N«NBM«2 isaxrM The magazine of THE NAVY LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA

• LAST SUNSET FOR A GRAND OLD LADY • VIEWPOINT • LAUNCHED • NAVAL MATTERS • NAVY BLASTS CHANNEL • A BIGGER MERCHANT FLEET • BOOK REVIEWS EOITOR: ROSS GILLETT PO BOX 653, DEE WHY. NSW 2099 "•BiiiirM b, Aullrafoi Poll PuDhcmimnt No NBP 148? Reproduction m pan or whole is forbidden THE NAVY without the permission ol the Editor in witting The magazine of THE NAVY LEAGUZ OF AUSTRALIA

Vol 51 JULY-SEPTEMBER, 1989 No 3

THE NAVY LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA CONTENTS FEDERAL COUNCIL 2 VIEWPOINT - Readers Palion in Chi*f M„ fcie-ilpru, T'... :V.t-w Ge-W-al Pieaidenl F G#oltf*» Evan-. OBE VRD V*e Preaidenia Rear A J Rotteitwn *0 OSC RAN |Rid) Jonn B*H I F W Voedoi* OBE VRD 3 Australian Flag Shipping Hon Secretary " M Brythman 9 Culhion Road CamMrwe* Vc 3124 Phone 29 7428 (AH) NEW SOUTH WALES DIVISION Patron: Hrs EnceHency the Governor o' Now South Wale* Preaidcnl H O Aiwt RFO FID Hon Secretary J C J Jeppewn OAM HFD GPO Boi trig NSKV 2001 Pnone i?0A*2f, 6 Melbourne Launched VICTORIAN DIVISION TRANSFIELD Patron: His E«ct*H*(Ky The Govorno. ol Victora Preerdent John Bud Hon Secretary Neil Meaden 4 Fieanor Court Donvale Vic 3tn Phona BeSSiM fl Last Sunset lor A Grand QUEENSLAND DIVISION u Patron H-, F.ci'llenry The Govfww o'Oueensland Old Lady PreaWenr A H RoDanton OAM VRD 42 G.lgandra Stieel. Indooioopiliy CM 4068 Phone 870 1273 AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORV DIVISION Patron: Admnai Si' Victor Smith AC KBE CB OSC RAN IRIOI Preaident 0 M Bla-f AM VRD Hon Secretary: E

WEST AUSTRALIAN DIVISION Patron Hn Eici-Uencv The Governor o'Western Ausiraha 18 Garden Island 1921-22 : L r W Vientiane OBE VRD Hon Secretary: Mrs G Hewitt 23 Lawler Road Ati.ia.iio WA 6156 Phone 330 3600 NORTHERN TERRITORY DIVISION Patron H ••• Honou< The AdmmrMialo' Prestdent Coim O" 19 Netherlands Navy Today Hon Secretary D Mattyon GPO Boi 2612 Darwin NT 5794 4*ifc. FEDERAL ADVISORY COUNCIL Wm Bo"tho. AM The Transf leld Gfoup is Australia's largest and most sell Su R«chan Pee*. KBE. CB. DSC. RAN (Rid) sufficient project engineering and construction group And it is Aom,rai S>r Victor Smith. AC. KBE, CB. DSC. RAN (Rid) proudly 100% Australian Admiral Sir Anthony Synnot. KBE. AO. RAN (Rid) 21 A Bigger Merchant Fleet The Transf leld Group employs over H.OOO* Australian? and

hundreds more in overseas locations, and has a combined ADVERTISING AND PUBLICATION turnover in excess of St billion dollars per annum Percival Publishing Co. Pty Ltd. It has participated in almost every major infrastructure (inaxpotfd in NSW) 22 DERWENT - 25 Years of proiect m this country ranging from all oil and gas production SYDNEY Service platforms m Bass Sifait to the majority of power stations in ft*? EkiaDeth Street. Waiertoo NSW 2017 Phone (02)699 6231

every mainland state 370 L/TOe Bourka StrM. MMDOurne. 3000 Transfield has the skills to totally integrate a project from Phone (03)670 4321 concept stage through to feasibility, funding, execution and ADELAIDE 24 Out Ot The Past operation The award winning Gateway Bridge in Brisbane, the k x] Floor. 97 Cunte Street. Adelaide 5000 Phone (08) 231 6225 Sydney Harbour Tunnel, the privatisation of the Williamstown PERTH 2nd Floor. King* Old Office Tower. 517 Hey Sweet. Perth 6000 Naval Dockyard in Melbourne and the Marine Shiphft Facility m Phone (09} 221 1623 Perth illustrate m real terms Transfietds skills USS CARRONADE Proud to be an Australian company 3rd Floor, 480 Ann Street. Brisbane 4000 Phone (07) (12 2S31 25

tHt TRANSHELDGROUPOF COMPANIES The opinions or assertions expressed in articles in Trie Navy "ate those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Federal TRANSFIELD CONSTRUCTION. AMECON- AUSTRALIAN SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRIES |ASI> • EGLO* ICAL -SABEMO Council ol The Navy League ot Australia, the Editor ol 'The Navy" 26 Book Reviews Transfield Holdings Ply Ltd 100 Arthur Street North Sydney NSW 2060 Te'cphone (0?) 9298600 or The .

OUR COVER PHOTOGRAPH 27 Navy League/Cadet News The new guided missile frigate MELBOURNE is launched on 5 May 1989. (Photo - courtosty Never Photognphlc Unit)

July-September Page One L*##*#-f ####«# \fi*»m"g»00int READERS BOLD PLAN TO MAKE AUSTRALIAN Dear Sir They have humiliated us as a nation and have I am sure that we are all Indebted to Mr G K Insulted the proud traditions the Navy League FLAG SHIPPING COMPETITIVE Andrews for his excellent article RAN Tugs. (The cherishes. Navy April/June 1989). There Is however one Have we ever read where these " seamen" have statement which I believe requires correction. rendered assistance in time of peril, to other by Geoffrey Evans HMAS St. Giles did not take part In the search for seafarers? Besides standing by. HMAS Sydney. The tug concerned was HMAS The appearance of Australian Flag Ships are Heros. usually the most ill kept vessels in our ports. uring the last eight or nine seagoing and shoreside elements of the and arc matched by increased efficiency The Sydney - Kormoran action was fought on It gives little credit to Government and Business Dyears the Australian shipping industry arc separate but intimately linked ashore, Australia may yet have an November 19th 1941. St Giles did not leave Sydney leaders to have allowed these circumstances to industry has been the subject of and improved efficiency in one will be of internationally competitive shipping for Fremantle until New Years Day 19^*3. The ship happen in an industry so Important to our Nation' s nine government-sponsored and small value unless matched by industry. Irrespective of reform ashore, more returned to Sydney in the early part of May and well being. at least two non-government improvements in the other. competitive Australian-flag ships should paid off at Morts Dock. Yours Sincerely inquiries into its performance and With a plethora of generally critical benefit Australian industry, as something I am not sure whether St Giles Se Heros were John A. Gates costs. The R.A.N. has also carried rcpons and dozens of recommendations to like 9(Wt of tonnage moved around the coast sister ships but there were certainly some marked Wavell Heights out aeveral detailed studies to hand, in November 1988 the government is carried in ships owned by the shippers a similarities in their appearance. It is my determine the importance of the appointed a "Shipping Rel'jrm Task Force" number of whom are much less dependent understanding that Heros recovered one Carley industry to national security. composed of government, shipowner, union on outside sources to load and unload raft and a number of lifejackets. Dear Sir and shipper representatives*. The task force cargoes. I have been a reader of "THE NAVY" magazine Yours Sincerely While all the inquiries have been of was required to identify and negotiate the The Task Force examined the cost for a number of years. And it seems to me that a L K Wood value in one way or another, so far as (he changes necessary to establish an structures of Australian-flag shipping and question in one way or another is asked each issue. West Pymble seagoing element of the industry is internationally competitive Australian found that measured against the costs of a What type and number of ships are required and concerned the most visible results have shipping industry. This was a wider range of OECD countries and a typical Flag- air cover for them. flowed frcm Sir John Crawford's 1982 reference than that given to the IAC which of-Convcnicncc ship governed by Prom what I can see Australia will be a report "Rc>'italisation of Australian was required lo report and make International Transport Federation Destroyer and PPG and Patrol Boat navy. Shipping" and the Maritime Industry recommendations on coastal shipping. conditions, the capital costs incurred by The question is: with the new Australian Development Committee's 1986 "Moving Given the importance of the task, the Australian shipowners were similar to those Destroyer to be built could It have the design to Ahead". The findings of a third major of a number of other countries: this could carry " 2" two Harrier aircraft and give our fleet time provided to the Task Force to carry out inquiry, the Industrial Assistance its work was quite short - barely three change however to Australia's disadvantage the air cover it should have. Commission's 1988 report on Coastal if the current fiscal regime (a 7% taxable eg. a task force of: months and that over the Christmas-New shipping, have not yci been accepted by the Year period. The shon time is to some extent grant and accelerated depreciation for new One D.D.G. air defence government and seem unlikely to be. at least reflected in the report given to the Minister ships) is not extended beyond the present Two P.P.G. with 2 helicopters A.S.W. defence not in their entirety. for Transport and Communications in April; expiry dated in mid-1992. The Task Force Two Aust built ships, Z Harriers air cover. identifying problems is one thing, noted that the shipping industry worldwide One Tanker - Task Force range. Another important inquiry, that of the negotiating solutions another (the parties operates under beneficial fiscal Is this concept possible to have Harriers to land Inter-State Commission into shore-based mainly concerned, shipowners and unions, arrangements. and take off from a ship of 3000 DWT Destroyer activities - stevedoring, cargo handling etc. have however agreed to complete their Class or could It be an Australian design first. - has not long been completed and the negotiations within a very tight time frame). Could you reply in "Viewpoint". Commission's quite drastic recom­ Labour costs were identified by the Task P.S. I would like to take this opportunity to pay mendations to improve waterfront efficiency The Task Force devoted its attention to Force as the major cause of the present tribute to you on a fine magazine. have not at the time of writing this article the seagoing clement and if its objectives arc uncompetitiveness of Australian shipping, been accepted by the government. The accepted by the government and realised. Yours Faithfully accounting for some 75% of the D. A. Hamilton, N.S.W "competitive gap". Substantial reforms are therefore proposed for this area incluuing: • a further reduction in crew sizes (some The old harbour tug TB 9, SARDfUS. reductions have already been made as a Dear Sir of the Crawford and MIDC I refer to the article " Royal Australian Navy inquiries). Tugs" by G. K. Andrews in the April-June 1989 • an extensive training/retraining edition of the "The Navy". On page 7 reference is Dear Sir programme to allow integration of the made to "the burning SS NBPTUNIA". The vessel The letter from Mr. L. Nichol, M/T Conus, in the duties of deck and engineroom referred to was the MV (not SS) NEPTUNA (not April Issue, concerns me enough to answer and watchkeeping officers, to upgrade the NEPTTJNIA). She was a twin-screw passenger and state my feelings. skills of sailors, and to eliminate the cargo motorshlp of 5926 tons gross built by Let us never forget what the SUA's policies have category of electrical officer by qualifying Krupps of Kiel in 1924 and owned at the time of done to Australia's economic well being, our marine engineers for electrical duties. her loss by Burns Philp Se Co. Ltd. relationship to our allies, in both war and peace, • a voluntary early retirement scheme and their strikes during World War II and recently, On the same page reference Is made to the 45ft redundancy arrangements for displaced their refusal to transport supplies to our men in class of Army tugs - a total of 64 vessels. However sailors and officers respectively (sailors Korea and Vietnam. 65 numbers are given - 1503-1557 (55 vessels) are employed under an industry "pooling" I believe that they in the future would only 1817 (1) 2010-2015 (6) 2239-2241 (3) a total of arrangement and officers are employed by assist if Australia took a more progressive stance 66. This error is repeated on the next page. individual companies) In favour of the Soviet Bloc. Yours faithfully, • a review of conditions of employment and Remember the Boonaroo, Jeparlt, Ark Royal and D. W. Finch restructure of the Maritime Industry most allied naval vessels entering our ports. Katoomba Seagoing Award to allow more flexibility (Photo - Ron Hart). in ship management (to be completed by Page Two THE NAVY July-September July-September THE NAVY PeQe Three Mr G Evans Secretary Department of Transport ji.d Communications You can bank on Mr P Geraghty Federal Secretary Seamen's Union of Australia Mr R Hutchinson Westpac for your Chairman National Bulk Commodities Group Mr P Laver Defence Service Australian National Maritime Association

