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Occasional Paper 51: The Attack Class Patrol Boat

April 2019

By Dennis J Weatherall JP TM AFAITT(L) LSM

Volunteer Researcher, Naval Historical Society of Australia

Patrol boats have proven to be the most flexible and versatile elements of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) since World War 2.  Every day they are at sea patrolling Australian waters and protecting our national interests.  They play an active role in the enforcement of Australian legislation pertaining to; illegal immigration, fishing, quarantine and smuggling.

Between World War 2 and 2019 the Royal Australian Navy has operated five classes of patrol boats commencing with the Bathurst class built between 1940 and 1942.  Then followed the Ton class, Attack class, Fremantle class and in current service, the Armidale class.

Experience during the period of Indonesian Confrontation (1963-6) with the Ton class demonstrated the value of small vessels for patrol and interdiction tasks.  However, the Ton class propulsion system was not suited to loitering and they were expensive to maintain.  This experience led the RAN to introduce the Attack class to conduct patrol work in Australian territorial waters.

This paper examines the design, construction and operations of the Attack class and provides some insight into their habitability.

HMAS ADVANCE launched 16th August 1967,
commissioned 6 February 1968. ANMM image

User Requirement

The requirement for a new Royal Australian Navy Patrol Boat design commenced in May 1963 with an official request from Navy for a preliminary feasibility study for a boat of simple characteristics, around 70-80 feet in length with a speed of approximately 12 knots, and accommodation for a minimum of 2 Officers, 2 Petty Officers and 10 Junior Sailors.

From these initial and additional requirements, the final design developed by Department of Navy naval architects resulted in a vessel that could carry out; general duties, harbour defence, pursuit and interception tasks.

The final design required the following;

Capabilities:

•           Search & rescue

•           Seaward defence

•           Coast Watching

•           Target towing

•           Boarding operations

 

 Navigation:

·       Radar, transistorised light weight commercial unit

·       Gyro compass, similar to Arma Brown commercial units

·       Magnetic compass,

·       Echo sounder of a type similar to Ferrograph, a Trident Log with a bridge repeater

·       Training:  for Junior Officers and sailors (PNF and Reserve) in ship handling
Training

for Junior Officers and sailors (PNF and Reserve) in ship handling

 Communications

A package for both external and internal use for control and navigation.

 
Speed

Maximum, 23 knots

Cruising, 15 knots

 Weapons

A power-operated single Bofor gun on forecastle immediately forward of superstructure with similar mount aft.  Provision for small arms and ammunition
Endurance

At maximum continuous speed: 500 miles

At cruising speed: at least 1500 miles

Water & victuals: 14 days

 Accommodation

to approved standards, fitted with air-conditioning for tropical area operation
Dimensions

length 100-120 ft and

draught of 5-8 ft

 Life-saving equipment

RAN standard

 
Propulsion

Twin screw, simple and reliable in operation

 Ships Boat

14 ft dingy (approximately)

Delivered Capabilities and Specifications

The boat ‘as delivered’ generally met the required specifications, e.g. length 107.5 feet (32.76M), draught 6.2 feet (1.9M) and a speed of 24 knots.  Full details of the boat as delivered are at Annex A.

Service Life and Disposal

The original plan was to build twenty boats, although the class type was designated the Attack, the boat bearing the class name was the tenth pennant number allocated, fifth launched and second commissioned four days after Aitape # P84.  Pennant numbers ran from 81-95 and 97-101, (20 numbers) but Pennant number 96 was never allocated, nor could I find a reason for skipping this specific number.

HMAS Archer in Jervis bay showing her original thin style pennant number

The Attack class (A) Boats were built at two Queensland engineering works; Evans Deakin (Brisbane) built 13 and Walkers Ltd (Maryborough) built 7.

Five Patrol Boats were purpose built for New Guinea service and named accordingly.  They were used for patrol and general duties in Australian and surrounding waters before transfer to the PNG Defence Force.  The boats destined for New Guinea service were HMAS Aitape, Samarai, Ladua, Lae and Madang.  These vessels, after Independence, were retitled HMPNG Ships.  The table provided in Annex B lists all twenty vessels built; by whom, pennant numbers, dates laid down and dates launched and commissioned.

The Attack class gave good service over more than two decades.  HMAS Bayonet, built by Walkers Ltd was the last boat launched (6 November 68) and commissioned on 22 February 69.  The last boat to decommission was HMAS Aware on 17 July 1993.

Five boats were gifted to the PNG Government;  Aitape, Samarai, Ladava, Lae and Madang.  Nine were either gifted or purchased by Indonesia.  These were:

RAN Name TNI Name
Acute P81 KRI Sikuda # 863
Archer P86 KRI Siliman # 848
Ardent P87 sold privately, then bought by Indonesia. KRI Tenggin # 865
Assail P89 KRI Sigurot # 864
Attack P90 KRI Sikuda # 863
Bandolier P95 KRI Sibarau # 847
Barbette P97 KRI Siada # 862
Barricade P98 KRI Sigalu # 857
Bombard P99 KRI Siribura # 859

 

Two boats were sunk as targets, Adroit on 8 August 1994 and Buccaneer on 8 October 1988.

