[45] Melbourne operated a standard air group of four Skyhawks, six Trackers, and ten Wessex helicopters until 1972, when the Wessexes were replaced with ten Westland Sea King anti-submarine warfare helicopters and the number of Skyhawks doubled. [36] Approximately 350 Fleet Air Arm personnel were stationed aboard the carrier. [114][128] Subsequent to the inquiry, the three USN officers and Stevenson were court-martialled by their respective navies on charges of negligence, with the three USN officers found guilty and Stevenson 'Honourably Acquitted'. [4] Construction resumed in 1946, and major modifications to the design were incorporated. [1] Melbourne had been designed to operate in North Atlantic and Arctic climates, and the original ventilation systems were inappropriate for her primary operating climate, the tropics. (John Francis collection). While conducting flying exercises off Manus Island on 16 March, one of Melbournes Gannets ditched into the sea when the pilot was unable to control the aircraft after relighting her second engine. While the construction of the RAN's first carrier, HMAS Sydney (III), was too advanced to include these modifications, the construction of Melbourne was still at an early enough stage for their inclusion. Melbourne then continued on to Japan and Hawaii for Exercise REX with USN units before returning home via Western Samoa and Fiji. The defect was rectified in time for her to take her place in phase two, which once again saw the fleet proceeding north to the Philippines. To use these records effectively you need: The best available source for crew details is the ships' ledgers. Melbourne berthed in Hong Kong, April 1970. [30], Following Navy Help Darwin, Melbourne participated in RIMPAC 75, then returned to Sydney for a fourteen-month refit, which was delayed by industrial action at the dockyard. Melbourne commenced her South East Asian deployment shortly after her visit to Hobart, departing Sydney on 7 March. [113] Melbourne re-entered service at the conclusion of the refit on 14 February 1969. In every situation, a new aircraft carrier was turned down due to the increases in manpower and operating costs required to operate the ship when compared to Melbourne. Melbourne once again visited Hobart in early February 1963 and conducted exercises with other RAN units in Tasmanian waters. The integrity of the initial Board of Inquiry has since been questioned, particularly as it was presided over by Rear Admiral Jerome H King, USN, the officer in overall tactical command of Evans at the time of the collision. Left: A Royal Navy Westland Whirlwind. [164] At this time, few western experts expected that the Chinese government would attempt to develop aircraft carriers in the future. . HMAS Melbourne (R21) was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). 82 of Voyager's personnel were killed, and two Royal Commissions were held to investigate the incident. [3] It has also been claimed that the Royal Australian Navy received and "politely rejected" a request from the PLAN for blueprints of the ship's steam catapult. [23], At the end of March 1978, Melbourne left Sydney for RIMPAC 78. [100] The second commission found that Stevens was medically unfit for command and that some of the findings of the first Royal Commission were therefore based on incorrect assumptions. She took part in the convoy defence exercise PASAD in the Tasman Sea in March 1960 before once again making a port visit to Hobart. [9] Construction and fitting out did not finish until October 1955. SEALION was the largest SEATO exercise yet involving more than 60 ships from Australia, New Zealand, the US, the UK, France, India, the Philippines, Thailand and Pakistan. [149] In his haste to shut down the carrier, he failed to deactivate the water pumps, and over 180tons of fresh water were pumped in before a maintenance party discovered the flooding the next day. [143] On return in July, the carrier entered a major refit, which continued until 3 August 1979. Temporary repairs were affected at sea before Melbourne proceeded to Singapore that afternoon. Ledgers often include individual crew lists for each vessel. [10] Despite an increase to approximately one acre (4,000square metres, 4,800square yards) in area, the deck was still significantly smaller than other Cold War era carriers; S-2 Trackers, with their 22.12-metre (72ft 7in) wingspan, had less than a metre's clearance for their starboard wingtip when landing, and pilots from other navies often refused to attempt landing. [30][137], On 5 December 1976, a fire deliberately lit at HMASAlbatross by a member of the Fleet Air Arm damaged or destroyed all but one of Australia's S-2 Trackers. [14] These carriers were intended as "disposable warships": to be disposed of at the end of World War II or within three years of entering service. On completion of the exercise, Melbourne led the four nation fleet in ceremonial fleet entry into Sydney Harbour on 22 November. All of Melbournes available boats were ordered into the water while inflatable life rafts were deployed, scrambling nets prepared and other preparations made to receive and care for survivors. 