Captain F Ross Federal President Home Loan. Merchant Service Guild of AUSTRALIAN VENTURE Australia Obtaining your Defence Service Home Loan is now • one home loan application, Mr i Spcirs as easy as taking your "Certificate of Entitlement" to • only one mortgage document, October 1989: By 1993 it is envisaged and expressed by the League. The Navy Australian National Maritime modern Australian ships will be manned League docs not believe anything is to be any Wesrpac branch. • and pay only one establishment tee Associaiion by crews of 17 or 18. half the size of gained by withdrawing support from the for your total needs. At Westpac we can provide all DSH customers with crews manning comparable ships a few Australian shipping industry and exposing years ago). Mr R Taylor a one stop banking service and are ready to assist If you already have a Defence Service Home Loan the industry to unfettered foreign Secretary competition; chaos on the waterfront would with your DSH loan as well as any additional and would like to know more about the other To increase competition in the coastal Department of Industrial be the most likely result. trade, the Task Force has advocated better Relations finance you require. bencifts we can offer, or use of the "permit" system which enables Responses by government spokesmen so If you would like to know more about the Westpac foreign owned ships to carry cargoes around far indicate the complexity of what has Secretary: Mr P Newman the Australian coast in particular undoubtedly been appreciated and that Ministerial Consultant Just look at some of the benefits Defence Service Home Loan, just complete the circumstances. The Task Force flatly internally sponsored changes arc favoured, coupon below and send to: rejected proposals to withdraw the cabotage albeit at a greatly accelerated rate. As Executive Dr H Millroy No lengthy waiting period policy, pointing out that virtually every previously remarked however, increased Officer: Department of Transport and Freepost No. 102 Your loan application can be processed as soon as country with a significant coastal trade gave efficiency at sea will have to be matched by Communications Westpac Banking Corporation preference to its own ships and seafarers you receive your "Certificate of Entitlement" from greater efficiency ashore if Australia is to 7 th Floor engaged in the local coastal wade. The Navy have a competitive shipping industry. the DSHC. There is now no need for costly bridging League expressed similar views on both 66 Pitt Street finance, saving you money. these matters in its submission in December The shipping reform plan is ambitious y**~* Sydney NSDW 2000 1987 to the IAC inquiry. but would seem realizable if all the parties involved - above all shipowners and unions 4»1h Low Interest Rate or call into any Westpac branch. Clearly, a number of the changes, not - have the determinations to sec it through. Your new DSH loan attracts a subsidised interact least crew training and modifications to The stakes for Australia and its future as a r _ 2^ some older ships to enable them to be maritime nation arc very high indeed. rate of only 6.85% per annum on loans of $25,000 manned by smaller crews, will take time to (or less). implement; even so the Task Force believes Defence Service Home Loans that initiatives already taken together with * Shipping Reform Task Force If you borrow $25,000, your monthly repayments arc 1 am the longer term reforms would enable Changing Jobs Membership of SRTF only $174.25 a month over the maximum 25 year D Buying a Home Australian-flag shipping to become Retired/Retiring C term. • Waiting to Qualify internationally competitive progressively Chairman: Mr I Deveson ' '"' I "" J LAUNCH SERVICES y^y PTY LTD D Moving House/Renovating from 1992 onwards. To oversee the reform Managing Director process the Task Force has recommended Portability 1 do/don't have an existing DSH Loan Nissan Motor Manufacturing • ATTENDANCE AT SHIPS the appointment of a Shipping Reform Company • MARINE CONTRACTORS Your new DSHC loan is portable. If you move house, Authority with the necessary powers for a • LINE RUNNING you simply take your subsidised loan with you. Name/Title: fixed three-year term. Members: Mr W Boluho • GENERAL TOWING • BUNKERING Surprisingly. national security Chairman Additional Finance Address: _ Australian National Maritime • LIGHTERAGE SERVICE considerations do not appear to have been a Many tear: etpananca in Iftis area enturet You can apply to Westpac for additional finance . Postcode:. major subject of discussion in the various Association • •' tent service should you need more than $25,000. Westpac will Phone: (homc)_ _(work)_ inquiries over the past few years. The Port Kembla (042) 72 1045 My existing/preferred Westpac branch is: Department of Defence has made it quite Mr S Crcan Newcastle (049)69 2411 lend you the additional funds as soon as your clear that a viable Australia-controlled President Sydney 810 0537 application is approved and processed. shipping industry is extremely important to Australian Council of Trade Botany 810 0537 the nation's security and so has the Navy Unions These funds will be lent at regular owner occupied EDEN ...... (064) 96 1111 %•# League. housing loan rates. You will save time and money Mr R Dailcy also *t; The Navy League is pleased to note that Federal President CAIRNS - MOUfllLYAN - LUCINOA because you only need You can bank on Westpac. TOWNSVILLE - MACKAY, OLD. the opinions expressed by the Reform Task Australian Institute of Marine Westpac Banking Corporation Wesrpac Savings Bank Limited Force are basically the same as those held & Power Engineers 1 Page Four THE NAVY July-September July-September iVY Page Five honoured to be asked She praised the commitment and MELBOURNE LAUNCHED professionalism of those who go down to ihc sea in ships and delighted the crowd by Baying, without recourse to any notes, that she CONTINUED VII quite gtaiidmothcily nboui the whole thine and would keep a jewelled AMECON logo and ihe official rvisona! interest m MFI.BOURNK's career. momento of ihc occasion. IV la-w ship MELBOURNE (she will not he known as I1MAS Responding. Mrs Hawke said thai I until accepted ant) commissioned by ihc Navy) is the first ship built loi the RAN by AMFCON since Ihe company bought the then Williamsiown Naval Dockyard from the Government in February 1*88. She is the first combatant ship built in Australia since HMAS IORRFNS was launched at Cockatoo Dockyard in 1970. MF.I.ROURNF will be Ihe tilth ol her class in the RAN. AMFX'ON has already started work on the sixth, to he called NFWVASil H. The foui earlier FKi? class ships. MM I AIDF, CANRKRRA. SYDNEY and DARWIN, were all buill lor the RAN Any•as* lingering doubts in the minds of the* in the United Slates. The weight ol the lngale ai launch was close lo l°00 tonnes superstitious must surely have been dispelled around half lier completed displacement. when the new frigate MELBOURNE, bathed in Her hull and superstructure is now- complete and all major a momentary flash of sunlight, kissed the machinery is in place. Alter launch she entered diydock toi waters of Port Phillip Bay for the first time on completion. She will be luted with propeller shaft, propeller, rudder slock and rudder as well as her complex sensors, weapons systems, 5 May 1989. 1 computing equipment and all interior furnishings. She is scheduled lo be delivered lo ihc RAN in August 1991, Ihe launch could haidl. have gone beuei the wind, a source ol commissioned in Srptrntbet l('l'I and lo join ihe Fleet in March concern tor the organisers in Ihc hours leading up lo tin: cs cut U 11 i l°o? awj) 10 a zephyr at exact!) the light moment, the words ol the launching lady, Mrs Haze) Hawke, rang out loud and dew and (lie buttle of (neat Western broke cleanly to the cheers .if the crowd. Then an expectant hush tell on the lock yard as s :veral thou i,,l pairs of eyes Matched the ship tor the tn >t sign ol iiiu- cineiil ! iic imal chock did not come away clean)' but the organisers bad i been ready. Amid ihouu ol "Go on, Kevin" a burh worker stepped up with j sledgehammer foi tits moment of gtui>, Two swift blows to Photographs courtesy of the I'litudmu piece of timbei and lights stalled flashing, a klaxon THE NAVAL PHOTOGRAPHIC UNIT. sounded and MELBOURNE needing no further help, slid gracefully

JVs»aii ~" " m

into hei natural element AMI» ON has little chance of getting that hammei back The crowd watched as the tugs nulled around the frigate, shepherding hei into the dock where the real" work is about to start. Ilien il was time for [he celeb.alum Pie speeches were short and enthusiastic Hie duel ol Nasal staff, VADM Michael Hudson, said to the general agreement of all present ihat this was a special day tor tile nation and that Australia was back in the business of building na^al ships. AMECONs chairman. Mi George Polites, thanked Mrs Hawke for accepting ihe invitation to officiate and presented her with a Page Six 4AVV July September July-September LAST SUNSET FOR A GRAND OLD LADY LAST SUNSET FOR A - Continued GRAND OLD LADY

' Inside the bridge.

launches of this type in 19S4. SDB 1325 has the distinction of being SDB 1325s bridge. (Photo - RAN) the last of the forerunners of today's patrol boats. The Australian National Maritime Museum and the West part of the long trek under her own power before being towed by the Australian Maritime Museum have both declined to accept the vessel minesweeper HMAS JUNEE on the second leg of the trip in bad as an exhibit and her future is yet to be decided. weather conditons. Two possibilities are that it could be preserved in the grounds ol Although not commissioned, she was named LEEUW1N and the HMAS STIRLING fleet support facility or alternatively taken employed as a Naval Reserve training vessel based at the HMAS over by the nearby City of Rocki.igham and restored as a tourist LEEUWIN boatshed situated on the Swan River in East Frcmanllc. attraction. SDB I325's routine humdrum existence was shattered 7 April 1959 when an 18 year old youth boarded her, slipped the mooring However, that is Mill to be decided and this grand old lady lies in lines and somehow managed to start the launch and steer it. heading the tranquil waters of the HMAS STIRLING small boats compound out to sea. awaiting a decision on her future. He was apprehended off Rottncsl Island and SDB 1325 was towed back into Frema..tlc Harbour by the minesweeper HMAS FREMANTLE. When apprehended the offender claimed he was on the way to the Eastern States where he intended to sell the vessel! The 1960's saw SDB 1325 disarmed and her original armoured whcclhouse removed and replaced by a wooden version. Below decks, even today, she remains much the same as built 46 years ago. Brass scuttles, heavy stained timber furnishings and fittings with the original brass light switches. A torlorn sight, the proud old lady o» the RAN, SOB 1325, laid up in the HMAS STIRLING smalt craft compound. The vessel Up until recently she still fulfilled a role with the Frcmanllc Port alongside is the NRC training boat LANCELIN (Photo - M*I division cf the Naval Reserve as a seamanship training vessel. When not employed in this role she conveyed VIFs to major events on the Swan River as starting and viewing boat for prominent yacht races m 5W< by VIC JEFFERY, Navy Public Relations OKicer (WA) and regattas or carrying out river cruises with school children aboard. More than 400 of these vessels were built during World War Two The RAM's last World War Two patrol boat is sadly, up for disposal. in Britain, Canada, New Zealand. ISA and Australia. Today Seaward vsLNais Defence Boat P25 is the last example in naval service in the world. Many still ply the rivcrways and fishing grounds of the world as Despite her age. 46 in November. Seaward Defence Boat 1325 is Defence .Motor Launch 1325 at Launceston on 3 November. 1943. commercial vessels, but since New Zealand paid off her four HDML 1325 as bull!. described as being in reasonable condition and excellent for its age. She dis- .accd 60 tonnes full load and bristled with guns. She long ago shed her grey wartime garb and associated armaments On her 24.5 metre length hull she mounted a two pounder anti­ and today is a truly resplendent sight with her navy blue wooden hull aircraft gun on the forecastle, two Vickcrs machine guns on the Many years experience in this area ensures and white upperworks. bridge wings, a 20mm Ocrlikon aft along with eight depth charges. f% efficient service SDP 1325 is the last of the 28 vessels of this type which saw Powered by two Buda six cylinder DHMR dicscl engines the 60 wartime service in the Royal Australian Navy. Originally classified as tonne launch had a range of nearly 2000 nautical miles at a speed of v ^i^^N^J-'-'-f-*'-^ iir'-y^ Harbour Defence Motor Launches (HDML's) they were designed for 10 knots. Cost of construction was $64,000. Port Kembla: (042) 72 1045 the British Admiralty in 1942 for patiol work in harbour approaches, HDML 1325 saw wartime sevicc on patrol duties and lender in « " J SHIPPING SERVICE estuaries and coastal waters. Australia's northern waters. Postwar she was reclassified as a >«• Newcastle: (049)69 2411 The first three to enter RAN service. HDML's 1074. 1129 and Seaward Defence Boat along with all other Harbour Defence Motor • ATTENDANCE AT SHIPS 1161 were constructed in the United Kingdom and saw service in the Launches. Sydney: 810 0537 Royal Navy prior to their transfer in 1943. They were followed by Re-armed with a 40mm Bofors gun replacing the two pounder and • MARINE CONTRACTORS Botany: 694 1344 another nine built in Australian yards and 16 in the USA. with the depth charges racks removed. SDB 1325 was commissioned • LINE RUNNING The locally constructed vessels. 1321 to 1329 were built in three as a tender to the shore establishment HMAS MELVILLE in Darwin yards; Purdon & Featherstone Piy. Ltd.. of Mohan (1321, 1322, in 1953. She carried out fisheries patrols in the Darwin area until • GENERAL TOWING also at: 1327): MvFarlane & Sons of Birkenhead in South Australia (1323, replaced by a minesweeper in 1956. • BUNKERING CAIRNS — MOURILYAN — LUCINDA In September of that year she was transferred to the shore 1324,1328); and E. JACK of Launceston (1325.1326.1329). • LIGHTERAGE SERVICE TOWNSVILLE - MACKAY, OLD. Seaward Defence Boat 1325 first entered Service as Harbour establishment HMAS LEEUWTN in East Frcmanllc. SDB 1325 made Page tight THE YAVY July-September July-September Page Nine THE UNIVERSAL DEFENCE LANGUAGE NAVAL MATTERS *+ ''Ada". •* ^ Ada is fast becoming the universally , f'&rjm- u&mtas&r~ V.Vr - preferred defence language - and it's also the language we adopted right from the outset at Universal Defence Systems. Whilst other Australian companies are involved with Ada, we specialise in it. Universal Defence Systems is a wholly owned Australian company specialising in

systems ? ^ software engineering for defence. Last flight over the national capital. Our products include an artificial intellegence expert system shell and a comprehensive C3I The Lesson Goes Unlearned In 1983, the Department Hamilton, Pacific Defence Reporter. August. system written in Ada. We have also developed by A. W. GRAZEBROOK 1983. page 51) that the then Chief of Naval of Defence recommended Staff was concerned at "the level of work stations for Ada applications. to the Hawke Government against aircraft and missile attack. To consultation that took place (in regard to the that the fixed wing F/eet Air maximise skills in these vitally important use of S2 Trackers) and at the incomplete And our armoury of expertise is growing roles, Navy needed high performance picture that formed the content of the Arm be disbanded and its aircraft piloted by officers skilled in low submission as forwarded" (to the Minister). daily! For more detailed l IMIWCPQAI aircraft removed. level attack against warships. In this case, the Chief of Naval Staff Ai the time (his was done, the best It was argued that both grnund attack and personally was excluded from consultation information, contact our UIMIV t_ ROTAL professional authorities, both inside and fleet training would be provided by Air on effectiveness. Navy advice was limited to outside Navy, pointed out that there Force's Mirages, Macchis and (later) the "costing, manpower and performance data". Managing Director. DEFENCE SYSTEMS remained a need for the A4 Skyhawks for FA18's. Subsequently, the S2 Trackers were ground attack work in support of Army and The S2 anti- Trackers were offered for sale on the international market. Pty Ltd for training Navy's surface ships in anti­ considered, but rejected, for the coastal Several potential buyers were rejected on Peter Jupp. aircraft warfare. Navy attached primary surveillance role. political/diplomatic grounds. Now, at a time importance to this latter need which Navy's advice was ignored. Even worse, when other nations arc upgrading their S2s assumed much greater significance with the there is some evidence that (he Minister of for a new lease of life, Australia's S2s scrapping of the aircraft carrier the day was deliberately deprived of access remain rusting and disused at Nowra. MELBOURNE. to the highest professional opinion available Coastal surveillance, performed by civilian Deprived of fighter protection. Navy - that of the Royal Australian Navy. companies, has become the subject of Module i Node 250 Western Australian Techoloqy Park Bentley W A 6102 became wholly dependant upon her area On one aspect of the decision to disband protracted legal wrangles and contractual Phone (09) 470 2634 Fax (09) 470 2698 Telex AA93399 INCAP defence surface to air missile, point defence the fixed wing Fleet Air Arm, documentary disputes. and close in weapons systems for defence evidence has been published (by Ian Navy's A4 Skyhawks were sold to the July-September THE NAVY July-September Page Eleven NAVAL NAVAL MATTERS MATTERS incompetence will have got away with it Royal New Zealand Air Force. Although the again. Mirage* performed some fleet air training, There is another example. This affects Navy's standard of anti-aircraft training the as a whole - declined. With the paying off of the Mirages not just Navy. Squadrons, it has been decided that the In November, 1987, the Joint FAI8s will not provide Navy with AAW Parliamentary Committee on Foreign training and Army with ground attack Affairs, Defence and Trade published a 394 capability. page Report on The Management of RNZAF Skyhawks, including those Australia's Defence. purchased from the RAN. are to provide That Report recommended that "in view Navy with AAW training in return for fees of the continuing failure of ... FDA Division running into millions of dollars per annum to develop adequate defence guidance and These aircraft have already provided the the lack of confidence that this has ADF with ground attack capability (in the engendered in the force development Exercise Kangaroo scries etc >. process generally..." certain major This arrangement clearly has alliance organisational changes be made. benefits. Nevertheless, it is difficult to avoid In spue of this very severe major the conclusion that a massive blunder condemnation, no relevant change has been On board the carrier HMAS MELBOURNE. occured. Australia sold a valuable asset to made. All that has been done is to change another country on the basis that there was the title of one or two public servants and to Functional Directory for May 1985 and mismanagement, they are fired or otherwise no need for that asset. Subsequently, it was transfer the Natural Disasters Organisation today) remains unchanged - word for word. penalised. realised that we did indeed need that asset. from one group to another. We have resisted It must be concluded that nothing will be Unless and until these principles are The A4s are now being rented back at fees the temptation to wisecrack. In spite of its done when things go wrong at top applied in Defence, and responsibility which will quickly exceed the sale price to unhappy name, the NDO is widely respected management level in Defence. sheeted home to individuals involved, it will New Zealand. as efficient and valuable. Industry and commerce prosper when be very difficult for management to improve The blunder occurred because the The role of the Force Development and Management take responsibility for what on the public service side of the Defence Minister of the day was deprived of Analysis Division (as specified in the they do. For success, (hey arc rewarded. For community. sufficiently broad advice. That Minister i Mi Schoicsi refused an inquiry, on the grounds that "Navy is represented on all committees of the Defence Department" and thus would This new network, National have an opportunity to proffer advice. That The end of the world opportunity did not ansc in the case of the Terminals (Australia) Ltd., was S2s. If the opportunity arose in the case of is closer than you the A4s, it was ignored and a very expensive created by merging the extensive- wrong management decision was made. terminals resources of ANL and A massive blunder occurred, but nothing think. Perhaps the most perturbing pan of it is case of Williamstown Dockyard was even will be done about it. Those responsible will Patricks, two of Australia's biggest that this is not the um, time such expensive worse. go unpcnaliscd. The taxpayer will pay a mismanagement has occurred Indeed, the It is generally known that Wlliaimtown and most experienced operators, heavy bill. While we can't reduce the actual dockvard degenerated from badly run to with facilities in major Australian worse to nigh on useless. Well qualified distance between Australia and Committees sal and recommended remedial ports. measures. Well qualified Managers were everywhere else, we have cut the hired from outside the public service. However, after more than a decade, the time you need for the round trip. situation still did not improve significantly. Now National Terminals handles It is clear that Williamstown failed loads more containers, coming and because parts of the Defence I>epartmcnt Now Australia has a major new (and at times other Departments* protected Container Terminals and going. We're ready and waiting to their patches" by reta.nmg functional take a load off your mind at the authority in Canberra. To further their own Stevedoring network, equal to the administrative positions, they refused to best end of the world. delegate sufficient authority to best in the world. So, loading and Williamstown \ management to run the sard unloading containerised cargo is properly. There were other problems, but National Terminals. mis lay at the root of the failure now faster and more efficient, The fact that Williamstown has now been On Top Down Under. J o yfc\t sold, and is well on the way to becoming a making long voyages to and from Level 11, 131 York Street, productive organisation and a very valuable Australia shorter and more cost Svdnev, 2000. defence asset to Australia, does not obviate Telephone: (02) 283 2133 the fact that massive mismanagement effective. occured. Those responsible w ill go Fax (02) 225 7340 Skyhswk, pnporihfl for act (on. unpenalised. Gross mismanagement and