Loss of HMAS Arrow

HMAS Arrow floundered alongside Stokes Hill Wharf during Cyclone Tracy on 25 December 1974 with the loss of two lives, Petty Officer Leslie Catton and Able Seaman Ian Rennie.  Arrow and Attack had attempted to sail Port Darwin and ride out the cyclone at sea, but neither vessel made it out of the port.  Arrow was unlucky and was blown under Stokes Hill Wharf and wrecked.  Attack was driven ashore at Doctor’s Gully without sustaining any casualties.  Arrow was re-floated by DT1 on 13 January 1975 by attaching pontoons to her hull and, with the assistance of tugs, the wreck was towed underwater to the shallows of Frances Bay, where she was surveyed, written off as a wreck and put up for sale.

HMAS Arrow, lost in Darwin during Cyclone Tracy, 1974 RAN images

A local businessman purchased what was once a proud patrol boat, his idea was to restore her, but it proved far too expensive, therefore a decision was made to break her up where she lay.

HMAS Advance was the third boat in Darwin at the time.  She escaped damage at sea.  One of HMAS Arrow’s name boards is proudly displayed in the Mess at HMAS Waterhen, once her home base.

HMAS Advance at sea. RAN image

HMAS Advance is the last remaining Attack class patrol boat maintained as an operating exhibit by the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour, Sydney.  Advance is a proud reminder of the twenty boats built between 6 July 1967 and 6 November 1968 to protect Australia’s 200nm economic zone, fishing rights and just about any other task directed.  They welcomed fleeing South Vietnamese after the Fall of Saigon in April 1975, and towed many a craft safely to our shores.  They were work-horses with more sea time than many major fleet units.  Once a “boat-man”, you always wished to stay in what was often referred to as “McHale’s Navy”.  There wasn’t much of our extensive coastline that we didn’t pass or “drop the pick” in some secluded bay or river entrance, from Cooktown into the Gulf and down the West Australian coast.

Life in an ‘A’ Boat

The combination of a small, relatively junior crew, remote area operations and cycle of 6 weeks on patrol and 2 weeks in home port resulted in close-knit self-reliant ships companies very proud of their boat.  Dress standards in the tropics were relaxed with the ships ‘T’ shirt, shorts and sandals frequently dress of the day.  Multi-tasking was essential for the conduct of evolutions such as boarding operations and during leave periods.  Young and inexperienced hands quickly learnt under guidance from the CO and senior sailors.  Training in an ‘A’ boat occurred naturally.

Habitability was adequate but some design shortcomings created frustrations.  ‘A’ boats were not designed for crew comfort in heavy sea states!  Operations in conditions above sea states 4 and 5 (moderate to rough seas) curtailed many activities particularly boarding operations.  They rolled uncomfortably in moderate conditions often creating havoc due to design issues.  As an example, the galley range door which was oriented longitudinally would fly open in heavy seas.  Local modifications such as attaching a gate bolt to keep what was cooking in the oven were necessary.  As an aside, one day before the modification was carried out, I found our LSCK chasing half-baked chickens across the deck after we hit some rather heavy seas!  You can imagine the mess of oil (from the chickens), the baking tray and one rather irate cook chasing scran across the deck!

The senior sailor’s bathroom located in the peak of the bow presented another challenge.  It was some real fun sitting on the heads when underway heading into a forceful sea state, and an impossibility to shower without a very wet deck when the shower curtain swung to starboard at 40-plus degrees.  Laundry facilities were ‘Heath Robinson’ with a washing machine lashed to the mast for use alongside when adequate fresh water was available.  The engine room doubled as a drying room.

Throughout their service Attack class boats developed a proud and respected reputation so much so that the Australian Broadcasting Commission produced a television series based on actual events with which they dealt.  They certainly lived up to their short sharp mottos which are listed in Annex C.

Attack Class Successor: The Fremantle Class

Planning for the new Fremantle class patrol boats commenced in 1970.  Experience gained from operating twenty Attack class boats identified numerous areas for improvement in the new design.  By September 1970 the Navy proposed construction of ten additional new patrol boats to commence entering service between 1976 and 1980.  These additional vessels would augment the Attack class and also replace the two General Purpose Vessels HMAS Bass and Banks.

HMAS Fremantle RAN image

The acquisition of replacement patrol craft was announced in April 1975 with eleven shipbuilders invited to tender.  On 22 September 1977 the Minister of Defence (James Killen) announced the PCF450 design had been selected and fifteen boats would be built at a cost of AUD 115 million.

The lead vessel HMAS Fremantle was built in the UK by Brooke Marine of Lowestoft.  The remainder were built in Australia by North Queensland Engineers and Agents.  Fremantle was allocated pennant number 203 and following commissioning, 17 March 1980 made one of the longest duration delivery voyages in RAN history taking 82 days.  Fremantle arrived at her home base, HMAS Waterhen on 27 August 1980.  She had sailed 14,509 nautical miles, probably the longest voyage undertaken by a single RAN patrol boat.

With HMAS Fremantle came the new class of patrol boats and additional duties as they were integrated into the Fleet.  Attack class boats progressively handed over the reins to the Fremantles until they were all decommissioned.  In turn, the Fremantles were superseded by the Armidale Class, but that is another story!