808 Squadron in 1955 posing before a Sea Venom onboard Melbourne. The PLAN subsequently arranged for the ship's flight deck and all the equipment associated with flying operations to be removed so that they could be studied in depth. Melbourne put to sea briefly from 8 to 11 July 1971 to test the hull and propulsion machinery prior to the completion of the refit in August and the commencement of shakedown and workup exercises on 13 August. [129] Despite the findings, Stevenson's next posting was as a minor flag officer's chief of staff, seen by him as a demotion in all but name. [92], Melbourne arrived in Sydney with the survivors on 14 February, and after spending time alongside at Garden Island, was moved to Cockatoo Island Dockyard on 25 March, where repairs were undertaken; the damaged section of the bow was cut away and repairs to the ship's internal structure were undertaken in drydock, while a 40-ton prefabricated bow was constructed. She arrived in Pearl Harbor, via Suva, on 25 October. [134] The refit concluded in late 1971, with the carrier participating in the first RIMPAC exercise, RIMPAC 71, before the end of the year. [28] The refit took seven months to complete, and cost A$2million. No accidents reported, 1 Owner, Personal use. Gannet 858 precariously suspended over Melbourne's port side after the pilot had unsuccessfully attempted to 'wave off' his landing. Melbourne went on to visit the Solomon Islands before returning to Jervis Bay on 4 October. [77][78] It was the first time a flagship of the RAN had entered Indian waters. [30] While moored in Sydney Harbour, on 24 July, Melbourne was struck by Japanese cargo ship Blue Andromeda. [79] In September, Melbourne reprised her role as the leader of Exercise Tuckerbox II. [115][116] Additionally, during the lead up to the exercise, Admiral Crabb had strongly warned that all repositioning manoeuvres performed by the escorts had to commence with a turn away from Melbourne. [67][68] The carrier spent the rest of the year visiting Australian ports for open inspections by the public. [70] The carrier returned to Australia on 27 November after 101 days at sea, and underwent a seven-month refit. 644 mi - Melbourne, FL. [17][69], From February until July 1958, Melbourne was deployed on a 25,000-nautical-mile (46,000km; 29,000mi) flag-showing cruise. The passage proved a difficult one as cyclonic conditions caused a number of accidents and injuries throughout the fleet, including a shipwright aboard Melbourne who injured his hand in a circular saw and required surgery. Upon the conclusion of SEADOG, the carrier returned to Australia and arrived at Fremantle, via Singapore, on 8 August. I am also proud to record that Voyagers officers and men displayed the same high standards of individual behaviour. This event not only revived memories of the Voyager tragedy five years earlier, but also pre-empted another tragedy to come. The ship took part in Exercise JUC 85 later that month and into August, before departing for Pearl Harbor to participate in RIMPAC 72 on 17 August. Back row, left to right: LEUTs Peter Wyatt and David Hilliard, LCDRs Peter Seed and George Jude, LEUTs Barry Thompson, Alan Cordell, Edward Wilson and Geoffrey Gratwick. On 26 March 1913, HMAS Melbourne, Australia's first . Melbourne was the only Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisions.[1]. [87] The destroyer's forward section sank quickly, under the weight of the two 4.5-inch (110mm) gun turrets. On returning to Sydney in July she commenced a refit and leave period before sailing again for work-ups in September. Melbournes journey back to Sydney was notable for the Melbourne-Sydney Marathon. [82] The Daring-class destroyer HMASVoyager was also present, undergoing her own trials following refit, under the command of Captain Duncan Stevens. [35] The radar suite consisted of three Type 277Q height-finding sets, a Type 293Q surface search set, and a Type 978 navigational set. Following acceptance and work-up trials in the United Kingdom, Melbourne sailed from Glasgow for Australia on 11 March 1956 with 808 Squadron (Sea Venom all weather fighters) and 816 and 817 Squadrons (Gannet anti-submarine aircraft) embarked. Her embarked aircraft also participated in search and rescue efforts as did HMA Ships Stuart (II), Curlew, Hawk, Ibis, Snipe and Teal. Morris was an Australian record holder in the hammer throw, and had represented Australia at the 1956 Olympic Games and the 1958 Commonwealth Games. We hold several sources of information on RAN ships. The ten, ranging in rank from Ordinary Seaman to Commander, formed two five man relay teams and departed Melbourne Town Hall, along with their support volunteers, in the afternoon of 25 April to race the ship back to Sydney. [30] This was immediately followed by a visit to the Solomon Islands in early April. She participated in Exercise JUC 76 in February before departing Sydney on 9 March for Asian waters. En route, on 2 August, she participated in the search for survivors from the collier Birchgrove Park which had foundered north of Port Jackson the previous night resulting in the loss of ten lives. Please be advised that HMAS Melbourne arrived at Port Huangpu, intact and safely afloat, proud and