July-September July-September Page Thirteen Marine Support Facility DEFENCE MEANS BUSINESS When opened on its 18ha site directly opposite the naval base at Cockburn Sound, the facility's shiplift IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA was 105m long with a lifting capacity of 6,000 tonnes. Defence Growth This is now being extended to 123m THE first naval dockings at the new marine to accommodate the next generation of support facility at Jervoise Bay represent significant homeported vessels, as well as cater for progress in Western Australia's long-term goal to a wider commercial market. create a supportive defence industry for the three The ultimate plan is to further extend armed forces. the lift to 165m and the lifting capacity to Since announcement of Australia s two-ocean 12,000 tonnes. Fully Completed Marine Support Facility defence policy, Western Australia has been Now the facility is producing tangible preparing for the transition to a major strategic results and benefits are seen to flow region. from this aspect of defence work, Work has begun on the 25ha site. Freehold lots Half the navy's operational fleet will be Western Australia is placing greater are bing made available this month and a homeported on the west coast over the next emphasis on building up other defence 2,000sq m leasehold centre building is planned to 10 years. support sectors and promoting more industry open next April. To date, three destroyer escorts, one submarine involvement. The centre building will provide common user and three patrol boats are based on the west coast facilities, such as calibration, testing, trialling, Changing Emphasis under the Two-Ocean computing and training It will also house research But the fleet will be substantially strengthened with State Government Initiatives the addition of six destroyers, three and Defence Policy and development facilities in marina, To generate a higher profile for the defence oceanographic and defence science areas eight mine warfare ships Naval Work industry and to attract a bigger share of the $8 The precinct provides the mechanism to The Pearce RAAF base north of Perth and The Western Australian Government is vigorously billion federal defence budget, the State integrate growing defence-related companies with stations in the far north - Learmonth and the encouraging development of a defence industry to Government is developing a Defence Technology university research programmes and established recently commissioned Derby provide coastal meet the support and maintenance demands of Precinct opposite the marine support facility. surveillance, cover the navy's expanded role in the such a large expansion of military forces in the west industries, such as engineering, shipbuilding and Indian Ocean, and frontline fighter aircraft An important accomplishment in pursuit of this communications. A new role for the army includes deploying goal is the recent completion of stage one of Integration of Defence Precinct Activities Its main focus is the commercial application of highly mobile counter-insurgency units in the R&D and promoting joint ventures, technology Australian Shipbuilding Industries' (ASI) marine I'lltlk IMHSIR, l\«.Tirsmii IIIk rugged north-west. This means introduction of new support facility and its successful bids for naval and transfer, major contract work and exports. all-terrain vehicles and advanced communications commercial maintenance contracts. The Government's Technology and Inudstry technology. The facility, opened in February, has already / Development Authority (TIDA) is working with Sky and ground watches are being established completed maintenance worth $1.5 million on the CGMMONUKR Kir industry to increase the number of West Australian via the Jindalee "over the horizon' radar at Merredin Oberon-class submarine, the HMAS Oxley. and is l jiibrjlim Mj r >-. companies involved in defence beyond the Ttt'.n* i Vfjn..K,jph. current 200. and the satellite communication monitoring station carrying out a $16 million refit on a destroyer-escort, Trul.m* [>rf»ntrS.«Nr at Geraldton. the HMAS Swan. ( .J , 4" I ni,„.i„ A,.™.. Western Australia has the potential to meet the It has also completed repairs on a sheep carrier higher technological and quality standards and and has a $42 million contract to build three upgraded human resource skills demanded by defence-related projects. First Dockings at the ASI Marine Support Facility commercial ships. mnnoMonoDucTION Western Australia's defence industry is also To help developing companies TIDA offers various programmes that show how to modernise bidding for the depot level maintenance of three of kuw Vmurv* the navy's six Oberon-class submarines, valued at and expand, master new technologies and improve $170 million over six years. international competitiveness. rVinwCmrrKtinn The three Oberons are scheduled for major refits. Why not visit Western Australia to see for A refit involves refurbishing and upgrading systems, yourself these exciting developments and each costing $50 million and lasting two years. opportunities? In addition, the submarines undergo mid-cycle and intermediate maintenance, totallling an extra $20 million. Contact: Altogether, the maintenance programmes could add up to about 18 dockings. The six new Type 471 submarines now being em DA built in South Australia, the first of which will be TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRY launched in 1993. will progressively replace the DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Oberons and provide ongoing maintenance 170 St Georges Terrace. Perth, Western Australia. 6000. opportunities for the marine support facility Telephone: (09) 327 5555. NAVY BLASTS CHANNEL NAVY — CONTINUED wide, and about three metres deeper than the previous floor of the passage. BLASTS CHANNEL FOR SOLOMON Solomon Islands Government vessels 'proved' the new channel by sailing from the sea into the lagoon a short time after the blast. The passage will also improve access ISLANDS ONDER DEFENCE COOPERATION for the Solomon Islands patrol boats LATA (provided under the Australia-funded Pacific Patrol Boat Project) and SAVO. BRUNEI with the divers embarked is by Tony Underwood continued through the Western Provinces to 11 more sites returning to Honiara before returning to Sydney on May 25th. Since 1979. the RAN has undertaken a program under Defence Cooperation to clear n an Australian!Solomon navigational channels and shipping hazards / Islanders operation. Navy in the Solomon Islands. clearance divers have The last operation was conducted around blasted a new, much needed Makira Island in July last year. shipping channel for a targe village in the Solomon Islands. An RAN team of about 30. including 14 Solomon Islanders and Australian members of Clearance Diving Team 1 from sailors roll a drum of explosive HMAS WATERHEN in Sydney, are Into a boat tor positioning carrying out more than one month of for the channel blast. Australian Defence Cooperation tasks in the island group. The divers travelled on board the landing On-the-job refresher training and technical craft HMAS BRUNEI, captained by training is being provided to Solomon Lieutenant Chris Curtis, for duties including Islands Marine Division divers during the disposal of World War M explosive ordnance operation. and provision of a channel capable of taking Australia's defence cooperative activities 110 to 120 tonne coastal vessels under all in the South Pacific focus on assisting the tidal conditions within Rcrcghana Passage, development of maritime surveillance about 250 nautical miles north-west of capabilities in response to the South pacific Sailors onboard HMAS BRUNEI manhandle drums of explosives prior to the channel Honiara. countries' concerns for their economic blasting. Near Mbiula Village in the Western security and national sovereignty. The Defence Department plans to spend Provinces, Navy divers were involved first about $20.6 million on Defence cooperation in trials with two drums of Australian- with the South Pacific this financial year. manufactured Tovcx 650 explosive to be : '• used for the task. Satisfied with the initial results, the More than 100,000 tonnes ol water clearance divers and crew of BRUNEI are driven skywards from the • detonation of working alongside local islanders placed in 25 tonnes of explosive. the passage a total of 25 tonnes of the - explosive, manufactured by Dyno Wcsfarmers Ltd. at Bogan Gate i near Parkcs). The divers, led by LEL'T Mike Gough. connected a total of 84 205-litre drums and six smaller 60-litrc drums of explosive with plastic explosive primers into a single firing loop with detonating cord. Atlas COPCO Australia Pty Ltd With the area cleared of villagers shortly after 9am local time, the divers touched off Compressed air suppliers to the Defence forces safety fuses. The $100,000 blast pushed 110.000 * Stationary and portable compressors tonnes of water skywards in a plume * Air tools Crawler and truck mounted drill rigs reaching a height of more than 300 metres. * Construction tools Weight of the water helps direct the blast downwards and the explosion provided a Blacktown Telephone: 622 4444 Branches throughout Australia Departing the ship for the blasting area. channel 250 metres long and 1! metres Page Sixteen THE NAVY July-September July-September Page Seventeen Netherlands Navy Today ll surface units of ihc Royal .jMi-«Mjiaai5» Netherlands Navy arc deployed in A three task groups, while the submarines operate as a single squadron. The maritime patrol aircraft operate in three squadrons, one of which provides training. Mine countermeasurcs forces are also divided into three groups, two operating off the Dutch coast and one operating under CH1NCHAN command. The present shape of the RN1N is largely the result of the 1974 Reel Plan, which set a target of 25 ships. Three of these had to be air defence (AAW) ships and flagships - two survive today as the DLGs Tromp and de Ruyter. There were a dozen old destroyers, six van Spcijk class frigates (copied from the British Leander design), and six small corvettes. Plans were already in hand to replace the destroyers with 12 Kortenaer class 'Standard' or 'S' type

By ANTONY PRESTON The new air defence frigate WITTE DE WITH. Garden Island in 1921-22. Alongside, from left to right are; the light cruiser HMAS ENCOUNTER, the oiler KURUMBA, the light cruiser PSYCHE and a Town class cruiser. Other ships lie alongside the latter. (pnou court*** T. was—) The (RN1N), according to NATO planning, shares with the Royal Navy the main burden of surface warfare in the Eastern Atlantic. The two navies also share a number of overlapping responsibilities in the North Sea.

frigates, and lo give an extensive update to put up a fine performance in building the designed as air defence flagships - the the von Speijk class. frigates, two of which were sold on the slip Jacob van Heenukerck and Mnif de With All targets were achieved within the 10 to Greece. In view of the escalating air were designated the 'L' type, and were GARDEN year-span of the Fleet Plan. The shipyards ihreat the two RN1N replacements were re- completed in 1985-86 In 1984, when a new ten year plan was being prepared, it was clear ihat (he corvettes were of marginal fighting value It was also clear that the Dutch shipyards were ISLAND m trouble, typified by the bankrupK) of the Rhcin-Schcldc Vcrolmc group in 1^X1, Plans tit replace the corvettes by a new 1921-1922 compact fHgaK known as the M' type were in hand, but orders were not planned until 19X7. To slave off disaslei in the yards four were ordered, with options on another four - *r: lo replace not only the six corvettes but also .t~ — the ran Spi-ijk class in Ihc 1990s. r. n: The new frigates, named after several changes the Karet Doorman class, arc sophisticated anti-submarine ships armed with Harpoon anti-ship missiles, vertically- launched Scasparrow point-defence missiles and a Goalkeeper close-in gun system. Propulsion is Comhined Diesel or Gas From the deck of an ship, the decommissioned battlecrulser Turbine iCODOG). with Rolls-Royce AUSTRALIA and sloop UNA lie at anchor ofrt the Island. Marine Spey gas turbines and Werkspoor

Page Eighteen THE NAVY July-September July-September Page Nineteen dicsels. Speed is 30 kn on GTs and 20 kn on diesels. On dicsels the endurance is 5000 nm ai 18 kn. A bigger merchant fleet As with the 'S' and L' classes great emphasis is placed on the choice of standard NATO equipment wherever possible. The need not be an asset sonars, both hull-mounted and towed array. are developed jointly with Thomson-Sinatra, he campaign to 'Expand Australia's Merchant Fleet' using a Dutch-developed sonics processor The cost of coastal shipping to the being run by the Seaman's Union of Australia may at Australian economy is high: evidence a and French arrays. T first sight seem attractive and worthy of support to people couple of years ago showed phosphate rock concerned about Australia's defence. However, it ain't shipped from Christmas Island to Australia Submarines cost $30 per tonne, while phosphate rock For many years the RNTN's Submarine necessarily so. shipped half-way round the w< rid from Command has run a squadron of six SSKs. Florida cost $16 per tonne. The same Before such a campaign is supported, we The Dolfijn class, completed in 1972, would Christmas Island phosphate was at that time should know exactly what it entails and how by HAL COLEBATCH' need replacing in the 1980s. The Walrus carried to New Zealand in third-country the proposed expansion is to take place. If it design was drawn up. but changes to the ships for about $10 per tonne/ These costs is to be done by increasing direct or hit Australian farmers directly, injuring them, specification and technical problems in Port installations are under-utilised and concealed subsidies the disadvantages may the consuming public, and the exports dealing with new types of HI steel caused industrial relations in Australian ports arc outweigh the advantages. needed to earn foreign exchange to pay for, considerable delays and cost overruns. To among the worst in the world. We would all like to sec Australian ships among other things, defence purchases. cap it all the leadboat Walrus was badly The Australian National Line is wholly The first of the M Class frigates. manned by Australian seafarers. The reason The same applies to all manner of other damaged by fire while fitting out. owned by the Commonwealth Government. we may not is that they are uncompetitive. industries. McLean's study shows Australian It was established because at the end of The Walrus has proved repairable but the Australia's present merchant fleet is coastal shipping has not only priced itself World War II the government found itself delay means that the second-of-class extremely expensive. Since its infancy it has almost out of cxistancc (so much for the owning a collection of merchant ships, ships Zeeleeuw is now to be commissioned for been protected from competition with very rationale that protection would allow Austra­ it could have sold only at a book loss. ANL first-of-class trials next year. The second poor results. In a major study of the lia its own ships and seamen for defence), has had no meaningful review of its purpose pair, the new Dolfijn and the Bruinvis will economics of Australian coastal shipping. but has seriously eroded the competitiveness since then. replace the Ponis class, and a third pair will Mr Ross McLean has written: of other industries and imposed cnormou*: In recent years. ANL has had some replace the Zwaardvis and Ti)^erhaai in the One would expect Australia to have a costs on many sections of the economy. late 1990s. rationalisation. A capital injection of $160 substantial, robust and effective One industry that has suffered particularly million improved its gearing ratio and in shipping industry. has been steel, probably the most basic The submarines use Signaal and 1984-85 it paid ils first dividend in 14 years. After alt. we have a long coastline with component of any defence industry. Thomson-Sinatra sonars and fire control However, it was still carrying losses of $110 all the major population centres on the In 1978 Mr John Barber, the chief processing, but weapons are American: Mk million in 1987. No private concern could seaboard ... Only 39c of Australia's economist of Lysaughl (Australia) Ltd. said 37C and Mk 48 Mod 3/4 torpedoes and Sub- have survived such a history of losses. $10 substantial international trade. that the cost of transporting a tonne of steel Harpoon missiles. The British Type 2026 million could have been spent directly on the however, is carried in Australian ships.' by an Australian coastal liner from Port towed array is deployed in both the navy, for example to help buy a second-hand As a result of protection crew costs for Kcmbla to Frcmantlc was 44'S higher than Zwaardvis and Zeeleew* classes. Australian merchant ships arc among the British aircraft carrier to replace HMAS 'Melbourne'. Even if bargain-basement the cost of shipping steel from Japan to highest in Ihc world. The Industries Frcmantlc. This figure, an average over Mine Warfare Assistance Commission has estimated that specials in aircraft-carriers and other modem warships arc not always available, such an several different product categories, was In the early 1970s the RN1N still operated the cost of crcwing an Australian vessel is amount would be helpful even to pay the verified again in 19R3. a number of obsolescent Western Union' about 3.6 times the cost of a British vessel interest on major warship acquisitions. minesweepers and mtnehunters. To replace and nearly twice that of a Scandinavian one. CONTINUED ON PAGE 29 these the RN1N entered into a tripartite agreement with France and Belgium to build The mine warfare ship HAARLEM. a common glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) muiehunier. The first two Dutch Alkmaar class were ordered in 1977 and today 14 out Other projects include an amphibious standard. with Rolls-Royce Gem d42 of 15 are in service. Plans are now in hand assault ship, intended to make the Royal turboshaft engines and Thomson-Sintra for a further class of ten minesweepers to Netherlands Marines less dependent on their DLAV-4 dipping sonars. work out to the 100m line in the southern British counterparts for seaborne lift. The North Sea. The first of these is to be laid 1988 Defence Ran confirmed that funds for Financial Cutbacks down next year, funds permitting, and will a 8000-ton assault ship (LPD) or large The smooth planning has been interrupted be in service by 1992. They will replace the landing ship will be reserved from 1992, to by the sort of cash-crises which has hit other wooden Dokkum class. be commissioned m 1996. She will be NATO navies. Four of the van Speijk class capable of lifting 600 marines and their were sold tc Indonesia In 1986-88. and Originally there were to be 15 units but vehicles and equipment. An additional under the modified Ten Year Plan announ­ there are long-term plans to build six larger replenishment ship is planned to modernise ced in September the remaining pair are to deep-sea sweepers in the late 1990s. Design the support forces. be disposed of. details have not been published but RN1N The Naval Air Arm operates three Plans to modernise the two DLGs had sources suggest that the Norwegian air- maritime patrol squadrons at Valkcnburg already been cutback, with one to be put into cushion MCMV design is one of the and a helicopter squadron at Dekoog. reserve, but now both ships are to be paid contenders. The great attraction of the off without a mid-life update. Only six of Tripartite programme is the carefully Aircraft include 13 P-3C Orions, two the ten Kortenaer frigates will receive a so- constructed plan to ensure that each Fokker F-27 Marilimes and 22 Lynx called capability upkeep programme of participant nation gets a fair share of work. helicopters, divided into six UH-14A SAR routine maintenance from 1992 onwards. The Dutch contribution is the main types, nine SH-14Bs fitted with dipping The 13 P-3C Orion maritime patrol propulsion system, single-shaft Werkspoor sonars and eight SH-14Cs. During the 1990s aircraft will not be rearmed with Harpoon diesels. the SH-14Bs are to be upgraded to C- anti-ship missiles as planned Launch of the coaster GOLIATH. Page Twenty THE NAVY Jury-September July-Sept ember THE NAVY Page Twenty One HMAS DERWENT HMAS DERWENT 25 YEARS OF SERVICE 25 YEARS OF SERVICE