Annexes

  1. Attack Class Patrol Boat: Delivered Capabilities and Specifications
  2. Attack Class Patrol Boat: Key Dates
  3. Attack Class Patrol Boat: Mottos

References:

  • Personal experience from boats on which I served (Dennis Weatherall)
  • Design of Patrol Boats for RAN – J.J. Follan M.R.I.N.A. (Royal Institution of Naval Architects Australia)
  • Australian Ships of War – John Bastock Published 1975 Pages 372-382
  • Welcome to the Armidale Class, Semaphore February 2006, Issue 4
  • Australian Patrol Combatants, April 2010, Semaphore 2010 Issue 3,
  • HMAS Arrow, Sea Power Centre Australia Website, accessed 30 March 2019

Annex A

Attack Class Patrol Boat: Delivered Capabilities and Specifications

The following describes the Attack class as delivered to the RAN

Displacement:  100 tons standard, 146 tons fully loaded, length 107.5 ft (32.8m), beam 20 ft (6.1m), draught 7.3 ft (2.2m) at full load, propulsion 2×16 cylinder Paxman YJCM diesel engines 2 shafts, speed 24 knots (44 km or 28 mph), complement 3 Officers/4 Senior Sailors/12 Junior Sailors, armament 1×40 mm Mk 7 Bofor gun, 2 x .50 calibre machine guns, sufficient SLR and AR mix of rifles and hand guns.

Hull:  The Attack class main hull was constructed of steel frame, bulkheads, deck beams were designed in mild steel of all-welded construction.  The superstructure, funnel and masts were constructed of aluminium alloy of all-welded construction and “huck-bolted[1]” to the main hull structure.

Accommodation was located forward in the bow for 4 Senior Sailors.  Senior Sailors’ bunks were two up port and starboard.  Officers were accommodated in 2 cabins; Executive officer and Navigator, in a 2-off cabin forward opposite the radio office before entering the Senior Sailors’ Mess, starboard-side.  The CO had a single cabin aft of the forward ladder to the lower deck and adjacent the magazine.  All three officers shared a bathroom and heads directly opposite the forward ladder, accessible from the wardroom flat.  These spaces were lined, with a white laminate and insulated, joins were neatly covered with natural timber trim.  The Junior Sailors’ Mess was located aft immediately behind the engine room and forward of the tiller flat.  Bunks were steel constructed, 3 up on the port side and 3 on the starboard side, split 6 forward and 6 aft, with a coat locker dividing sleeping area from the general mess.

Fuel Tank Capacity:  Diesel, 6 main tanks of 20 tons capacity; 2 ferrying tanks of 2.5 tons;

Fresh Water Tank Capacity:  normal capacity 4 tanks of 6.5 tons.  Fresh water maximum capacity was 7.5 tons.  These fresh water tanks were built into the hull.  In order to conserve fresh water, an alternative salt water supply (if needed) could be operated in all three bathroom shower heads.  When fresh water was scarce and top-up was impossible due to location, passing rain squalls were a welcome shower alternative on the quarter deck.

Steering Gear was fitted as a “Mathway” light weight power-assisted unit.  It could be operated from either the Bridge, Wheelhouse or the emergency steering position in the Tiller flat, also known as the Bosun’s Store aft, directly over the ship’s rudder area.  In the event of any hydraulic failure, this equipment could function without any power assistance but extremely hard on the arms.

Deck Machinery on the forecastle consisted of an anchor windlass of one cable lifter and two warpends driven by a 4.5 hp electric motor through an enclosed worm reduction gearbox.  The windlass was also arranged for emergency hand operations.

Anchor was a 180 pound (81.8 kg) “Danforth” type fitted with 11/16 inch chain cable.

Galley was located immediately aft of the Wheelhouse on the main deck before exiting the forward superstructure.  All equipment was electric and consisted of one single oven range with four hot plates and a grill plate.  A 15 cubic feet upright refrigerator, one 7.5 gallon hot water urn for brews (always ready for use 24 hrs/day) and one use-all mixer/mincer.

Provisions Room – located at the bottom of the aft ladder into the Junior Sailors’ Mess directly opposite their bathroom, it took up the entire compartment, 21 cubic ft capacity in which we stored all meats, frozen milk, bread and the beautiful, pre-packed “guinea pig” vegetables such as broccoli, sweet corn and peas.  Each Mess (x 3) also had a 5 cubic ft ready-use refrigerator – they also suffered from the same fore & aft placement onboard ship as our galley stove/range and often the fridge lock would spring open and whatever was inside quickly deposited itself on the deck!

Annex B

Attack Class Patrol Boat: Key Dates

The following table provides key dates (builder, pennant number, date laid down, launch and commission) for all twenty boats.

Name Pennant

Number

 Builder Launch

Date

 Commissioning Date Decommissioning Date History Post RAN Service
Acute P81 Evans Deakin 26/8/67 26/4/68 6/5/83 Indo KRI Sikuda # 863
Adroit P82 Evans Deakin 3/2/68 17/8/68 28/3/92 Sunk as target, August 1994
Advance P83 Walkers Ltd 16/8/67 24/1/68 6/2/88 Museum, ANMM Sydney
Aitape P84 Walkers Ltd 6/7/67 13/11/67 14/11/74 Transferred to HMPNGS, scuttled 1995
Samarai P85 Evans Deakin 14/7/67 1/3/68 14/11/74 Transferred to HMPNGS
Archer P86 Walkers Ltd 2/12/67 15/5/68 21/5/74 Indo KRI Siliman # 848
Ardent P87 Evans Deakin 27/4/68 26/10/68 6/1/94 and Reclassified as TRNG NAV # A243.  Paid off Dec. 1998 Sold to Pvte Indo 2002 KRI Tenngeri #865
Arrow P88 Walkers Ltd 17/2/68 3/7/68 Lost in Darwin, 25/12/74 Cyclone Tracy
Assail P89 Evans Deakin 18/11/67 21/7/68 18/10/85 Indo KRI Sigurot

