On This Day

On This Day - 22 August

1848

An historic tug-of-war between HMS BASILISK, (paddlewheel sloop), and HMS NIGER, (screw sloop), was conducted to prove the relevant efficiency of the two systems of propulsion. NIGER won the contest. Both vessels later served on the Australia Station.

1940

The Grimsby type escort sloop HMAS WARREGO, (CMDR R. V. Wheatley), was commissioned. WARREGO was laid down in Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney, on 15 May 1939, and launched on 10 February 1940. Mrs R. G. Menzies, (Wife of the Prime Minister, Mr R. G. Menzies), performed the launching ceremony.

1941

The auxiliary minesweeper HMAS BIRCHGROVE PARK, was commissioned. BIRCHGROVE PARK was laid down in 1930. She was requisitioned for the RAN, from her owners, R. W. Miller & Co Pty Ltd, on 9 May 1941. HMAS STUART, (destroyer), left the Mediterranean. With the departure of STUART, the famous 10th Destroyer Flotilla of the Mediterranean Fleet ceased to exist. The 10th was Australia's 'Scrap Iron Flotilla'.

1944

The services reconnaissance department (SRD) craft HMAS TIGER SNAKE, (LEUT W. K. Witt, RAN), was commissioned.

1945

HMA Ships MILDURA, CASTLEMAINE, BATHURST, BROOME, FREMANTLE, STRAHAN, and STAWELL, were formed into the Australian Minesweeping Flotilla, at Subic Bay, under LCDR J. M. Little, RANR.

1968

HMAS HOBART, (guided missile destroyer), bombarded Viet Cong camps and bases in the Long Hai hills, east of Vung Tau, Vietnam.

1982

The United Kingdom Government was advised that no further action would be taken on the potential purchase, for the RAN, of HMS INVINCIBLE, (aircraft carrier).