On This Day
1960-1975 > Vietnam era
On This Day - 1960-1975
- October 18, 1974
RAN Clearance Divers completed the disposal of 5,096 pieces of WWII ordnance in Papua-New Guinea.
- October 12, 1974
HMA Ships Brisbane, Melbourne, Stuart, Supply, Vendetta (II),Torrens (II) and Derwent, and the submarine Onslow conducted a fleet entry into Sydney Harbour. The ships were dressed overall as part of the celebrations marking the opening of the Sydney Opera House on 20 October 1974
- October 4, 1974
HMAS ANZAC was paid off at Sydney. She had steamed 693,582.1 miles since commissioning. On 24 November 1975 Anzac (II) was sold to Hifirm Corporation Ltd of Hong Kong. She was towed from Sydney by a Japanese tug on 30 December 1975.
- September 27, 1974
The landing craft heavy HMAS BALIKPAPAN, (LEUT M. D. Otter, RAN), was commissioned. BALIKPAPAN was laid down in Walker’s Yard, Maryborough, QLD, and completed in 1972. Mrs Peacock, (Wife of the Minister for the Army), performed the launching ceremony for the Army. Although BALIKPAPAN was the first LCH built, she was the last to commission into the RAN. All eight craft under construction in 1972-1973 were originally planned for the Australian Army.
- September 7, 1974
HMAS BOMBARD, (LEUT R. Cook, RAN), completed the first circumnavigation of Australia by a patrol boat.
- August 28, 1974
Iroquois helicopters of the RAN Fleet Air Arm rescued 112 people when the Shoalhaven River broke its banks. Another 240 people were rescued by Navy personnel in ground operations.
- August 14, 1974
HMAS Duchess recommissioned and replaced HMAS Anzac (II), which had decommissioned just three days before, as the Fleet Training Ship
- August 11, 1974
HMAS ANZAC, (Battle class destroyer), was paid off for disposal at Sydney.
- July 11, 1974
Damage was minimal when the Greek cruise liner AUSTRALIS, collided with HMAS MELBOURNE, (aircraft carrier), off Garden Island, Sydney. MELBOURNE was berthed at the time, and AUSTRALIS was approaching her berth.
- June 19, 1974
HMAS BUNA, (landing craft heavy), lost her bow ramp in heavy seas off the NSW coast. She was taken in tow and brought safely into port by HMAS PARRAMATTA, (destroyer escort).