# 864
Attack P90 Evans Deakin 8/4/67 17/11/67 21/2/85 Indo KRI Sikuda # 863
Aware P91 Evans Deakin 7/10/67 21/6/68 17/7/93 Sold Pvte, scrapped 2011
Ladava P92 Walkers Ltd 11/5/68 13/11/67 14/11/74 T/fs to HMPNGS
Lae P93 Walkers Ltd 5/10/67 3/4/68 14/11/74 Transferred to HMPNGS
Madang P94 Evans Deakin 10/10/68 28/11/68 14/11/74 Transferred to HMPNGS
Bandolier P95 Walkers Ltd 2/10/68 14/12/68 16/11/73 Indo KRI Sibarau # 847
Barbette P97 Walkers Ltd 10/4/68 16/8/68 15/6/84 Indo KRI Siada

# 862
Barricade P98 Evans Deakin 29/6/68 26/10/68 20/5/82 Indo KRI Sigalu  #857
Bombard P99 Walkers Ltd 6/7/68 5/11/68 12/9/83 Indo KRI Siribura # 859
Buccaneer P100 Evans Deakin 14/9/68 11/11/69 27/7/84 Sunk as target 8/10/88
Bayonet P101 Walkers Ltd 6/11/68 22/2/69 26/6/88 Scuttled 21/9/99 in Victoria

Annex C

Attack Class Patrol Boat Mottos

The following is a list of mottos allocated to each boat.

 

P81 Acute                   “Swift to the Point”

P82 Adroit                   “Quick and Secure”

P83 Advance              “Never Look Back”

P84 Aitape                   “Tread Warily”

P85 Samarai               “United We Stand”

P86 Archer                  “Swiftly Sure”

P87 Ardent                  “Flame and Fury”

P88 Arrow                   “Straight as an Arrow”

P89 Assail                   “Cut Deep”

P90 Attack                  “Never Waver”

P91 Aware                  “Forever Alert”

P92 Ladava                 “Fight the Good Fight”

P93 Lae                       “Dare All”

P94 Madang                “Our Ship Your Shield”

P95 Bandolier              “Dressed to Kill”

# 96 not allocated.       Reason unknown

P97 Barbette               “Taut and Trim”

P98 Barricade             “They Shall Not Pass”

P99 Bombard              “Hit Hard”

P100 Buccaneer         “Seek and Find”

P101 Bayonet             “We Fix”

 

[1]   Huck-bolting is a patterned fastening, similar to a rivet, used frequently to fasten unlike metals together such as mild steel and aluminium.  It’s a screwed thread with a clamp nut.

Occasional Paper 50: Royal Australian Navy’s 118th Birthday

April 2019

On 1 March 2019 a ceremony was conducted at the Royal Australian Navy Memorial, ANZAC Parade, Canberra to mark the Australian Navy’s 118th Birthday.  The program of events included a Birthday address by Vice Admiral Michael Noonan AO RAN, Chief of Navy and a Navy Birthday Reading.  These are reproduced below along with a historical retrospective on the RAN in 1919, 100 years ago.  The birthday greeting was written by Mr John Perryman, Director of Strategic and Historical Studies, and delivered by Able Seaman Brooke Atkinson.  The retrospective was written by Mr Greg Swinden, Senior Naval Historical Officer.

Royal Australian Navy’s 118th Birthday

Chief of Navy’s Message

As a Nation and a Navy, we gather to acknowledge the 118th anniversary of the establishment of the Royal Australian Navy – our Navy. On 1 March 1901, the States transferred their naval and military assets, their Sailors, Officers and Public Servants to the Federal Government.

Today, we give thanks to all who have served our Nation in our Navy. The qualities shown by those who have gone before us, lead us to strive to embody our Navy Values of Honour, Honesty, Courage, Integrity and Loyalty; these values underpin our Australian Navy.

Since 1901, the Royal Australian Navy has continually demonstrated that when called upon by the Nation to ensure Australia’s growth. prosperity, and security- whether at war or in times of peace – we have been ready in all respects to take up the challenge.

Our Fighting Navy is improving capability to be more lethal, agile and able to fulfil the tasks required of it now and into the future.

Our Thinking Navy can adapt to the ever- changing strategic environment; it is a leading edge and integrated maritime force. prepared for the scenarios in which Australia may find itself during the 21st Century.  Our Australian Navy is part of a truly national enterprise, where every sector of the Nation. from industry, education, research and development, finance. government and the broader community, work together for the good of our Nation. Together, we will deliver our future force.

We continue to remember and honour the legacy and history of 118 years of our Royal Australian Navy. Thank you to all who have served and continue to serve in our proud Navy.

 

Navy Birthday Reading

By:  Able Seaman Brooke Atkinson

In 1901 a nascent Australia was looking ahead to securing its frontier – the sixth largest coastline in the world, encompassing three great oceans over which all seaborne trade, in and out of our country, must pass.  The security of those oceans and seas for Australia’s prosperity was understood by our earliest naval thinkers, admirals, politicians and citizens alike, who recognised the requirement for a strong and versatile Navy to serve and protect Australia and its broader interests.

While celebrated as the Australian Navy’s birthday, the first of March 1901 was in fact the essential inception of a 12-year gestation, culminating in the arrival of the Australian Fleet Unit in October 1913 .. Less than a year later, the Royal Australian Navy would find itself at war but ‘in all respects ready’. Since then, 2658 members of our Navy have made the ultimate sacrifice defending Australia’s interests in warlike and peacetime operations across the globe.  Today, as we celebrate our Navy’s birthday, we also remember them.

