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.