hard working unit of the RAN to many Navies of the world, many uf whom are now old friends.

he modernisation refit look 4 1/2 years to complete. DERWENT T reconiimssioned in May WK5 and rejoined the Elect in November as a belter equipped and more capable peacekeeper. After successfully completing trials, which went wet) into 1986. DERWENT partii ipaled in the Meet entry into Sydney Early In her career. to mark the slail of the RAN's 75th Anniversary cclcbratiuns. The ycai was rounded oil vhen the Ship received a Silver Freiuaiitle. in addition to the normal I he stall ol 1)1 Ktt EN 1 S 25th Platter Award from the Catering Institute of weapons firings and small exercises The Aniuveisary Yeai sees the Fighting 4l>' Australia for displaying the best culinary second hall ol die year stalled wuh another, deployed to SF Asia, foi the ihud tunc in 9 skills in tlic Fleet, not an easy task! eagerly awaited, SE Asian deployment ami months, including a visit lo Madias, the fusi Launch of the coaster GOLIATH Early in 1987 DERWENT changed culminated with participation in the ainval by an KAN warship in len years. ftomepon. i Sydney in the East to ol the Tall Ships and First Fleet into DF.KWF.NI returned home in tune lor Iiei Fn mantle Further trips to SE Asia lollowed The 'Fighting 49* is primarily designed as bang when she fired one of her Se.u.n HMAS STIKI ING in the West, and effected 25th Biobday Party on 30 April which was he West Australian based in 198S as deployment and exercise tasks a submarine hunter, equipped will) the missiles; giving her the distinction of being a full crew changeover wilh HMAS marked by a whole weekend ol events lo River Class Destroyer STUART in 3 days. One ol DERWEN Is flooded in. including escorting HMS ARK T Australian designed IKAKA and submarine the first RAN ship to launch a guided celebrate the occasion including a traditional ROYA1 . Flag ship of Ihe Royal Navy's Escort HMAS DERWENT missile that will allow the ship to strike at a missile. Once worked up the Iighlmg 4° first duties in the West was as supi>otl ship Naval Mess dinner to which the Governor of : 'Global SS Task Group, into Ficmantle. celebrated 25 years at sea with submarine before it can become a threat. i or embarked on hei operational duties, and for the defence of the America's Cup off WA was invited, the Royal Australian Navy close in aim submarine self defence the ship before her commissioning year was out had : is luted with two sets of triple barrelled started a .1 month patrol of South East Asia: > (RAN) u'hen she returned lubei lo provide protection against the first ol many to come. surface and air threats. DERWENT has the from her latest South East During the 17 years from commissioning tried and tested 4.5" Mk 6 Gun ably assisted Asian deployment in April. to her modernisation refit in 1981, by the optically guided Seacat missile The present DERWENT is ihe si\ih ship, DERWENT spent more than 5 1/2 years system. and first RAN ship, to hear the name, The deployed to South East Asia and the Indian previous five included four British ships, Built in Witliamstown Naval Dockyard. Ocean, taking Australia abroad, visiting ranging from an 18 Gun Bng of the Channel DERWENT was launched by Lady Burrell. such exotic places as Singapore. Bangkok. Command serving in the Napoleonic War to wife of Admiral Burrell. in April 1961 and Mombasa and Bahrein 10 name but a few. In a Hunt Class Destroyer of the Second World commissioned into the RAN in April 1°M. doing so DERWENT and her company War. and a Naval Depot in Hohart. DERWEYI began her service career with a showed themselves as a professional and

On patrol In south-east Asia. Page Twenty Two July-September July-September THE NAVY Page Twenty Three excellent book only covers the period from the DREADNOUGHT through to the ships The Ships of ordered in the 1915 estimates. Each class of battleship is dealt with in a the German Fleets separate chapter and these chapters are generally arranged to cover such aspects as; 1848-1945 design, armament, armour, machinery, appearance changes and ship histories, including their final fate. The chapters of the book abound with a wealth of technical data and first rate line diagrams showing various aspects of the ship's hull and appearance. Supporting these diagrams are over 300 photographs carefully selected to highlight the various technical and appearance aspects described in the text. One problem the author of a book like British Battleships of World War One faces is how to present the mass of technical data Hitis J trjtti H iis*s i available and ensure the book is readable at the same time. Mr Burt has succeeded in If there is a major criticism of the book it doing both with case. is that only the major warships have been fedsge-B.' If there is a weakness in the book then dealt with in any detail and the smaller naval HW\S BATAAN Ihcy are limited to the fact that the book vessels have been omitted. However this has only covers the period of World War One been offset by the author's coverage of the and not the full period of Bntish battleships ships that served the navies of the German up to and including HMS VANGUARD. state during the 19th century. Drawings by The periods before and after World War One Overall Hans Jurgen Hansen has pro­ OUT OF arc to be covered by separate books. This duced a well written and superbly illustrate ALAN will make covering the period of British book which fulfills the author's wish that it battleships expensive, however, if these serve as a memorial to those comrades of his MORGAN BRITISH BATTLESHIPS OF other books arc of the same high standard as who remained at sea. THE Mr Burt's then it will be well worth it. WORLD WAR ONE In summary. Mr Burt has written an By RABURT SHIPS and AIRCRAFT of the excellent book which is bound to be the US FLEET PAST Published by standard work of its type for a long lime to /(•• NORMAN POLMAR Arms and Armour Press, London, 1986 come. Published by nce in a generation a book is published The Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, which becomes a classic in it.s field. Dr THE SHIPS OF THE GERMAN Maryland, 21402, USA O Oscar Parkcs' British Battleships 1860 FLEETS 1848-1945 - 1950 was just such a book. Unfortunately By HANSJURGEN HANSEN panning a massive f)00 pages this book for warship enthusiasts, this book has been Published by is the total reference work for the out of print since the 1960s and is extremely The Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, S today. It is divided hard to come by and the only alternative has Maryland, 21402, USA into 32 sections plus four appendices, been a range of mediocre books covering preface, indexes and addenda. various aspects of the design, development hen most people think of the German The major part of the book is devoted to and history of British battleships. The warships names such as the USN. its ships, equipment, aircraft, saviour of those interested in the design, W BISMARCK. EMDEN and PRINZ personnel and organisation. However development and history of battleships EUGEN come to mind, and for the majority chapters are provided for the Coast Guard. generally, and British battleships in of people this is as far their knowledge of National Oceanic and Atmospheric particular, has been Mr R A Burt. In British German warship goes. In his book The Ships Adminisiration and Miscellaneous ships. Battleships of World War One he has written Of The German Fleets 1848-1945. Hans It is hard to know where to start reviewing a book that will always be favourably Jurgen Hansen has set about trying to a publication of such magnitude. Selecting compared to Or. Parkcs' classic and in many- change this. In his introduction the author section 17, Amphibious Ships, the reader ways surpasses it. Unfortunately, this states that the aim of the book is to give a will be introduced to the ship type by a well clear picture of the ships of the German informed narrative, supported by tables of BRITISH national fleets beginning in 1848 and ending lift capacity and the various class'. Each with the cessation of hostilities in 1945. individual ship or class is then separately BATTLESHIPS The book is built around a large number covered with technical and historical data, OF WORLD WAS OSt of contemporary engravings, lithographs, narrative including design, costs, electron­ MJMnT paintings and photographs. These ics, modernisation and classification The illustrations arc supported by a comprehen­ descriptions also include the armament sive text explaining the technical details of specifications and engineering. Together the ships and the historical context with an excellent selection of black and surrounding the ship. Unlike most other white photography the entire ship or class is books dealing with warships there arc no completely described. .- USS *JEW JERSEY masses of technical tables to bore the reader. Each section also details the recent, post These details have been placed in the text 1945 history- of that particular group of and. contrary to what may be expected, this has not detracted from the text which is written in a very readable style. CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 THE NAVY Page Twenty Four July-September July-September Pafle Twenty Fivt NAVY LEAGUE AND CADET NEWS

USH CARRONADE transported military and civilian relief workers between 11 islands in CYCLONE BOAT HONORED central Vanuatu following cyclone Bola. HMAS Cessnock also received the award in 1984 for bringing help A Royal Australian Navy patrol boat has been honored for its to Gulf of Carpentaria communities after cyclone Kate. part in delivering aid to more than 30 Pacific island communities The Darwin HMAS Coonawarra shore base received the award in battered by cyclones last year. 1986. The Darwin-based HMAS Cessnock was presented with the Navy League's Community Shield award at a special function yesterday aftcmoon. The annual award recognises excellence in aid to a civilian community by a navy division. CORAL SEA WEEK VISITORS Navy League NT president. Mr Colin Orr. said HMAS The Navy League was pleased to be invited to entertain one of Cessnock had acted commendably in supporting cyclone relief several distinguished Americans who visited Australia to mark operations. the anniversary of the battle of the Coral Sea. But Ihe award was made more significant by the fact that the In the course of a 24-hour visit to Melbourne. Rear Admiral Henri assistance was given by a ship's compa. y of only 21 men. B. Chase. U.S.N.. a naval aviator and currently Commander of the He said their actions were in the finest traditions of the navy. U.S. 7th Fleet Amphibious Forces, accompanied by his wife Gcnny Cessnock's commendable work began in February last year when and U.S. Consul-General Peter Higgins. attended a function arranged it landed building materials, clothing and emergency provisions on 10 by the Federal President and members of the Victorian Division of islands in the Banks and Torres groups, north of Vanuatu. the League at the Federal President's home. The area was ravaged by tropical cyclone Anne in January. The Navy League enjoys a very good relationship with the United A few weeks later the Cessnock's capabilities were called on Stales Navy and many lasting friendships have been made over the again - this time to aid Pacific communities. years. This can only be in the best interests of both countries. The naval boat delivered 15 tonnes of emergency stores and EFFICIENCY EARNS CADETS NAVY LEAGUE TROPHY The Naval Reserve Cadet unit in Albany, Training Ship Vancouver, has been awarded the Navy League Trophy as Ihe most efficient unit in Australia.