As we look forward: Australia’s reliance on the sea remains vital to our future and we find ourselves in the midst of another period of gestation as the Navy and the Nation work towards completing the modernisation of our fleet, establishments and supporting facilities to face new and unknown challenges.

Birthdays are important occasions and while we should not bury ourselves in the past. we should concentrate on what is at the heart of the celebration.  Today we can be thankful to those who advocated for an Australian Navy and in particular we give thanks to all who have served, and continue to serve, in it, and those family and friends who support and enable us to do what we do so well.

 

100 Years Ago:  1919 in Retrospect

By:  Mr Greg Swinden

The guns had fallen silent on the Western Front and the soldiers were coming home.  Many of the Royal Australian Navy’s ships would also soon be heading home after four long years of war – but there was still work to be done.

1919 began with the RAN continuing to conduct operations.  The cruiser HMAS Brisbane was alongside in Izmir (Turkey) having completed operations in the Black Sea with the Royal Navy, supporting the White Russian forces against the Bolsheviks.  She sailed on 4 January and headed to England to join HMA Ships Melbourne and Sydney, six Australian destroyers and the battle- cruiser HMAS Australia, undergoing maintenance after hard service in the North Sea and Mediterranean before returning to Australia: a country many of the sailors had not seen since 1914.

In Australia, the cruiser HMAS Encounter was completing a period of quarantine having returned from Samoa and Tonga.  The Cruiser had provided critical medical support following an outbreak of Spanish Influenza in December 1918 that killed a quarter of the population in both locations.  Australia was not to be immune from this disease, brought to our shores by sailors and soldiers returning from Europe and claiming over 15,000 Australian lives.  In Sydney, HMAS Sleuth patrolled off the North Head Quarantine Station to prevent returned soldiers from escaping before the end of their quarantine period. In Bass Strait, the RAN Reserve-manned minesweepers Coogee and James Paterson, supported by HMAS Protector, continued to search for mines laid by the German raider Wolf in mid-1917.  In Darwin, HMA Ships Una and Encounter were sent to restore order in the aftermath of the ‘Darwin Rebellion’ – a riot by members of the Australian Workers Union: and members of the RAN Radio Service continued to support the Australian Army Tropical Force providing essential communications duties in New Guinea.

The first of the returning ships began to arrive in Australia in May 1919 but the return was marred by a mutiny on board Australia while alongside in Fremantle on 1 June.  Fremantle was the first Australian port on her return journey and her crew were welcomed so enthusiastically that many of her personnel refused to take the ship to sea when ordered to sail.  Five men were convicted of mutiny and sentenced to gaol sentences but after public outcry all were released in December 1919.

HMAS Sydney also had an interesting return journey to Australia.  She arrived in Singapore on 6 June but her departure was delayed, On 19 June riots broke out in the Chinese quarter and Sydney put a landing party ashore to assist with restoring order. Sydney then headed to Penang, where similar riots had broken out, landing armed patrols on 25 June to restore order.  She eventually arrived in Sydney on 18 July 1919.  Also, among the ships returning to Australia were the submarine depot ship HMAS Platypus and six J Class submarines – the latter a gift to the RAN that had lost its two E Class submarines on operations during the war.

On arrival in Australia many of the war-time personnel were demobilised and returned to civilian life.

Meanwhile in France, the Treaty of Versailles was signed on 28 June 1919 bringing to an end a war that that had cost over 62,000 Australian lives,

By December 1919 all the ships of the RAN were back in Australian waters and the RAN continued to recruit new personnel, train for war and keep its ships ready to sail: when and as required.

HMAS Sleuth – Quarantine guardship in Sydney 1919. RAN image

Occasional Paper 49: The Good Times and The Bad Times

April 2019

The following paper describes the experiences of a young Royal Navy conscript, Gordon Cansdale who served in the Fleet Air Arm from 1945 to 1947.  Gordon describes the highs and tragic lows of service in the carrier HMS Theseus which visited Australia in 1947 to demonstrate naval air power and the capabilities of an aircraft carrier.

Gordon later settled in Australia where he has lived for more than 63 years.

The old saying that one only remembers the good times can be quite true, but in my case there was one bad time in particular that I will never forget.

As a teenager I learned a song that went something like this:

“Memories are treasures locked in my heart I mean to keep evermore.  Of all the treasures one stands apart, saved from the dear days of ‘Yore’.“

Years ago, (1945) I received notice that I was to be conscripted into the armed forces.  I was hoping that it would be the Navy as my father had served in the Navy in the 1914-18 war.

YES!! I was selected for the Royal Navy, better still, the Fleet Air Arm, a dream come true. Fighter aircraft, Rolls Royce engines, a chance to see the world, and of course a navy uniform.

Gordon Cansdale Air Mechanic (Engines) LFX786429

So, my adventure began by first learning how to march, handle firearms, and not forgetting plenty of naval discipline. Next step was the Rolls Royce School of Technical Training. THIS WAS IT!! learning about the mighty Merlin engine.

On completing this course, I was posted to a shore establishment HMS Blackcap inhibiting engines for storage.  This didn’t last long, as I soon learned that I had been given a sea-going draft. I was to become a member of 812 Squadron (Fireflies) and join HMS Theseus in Ireland.