majestic. Additional medical officers were embarked by aircraft from Nowra, and members of Melbournes ships company not directly involved in search and rescue efforts tended to the survivors immediate needs. Left: Lady White unveils Melbourne's ship's badge. She arrived back in Fremantle on 22 June. [33] After docking at Garden Island in December, the carrier was accidentally flooded by an officer who was impatient to commence leave. I am proud of them. Middle: Some students receiving instruction on the drums from Musician Wright. Two days prior to that, one of Melbourne's Gannet aircraft developed an engine fault on take off and ditched into the sea ahead of the ship. [30][146] On 18 August, Melbourne sailed for Fremantle to participate in Exercise Sandgroper 80. [11], The completed carrier was commissioned into the RAN as HMAS Majestic on 26 October 1955. [130] In December 2012, Stevenson announced that he had received a letter from the Minister for Defence, apologising for his treatment by the RAN and the government of the day.[131]. Surgeon Commander Brian Treloar helps Lieutenant Barry Tuke, RN, down the gangway. [126][133] During this year, the carrier also visited Japan to participate in Expo '70, and was hit by Manly ferry South Steyne while alongside at Garden Island, causing minor damage to both vessels. Left: One of HMAS Melbourne's boats with HMAS Voyager survivors aboard. [5] Initial plans were for three carriers, with two active and a third in reserve, although funding cuts led to the purchase of only two carriers in June 1947: Majestic and sister ship HMS Terrible, for the combined cost of AU2.75million,[note 2] plus stores, fuel, and ammunition. [139] A two-seat Harrier jump jet demonstrator undertook a series of trial takeoffs and landings aboard Melbourne on 30 June: a trial organised as part of the project overseeing the ship's potential replacement. [117] Subsequent action narrowly prevented a collision. [16] At launch, the carrier was 213.97 metres (702.0ft) long overall, but this was increased by 2.43 metres (8.0ft) during a refit in 1969. The need to secure a replacement for Melbourne grew as the carrier's age caused the operating costs to increase to over A$25million per year. [19] The flight deck, hangar deck and aircraft lifts were strengthened, and reinforced arrestor cables were installed. [77][81], On 10 February 1964, Melbourne was performing trials in Jervis Bay under the command of Captain John Robertson, following the annual refit. She departed for her annual South East Asian deployment on 3 March. She participated in Exercise JUC 63 in August, visited New Zealand in September, and took part in Exercise SWORDHILT in the Coral Sea in October. On 26 November 1959, the Minister for Defence, the Hon. HMAS Melbourne was originally one of six Majestic Class light fleet aircraft carriers ordered for the Royal Navy (RN) during World War II. [107] Utilising the carrier was suggested again by RAN officials in March 1966, when the United States Seventh Fleet was having difficulties maintaining anti-submarine patrols around Yankee Station, but Melbourne could only remain on station for a single, ten-day period, a third of the time that US carriers were operational for on rotating deployments. [2], Melbourne was paid off from RAN service in 1982. [73] The rest of the year was spent visiting Australian and New Zealand ports. [160] Melbourne's air wing was disbanded at HMAS Albatross on 2 July 1982, with the transfer of 805 Squadron's Skyhawks to 724 Squadron and 816 Squadron being absorbed into 851 Squadron. [122] Sailors from Melbourne dived from the flight deck into the water to rescue overboard survivors close to the carrier, while the carrier's boats and helicopters collected those farther out. Ironically, the following day Melbourne celebrated her 20,000th landing when Lieutenant Ryland Gill, RAN, landed his Gannet on board. The National Archives of Australia has records about members of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) who served as crew aboard RAN ships. [19] At Melbourne's commissioning, the standard air group consisted of eight Sea Venoms and two squadrons of eight Gannets, with two Bristol Sycamore search-and-rescue helicopters added shortly after the carrier entered service. [93][94], Of the 314 personnel aboard Voyager at the time of the collision, 14 officers, 67 sailors, and 1 civilian dockyard worker were killed, including Stevens and all but two of the bridge team. [127] It was learned during the inquiry that Evans' commanding officer was asleep in his quarters at the time of the incident, and charge of the vessel was held by Lieutenants Ronald Ramsey and James Hopson; the former had failed the qualification exam to stand watch, while the latter was at sea for the first time. A large proportion of this ships company had only recently joined the ship and some 25% were ordinary seamen, barely accustomed to wearing naval uniform. [44] The highlight of the deployment saw the three ships represent Australia and New Zealand at the Silver Jubilee Naval Review on 28 June 1977. The remainder of the deployment proceeded without incident as Melbourne visited Nagasaki, Kure, Kobe and Yokohama