On This Day

On This Day - 4 August

1869

HMS PHOEBE, (CAPT John Bythesea, RN), joined ADML Hornby's Flying Squadron on a round the-world flag-showing cruise. A midshipman in HMS PHOEBE was William Creswell, later to become 'the father of the RAN'.

1914

Great Britain declared war on Germany. The telegram informing Australia of a state of hostilities was not received in Melbourne until 5 August. At the outbreak of war the strength of the RAN was 3800 of all ranks. A warning shot was fired across the bows of the German merchant ship PFALZ by the Nepean Battery on Port Phillip Bay, VIC, when the vessel attempted to escape to sea. PFALZ turned back and was seized. Records suggest this was the first shot fired by British forces against the Germans in the First World War. The Sydney pilot steamer CAPTAIN COOK, was commissioned as an examination vessel.

1915

The British Government requested that all Australian prize vessels 'be turned over' to the Admiralty. The 43 ex-enemy vessels in question, were accordingly registered in the King's name in London.

1939

New York newspapers carried headlines; 'Aussies Mutiny-British Officers Too British'. The story concerned an incident in HMAS PERTH, (cruiser), when ratings objected to the wearing of whites ashore. The matter was settled within the ship.

1941

HMA Ships BATHURST and LISMORE, (minesweepers), joined the Mediterranean Fleet. ADML A.B. Cunningham returned them to duty in the Red Sea, considering them unsuitable for service in the Mediterranean. HMAS COONGOOLA, (auxiliary patrol vessel), was commissioned.

1943

Japanese bombers attacked HMAS COOTAMUNDRA, (corvette), and the merchant ship MACUMBA, off Thursday Island.

1965

HMAS Yarra (III), commenced operations around West Malaysia as part of the Indonesian Confrontation conflict.

1967

The second inquiry into the HMAS MELBOURNE, (aircraft carrier), and USS FRANK E. EVANS, (destroyer), collision, continued in Sydney.

1968

HMAS HOBART, (guided missile destroyer), provided support fire to a helicopter landing by the US 1st Marine Division, north of Da Nang, Vietnam. The object of the assault was to recover 200 buffaloes captured by the Viet Cong from local villagers.