After a short training period ashore in N. Ireland it was off to see the world.  Those faraway places with strange sounding names.  Gibraltar, Suez, Aden, Trincomalee, Andaman Islands, Nicobar Islands, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea.

The reception we received in Australia and New Zealand was just great.  The street marches with the whole ship’s company through the streets of Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland and Wellington.  The people were just fantastic, with dances and sight-seeing trips.  They also organized home visits, and food parcels for our families back home.

BUT! it wasn’t all plain sailing, whilst flying and demonstrating for the Royal Australian Navy there were several disasters.  Two Fireflies collided in midair over Port Phillip Bay and crashed into the sea killing both air crews.  One of the engines was pulled up out of the sea some fifty years later, and is now in the Australian F.A.A. Museum in Nowra which I often visit with an old ‘oppo’ Totty Allman.  The same day a Seafire crash landed on deck, the arrester hook striking a seaman in the walkway and killing him.

For me the worst was yet to come (my disaster day).  It was the job of the ground crew to assist the pilot out of the cockpit on landing. I was the fitter of the Squadron CO’s aircraft (Lt Cdr Wynne-Roberts) and would compete with my rigger mate ‘Spiv’ Daly to be first up on to the plane to do the job.  The winner would then have pole position sitting on top of the cockpit to watch the remainder of the aircraft land.

It was 6th August 1947 and Spiv had won the race, sitting on top of the cockpit, I had to settle for a seat on the wing.  The next aircraft landed OK, the crash barriers were lowered and it taxied forward. THEN ALL HELL LET LOOSE.  The third aircraft missed the arrestor wires and bounced over the crash barriers. To my horror I realised it was heading straight for us, so I dropped off the wing and ran for the ship’s side. It then clipped the second aircraft and dropped on top of ours.  On impact, debris was showered everywhere, and as I was dropping into the safety net, the batteries burst and I was splattered with acid.  Minutes later I was lifted out of the safety net and rushed below to sick bay, washed down, and treated for acid bums.  My clothes had to be replaced as they were covered in holes, burnt by the acid.

I asked about Spiv and was told that he was missing, presumed killed.  I couldn’t believe that I was with him just a short time before, and the last person to see him alive.  Could easily have been me.

The things I will always remember are the noise of the plane bouncing, the terrific noise of the impact, and someone shouting “There’s somebody down in the net” ME!!!  As they lifted me out there was a wheel, and Oleo leg nearby. All that remained of two aircraft.

When the deck was finally cleaned up, the last aircraft carne in to land, also bouncing over the crash barriers.  It clipped the Island before crashing into the starboard gun sponson, then tipped over nose first into the sea.  Luckily the aircrew were recovered safely.

From Australia, our next port of call was the Solomon Islands which was very interesting as there were ships and a submarine on the beach, Jap relics of the war a couple of years previous.

Port Moresby in New Guinea was also interesting, with a trip out to. Jackson airstrip which still had the odd Zero fighter, and a Betty bomber smashed up.  Also, a wine bar.

Back to Singapore where I learnt I was to leave Theseus and return home for demob with others who had the same demob number as me (72).

The rest of my service was spent at HMS Nuthatch, doing maintenance, cutting grass, painting fences etc.  Finally, my demob and the end of a great adventure with many good times, and a few bad.  Plus, many great friends, and a lot of MEMORlES.

HMS THESEUS – Colossus-class Light Fleet aircraft aarrier ordered under an Emergency War Programme and built by Fairfield at Govan Glasgow. Laid down 6 Jan 1943. Launched 6 July 1944. Commissioned 1946 and decommissioned in 1958. Roy Cragg image
A Fairey Firefly about to land on the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney (III) during the Korean conflict RAN image

Occasional Paper 48: HMAS Anzac (II) – the last ‘Battle’

March 2019

The following paper on the distinguished service of HMAS Anzac (II) was first published in the March 2011 edition of the Naval Historical Review available on the Society website.  Other ships with her name are; HMAS Anzac (I), acquired from the Royal Navy, commissioned into the RAN in 1920 and decommissioned 30 July 1931.  HMAS Anzac (III), lead ship of eight Anzac class frigates commissioned 18 May 1996.

HMAS Anzac (II) – the last ‘Battle’

With the end of World War II in sight the RAN had to plan for replacement ships of its hard worked destroyer force. The remaining ‘V&W’ destroyers HMA Ships Vendetta and Stuart were obsolete and worn out. The effective ‘N’ class had been returned to the Royal Navy and their replacement ‘Q’ class were inadequate for post-war requirements. In keeping with tradition of using Admiralty designs, the Naval Board considered the RN ‘Battle’ class destroyers as suitable replacements, and government approval was forthcoming to build two ships modified to RAN standards. One ship was to be built at Williamstown Naval Dockyard and the other at Cockatoo Island Dockyard.

Originally the names of these ships were intended to commemorate recent World War II Australian naval actions with the names ‘Tobruk’ and ‘Matapan’ selected. While the former name was retained, a decision was made to rescind the second in favour of ‘Anzac’.

‘Battle’ Class Destroyers

The ‘Battle’ class destroyers were built in Britain in two groups. Group 1 of sixteen ships commenced construction in 1942, with Group 2 of eight ships laid down from 1943. A further Group 3 of eight ships was intended in 1944 but with the end of World War II in sight the Admiralty cancelled these orders. However,

two ships of Group 3 were built by the RAN. Two of the RN ships were subsequently transferred to other navies, one to Pakistan and another to Iran.

