On This Day - 11 March

1957
The tug HMAS EMU, (LCDR J. Toulouse, RANVR), rescued six survivors of the merchant ship GOLD SEEKER from Bowen Bay, Bathurst Island.
1956
HMAS MELBOURNE (aircraft carrier), embarked Nos. 808, 816, and 817 Squadrons off Scotland on her maiden voyage to Australia.
1944
HMAS ARUNTA, (destroyer), along with US destroyers, closed to 4000 yards to bombard Japanese positions at Seeadler Harbour, Manus Island.
1942
HMS NAIAD, (cruiser), was sunk while escorting a convoy to Malta. The cruiser's First Lieutenant, LCDR A. S. Storey, RAN, was awarded the DSC for conspicuous bravery in the operation. A Bar to the DSC was awarded to this officer some months later "for gallantry, skill and seamanship in a brilliant action against strong enemy forces" when serving in his next ship, HMS CLEOPATRA, (cruiser).
1936
HMAS SYDNEY, (cruiser), joined HMAS AUSTRALIA in ADML Sir Max Horton's 1st Cruiser Squadron at Malta.
1919
HMAS PLATYPUS was commissioned as a submarine depot ship, and HMAS KURUMBA as oiler for the flotilla of "J" class submarines presented to the RAN as a gift by the British Admiralty.
1803
CAPT James Colnett, RN, in HMS GLATTON, was appointed Senior Officer of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels in Port Jackson.
Credit:
'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. More information.

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