February 13th - On This Date - Royal Australian Navy

1913

The first entry of cadets to the Royal Australian Naval College arrived at Geelong. The cadets were:-O. E. Albert, N. K. Calder, J. A. Collins, A. D. Conder, E. S. Cunningham, J. C. D. Esdaile, H. B. Farncomb, E. B. Howells, H. A. Mackenzie, J. B. Newman, E. S. Nurse, W. L. Reilly, C. A. R. Sadlier, H. A. Showers, H. J. H. Thompson, H. B, Vallentine, L. L. Watkins, A. J. B. Watts. Collins, Farncomb, and Showers, reached the rank of Admiral.

1942

HMS SCORPION, (destroyer), sunk south of Singapore. Among her crew who were killed was AB Daniel Ingram of the RAN. Ingram had been serving in HMAS BENDIGO when he was caught ashore in Singapore during an air raid in early February, and missed the ships sailing. He was then allotted to SCORPION and lost his life when that ship was sunk. Japanese bombers attacked a convoy escorted by HMA Ships BALLARAT, TOOWOOMBA, and WOLLONGONG, (corvettes), in Banka Straits. The aircraft were driven off by fire from the escorts.

1945

The air/sea rescue vessels, (search and rescue craft), HMA Ships AIR HOPE, (LEUT R. W. Dunn, RANVR), and AIR SPRAY, (SBLT W. A. Booth, RANVR), were commissioned.

1964

The Australian Prime Minister, Mr. R. G. Menzies, announced the setting up of a Royal Commission to inquire into the loss of HMAS VOYAGER. The decision was a precedent, the normal procedure was to convene a naval court martial.

1969

The former HMAS ARUNTA, (Tribal class destroyer), sank north of Sydney while under tow to Japan for breaking up. While it was never proven the rumour at the time was that former members of ARUNTA's World War II crew had sabotaged the ship to prevent it reaching Japan to be scrapped.

1984

Ships of the RAN were placed on standby for a possible rescue mission following reports of earthquakes close to Rabaul.

1992

HMAS OXLEY, the first Oberon class submarine built for the RAN, paid off at HMAS STIRLING, WA. The stripped hull was sold for scrap.

'On This Day' is based on the book "Navy Day by Day: Historic Naval Events in Australia and Abroad" written by the late Lew Lind.