The 1942 ‘Battles’ were a new class of Fleet Destroyers designed to operate within a Fleet environment and provide anti-submarine and anti-aircraft support. The original armament comprised two twin 4.5 inch Mark IV turrets; four twin 40mm Hazemeyer Bofors (one on each bridge wing and two on the centreline aft); one single 4 inch Mark XXIII (Starshell) gun; and two single 2 pounder pom poms Mark XV or Mark XVI. There were two sets of pentad (5) torpedo tubes as well as depth charge throwers. The depth charges were later removed when the SQUID ahead-throwing mortar was developed. The mortar was sited on the quarterdeck and fired its charges over and ahead of the ship, thereby maintaining improved contact with underwater targets. In earlier versions of the ‘Battles’ the single Bofor mounting on the quarterdeck had to be removed to make way for SQUID.

Construction in Australia

Anzac and her sister HMAS Tobruk were the first major warships constructed in Australia after World War II, and at that time the largest destroyers and most complicated fighting ships ever constructed in this country. Local modifications included upgrading the main armament to two twin Mark VI turrets as opposed to the Mark IV DP (Dual Purpose) turrets fitted in the RN ships, and the gunnery control system was upgraded from Flyplane Mk 1 to Flyplane Mk II, noting that the RAN ships were the only ships with this system, as later ships had the much improved Flyplane Mk III. Improvements were also made to habitability, with better ventilation and higher standards of accommodation.

Anzac was laid down at Williamstown Naval Dockyard on 23 September 1946 and was launched on 20 August 1948 by Mrs Collins, wife of the First Naval Member Rear Admiral J.A. Collins, RAN. She commissioned on 14 March 1951 under Commander J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN, who was also appointed Commander of the 10th Destroyer Flotilla. In the same timeframe her sister ship Tobruk was being built at Cockatoo Island Dockyard.

Korea

After workup Anzac joined the United Nations Forces in Korea in August 1951. On arrival in Korean waters she teamed up with Tobruk and the ‘River’ class frigate HMAS Murchison. Her first operation on 6 September was a bombardment of Haeju on the west coast, north of the 38th Parallel. Targets included a two storey building believed to house the headquarters of local North Korean forces, as well as a gun emplacement. The shore facilities were left a smoking ruin with many casualties.

Her next patrol was carried out on the east coast off Songjin, just south of the Korean-Chinese border. The mission to harass rail and road traffic was successful, with direct hits on at least one train. She was also involved in guerrilla style operations, landing South Korean Marines to gather intelligence.

After steaming some 23,000 nautical miles on operations in Korean waters, Anzac returned to Sydney in October 1951, having escorted the light fleet carrier HMS Glory to Sydney for refit.

In May 1952, now under command of Captain G.G.O. Gatacre, RAN, Anzac cruised with HMAS Australia (II) to New Guinea and the Solomons. In September she left for a second tour in Korea, relieving HMAS Bataan and serving with units of the USN, maintaining blockades of the enemy coast and bombarding enemy positions. She was shelled off the west coast on 16 November 1952 but Australia Day 1953 saw her shelling the battery position which had shelled her. On another occasion she was called to come to the aid of HMAS Condamine, which had come under fire whilst supporting minesweeping operations. The severe Korean winter posed great difficulties, with the ship and equipment coated in ice and snow.

In April 1953 Captain J.S. Mesley, DSC, RAN, relieved Captain Gatacre in command. On 26 May Anzac steamed into Tokyo, representing Commonwealth Navies during celebrations of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. After returning to the war zone Anzac was relieved by Tobruk in July. She returned to Sydney, having logged 57,000 nautical miles during her tour of duty, which included 140 days in the combat area.

Refit

Following a refit at Williamstown and now under command of Commander D.A.H. Clarke, DSC, RAN, Anzac escorted the Royal Yacht Gothic during the royal tour of Australia in February 1954. Anzac then conveyed Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh to islands of the Great Barrier Reef.

Malayan Emergency

In April 1955 Anzac visited New Caledonia prior to engaging in Commonwealth Fleet exercises in South East Asia. During this period she had a succession of commanding officers including Commanders MacDonald, Crabb and Peel. From November 1955, for several deployments up till March 1959, Anzac was attached to the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve based at Singapore. In September 1956, in company with Tobruk, she took part in the first of only two offensive actions taken by the RAN during the Malayan Emergency (1948-1960) when they bombarded terrorist positions in Johore State.

Varied responsibilities

During gunnery exercises off Jervis Bay in September 1960 a misdirected shot from Anzac badly damaged Tobruk. The cause of the accident was neglecting to correctly apply six degrees of ‘throw-off’; as a result Anzac’s guns, while near maximum range, were directly facing Tobruk. Whilst there were no casualties, Tobruk’s engine room was flooded and her main machinery damaged. She limped into Jervis Bay for emergency repairs and then to Sydney for more extensive repairs but Tobruk saw little sea service after this.

In 1961 Anzac became the Fleet Training Ship with the gradual removal of armament in favour of additional accommodation. The process continued in 1963 when she was further modified with ‘B’ turret and torpedo tubes removed and replaced by classrooms. This once handsome ship was to become rather ungainly in later years.

In February/March 1963, during the royal visit to Australia, Anzac again acted as escort to HMS Britannia.

In October/November 1966 she under-took survey work off the north of Western Australia, and in June 1967 visited Tonga for the coronation of His Majesty King Taufa’Ahau Tupo IV.

