Royal Australian Navy ship bearing the name Sydney. His family connection goes back to World War II when his great grandmother’s seven brothers served Australia, including Chief Petty Officer John Woolmer, who served in Sydney II as a stoker. More..... |
12 April Strengthening
partnerships at seaHMAS Sydney conducted a passage exercise with USS John Finn in the waters off the coast of Southern California in early April. Sydney has deployed to San Diego to conduct combat system sea qualifications trials on its Aegis weapons system with the US Navy. More..... |
12 April Third
time's a charm for officer on exchangeThe third time’s a charm for Lieutenant Commander Dale Axford. The principal warfare officer has been deployed to the United States as part of a strike group for the third time in his career – something most never get the chance to experience. Lieutenant Commander Axford is on exchange with the US Navy, assuming the role of air defence officer in USS Sterett as part of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG). More..... |
10 April HMAS
Supply commissionsThe Royal Australian Navy’s operational support capability has received a significant boost with the introduction of HMAS Supply into service. HMAS Supply is the first of two new Supply Class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ships. The AORs will enhance Fleet capability by extending the time a Task Group can spend at sea and the distance travelled. More..... |
10 April Defence
supports the Sydney Royal Easter ShowCeremonial performances by the Defence Band and Australia’s Federation Guard wowed spectators on the opening day of the Sydney Royal Easter Show on April 2 at the Giants Stadium. Australia’s Federation Guard is a tri-service ceremonial unit made up of members from the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, and Royal Australian Air Force who were thrilled to take part in the entertainment line-up this year. More..... |
09 AprilCommemorating
Anzac Day 2021 FOR what they have done this we will do — the simple reason all Australians must ensure the legacy of commemoration continues this Anzac Day. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said Anzac Day was the most sacred day of commemoration on the Australian calendar and a time for reflection to remember the service and sacrifice of all Australian service personnel who have served the nation for over a century. More..... |
| Navy delivers new patrol boat for Papua New Guinea |
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09 April U.S.
Carrier Strike Group, Amphibious Warships Massed in South
China Sea as Regional Tensions SimmerA U.S. carrier strike group and amphibious ready group are in the South China Sea as tensions increase between Manilla and Beijing over a Chinese maritime militia incursion into the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, the Navy announced on Friday. The Theodore Roosevelt CSG and the Makin Island ARG – with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked – are drilling in the South China Sea, according to U.S. 7th Fleet. More..... |
08
April U.S. Navy Takes Delivery of Sea Hawk Unmanned VesselA second medium-sized unmanned surface vessel prototype has delivered to the Navy, builder Leidos announced this week. Sea Hawk, sister ship to the Navy’s Sea Hunter, was built on the Gulf Coast and is now bound to join the Navy’s Surface Development Squadron One in California, the company said in a Wednesday press release. More..... |
08 April Destroyer
USS John McCain Transits Taiwan Strait as Chinese Carrier
Strike Group Drills NearbyA U.S. guided-missile destroyer transited the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday, days after the Chinese Navy announced a carrier strike group was operating near the island. USS John McCain (DDG-56) made the transit two days after the People’s Liberation Army Navy announced carrier Liaoning and its escorts would exercise near the island in the South China Sea. More.... |
08 April Fighting
and winning ashoreFrom the first response with aircraft flying from HMAS Albatross to personnel on the ground in the NSW mid-north coast, Navy has been involved in rescue, recovery and clean up efforts during Operation NSW Flood Assist. Personnel from No. 808 and 816 Squadrons have been working alongside Army and Air Force as well as NSW Emergency Services, local councils and community groups. More..... |
08 April Collective
skills put to testHMA Ships Anzac and Sirius made an immediate impact with their international counterparts in the French-led Exercise La Perouse in the Bay of Bengal. The two Australian ships were joined for the three days of navy-to-navy training exercises from April 5-7, by vessels from France, India, Japan and the US. More..... |
08 April Sirius
has a day to rememberHMAS Sirius has completed one of its biggest ever Replenishment at Sea (RAS) with the 100,000-ton Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt and two other ships in a Carrier Strike Group on March 31. To add to the accomplishment, Sirius simultaneously replenished the USS Bunker Hill, using its port and starboard refuelling rigs to support the dual-RAS operations. In total, the ship supplied about 1700 cubic meters of aviation and diesel fuel. More..... |
