February 14th - On This Date - Royal Australian Navy

1884

The steam gunboat, HMVS VICTORIA, (CAPT A. B. Thomas, RN), sailed from Portsmouth for Australia.

1941

HMS SHROPSHIRE, (cruiser), later HMAS SHROPSHIRE, carried out a point-blank bombardment of enemy troop positions at Kismayu, Italian Somaliland.

1942

The cruiser, HMAS HOBART, (CAPT H. L. Howden, RAN), joined an Allied naval striking force at the western end of Java, organized by ABDA, (Australian-British-Dutch-American), but the enemy had carried out landings before the force arrived, so they returned empty-handed to Tanjong Priok, being subjected to heavy air attacks. HMAS BALLARAT, (minesweeper), rescued 215 survivors from the MV DERRYMORE, which had been sunk by a Japanese submarine 60 miles west of Batavia, (Jakarta). Among those rescued was Flying Officer J. G. Gorton, RAAF, who was later to become Minister for the Navy, and Prime Minister of Australia.

1945

The River class frigate HMAS LACHLAN was commissioned. LACHLAN was laid down at Mort's Dock, Sydney, and launched on 25 March 1944. LACHLAN, carrying the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, made a ceremonial entry into the Captain Cook Graving Dock, Sydney, officially opening the dock. CMDR A. P. Cousin, RANR(S), was appointed to the DSO for conspicuous service while commanding HMAS MANOORA in amphibious landings at Tanahmerah Bay, Wakde Taem, Morotai, Leyte, Lingayen, Tarakan, Labuan and Balikpapan. ADML Sir Bruce Fraser, RN, arrived in Sydney in command of the British Pacific Fleet. CMDR K. H. Oom, RAN, was appointed to the OBE for conspicuous service while surveying in advanced areas in command of HMA Ships WHYALLA and SHEPPARTON.

1955

HMAS HAWKESBURY, (River class frigate), was paid off for disposal.

1984

A Sydney-based syndicate announced plans to acquire the aircraft carrier, HMAS MELBOURNE for conversion to a floating gambling casino to be moored outside territorial waters off Eden, NSW. The far-fetched scheme never eventuated, and MELBOURNE was later sold for scrap.

1990

The Minister for Defence, Mr. Kim Beazley, announced at the keel laying ceremony for HMAS COLLINS that five more Type 471 submarines were to be built for the RAN. They would be named FARNCOMB, WALLER, DECHAINEAUX, SHEEAN, and RANKIN.

'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.