Cuiimmih (IPS-1) wjs launched 26 May 1953 by l*ugct Sound San Diego area until a tour oi l-ar Eastern dut> (IS ianuary 1 > July Budge & Dredging Co . Seattle, Wash. sponsored by Mrs L. 'l°> She returned to ihe west coast and local operations the autumn Hemdon; and commissioned 2* May 1V5S. Lieutenant Commander of 1939 when she departed on another cruise to the Orient. Sailing SUSIUTE !»i). IXiian in command. back to Nan Diego in February 1960. Carronade remained there and ' .r--'uui- departed Hrcmcrton lor her home port. San Diego, 2\ was decommissioned and placed in reserve on 31 May I960. July ISM. She amved 24 July, and <* as inspected by Secretary of the The ship was returned to service lor the Vietnam War and Sav > (' S Ihomas on 2h July The first shin ol her design. Carronade operated from l"f>5 to 1971). Paid oil on 24 July. Carronade was aincd out cKlcnsitc training in the San Diego area until i° March finally broken up m 1974. 1*>5*» when she sailed to Pearl Harbor lor a mouth ol operations. Returning to San Diego lor local exercises she made a good-will visit As buill the ship was I5(X) tons, wtfi a length of 245 feet and to Vancouver. B.C. (20 August-1 September), and then participated m beam of 39 feet. Her lop speed was IS knots with a range of 5000 amphibious exercises demonstrating the effectiveness ol the inshore mile, at 12 knots. The ship was fitted with one 3 inch, four 40mm STAkNILIT E fire support ship (November ll)>6 January l*>.S7l. and two 20mm weapons plus eight tw in rocket launchers. Carronade Varronadt resumed lin.al operations, upkeep and overhaul in the carried a crew of 156. ELECTRONIC S FI YLTD funds for replacement vessels has been PICTORIAL REVIEW - NAVY 75TH scarce. VEAR The Naval Aircraft section, at 70 plus By JOHN MORTIMER pages is the second longest (after A quality hard cover book of 12K pages, Engineering Mar ufacturing. On-Site Service auxiliaries i. The large number of aircraft and featuring SO colour photographs and 1 26 Facilities Availab e for Defence Electronics. models needed to maintain a large fixed black and white photographs which un­ Communication Systems . Industrial Electronics wing and helicopter carrier force is evident. complemented b\ an informative text The same could be said of the extreme covering naval lift and esents of the RAN s variety of naval weapons embarked in L'SN 75th Anniversary year. Fleet units across the oceans of the world. Prices at $23.95 post included. 23A NYRANG STREET. LIDCOMBE 2141 Prom the 1940 vintage 16 inch battleship Mail order to J. Mortimer ships, with references back to earlier guns to the new point defence RAM system, TELEPtIONE : (02) 646 4011 50 Harbisson Cres, editions. each weapon is individually illustrated and FA)( : (02)649 7522 WANNIASSA ACT 2903 Despite the ongoing new construction described. programmes of the Reagan Administrations, it is apparent that much of the supporting The Ships and Aircraft of the US Fleet is PROUD CONTRACTORS TO DEPARTMENT force of auxiliaries is now very much dated, an excellent publication from the stables of C F DEFENCE many from the Second Woild War. However the US Naval Institute. A valuable addition Petty Officer Tom McGrath and Leading Seaman Mick these ships continue in commission as the to all naval enthusiasts' libraries. Stankovic proudly show off the award Page Twenty Sin THE NAVY July-September July September THE Page Twenty Seven Each cadet unit in Australia was inspected by the local naval '89 MODEL FEATURES NAVY LEAGUE AND CADET NEWS authority responsible for the operation of tht N«v*t RMNVH and Cadets in that area. Full tab trim in new co­ — CONTINUED ordinated colours c>ffers improved The inspecting officer assessed the unit on the basis of the comfort and reduces interior noise. The assessment was made by Captain TE Lewis RAN Director, standard of training of the cadets which includes parade ground, WHEN YOU RELY Nava! Reserves and Cadets, during a recent inspection of TS seamanship and sailing activities. 1 his together with a new soft Vancouver. They were also assessed on their enthusiasm for these activities, feel steering wheel, fullv adjustable, TS Vancouver has been nominated as the most efficient unit in the relationship between cadets and the unit staff and the mechanic alls suspended driver's seat WA three times in the past 10 years, but this is the first time that it administrative and instructional abilities of the staff. and 3 |> i retractable seal U-lts for has received the trophy. The inspecting officer nominated 75 Vancouver as the most The win may be the first time the trophy has been awarded to a efficient unit in the area and the unit was then nominated for the driver and outboard passenger, is country unit in WA. Navy League Trophy. standard on all single cabs except the ON A FLEET, economv specified F5R45Q Medium. On all models, a high level double air pre-c leaner is fitted loi < leaner air and better breathing. And across the range a new grille design is accompanied In tic v. lodging which identifies models b\ numbers representing the vehicle's nominal pavload. RELY ON TOTAL SPECIALISED BACK-UP SUPPORT. Isu/u's FSRs oiler a large established range ol trucks that are market leaders in their c alegoi- . in And they're backed b\ a network ol t>0 well located lsu/u dealers Like all Isii/us. FSRs earn Isu/u's promise of "Whole of Life" 11 (mmm ol (i]iri.iiii m and cam More recently the Business Council of would make better sense to spend the money a legendarv reputation for A BIGGER MERCHANT Australia has estimated that the cost of building up the Naval Reserve. Two hundred ISUZU reliability... and the\ have an protecting Australian-flag shipping is in the million dollars could go a long way there. excellent track record on operating FLEET - CONTINUED There arc a number ol other things that could With local assembly and the highest local order of $200 million each year. The BCA costs. further points out that the stagnation of be done Instead of owning the ANL. which, content,'89 FSRs are a top fleet proposition. For more detailed information The 1980 IAC Report on the Iron and coastal shipping is not due to foreign since it cannot go broke will never be subject It's the unlv truck in its class. I And there's .• choice of three Steel Industry indicated that in I977-7K competition hut to the failure to compete to commercial discipline, the government phone (008) 0S8134 ToH Free. i omplcteh locally assembled... 7 sealer (:rcw (lab prices it was costing BHP's steel division with land transport. might do better to subsidise private operation about $25 million a year extra to use We have to pay for defence. And it is in of ships suitable for possible defence needs. Australian content* depending on J models. Australian shipping. If the only sufferers our interests to gel the best for our money. The ANL should be sold, perhaps with its model is from 'Mi'i to40'J. were BHP shareholders, others might look We have had disastrous examples in wartime present employees being given an equity in It's the biggest range in the X to shares. upon this with equanimity. However they are of what happens when money is skimped on 11 tonne (AM class. And whilst "89 not the only sufferers: the high cost of defence equipment. We do not want some If Australia's merchant fleet were to be FSRs exhibit a number of changes. coastal shipping has substantially lessened future equivalent of Wirraways against expanded as a result of the reduction of they*K virtually detail refinements the advantages that should accrue to the Zeros, or some future version of HMAS protection and becoming competitive thus whole Australian steel industry relatively 'Yarra' called upon to sacrifice herself winning orders on its own merits, we could to what was alreadv an excellent to Japanese. Korean and Taiwanese defending a convoy alone- We do not need to all applaud. As Professor John Taplin has truck... thai has built an impressive competitor look back as far as World War II to see the pointed out: If economic regulation of record for operating costs. falseness ol economy in defence: several of transport were abolished altogether, ihe pains any industries have suffered or the British ships lost at the Falklands might would far exceed any losses'.' If we THE BIGGEST been aborted before birth because have been saved had they not been built and supported making our shipping industry NEW MODEL RANGE. Mol shipping costs. These are two fitted out on the cheap. competitive we would be doing our country a In uii.il there are 12 models in more examples of what the protection of The point is that a strong economy is service. However, I doubt that this is what the range. This choice allows oper­ Australian coastal shipping has cost the steel the Seamen's Union campaign has in mind. necessary for us to bus good defence equip­ ators to meet job spt'cificai ions exacllv. industry alone: the so-called Twin Steel ment. Australia will probahlv always need to Plant Project' discussed in the I970's, by lor maximum cost efficiency. buy a great deal of this overseas but even if it * Hal Co'ebaicn i$ a member ol the Navy League which Western Australia and Queensland is built locally it will still cost a great deal. and the Ex-Naval Cadet's Association He is an Spanning a nominal pavload would have swapped iron ore and coal and A merchant fleet, from the defence point associate ol the Australian Institute 'c Public Policy from 4.3 to 7 tonnes, there are five built two new steel plants, and another of view, trains men and officers in Ross McLean. Australian Coastal Snipping The <.\'M categories, three engine Hign Cost ol Protection (Australian institute lof proposal for a 'jumbo' steel plant in Western seamanship (they may also pick up some less Public Policy. 1963. p 1 transmission combinations and the Australia involving BHP and an international desirable skills), but not in fighting skills and ' McLean p 26 choice of five wheelhases. steel consortium, did not proceed after not in Naval discipline or techniques. 1 studies examined the cost of using Australian Ross Taplm Australian Transport Current Issues Rather than expanding an inefficient and 'Legislative Research Service Dtscusson Paper 5 coastal shipping. ruinously costly protected merchant fleet, it Canberra. Parliamentary Ubrary. i9B2i u, CAW"GM*rvi' P»ge Twenty Eight THE NAVY July-September WE GO TO GREAT DEPTHS