before returning home via Guam and Papua New Guinea. Repair work kept Melbourne alongside in Sydney for three months. Our sources include the logs and reports of proceedings. [60] Commanding officers were changed on average every fifteen months, with few remaining on board for more than two years. She departed for her annual South East Asian deployment from Darwin on 7 April, and visited Singapore before proceeding on to Manila to participate in Exercise SEALION. A flash appeared to come from Voyagers A Boiler, and she emitted high pressure steam and black smoke. [17] Following this, she travelled to New Zealand, where she participated in exercises with HMNZS Royalist and visited several New Zealand ports. Some groups of vessels, referred to as tenders, have been recorded together as one ledger. [1][23] The carrier spent May performing exercises off the New South Wales coast, during which she was called on to rescue three fisherman who had been stranded at sea for the previous two days. Rank/Class/Branch. [44][45] The aircraft did not fly from Melbourne until the conclusion of her refit in 1969. Salvaged by USS YLLC-5 ( United States Navy) and floating crane YD-220 and refloated the next day. [23] She returned to Australia on 12 October, but sailed out ten days later to participate in Exercise Leadline off Malaysia, before reaching Sydney again in December. [1], More large-scale refits occurred throughout the rest of the 1970s. 231 Hmas Melbourne Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images CREATIVE Collections Project #ShowUs Creative Insights EDITORIAL VIDEO BBC Motion Gallery NBC News Archives MUSIC BLOG BROWSE PRICING ENTERPRISE VisualGPS INSIGHTS BOARDS BASKET SIGN IN Images Images Creative Editorial Video Creative Editorial FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO She remained alongside in Sydney until February 1969. [114][118] Evans had performed the manoeuvre four times over the course of the night. Ralston, M. G. Watson, D. T. The following is a list of Officers and Ratings serving in Lt. Smith, W. N. Ian Critchley LM (E) Served from 1956 - 1969 Served in HMAS Vampire. The exercise came to a temporary halt however, when a grenade accidentally exploded aboard USS Nicholas and seriously injured two sailors. She arrived back in Sydney on 1 August where she recommenced a routine program of exercises, training and maintenance. [86], Melbourne struck Voyager just aft of the destroyer's bridge, rolling the destroyer to starboard before cutting her in half. Melbourne underwent a refit from October 1965 to January 1966 and conducted post-refit trials and workup exercises off Jervis Bay in February 1966. [49] In October, Melbourne participated in Exercise Kangaroo II, before sailing to her namesake city for the carrier's 21st birthday celebrations, then returning to Sydney on 5 November. She participated in Exercise FIRST TIME in January 1965, and on 2 February departed Sydney for Hobart and the Royal Hobart Regatta. [46][47][48][49] The carrier was sent to the United States in 1977 to transport back 16 S-2G Tracker aircraft as replacements. In her captain's first television and press interviews much was made of the revelation that Melbourne possessed the ability to operate her jet aircraft by night as well as by day. The text of the telex message has been altered for readability. [44] These weapons were donated to the Australian War Memorial at Stavromenos, in Crete's Rethymno regional unit. [120] After having narrowly passed in front of Melbourne, the turns quickly placed Evans back in the carrier's path. Photo courtesy Lieutenant Commander J Brown. [91] At 9:58pm, Melbourne was informed that search-and-rescue boats from HMASCreswell, helicopters from HMASAlbatross, and five Ton-class minesweepers had been despatched to assist in the search. [109] Consideration was also given to using Melbourne as a floating helicopter base, but only ten Wessex helicopters could be provided, and modifications were required for them to operate as troop carriers. [54][55] Although one of the largest ships to serve in the RAN, Melbourne was one of the smallest carriers to operate in the post-World War II period. [42] A separate proposal to order 10 A-4G Skyhawks, a variant of the Skyhawk designed specifically for the RAN and optimised for air defence, was approved in 1965. HMAS Melbourne undergoing temporary repairs in Singapore. Some records include terms and views that are not appropriate today. She participated in Exercises JUC 61 and HOMERUN with USN units off the New South Wales coast in March, before departing Sydney on 24 February for South East Asian waters. [101] Robertson and the other officers of Melbourne were absolved of blame for the incident. : USS Redfish United States Navy The decommissioned Balao-class auxiliary submarine was sunk as a target in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego, California, by . Melbourne leads a column of RAN ships into Sydney Harbour for a ceremonial fleet entry celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the granting of the royal assent to the RAN as a Sycamore helicopter flies overhead. [121] Melbourne hit Evans amidships at 3:15am, cutting the destroyer