06 April Our
April Naval Hero - Captain John Philip Stevenson AM RANJohn Philip Stevenson was born in Melbourne on 24 August 1921, the son of Rear Admiral John Bryan Stevenson, RAN, and Olive Brooke Stevenson (née Bailey). He entered the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), in 1934, as a 13-year old Cadet Midshipman and underwent training at the RAN College at HMAS Cerberus. Upon graduation he became a Midshipman, on 1 January 1939, and joined his first ship, the heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra (I), on 26 January. He travelled to the United Kingdom in May 1939 for service on loan with the Royal Navy (RN) and joined the County Class heavy cruiser, HMS Shropshire. He was serving in her, in the Mediterranean, when war broke out in September 1939. Shropshire was ordered to take up patrol in the South Atlantic and, in 1940, conducted patrol and escort duties in the Indian Ocean between Cape Town, Durban, Mombasa and Aden. On 8th October 1968 he assumed command of HMAS Melbourne (II) which was undergoing a major refit at Garden Island. Melbourne commenced work-ups in February 1969 and sailed from Sydney for Southeast Asia on 5 May 1969 with 805, 816 and 817 Squadrons embarked. In the early hours of 3 June 1969 in the South China Sea, during the SEATO Exercise SEA SPIRIT, the American destroyer USS Frank E Evans cut across Melbourne's bow and was cut in two in an incident all too similar to that of Voyager (II) five years earlier. The forward section of Evans sank with the loss of 74 lives and Melbourne sustained extensive damage to her bow section. A joint USN/RAN Board of Inquiry into the tragedy held Captain Stevenson partly responsible stating that, as Commanding Officer of Melbourne, he could have done more to prevent the collision from occurring; however, a subsequent RAN court-martial cleared him of any responsibility. The integrity of the initial Board of Inquiry has since been questioned, particularly as it was presided over by Rear Admiral Jerome King, USN, the officer in overall tactical command of Evans at the time of the collision. Stevenson’s 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.” Read his full story in our Hero section: https://navyvic.net/heroes/stevenson.html |
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06 April Survey
work to make navigation saferHMAS Melville has returned to her home port of Cairns after a six-week deployment completing survey work in poorly surveyed waters of the Bass Strait. The voyage to the Bass Strait was the first time in 14 years Melville has travelled so far south. Able Seaman Ryan Ball said the voyage was a rare opportunity to visit a cooler climate, with the ship’s company more accustomed to tropical north Queensland and the Pacific Islands. More..... |
05 AprilJoint
training Exercise in the Indian Ocean Royal Australian Navy ships HMAS Anzac and HMAS Sirius will join vessels from France, India, Japan and the United States for the French-led maritime Exercise La Perouse. This annual exercise will be conducted in the Bay of Bengal from 5-7 April 2021. Minister for Defence the Hon Peter Dutton MP welcomed the exercise, saying Australia’s participation highlights the importance of building and maintaining strong navy-to-navy relationships in the region. More..... |
02 April Russian
frigate Admiral Kasatonov enters Atlantic in long-distance
deploymentThe Russian Navy Northern Fleet’s newest frigate Admiral Kasatonov completed accomplishing the tasks of its first long-distance deployment in the Mediterranean Sea and entered the Atlantic Ocean, Russia’s TASS agency reported on Thursday. “The frigate Admiral Kasatonov has entered the Atlantic. Today it has passed through the Strait of Gibraltar westwards accompanied by the rescue tug Nikolai Chiker and the medium sea tanker Vyazma,” the press office said in a statement. More..... |
02 April Thai
sailor true to his rootsThai-born Leading Seaman Phairat Boonrod is back in South-East Asia on deployment in HMAS Sirius. Migrating to Brisbane at 12, he quickly forged a reputation as a handy Australian rules football player with the Coorparoo club and attended Coorparoo Secondary School. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, there are no planned port visits for Thailand, but he said he was glad to have visited his home country during a regional deployment in 2015. More..... |
01 April FlyByA periodical of the Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia. April..... |
01 April Famed
WWII Destroyer USS Johnston Discovered 4 Miles DownA team of ocean explorers has found the wreck of World War II Fletcher-class destroyer USS Johnston (DD-557) which played a critical role at the Battle off Samar, Navy History and Heritage Command said on Thursday. Victor Vescovo, explorer and retired Navy officer, in the manned submersible Limiting Factor located Johnston‘s bow further down a cliff face at 21,180 feet. More..... |
| 01 April PODCAST: Policy, Guns and Money: Hypersonic weapons, technology innovation, and US politics and foreign policy |
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