TO KEEP AUSTRALIA SECURE

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AUSTRALIAN Recent projects completed for the Australian Department of Defence include: CONSTRUCTION • C omplete Air Force and Naval Raw IVvelopment | RAAF SERVICES I irui.il. Northern Territory, RAAF luitin. Western Australia and Redevelopment of RAN Garden Island. If you think we can help you with your SydneyI next defence venture please contact Australian Construction Service* • Australian IVfence Force Academy, Canberra Mr Ian Woonton at (062)436 206. SYDNEY 1-8 OCTOBER, 1 • RAN MINESWEEPING CAPABILITY I VIEWPOINT • IRONCLAD RAM BUFFEL • ANZAC FRIGATE SELECTED • LAST KIWI HDML RETIRES • A NEWHMAS WESTRAUA • BOOK REVIEWS ' Reou'ereo a, Ausirarte Poir Pubrrcatroni f*o NBP i*t! Reproduction m pan or whole e torbxJden GET BACK IN TOUCH THE NAVY without the permission o! the Editor n mit-ng The magazine of THE NAVY LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA WITH TECHNOLOGY Vol 51 OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1989 No. 4 ENGINEERS & TECHNICAL THE NAVY LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA CONTENTS FEDERAL COUNCIL Patron in Cruel Hi* Eiceiiancy. Trie Governor General President F Geotttev Evan* QBE VRD Vice-President!, Flea' Admiral A j RoOenson AO DSC RAN (Rtd) John Page OFFICERS B.irj I F W VrckridQe OBE VRO Hon Secretary R M Btyttiman 9 Cutinon Road C*mben*a*. Vac 3124 Viewpoint 2 Phone 29 7*28 (AM ( NEW SOUTH WALES DIVISION The Telecom Network Engineering Switching We have the opportunities for engineers at three Palion Hit EnceHervcy Trw Go.ernof o< New Soutn Wales President: R O Albert RFD, RD Unit designs, develops, tests and delivers the levels, with salaries ranging from $32,104 to Hon Secretary J C J Jeppesen OAM RFD GPO Bo. 1719 Sydney NSW Navy Week - Sydney $45,461. 2DOI Phone 5 ?0 8424 advanced technology of communications - the VICTORIAN DIVISION 1-8 October, 1989 5 hardware and software which provides Australia Technical Officers are also needed at three Patron H» E iceiienct Trie Governor of Victoria President: John Bird with one of the best levels, with salaries Hon Secretary Men Meaoan 4 Eleanor Court Don vale. We, 3111 Phone Naval Matters - Anzac 042 3156 Frigate Selected 6 telecommunications from $23,093 up to QUEENSLAND DIVISION $36,672. Patron Mi* EiceHency The Governor of Qoeeniland networks in the world. President A H Robertson, OAM VRO *2 Grfgandra Street indooroopaty We're working at the And in all cases, CM. 4068 Phone 870 1272 AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY DIVISION A New HMAS leading edge of our field Telecom's excellent Patron: Admiral S • Victor Smuh AC KBE CB DSC RAM (Ridi package officers - President ' M Blake AM VRO Westralia 7 in both software and Hon Secretary- Eric Manoney 45 Skinner Street COOK ACT 2614 Phone hardware for career opportunities, 51 1833 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DIVISION communications switching the security of Patron: Hit EnceOency. The Governor of Soulh Australia RAN Minesweeping permanent President: 0 M Sctirapet systems, in technical Hon Secretary: M.U J E Gil GPO Boa 1529 Adelaide SA 5001 Phone Capability 11 consultancy for the appointment, 347 1984 generous leave TASMANIAN DIVISION commissioning and operation Patron: H Administrator Butfel - Ironclad to stay in touch with the Pt aside nt Cohn O" RAM 19 Now were looking for additional communications technology of Hon Secretary D Maftyon GPO Boa 2612 Oanmn NT 5794 versatile engineers and technical ?.• FEOtHAL ADVISORY COUNCIL tomorrow. So act now - for Wm Bofftho. AM officers to work on a range of Vice Admiral Str Fechard Pa**, KBE. CB. DSC. RAN IRM. more information contact - Admnal Sir Vidor Smith. AC. KBE. CB. DSC. RAN |FtM) activities from the development and Geoff Krahe (Engineers) on Admiral Sir Anthony Synnot. KBE. AO. RAN (fad) testing of software through to .- (03) 606 5643, or John Hayes Early USN Missile project management of the (Technical Officers) on (03) ADVERTISING AND PUBLICATION Submarines 22 implementation of these P*rcivii Publishing Co. Pty Ltd. 606 5568 between 8.30am rfnctyporawdin NSW) exciting technological and 4.30pm. SYtMEY link 862 Ehzabeth Street. Waterloo NSW 2017 Phone (02) 699 6231 challenges of the 1990's. If you possess engineering Written applications should be HMNZS Kuparu - qualifications admitting to sent to: March 1944 to graduate membership of I.E. Graeme White, 2nd Floor, 97 Coma Street. A a 5000 PTwm (04) 231 6225 March 1989 24 Australia (or other acceptable Recruitment and Staff qualifications) or hold a Certificate Movements Officer. of Technology or suitable trade Telecom Network certificate, we would like to Engineering, 3rd Floor, 480 Ann Street Brisbane 4000 Phone (07) 832 2531 Switching Unit, Book Reviews 25 Hfe'^^l 7/518 Little Bourke St., The opinions or assertions eipressed In articles in The rVjvy'are Relevant experience would I CD Telecom Australia ttime ol the authors and are not necessarily those ol the Federal be valuable, but we are Melbourne Vic. 3000 Council ot The Navy LeaQue ol Australia, the Editor ot The Navy' ready to provide training or Fax: (03) 800 0603 or The Royal Australian Navy- training assistance to highly Telecom Australia is an Equal Opportunity Navy League and motivated people. Employer. OUR COVER PHOTOGRAPH The auxiliary minesweeper (COOP Vessel) KORAAGA underway on Cadet News 27 Sydney Harbour, 10th July. 1989 - Photo courtesy Naval PhotOQraolsc Unrl October-December T Page One had the original raised forecastle was lost with all VIEWPOINT - READERS hands in the Atlantic whilst under requisition by #•»#»»-/#«#«# (CONTINUED) the RN in WW 11. Penwlcks had two tugs of this class In Sydney. Meanwhile, Mr. Hamilton is quite right In In April-June Issue G.K. Andrews lists V.igs suggesting that any fleet unit should have a commissioned by the RAD/Army, the "CHAMPION" READERS platform sufficiently strong and with sufficient 1695 was still in service at Newcastle in 1946. clearances to accept a Harrier aircraft, so that even Yours faithfully, Dear Sir, Interest I have enclosed a photograph of the lead without a STO deck we can with a minimum Further to the Viewpoint - Readers of "The ship WASP underway for the first time. T.C. Martin, number of aircraft, enter this technologically Rose Bay 2029. Navy", July - September, 1989, I would like to Yours Sincerely. exciting era of maritime operations. pour- out that ST. OHJ5S and HEROS had identical M. Gordon Yours sincerely, hull dimensions and machinery particulars, and Potts Point 2010 John Bird Afferent builders (from 1952 edition of "Ships on State President Victorian Division. the Australian, New Zealand and Islanders Registers""). However, ST. GILES definitely had a Dear Sir, focsle and HBROS had a flush deck - to the best of I refer to letter by L.K. Wood in the July- my knowledge. This tends to be confirmed by their September Issue, HMAS ST GILES and HMAS differences in gross tonnage - ST. QILBS was a HEROS (ex ST ERTHE) were sister ships members larger gross tonnage indicating that she had a of the class known as the 40 Saints built during -*a focsle. WW1 as salvage tugs for the Admiralty. Waratah Another letter referred to the 45-foot tugs built Tugs had six of these, one of which "ST. OLAVES", HMAS HEROS with HMAS WESTRAUA during World War n. Some were built for the Dutch government and shipped to the Dutch East Indies after the war and some may have been built for UNRAA (a United Nations relief and assistance *•##»*-/#«#«# organization). USS SARATOGA, Ocean Pier. . March 1944. The boa! in the foreground is an NAP vessel. Can any reader identify the boa!'' CHECKING ON VISITORS fter a slow start twenty or so years requires the co-operation of other placement of the co-ordi nation/management ago, surveillance of the maritime departments and organisations, notably function in the Department of Defence. A approaches to Australia has become a Defence (ships and long-range maritime Defence already has must of the resources growth industry, particularly in recent timc^ aircraft). Primary Industries & Energy and skills required and there IN no apparent as the importance of knowing what was (fisheries, quarantine, off-shore exploration reason why equipment deficiencies, notably happening in our immediate area has responsibilities), the Federal Policy (law in short-range vessels and aircraft, could not become better appreciated. Growth however enforcement) and to a lesser extent, be overcome as they are at the moment, that has been accompanied by many problems, Transport & Communications, Foreign is. by hiring and borrowing. Maritime not all yet resolved to the satisfaction of Affairs & Trade, environment bodies and so Command would be the appropriate everyone and evitablc given the magnitude on. The exchange of information is very authority. of the task. important: A number of authorities have The Navy League has been aware of USS WASP intelligence-gathering facilities and these are The main problem has been in deciding differences in Defence itself about assuming a vital element in the detection of illegal Dear Sir, which among the numerous government responsibility for surveillance as a whole; it activities. The facilities vary in sophis­ Your reader D.A. Hamilton, N.S.W. (July- departments and agencies with a legitimate is argued there is a difference between tication and so does the nature of the TB 1536, 45 tool towboat - Ptioto oouMy Tun Ryifi September, 1969 issue) questions whether our new interest in an effective surveillance system "defence" and "civil" surveillance, and that intelligence; because of the large number of surface combatants could have the capacity to should have overall responsibility for co­ the Services must not be distracted from people involved the "security" of inform­ The 45-foot tug hulls were built by various "carry" two Harrier aircraft and since they will be ordination and management. After at least training for war - although many believe the ation can cause problems. boatbullders, often with "dilutee" shipwright labour, helicopter capable, it is reasonable to guess that eight studies, inquiries, reports and reviews flow of illegal drugs into Australia is itself a they could "carry" a Harrier. form of warfare. The Navy League docs not and outfitted by other companies. The wheelhouse. into surveillance arrangements, res­ It is reported that tenders for renewal of agree that surveillance of the maritime engine room trunk, funnel and mast were all I have emphasised the word carry, because there ponsibility since mid-1988 has rested with the civilian aerial service call for longer approaches can be split into defence and prefabricated by the Sydney firm of Howie Moffat, is a difference between the ability to carry an an agency known as Coastwatch in the range and more sophisticated aircraft, also civilian elements and apart from anything wlio may have been Joiners and shop fitters In aircraft and to operate that aircraft in the full Australian Customs Service (ACS), having for night patrols - only day patrols are else is of the opinion that involvement by peacetime, and supplied to the outfitters as part of sense of the word. Such operation requires previously been twice in the Department of carried out at present. Taken with other the Services enables them in a practical and the 3-stage building programme. maintenance, command and control facilities and it Transport and for a short time with the developments it might be thought ACS has at the same time, a very useful way, to leant Many of the 45-foot tugs (or towboats as they would be necessary to ensure that these were Federal Police. an embryo Coast Guard in its midst but this a great deal more about the geography of were officially called) were acquired and adapted available In the fleet. is not so as major elements of Coastwatch's The present arrangement, which resulted their own country and the nature of the for peacetime use and, probably, the most We already have, or shortly will have, ten ships resources are outside its control, e.g., from an inquiry by Mr Hugh Hudson, surrounding seas than Would otherwise be successful was Nicholson Bros. Harbour Transport capable (with or without minor modification) of Coastwatch can only ask and not direct Chairman of the Commonwealth Tertiary possible. It must also surciy bring the Pty. Ltd. Nicholson Bros, who purchased and carrying the Harrier. They are TOBRTJK, SUCCESS, Defence to use its ships and aircraft in a Education Commission, appears to be the Services and the civilian community closer operated five on Sydney Harbour. Nicholson Bros, STALWAHT, JERVIS BAY and six FFGS. APPLELEAF particular way. The effectiveness of through their Dreadnought Eng. Pty. Ltd., may make it eleven. best so far of the several schemes tried and together. found wanting since the Australian Coastal Coastwatch depends very largely on subsidiary, outfitted many tugs initially. However, economical operation with a viable goodwill between the parties concerned but The Coastwatch management team is payload cannot be achieved by operating In Vertical Surveillance Organisation was formed in Yours faithfully, 1975. ACS operates Australia-wide and has this would be so with almost any other doing well in difficult circumstances. Why Alex Books Take-off mode, which would be the case if aircraft arrangement of this kind. not place it under the umbrella of the were carried in current or projected fleet units. The quite respectable resources and equipment in Ryde 2112 the form of marine vessels and aircraft Defence Minister where it would have more viable operation requires the use of the Short There have been many suggestions over including the Nomad. Coastwatch organises access to more extensive resources? In an Dear Sir, Take-off mode, achievable with the use of a short the years that Australia should establish a emergency or war Defence would have flight deck and "ski Jump". Such a deck could be the well-known and often newsworthy In a recent Issue of The Navy a correspondent of civilian "coast watch" flights. Coast Guard along United States or overall responsibility for surveillance, so yours described America's new WASP class fitted to TOBRTJK, or better, provided by a dedicated Canadian lines. The Navy League has why not practise the an in normal times? amphibious ships. helicopter/Harrier platform, a unit urgently Coastwatch cannot perform the always opposed this, mainly for economic GEOFFREY EVANS required by the fleet. To complete the story and for your readers surveillance task alone and relies on or reasons, and has advocated instead Federal President AVY Oclobef-December Page Two T October-December THE NAVY PageThr** VALTEK NAVY WEEK SYDNEY 1-8 OCTOBER 1989 Programme of Events SATURDAY JUNE 30 & OCTOBER 1: 1pm-1.30pm: Dynamic Diving Display featuring Clearance AUSTRALIA HMA ships CANBERRA and HMAS BRISBANE open for Diving Team 2 and Seahawk helicopter. public inspection at the Garden Island Fleet Base between 2pm-3pm: Naval Reserve Cadets in rowing events on 1pm-4pm. Darling Harbour. HMAS PALUMA open for public inspection af Circular 4pm-5pm: Dynamic Flashing and Flag Hoisting Display Quay 1pm-4pm. PTYLTD SUNDAY OCTOBER 1: SATURDAY OCTOBER 7; ECUMENICAL SERVICE at the Garden Island Naval 4pm-4.45pm: "NAVY ON PARADE" at Sydney Opera 1 Cato Street, Chapel 10.30am Colour Party and Sydney Port Division House featuring RAN Band Concert and Gymnastics Band will be in attendance. Display. Free "SOUNDWAVES" Concert at the Sydney Town Hall 4.45pm-5.25pm: Ceremonial Divisions featuring naval East Hawthorn, Vic. 3123 featuring the Fleet Band and Naval Support Command uniforms through the ages. Beating to Quarters and Band. Commences 2pm. Ceremonial Sunset. Suppliers to Australia's HMAS PALUMA open for inspection at Circular Quay 1pm- 6.05pm: Ceremonial Sunset at Darling Harbour. 4pm. SUNDAY OCTOBER 8: HMA ships BRISBANE & CANBERRA open to public F.O.D Destroyer Program Sam: Hoisting the Colours (Huge ) between 1pm-4pm. SPD Band will play between 2pm- 11am-12 noon: Band Concerts at Tumbalong Park also 4pm. featuring Navy Physical Tiaining Instructors Telephone: MONDAY OCTOBER 2: 12 noon-5pm: Minor War Vessels open for public Landing Craft Heray (LCH) HMAS BRUNEI open for public inspection. inspection at Circular Quay 1pm-4pm. 12 noon-12.30pm: Dynamic Flashing and Flag Hoisting (03)822 0015 HMAS SHOALWATER (Inshore Minehunter) open for Display at Darling Harbour inspection at Manly Seawortd 1pm-4pm. 1pm-1.30pm: Dynamic Diving Display featuring Clearance HMAS CURLEW (Inshore Minehunter) open for inspection Diving Team 2 Facsimile: at Pier One (near south-western pylon of Sydney Harbour 2pm 4pm: Rowing events featuring Naval Reserve Bridge) 1pm-4pm. Cadets. (03) 822 0026 TUESDAY OCTOBER 3: 4pm 4.30pm: Dynamic Flashing and Flag Hoisting Display. HMAS BRUNEI open for inspection at Circular Quay 1pm- 4pm-5pm: Band and Gymnastics Display 4pm. HMAS SHOALWATER open for inspection at Manly 5.45pm: Ceremonial Sunset at Darling Harbour. " Note: Seaworld 1pm 4pm HMAS CURLEW open for inspection The Maritime Commander will arrive by Admiral's Barge at Pier One. for this ceremony. Fleet Band will perform at Hornsby Westfield Shopping Centre at 1iam and Navy Dtvers Exhibition. M W. WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 4: HYDROSTATICS HMAS BRUNE! open tor public inspection at Manly NAVY WEEK - MELBOURNE erawn Seaworld 1pm-4pm. HMAS IPSWICH open for public inspection at Pier One 1pm-4pm. HMAS SHOALWATER 1 OCTOBER TO 9 OCTOBER, 1989 PTYLTD open for inspection at Circular Quay 1pm-4pm. HMAS (Incorporated in N.S.W.) CURLEW open for inspection at Darling Harbour 1pm- PROGRAMME 01 OCT 89 - 9 Xam - St Augustmes Church Service Department Navy Quality Assurance (D.N.Q.A.) 4pm. (Contact Mrs MHI Ph 459 9035) Colour Party Assessed to ASt 822 and Standards Association of THURSDAY OCTOBER 5: - 11 00am - St Luke's Church Service Australia (S.A.A.) HMAS BRUNEI open for inspection at Manly Seaworld (Contact Mr Ray Blacksna*. Ph 789 3l05j Colour Party 1pm-4pm. HMAS IPSWICH open for inspection at Pier Naval Reserve Band and Naval Reserve Cadets Approved Gas Cylinder Testing (Contact WO Staples Ph (059) 83 7279) Station No. 219A One 1pm-4pm. HMAS SHOALWATER open for inspection MON02OCT89 -7 30am - Go" Tournament Waverley Golf Oub at Circular Quay. HMAS CURLEW open for inspection at Specialists in the refurbishing and testing of high (Contact Mr Biease. Ph 354 3658) Darling Harbour. TUE03OCT89 -1200pm - VNB Concert. Bourke Street pressure air and oxygen cylinders for the Ham; Corvettes Association Wreath Laying Ceremony at (Contact Band Officer. Ph (059)83 7237' Department of Defense including the large air - 6 30pm - Reception HMAS LONSDALE Cenotaph (Martin Place) Naval Support Command Band (Contact CERBERUS Liaison Officer Ph (059)83 7548) storage cylinders used on the Navy's six Oberon and Fleet Band in attendance. - 8 00pm - Ceremonial Sunset - Victona Nava- Band Class Submarines. Navy Physical Training Instructors, Navy Divers & Fleet (VNB). CERBERUS Guard Our Testing capacity is up to two tons mass and 800 Band will perform at Burwood Westfield Shopping Centre (Contact WO Staples. Band Oflicer) . WED 04 OCT 89 -9 30am - Lawn Bowls Hampton Bowling Club bar pressure (11,600 P.S.I.) at 11 pm and 2pm and at Warringah Mall Shopping Town at (Contact Mr Hugh Jones Ph 800 3473) We are currently reconditioning and testing all life 4.30pm, -5 00pm - Navy League Yacht Race Royal Yacht Ciuo of Victona (Contact Mr John Wrfkms Ph 805 2555) raft hydrostatic release units for the R.A.N. FRIDAY OCTOBER 6: 11.30am: HMA Submarine OTAMA enters Darling THU05OCT89 -730pm - Naval Association Greyhound Race Telephone Meeting. Sandown Park Harbour. (Contact Mr Roy Pufdon Ph 314 7210) Victona Naval 666 4333 SATURDAY OCTOBER 7: Band performing SALES* SERVICE* RENTALS 11am-12 noon: Free Concert at Tumbalong Park (Darling FRI06OCT89 -AM - HMAS DARWIN amves Fax: Harbour) featuring Fleet Band and Physical Training (Contact LCDR Kops. Ph 697 S989) <|> - 7 30pm - Navy Week Debutantes Bay. LONSDALE 604 6000