in two. Recovery of life rafts from the Evans. Many survivors were embarked in Melbourne while others were transported by other search and rescue vessels to HMAS Creswell at Jervis Bay. Her forward section passed down Melbournes port side, and the stern section down the starboard side. [168] Melbourne was the largest warship any of the Chinese experts had seen, and they were surprised by the amount of equipment which was still in place. [76] The carrier's Strategic Reserve deployment ran from April to June, and was followed by manoeuvres along the east coast of Australia until September. Hourly Rate: Full Time $16.75/hr-$18.00 based on experience. In the early hours of 3 June 1969, in a manoeuvre almost identical to the near-miss with Larson a few days earlier, the destroyer USS Frank E Evans crossed Melbournes bows while attempting to move in the planeguard position, and was cut in two. Requirements. Melbourne was the only Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisions. These larger and more dynamic jet aircraft led to commensurate advancements in the designs of the carriers from which they operated, most significantly the introduction of angled flight decks, mirror deck landing systems and steam powered catapults. Melbourne was back in dock from November 1972 until August 1973, with further work done to her catapult. The National Archives holds these in Canberra in the record series A4624. Melbourne received a warm and colourful reception in Western Australia and there was great media interest in her arrival. [3] It is unclear whether the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) orchestrated the acquisition of Melbourne or simply took advantage of the situation; Rear Admiral Zhang Zhaozhong, a staff member at the National Defence College, has stated that the Navy was unaware of the purchase until Melbourne first arrived at Guangzhou. With 24 ships and submarines from five nations participating, OCEAN LINK was the largest SEATO exercise yet. [123] All of the survivors were located within 12 minutes of the collision and rescued before half an hour had passed, although the search continued for fifteen more hours. Melbourne undergoing trials at Barrow-in-Furness, England 1956. [147] The squadron's return in November 1980 concluded the largest and longest RAN deployment since World War II.[23]. That afternoon a Gannet experienced a total power loss on take off and ditched into the sea about 500 yards from the ship. $32,998. [132] The carrier's engineers often resorted to making replacements from scratch. [114] Evans was positioned on Melbourne's port bow, but began the manoeuvre by turning starboard, towards the carrier. [1], Operations in 1972 commenced with a three-month deployment to Southeast Asia. (Courtesy Mike Breakspear). She performed sea trials in Jervis Bay from 17 February until 5 May, then sailed for Subic Bay, Philippines, to participate in SEATO Exercise Sea Spirit. This definition does not include seaplane tender. She was, however, involved in two major collisions with allied vessels; though Melbourne was not found to be the primary cause of either incident. The forward section of Evans sank quickly while her stern section was secured to Melbournes starboard side enabling that part of the ship to be searched for survivors. HMAS Melbourne (II) with Gannets and Sea Venoms ranged on deck. [151] Prior to the ship's departure for China, the RAN stripped Melbourne of all electronic equipment and weapons, and welded her rudders into a fixed position so that she could not be reactivated. Shift: Monday thru Friday 6:00pm-2:30am. [70] In November, the carrier took part in disaster relief exercises. Special Forum to pay respects to the 82 men who lost the lives in the collision on 10th February 1964 when HMAS Voyager was sunk by the Aircraft Carrier HMAS Melbourne. [117] The escorts were again warned about the dangers of operating near the carrier and informed of Stevenson's expectations, while the minimum distance between carrier and escorts was increased from 2,000 to 3,000 yards (1,800 to 2,700m). They reflect the period in which they were created and are not the views of the National Archives. Search and rescue operations began immediately and 199 men were saved, many of them embarking and receiving treatment in the Australian carrier before transferring to the American carrier, USS Kearsarge. The stern section remained afloat. She joined Sydneys escort group for the final time early in June, and visited Malaysia later in the month before returning home. [83] Following a series of turns intended to reverse the courses of both ships beginning at 8:40pm, Voyager ended up to starboard of Melbourne. [36][39] The decision to retire the fixed-wing component of the Fleet Air Arm was rescinded in 1963, and on 10 November 1964, a AU212million increase in defence spending included the purchase of new aircraft for Melbourne. [37] At the time of their arrival, the Sea Venoms were the only radar equipped and all-weather combat aircraft in the Southern Hemisphere. [75] The year began with exercises en route to Adelaide, followed by a visit to the Royal Hobart Regatta. 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