January 30th - On This Date - Royal Australian Navy

1887

The Admiralty agreed to provide eight cadetships a year for Australians, and two for New Zealanders, at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. Approval was also given for the formation of Naval Reserves in both colonies. The decision followed demands for increased colonial involvement in naval defence.

1940

The troop convoy US1 reached Colombo. HMAS HOBART, (cruiser), joined the convoy as an escort, for part of the voyage.

1942

HMAS GYMPIE, (minesweeper), was launched at Evans Deakin Yard, Brisbane.

1943

USS CHICAGO was sunk by Japanese torpedo bombers off Rennell Island. The cruiser lost her bows in the Battle of Savo Island in 1942 and was repaired at Cockatoo Island.

1945

HMAS WARREGO (sloop), and her US tender, YMS 316, carried out inshore surveys and buoyed wrecks off Bataan Peninsula while US troops fought their way off the landing beaches.

1975

Operation Navy Help, the support to the clean up and rebuilding of Darwin following Cyclone Tracy, was completed. Over a dozen RAN warships, and thousands of sailors had been involved in the operation, and contributed greatly to getting Darwin cleaned up, and restoring essential services. The next day the last two warships, (HMA Ships STALWART and BRISBANE), departed. BRISBANE had the distinction of being one of the first ships to arrive in Darwin on 31 December, and being one the last to leave.