In September 1967 Anzac conducted a South Pacific training cruise visiting Tahiti, Western Samoa and New Zealand. Following refit, and although a training ship, Anzac escorted the troop carrier HMAS Sydney to Vietnam in June 1968.

During 1970 she participated in the Captain Cook celebrations at Possession Island, Queensland, the site of Captain Cook’s final departure from Australian shores. In March 1972 Anzac acted as command ship during exercise ‘Planti Manua’, a large patrol boat exercise held in northern waters involving ten patrol vessels. New Zealand was again visited during a training cruise in September 1972.

Paid off

In 1974 Anzac departed for her final training cruise to Fiji and New Zealand and returned to Sydney on 11 August of that year flying her paying-off pendant.

After twenty-three years of eventful service Anzac was taken out of commission in October 1974 and removed to Athol Bight. This ship, which had fired in anger in both Korea and Malaya, slipped almost unnoticed out of Sydney on New Year’s Eve 1975, under the tow of a Japanese tug on her way to be scrapped in China.

Anzac (II) at Athol Bight November 1975

Occasional Paper 47: HMAS ANZAC III

March 2019

HMAS ANZAC (FFH150) III

Al Faw Peninsula Iraq – NGS MISSION

By Dennis J Weatherall JP TM AFAITT(L) LSM

Volunteer Researcher, Naval Historical Society of Australia

HMAS ANZAC III

It took 31 years for the RAN to go to war and use a destroyer as a gun platform.  HMAS Brisbane was the last DDG to serve on the Vietnam Gun Line and its last NGS mission occurred in September 1971.

HMAS ANZAC departed Fleet Base West for her deployment to the Gulf on 28th October 2002.  She was to be the first RAN destroyer since the Vietnam conflict to be used for the duty she was designed, Naval Gun Support (NGS).

ANZAC was under the command of Captain Peter G. Lockwood, RAN, later to become Commodore P.G. Lockwood DSC, CSC, RAN now retired. Commodore Lockwood has been good enough to share his unclassified paperwork with the author.

His Supply officer, CMDR Stuart Wheeler RAN, wrote a paper titled “Five Inch Friday”.  This paper was the only article other than the Captain’s post operation report which is still classified.  In future this report may become general reading material so there is little information on which to base this paper in open source.

ANZAC was fitted with the following armament:

Single 5 inch 54 calibre (127mm)

Two Raphael Typhoon 12.7mm

Phalanx 20mm close-in-weapons system

Eight Harpoon Surface-to-surface missiles

Mk. 41 vertical launch system – Sea sparrow and evolved Sea Sparrow

Two triple Mk 32 torpedo launchers

Various 12.7mm Browning and small arms

ANZAC third deployment to the Persian Gulf took her through to May 2003, as part of Operation Falconer.  On 21st March, ANZAC was called on to support a Royal Marine assault on the “Al Faw” Peninsula.  The Royal Marine’s mission was to capture the peninsula before the Iraq forces could sabotage the oil terminals.

On 19th March, US Navy Seals and Polish GROM forces commenced a sea and air assault under the command of Naval Special Warfare Task Group (CTG 561).  ANZAC stood by to extract forces if required.  The US Navy Seals secured both oil terminals.  This action was followed by a wave of “Tomahawk” land attack missiles.  Over 800 missiles were delivered in the first 24 hours from 35 allied warships and submarines stationed in the Gulf.

On 20th March, Royal Navy ships Marlborough (Type 23), Chatham (Type 22) and Richmond (Type 23) were detached for bombardment duties.

HMS Marlborough, Duke class, Type 23 Guided Missile Frigate             Royal Navy image

The Royal Marines were faced by resistance from the Iraq Forces and called for immediate NGS to engage Iraq Command Posts.  ANZAC received the first call-for-fire at 05:58.  ANZAC fired six ranging salvos followed by a five-round fire-for-effect with the salvoes hitting bunkers and artillery positions. ANZAC answered another call-for-fire destroying a T59 artillery piece in a fire mission of just three rounds.  It was extremely accurate fire and at near maximum range.

“Naval Gunfire Support was used to encourage capitulation with success on a number of occasions.  It was employed to suppress enemy activity at short notice, to shatter confidence and neutralise fixed protective gun positions.  The Battery Commander reported “success on the Al Faw was due to the aggressive use of indirect fire support, especially the swift response to NGS ships which had a huge impact on the ground and shattered the enemy’s will to fight.”  A total of 17 fire missions were executed with just 155 rounds of 5 inch and 4.5 inch ammunition being expended”. Vice Admiral Peter Jones: “The Maritime Campaign in Iraq”.

 ANZAC completed seven fire missions over a period of three days.  The ship received a Meritorious Unit Citation on 27th November for her service during this deployment.  In March 2010, ANZAC was awarded the battle honours “Persian Gulf 2001-03” and “Iraq 2003”.

References:

  • Semaphore newsletter of the Sea Power Centre Australia Issue # 6, August 2003
  • Maritime Campaign in Iraq, Vice Admiral Peter Jones AO DSC RAN Rtd.
  • Battle of Al Faw (2003) – 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines
  • The War in Iraq – ADF Operations in the Middle East 2003, Australian Ministry of Defence – paper
  • Five Inch Friday – paper by CMDR Stuart Wheeler RAN, HMAS ANZAC Supply Officer
  • HMAS ANZAC – Ship’s general details RAN ships web page

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