Australia u ill acquire a second Huddart Parker Limited had been one of underway replenishment ship the most progressive shipping companies in as a major contribution to a the first decade of the twentieth century. taking delivery of five new passenger liners two'Ocean Navy. within eight years. This gave them a Announcing this in July the Minister for dominant position in the Australian coastal Defence. Mr Kim Beazley. said the RAN trade, and they were also highly competitive would lease the RFA APPLELEAF from on the Tasman trade to New Zealand as September 1989 and that the arrangements well. ZEALANDIA. built in 1910 was one include provision fur purchase after five of the most famous of all Australian years. The total project cost is estimated at passenger liners, but after taking delivery of $30 million. that vessel the company waited almost APPLELEAF will be renamed HMAS twenty years before adding to their fleet. WESTRALIA and join HMAS SUCCESS apart from the ferry NAlRANA, in the vital role of supplying fuel for which was ordered before the war but not warships and helicopters. delivered until 1921. In 1927 the Huddart NAVY CHOOSES MEKO FRIGATES It will be the largest ship in the RAN and Parker liner RIVERINA was lost when will have a complement of about 60. operating the service between Sydney and APPLELEAF can carry over 20.000 tonnes Hobart, which meant the fleet was not able by AW. GRAZEBROOK of fuel, including several thousand tonnes of to cover all the routes, so a new ship was aviation fuel for helicopters. Like HMAS ordered for the main service to Fremantlc. to SUCCESS it will be able to transfer fuel to allow ZEALANDIA to move to the Hobart Following a unanimous Navy and Defence Department recommendation. the Government has warships at sea while underway. The new HMAS WESTRALIA. formerly RFA service, which had always been operated by Acquisition of a second tanker was older ships. At the same time the Adelaide decided to make a contract with Amecon to build ten Mcko 200ANZ frigates Under the contract. APPLELEAF. foreshadowed in the 1987 Defence White two-ocean Navy basing policy and the self- Steamship Company was finalising plans for the Government will have the option to reduce the number ti* eight ships or increase the number to Paper. reliant defence posture called for in the 1987 a new liner, which would be powered by diesel engines, and Huddart Parker followed twelve. This flexibility was necessary to permit the later inclusion of either two or four ships for The tanker will be based at HMAS Defence White Paper. WESTRALIA will be Stirling on the west coast where it will their lead in this. The Adelaide Line vessel the ninth RAN vessel to be homeponed in the Royal New Zealand Navy. provide greater flexibility in the deployment MANUNDA was built by the Beardmore Western Australia. The new ships will be classified PFH Sea Sparrow surface to air missiles. The Mark 41 is a versatile of naval ships. Three destroyer escorts are yard, and had the distinctive motorship look llw Mcko 200ANZ frigates will be powered by one l.M250n launcher, as n can handle Standard area defence missiles as well as already homeported at Stirling along with then popular, but most of these ships had pas turbine and two MTU dicsel engines, operating in J combined Sea Sparrow. The fire control system fitted would have to be three patrol boats, a submarine and a THE FIRST come from the Harland & Wolff yard at diesel or gas turbine (CODOG) arrangement. enlarged to handle Standard. hydrographic survey ship. Additional Belfast. The new Huddart Parker liner, The ships will be equipped with a gun with an interdiction The PEAB 9LV453 Mk 3 command and control system has been combatants will be based there from the however, although built at Belfast, was capability, a point defence missile system, an anti-submarine chosen. early to mid 1990s. WESTRflUfl designed more along the lines of a steamer, sonar. Tire control system, surveillance radar, target identification The Thomson Sinrra Spherion B hull mounted sonar is expected The acquisition of APPLELEAF is part of Built: 1929 by Harland & Wolff. Belfast being really just an enlarged version of radar, command and control (C2) system, torpedo decoy, chad' to be fitted. a rationalisation of the afloat support force. Tonnage: 8,108 gross/4, 717 net ZEALANDIA, including the square Dimensions: 448 x 60 fl'l 36.5 x 18 2m dispenser and one helicopter. To offset the cost of the new tanker, the superstructure and a single tall, thin funnel. Theoretically, subcontractors can still press lo have their Service speed: 16 knots 1 !ii- hangar and helicopter handling equipment will he able 10 equipment substituted for equipment listed above. That includes the destroyer tender HMAS STALWART will be Engines: Harland & Wotff diesels withdrawn from operational service, accommodate the S70B2 helicopters already ordered for Navy's diesel engines and sonar choices. However, authoritative Propulsion: Twin screws RFA BAYLEAF. sistership of APPLELEAF FFGs. However, the type of helicopter to be ordered for the An/ac shipbuilding souiccs say it is unlikely that major changes will be pending a review of its future. APPLELEAF class has not yet been decided. This will be a reconnaissance mau.> other than at Navy's request. is being acquired from the UK company helicopter only. It is very unlikely that funds will be available for AMECON plans to build and launch up to five ships in Jardine Matheson. more S70B2 helicopters whose price reflects their diverse and Newcastle, and tow them to Williamstown for fitting out. The APPLELEAF SPECIFICATIONS. potent capabilities m (he air to surface, anti-submarine and SSGW precise number depends on how many ships, if any. New Zealand Length (m) 171 targeting roles. decides to order. Breadth (m) 26 The type of gun to be fined has not been decided. The choice A further possibility, mentioned by both Minister Beazley and Draft max (m) 11.9 is between the 76mm OTO-Melara gun as mounted in our FFG7s Admiral Hudson (Chief of the Naval Staff), is that additional Displacement - full load (ton ics) 40.870 and the 127mm Mark 45 (5 inch) gun - a new version of the Mekos may be ordered for the RAN as successors to the Adams Fuel capacity (tonnes) weapon mounted on the DDGs. The latter is strongly favoured hy class DDGS. diesel/aviation 20.000 plus Navy and Army, who consider a surface to surface weapon This is only a possibility at this early stage, and depends upon Refuelling rigs abeam 2 essential for interdiction and gunfire support of troops ashore. The the capabilities needed for the DDG successors. However, an option Refuelling rigs astern 1 76mm is primarily an anti-aircraft weapon. would be to adopt the Mcko 360 design. This would involve Manning 60 The initial cost of the 127mm is higher than that of the 76mm. lengthening the hull by one module or 10 to 15 metres to Launched 1975 but the through life cost of the 127mm gun is so much lower than accommodate the larger missile launching capability needed for an Commissioned 1979 that of the 76mm gun that it more than offsets the higher initial area defence SAM system and second helicopter. BACKGROUND cost. Further, ammunition for the 76mm is not made in Australia, Meanwhile. AMECON and their sub contractors must APPLELEAF is also basic illy a merchant but that for the 127mm gun is made at Bendigo. concentrate on concluding the final contract with Government and ship which has been in ervicc as an It has been suggested that one solution to the problem is to take getting on with building the initial eight Meko200ANZ frigates. auxiliary with the Royal Nav / and is now to advantage of the Mcko concept and fit some ships for the 76mm The project cost for these eight ships is A$3.5 billion. If New enter service with the RAN. The choice of and some for the 127mm guns. The advantage of this is unclear, Zealand decides to buy, she is likely to pay the marginal cost for WESTRALIA for the RAN 's new tanker given that the ships arc expected to have a point defence anti additional ships. This is understood to be about AS280 million per homeported at HMAS Stirl ng underlined aircraft capability provided by the Mark 41 vertical launcher and ship. the Government's decision to implement the PageSn THE NAVY October-December October-December Page Seven AMtW A NEW HMAS WESTRALIA HMAS WESTRALIA CONTINUED CONTINUED Work began on the new liner in the middle of 1928, and she was christened WESTRALIA when launched on 25 April 1929, being completed four months later. Departing Belfast on 17 August. WESTRALIA went first to the Clyde, sailing from there the next day on her deliver} voyage, which took the liner through the Mediterranean, passing along the Sue/ Canal on 28 August and calling at Aden on I September. She then proceeded directly u> Melbourne, arriving on 18 September, and five days later berthed in Sydney Since the other new motorship. MANLNDA. was already in service, the contrast between the iwo liners caused much comment, WESTRALIA provided HMAS WESTRALIA off Brisbane in 1&44 accommodation for ifiO passengers in first class, and only 90 in third class, with the result thai her internal fittings were on a grand scale. On 28 September WESTRALIA made her first voyage from The first HMAS WESTRALIA. fitted out as an armed merchant cruiser Sydney to Fremanlle, with calls at **r Melbourne and Adelaide, and unlike most ot the other liners on that route, operated lo Fremanlle all the year The arrival of the new liner once again placed Huddart Parker at the lop of the trade, but seven years later three new and larger liners would be built by other companies. In fact WESTRALIA was destined to be the last passenger ship to be built by Huddart Parker, as the only other ship they added to their fleel afterwards was WANG AN ELLA, bought second hand. Throughout the thirties WESTRALIA plied between Sydney and Fremantlc, managing to retain a share of the market after the three new liners entered service, and when war broke out m 193*) it appeared that she would not be needed for Government service, although most of the other liners were requisitinned. One of the ships to be taken over was DL'NTROON, which was slated to be converted into an armed merchant cruiser, but the liner had a long history of 1946. pnor to reconversion lo service engine problems. The Navy inspected the WESTRALIA intercepted the Norwegian HMAS ASSAULT was under construction ship and decided she was unsuitable for cargo ship FERNDALE, which was a! Salamander Bay. When this duty ended, conversion because of these mechanical captured and sent to Singapore with a prize WESTRALIA was sent to Sydney, and on 9 HMAS WESTRALIA as an AMC faults, and she was handed back to her crew. In May WESTRALIA was sent to February 1943 she was taken to Garden owners. This left the Navy short of p. ship for Fremantle, arriving on 28 May, and on 25 Island to be convened into a Landing Ship, conversion, and on 2 November 1939 June she sailed from there to Colombo to Infantry, having 18 landing craft installed. WESTRALIA was requisitioned to lake (he /UldMCopCC operate with the East Indies Station until On 19 May she moved to Cockatoo Island place of DUNTROON. She was sent to December, returning to Fremantle again on 3 for drydocking and then was re- Garden Island in Sydney where the January 1941. From there the vessel was commissioned on 31 May. Following conversion work was done, including the sent round to the cast coast for patrols in the training at Salamander Bay. the vessel went installation of seven 6 inch guns and two 3 Nauru area until the end of the year. On 10 to Cairns, boarded 1,100 troops, and in Atlas COPCO Australia Pty Ltd inch anti-aircraft guns. Still sporting her December 1941 WESTRALIA boarded 445 company with MANOORA left there on 2 black hull and yellow funnel, the ship was troops in Darwin, and joined up with August to arrive at Milne Bay two days Compressed air suppliers to the Defence forces commissioned into the Royal Australian ZEALANDIA to land them at Kocpang in later, where the troops landed. For the Navy as HMAS WESTRALIA on 17 # Stationary and portable compressors Timor on 12 December, returning to Darwin remainder of 1943 WESTRALIA was used January 1940. and then did her working up four days later, and then resuming her to carry troops from Townsville, Melbourne * Air tools Crawler and truck mounted drill rigs exercises along the east coast of Australia. patrols in the Pacific for most of 1942. and Brisbane to Milne Bay. Goodenough * Construction tools WESTRALIA left Sydney on 28 March for Towards the end of the year WESTRALIA Island and Ora Bay, and also spent several Darwin, arriving on 7 April, and then going was used as an accommodation ship for weeks in further training at Salamander Bay. Blacktown Telephone: 622 4444 Branches throughout Australia on to relieve MANOORA on the Malay several months at Port Stephens, north of Early in December the vessel arrived at Force. En route to her patrol area, Newcastle, while the shore training depot Goodenough Island to prepare for her first October-Decern bet THE NAVY P.iqeE.qhl October-December A NEW HMAS WESTRALIA RAN MINESWEEPING CAPABILITY CONTINUED Historical Perspective During both the First and Second World By John Mortimer invasion landing, which occurred al Arawe Wars offensive minefields were laid off the on 15 December when WESTRALIA Australian coast by German merchant ships offloaded 660 American troops in only two or raiders. Japanese submarines also laid hours off the beach, and then steamed to mines in the Second World War in northern Milne Bay where more troops were boarded Australian waters. The first offensive and taken to Huon Gulf, where they minefield was laid by the raider WOLF on 3 transhipped to smaller vessels to be landed Renamed OELFINO. October 1960- Photo county D«*O F.«cn July 1917. This comprised a field of 25 at Cape Gloucester in late December. and the vessel sheered to port, but within and in the winter of 1958 WESTRALIA was mines laid 10 miles off Gabo Island along WESTRALIA made a second tnp to Huon minutes the fault had been rectified. taken off the Fremantle route for the first the coastal shipping route between Bass Gulf in January 1944. and on 28 January WESTRALIA resumed her place in the time, being transferred to the route across Strait and Sydney. To counter this threat the was on her way back to Milne Bay with no convoy, and the next day landed her troops the Tasman from Sydney to Auckland and authorities requisitioned a number of troops aboard when a Japanese bomber at Linguyen as planned. She then steamed to Wellington in place of WANGANELLA. merchant ships and converted them for dropped a 250 pound bomb which exploded Moroiai to board more troops, landing them which was used for cruises. WESTRALIA mineswecping operations. Al least one on hitting the water close to the speeding at Linguyen on 10 February. Once again returned to the Fremantle trade for the vessel, and possibly several more vessels, ship, causing some damage from splinters. WESTRALIA headed back to Australia, this summer of 1958-59, but by then the service was sunk as a result of this German mining As a result WESTRALIA was ordered back time going to Brisbane, where she arrived on was not economical, so on 20 February 1959 campaign. to Sydney for a refit, arriving on 15 2 March for repairs to the refrigeration plant, she left Sydney on her final voyage, One of the initial steps undertaken by February, and leaving again on 26 February and also to be drydocked from 13 to 17 returning on 16 March and being laid up. Australia in the Second World War was the for New Guinea once more. She carried March for bottom scraping. Near midnight The vessel was put up for sale, and during establishment of a mineswecping force. By 1.200 American troops for the landings at on 19 March WESTRALIA was lying at her 1960 was purchased by Asian & Pacific trie end of September 1939 a total of eight Hollandia on 22 April 1944. but the next berth in the Brisbane River when a fire Shipping Co.. a Suva based firm involved in merchant ships had been requisitioned and month suffered an unusual accident when broke out in No. 4 hold which was located the livestock trade. Still at anchor in Sydney, the sloops SWAN and YARRA modified for the mainmast collapsed, and once again had over the ammunition locker, and to prevent the liner suffered the indignity of having all minesweeping duties. Also construction was The Ton class mine warfare vessels operated from 1961, with the last boat HMAS CURLEW, still in use in 1969. to return to Sydney for repairs, arriving on an explosion the hold was flooded to her passenger fittings removed and replaced begun on a number of purpose built ships of 16 May. While at Cockatoo Island she had extinguish the blaze. After this damage had by pens for the carriage of sheep. Renamed the BATHURST class for mineswecping and ships during the Second World War resulting were relatively small and placed in port two Bofors added to her armament before been repaired WESTRALIA left Brisbane DELFINO. now with a white hull, she left escort duties. in the loss of three ships totalling about approaches or where shipping move ms sailing on 3 July to Townsville to pick up on 31 March going first to Madang and then Sydney on 1 January 1961 carrying 25,000 Mining operations by Germany were 18,000 tonnes displacement and severe were constrained, such as in Bass Strau and more troops to be taken to Bougainville, to Morotai. from where she carried 1.100 live sheep bound for the west coast of undertaken by the raiders ORION and damage to a further ship. Further, operations its approaches. from where she carried 900 American troops Australian troops to the landing at Tarakan America. When they were delivered the PINGUIN and the merchant ship . were planned by the raider KORMORAN The Australian response, during the for the landing at Panaon Island in Leyte on 1 May 1945. On 10 June WESTRALIA vessel returned to Sydney, and was once Fields laid during these operations were as employing moored magnetic mines; Second World War, was the development of Gulf on 20 October, after which the ship landed 1.000 Australians at Labuan in again laid up. as the venture had not been follows: however, this ship was sunk before any a mineswecping force which eventually returned to Bougainville. On 9 January 1945 Brunei, and on 1 July landed a further 1.100 the financial success that had been hoped • ORION laid a small number of dummy mines were laid in Australian waters. comprised 35 auxiliary minesweepers, WESTRALIA was in convoy heading for Australians on the beach at Balikpapan. She for. During 1961 her name was changed to mines off Albany in 1940; Offensive minefields comprising some requisitioned merchant vessels, and 56 the landings at Linguyan when the ships then returned to Australia to collect more WOOLAMBI. but she remained idle in • PINGUIN laid small minefields between 105 mines were also laid in 1942 by BATHURST class vessels (20 of which were were attacked by Japanese bombers, which supplies and took them to Treasury Bay in Sydney until being sold towards the end of Newcastle and Sydney, in Spencer Gulf Japanese submarines in the vicinity of built for the Royal Navy). Minesweeping were driven off by American planes. About the Solomons, where she was anchored the year to Japanese shopbreakers. Early in and in the approaches to Hobart in 1940; Bathurst and Melville islands, astride the groups were based at ports around Australia 7pm two kamikaze planes appeared when the Japanese surrendered on 14 December her propellers were removed, and and shipping lanes servicing the port of Darwin. with one each at Sydney, Melbourne. overhead, and one dived onto an American August. During her career as a Landing on 19 December the tug NISSHO MARU • PASSAT laid small minefields in the No ships were sunk by these mines. Hobart, Adelaide. Frrtnantlc, Darwin, aircraft earner, while the second circled a Ship. Infantry, the Japanese claimed to have towed the old liner away from Sydney to the eastern and western approaches to Bass In summary, offensive minefields laid in Brisbane and Newcastle. whde longer, then singled out WESTRALIA sunk WESTRALIA on three occasions. scrap yard in Japan. Strait in 1940. Australian waters during both World Wars The peak of mineswecping activity as its target. All guns on the vessel began With the return of peace the vessel became a A total of 230 moored contact mines was firing as the plane plunged down, but at the troopship, being used to bring home laid off the Australian coast by German The Ton dass mine warelare vessels operated from 1961. with the last boat HMAS CURLEW, last moment a hit caused the plane to veer Australian soldiers scattered around the still in use in 1989. off course, and it crashed into the sea just Pacific, until she was paid off on 19 UNDERGROUND behind the ship, with the bombs aboard September 1946, and work began on ctnloding on impact. The concussion refilling the liner. Early in 1947 the woik 80 Castlereaflh St Sydney knocked a pin out of the steering mechanism was stopped when the Navy took her over Telephone: 221 2486 221 2460 again for nine trips to Japan taking men and WESTRALIA after her return to civilian duties supplies for the British Occupation Forces, For a and then her reconditioning resumed. In GREAT NIGHT OUT 1949 the vessel was taken over yet again, being sent to Suez, from where she made ten GOOD MUSIC return trips to Trieste. Returning to Sydney EXCELLENT again in March 19S0. her retn was started ATMOSPHERE again, and a year later the liner was finally All ready for commercial service, after a twelve year absence. No doubt Huddart Parker NAVAL PERSONNEL realised that business would not be as good are admitted as before the war, because the ship was FREE OF CHARGE given accommodation for only 264 first class and 80 third class passengers, about a On hundred less than before the war. On 27 DISCO NIGHT March 1951 the liner steamed out of Sydney on her first voyage to Fremantle, again spending all year on that route. During the UNDERGROUND fifties passenger numbers began to decline. RAN MINESWEEPING RAN MINESWEEPING CAPABILITY CAPABILITY CONTINUED

