On This Day
1919-1938 > Depresssion and between the wars
On This Day - 1919-1938
- December 31, 1938
LCDR. R. B. M. Long, Director of Naval Intelligence, reported 34 clandestine landings on Australian territory by Japanese agents in the year. A Japanese trawler, fitted with sophisticated radio and weapon detection equipment was also seized.
- October 29, 1938
HMAS KOOKABURRA, (boom defence vessel), was launched at Cockatoo Island, Sydney.
- October 27, 1938
The Sydney Morning Herald reported:- ‘The Navy found itself with two of its four cruisers undergoing refits, its one remaining heavy cruiser still lacking protective armour without which ships of this class are considered unfit for war’. The un-armoured cruiser was HMAS CANBERRA, lost at Savo Island in 1942.
- September 28, 1938
HMAS ALBATROSS, (seaplane carrier), was transferred to the RN as part payment for HMAS HOBART, (cruiser, ex-HMS APOLLO).
The modified Leander class cruiser, HMAS HOBART, was commissioned. HOBART was laid down in Devonport Dockyard, England, on 15 August 1933, and launched on 9 October 1934. Completed and commissioned on 13 January 1936, she served in the RN as HMS APOLLO, (CAPT R.R. Stewart, RN). Lady Boyle, (Wife of ADML Sir W.H.D. Boyle, RN), performed the launching ceremony. Purchased by the RAN, she was renamed by Mrs S.M. Bruce, (wife of the Australian High Commissioner), and commissioned HMAS HOBART at Devonport Dockyard
- July 11, 1938
HMAS ALBATROSS, (seaplane carrier), sailed from Sydney for England. The vessel was transferred to the RN as part payment for HMAS HOBART, (cruiser).