minefield and the acceptability of risk to the occurred in the early 1940s and subsided as laying platform. In the postulated credible the German and Japanese threats dimin­ levels of conflict in the Government's policy ished. Consequently, mine countermeasures information paper "Defence of Australia forces were later allocated to other tasks 1987", where the objectives of an adversary such as protection of shipping or port and are judged as likely to be essentially harbour defence The Bathurst class vessels political, the primary aim of the minefield tended to be employed on the former task might be directed more towards creating an while port and harbour defence activities inconvenience for Australia rather than were undertaken wholly by auxiliary or sinking a number of ships. In such requisitioned ships. The nature of operations circumstances an adversary might only also altered as the war progressed from deploy small numbers of mines and is likely clearance of offensive fields laid in to place a high emphasis on containing the Australia's coastal waters and port level of risk to his laying platforms. This approaches, to support for Allied would be of overriding importance if the amphibious operations and clearance of operation is to be non-attributable. In such Australian or Allied laid protective fields. circumstances it is likely that an adversary The most recent aquisitjons have been the COOP vessels, including KORAAGA. SALVATORE After the cessation of hostilities the would focus his mining operations in open V and WAVE RIDER - Photo courtesy John Mortimer number of minesweepers in service was water port approaches and choke points on rapidly reduced. Those thai did remain in coastal shipping routes, rather than in commission were employed essentially on HMAS SHOALWATER, is one ol two MHCAT in commission in 1989. confined waters and harbours where the clearance of minefields mainly in Australian be built up relatively quickly. Laying limited, ships and submarines could lay laying platform would be exposed to greater and Papua New Guinea waters, or were platforms arc also readily available; mines anywhere on the Australian coastline. risk of detection and interdiction. • employed in a training role. By the mid conversions to existing aircraft, ships and There could be risks of detection, however, An adversary might also attempt to 1950s the RAN had effectively ceased submarines could be relatively quickly increased by the presence of ADF complicate Australia's mine counter- operation of mine countermeasures vessels accomplished. Recent developments in mine surveillance and patrol forces and the measures task by exploiting our geography Australia reacquired a mine counter- technology also make it difficult to exposure of the laying platform to and laying mines in dispersed areas. It could measures capability in 1962 when six Ton accurately assess a possible adversary's Australian countermcasurcs which could V also be complicated by declaring paper ait! class minesweepers were purchased from mine stocks or capabilities. For example, inhibit the undertaking of such widespread minefields (ic declaring minefields in areas the United Kingdom Subsequemly. two ol bombs can be converted to ground mines by operations. where none is laid) or by laying dummy Ny these vessels were converted to minehumers. means of small conversion kits or old mines In low and escalated low level conflict an mines as occurred off Western Australia \ These ships were all built in the 1950s and fined w ith state of the art sensor packages to adversary is more likely to conduct during the Second World War. the force has since been reduced to one c- improve the effectiveness of their firing opcralions in those geographic areas which In summary, the postulated threat in minehunter. HMAS CURLEW, which is - H mechanism. These factors indicate that the would enable him to achieve his aim with credible shorter term contingencies is likely retained in service to support the prototype timescales required for a potential adversary the least risk and minimal resource to be in tens rather than hundreds of mines • "Him inshore minehunter (MHI> trials and to acquire or upgrade a mining capability implications for his own forces. As the and concentrated in Australia's northern evaluation. " *** - —^VPteee a 4L •rVBH H • ^i could be short. It also has implications for transit time for most platforms to get into maritime approaches, but possibly occurring r Australian maritime forces and places ^ 4*fe Geostrategic Background position to lay mines increases, the in widely dispersed areas. While the - •*H•S 3 * ••• • ^| -^•^M The Australian Government has indicated importance on their ability to rapidly expand probability of detection and reaction by remoteness of Australia's major southern i^_* m •T. in order to respond effectively to any ^s ADF forces also increases. Hence an that it requires a defence force able to pons affords some protection, these ports -tStefS^ • emerging threat. adversary could be expected to prefer undertake current and foreseeable peacetime are essential for national prosperity and ^^^*^^^i.^ ** -— wL operational tasks, deal effectively with the As an island nation. Australia's operations which are proximate to his appropriate mine countermeasures for them —-, ."*.~~" P* kinds of military pressure that could arise surrounding maritime nen are of particular operating bases. This implies a likely would also be important. - Photo courteey Join Mortimer over shorter timescales. and provide a preference for northern rather than southern strategic importance. Significant general The extent of Australia's maritime Because of the significant environmental meet (he minesweeping (ask. suitable basis for timely expansion to meet Australian waters. cargo and mineral tonnages are earned by approaches indicates the importance of variations which occur in Australia's coastal • trials and evaluation of Defence Science higher levels of threat if our strategic coastal shipping, while many resource If. however maximum political impact is being selective in both the level and nature waters and shipping routes it is important and Technology Organisation developed cuTumstances deteriorate over the longer extraction facilities and population centres a major objective of an adversary, then the of capabilities to be acquired and in the that our mine countermeasures forces have sweeping and degaussing systems. term.1 In this context, force structure priority in the more remote north and north western south eastern population centres such as ihc allocation of limited resources. This implies capabilities for minehunting, minesweeping • development of a surveillance system is accorded in defence planning to those areas depend heavily on maritime support. Sydney area might be preferred. This would that if Australia were to follow the overseas and clearance diving. A number of clearance utilising side scan sonar. capabilities particularly relevant to the diving teams are presently in service with Routes and offshore resource extraction incur a substantial increase in the resources approach to mine countermeasures, which is • development of a side scan sonar system Australian Defence Force's (ADF) ability to the Royal Australian Navy and the Navy activities are susceptible lo mining to required to lay the mines, a lengthy period essentially one of highly capable vessels for deep water mine location and a deep respond to contingencies credible in the Reserve. Development of a minehunting various degrees, and the closure of even a between any replenishment of the field and with attendant high costs, then only wire trawl for mine disposal, and shorter term. capability is being progressed in the context limited number of these areas could have increased risks of detection and relatively few areas could be cleared • examination of utilising drone boats for a of the Bay class inshore minehumers (MHI). Within this planning framework, priority substantial political, economic and defence neutralisation of the laying vehicle. For concurrently. The Australian approach to precursor minesweeping capability. capabilities include maritime forces effects. This impact could well extend these reasons, mining of southern Australian mine countermeasures seeks to avoid using Two prototype MHI's (HMA Ships i including mine countenneasure forces) able beyond the immediate loss or damage to waters is assessed as unlikely except in more expensive overseas solutions and to exploit RUSHCUTTER and SHOALWATER) arc Evolution of the Royal to protect shipping in coastal waters and in shipping. For example, disruption of the substantial conflict. However, the possibility new or innovative approaches which offer presently undergoing test and evaluation. Australian Navy's COOP our focal areas and pons. High priority has flow of petroleum products could have a of mines being laid in these areas, while still appropriate capabilities for our particular Depending upon the results of these trials a Concept remote, cannot be discounted. strategic circumstances. further four MHI are planned to be acquired. been given within Defence to the serious impact on the manufacturing and Mine; weeping techniques use either services sectors of the economy as well as A number of Australian mine counter- development of a capable mine counter- In planning mining operations an influence or mechanical (wire) sweeps, or a measures force thai can help ensure the influencing defence force activities and their measures initiatives are currently in pro­ adversary would have to assess the balance Mine Countermeasures combination of both. Influence sweeps are safety of shipping in our coastal waters. logistic support. gress, including: between the level of effectiveness of the Mine type and the environmental designed (o simulate a ship's magnetic and Although the type and number of mines An adversary could lay mines in characteristics of a particular sea area have a • trial and evaluation of two prototype acoustic signature in order to explode (he held by countries in our region are limited at Australia's maritime approaches using dominant influence on the most appropriate inshore minehumers; mine, whereas mechanical sweeps are present, the availability of mines on the aircraft, surface ships or submarines. While ' Department of De'»"ct !>• Octane* ol AUVM ,I • AiMdrtfian Government PuBWung Service. Canoe"; form of mine countermeasures to be • development of a concept which utilises designed to cut the mooring cables of world market means thai mine stocks could the reach of most aircraft is relatively Pvaorepn 3 employed to effectively counter a threat. civilian craft of opportunity (COOP) to buoyant mines so they float lo the surface THE NAVY October-December October-December THE NAVY Page Thirteen have active COOP programs. These force in being. This interim capability was RAN MINESWEEPING RAN MINESWEEPING overseas programs are in addition to the approved by Government in the context of CAPABILITY CAPABILITY mine countermeasures effort provided by the 1987-88 Budget. Planning for this phase CONTINUED CONTINUED purpose built vessels. An essential involved the purchase or lease of three difference with the Australian concept is that vessels, acquisition of appropriate where they can be destroyed or sunk. All • small wooden hulled fishing boats (ie. the COOP concept forms an element of the minesweeping equipment, and posting of sweeps are towed astern of the 18-24 metres long) which are capable of force in being as well as providing an personnel to HMAS WATERHEN in the minesweeping vessels, although normally towing the small influence sweep (Sweep expansion capacity. period Januar) - April WW. to conduct only one technique can be wed at a time. Bravo) and wire sweeping. The COOP concept, as envisaged in 1985, furthet trials. A limited operational The nniurc of the mine countermeasures • large steel hulled fishing boats which are was based on operating a number of craft minesweeping capability is also planned to force ..i succeed that provided by the six Ton capable of wire sweeping in open ocean that would be chartered for a period and then exist from about mid 1990. cla vessels has been under consideration in conditions; and returned to their owners. Manning of vessels Apart from the operational evaluation of it- Department of Defence since the late • steel hulled tugs which have the boilard was planned for both the RAN and RANR. mine countermeasures equipments the V60s. Both single role and dual role vessels pull capacity to tow the large influence Separate groups of the RAN chartered development of an interim capability nave been canvassed- Navy's initial proposal sweep (Sweep Mike). element were to operate on the cast and west provides an opportunity to examine the was for three of the Royal Navy's Hunt class The initial phase of the minesweeping coast, based at HMAS WATERHEN and following practical aspects of the COOP vessels which were then under development. project was approved in the context of the HMAS STIRLING These elements were concept: acquisition, dcplo) ment. Between 1970 and 1974 the cost of the Hunt 1985-86 Budget at a cost of $5.48m (April also planned to visit appropriate Reserve victualling, maintenance support, command class escalated while the production 198S prices). This phase included COOP locations to conduct annual mine and control, and personnel related issues. program slipped- Eventually Navy was trials, design development of alternative countermeasures training. It was envisaged A request for Tender for three small requested to examine other solutions. This purpose built minesweepers, trials of that additional COOP would be chartered as COOPs was issued in July 1988 and closed resulted in a proposal that the future mine magnetic and acoustic sweeps, degaussing required for shorter periods for RANR on 17 August 1988. Only six fishing vessels couniciincasures force should comprise (magnetic signature reduction) trials, and training. Commercially available equipment were offered and four short listed vessels French Circe class minehunters. United studies to determine whether the MHI could is planned to be used to the maximum extent were inspected before three were States Navy minesweeping boats and ocean WAVE RIDER coulMy Jonn Mortrmar provide a contingency minesweeping practicable and the Australian Uniform recommended. Contracts were signed for the minesweepers. An alternative solution was a capability using the RANRL developed or Shipping Law Code is to be the baseline for purchase of GROZDANA A and the lease of lower cost but higher risk option based on doubts as to some of its operational providing a minesweeping capability for the conventional sweeps. This phase also manning, safety and survey requirements. SALVATORE V and WAVE RIDER on 2 the Inshore Minehunter and me same range capabilities in Australia's environment Royal Australian Navy was issued on a included departmental studies into the most A number of fishing boat charters were February 1989. 17 February 1989 and 21 of minesweepers. These options were raised resulted in the TROIKA option being world wide basis in June 1983. The range of appropriate means of providing a precursor arranged in 1986 and 1987. The chartered February 1989, respectively. The three ships in the context of a study by Navy in 1974 discarded in 1978. responses was very broad and canvassed sweeping capability (ie. the sweeping by vessels were required in order to tow the were progressively delivered to HMAS which addressed the relative capability and By 1980 Navy's proposals for a mine many approaches including aircraft of relatively safe means of sensitive mines that minciwecping equipments being developed WATERHEN between 16 February and 17 other implications of acquiring a counicrmcasures capability were based various types through to conventional might be specifically targeted against mine and also to trial a prototype side scan sonar April. GROZDANA A has since been conventional minehunter compared to a around the MHI for inshore minehunting. a vessels. The responses revealed that there countermeasures vessels). route surveillance system. Difficulty was renamed KORAAGA, after an auxiliary smaller vessel equipped with a minehunting mine countermeasure catamaran for inshore was no proven overseas design available nor The main options examined for the experienced in extending a charter and minesweeper employed by the RAN during system identical to that fitted in the larger minesweeping and an ocean minesweeper any which offered significant attraction at provision of a precursor sweeping capability procedures were initiated in 1987-88 to the First World War. craft. for offshore minesweeping. In reviewing acceptable cost, consequently this process were helicopters and drone boats. Some charter a replacement vessel. During this The process took some 12 months to The study examined the option of these proposals some misgivings were was not pursued further. preliminary trials were undertaken with the process the Department of Transport's MV implement and despite the fact that several acquiring three conventional minehunters or expressed w ithin Defence and it w as decided The Mine Warfare Group at the then RAN's Sea King helicopters but this option LUMEN was being declared for disposal hundred fishing vessels are employed eight smaller craft (MHIi. The principal that a comprehensive review of mine Royal Australian Navy Research Laboratory has subsequently been dropped in preference and it was arranged for Navy to purchase around the Australian coast there appear to advantages of the smaller craft were seen to countermcasures be undertaken. (RANRL) had a close involvement with the for a drone boat solution. this vessel for $400,000 on 2 February 1988. be indications that acquisition of additional be: a much reduced project cost: an ability to During 1981 an evaluation of contending development of the minesweeping require­ At this time the major issues to be The vessel was renamed BROLGA in wooden hulled fishing vessels in peacetime provide a minehunting capability at all minesweeper designs was undertaken by ments and between 1972 and 1983 produced clarified were: whether the RANRL sweeps memory of a First World War trawler which for the force in being will pose some Australian ports more quickly: likelihood of Defence. Ships evaluated were the Hunt a series of studies. A constant theme through would work: if suitable vessels for was requisitioned by the RAN for difficulties. Further, a survey of the ,; increased Australian industry participation: class, the German MB-J-50. the their work had been the advocacy of *.wo conversion were readily available: and it minesweeping duties. Austra m fishing industry has confirmed and reduced manpower requirements. The French/Duich/Belgium Tripartite, the Italian complementary rypes of vessels to meet the was unclear if COOPs could be made The requirement for an inteiim that s ble vessels exist for both the small main disadvantages were seen to be that: the Lerici and a British Vospcr Thomycroft 47 assessed mine threat, namely: magnetically safe. Since that time the minesweeping capability was recognised as and large COOP roles, however wooden vessels would require more operational metre design. Of the vessels examined only • small magnetically and acoustically safe RANRL influence sweeps have been a pre-requisitc to the development of the hulled vessels larger than about 18 metres support: ihes would have less seakecping the Hunt class was in service and not vessels in shallow inshore waters; and successfully developed and it has been abiht) and deployment time would be surprisingly it was preferred. • larger vessels with less stringent shown that magnetic signatures of COOPs extended: there would be a dela> in the On 19 October 1981. the Government magnetic and acoustic signature can be reduced to an acceptable level using a development of an operational capability: agreed that a commitment be made for the constraints for operations in deeper new degaussing technique developed by ai.d there would be increased technical and acquisition of two Hunt class mine waters. RANRL. A data base has also been financial risks. On balance it was considered countermcasures vessels and associated Concurrently, RANRL had been compiled of craft in the Australian fishing that the potential advantages of the MHI equipment at a cost of $2I9m (August 1981 developing a new type of influence sweep industry and their potential suitability for were sufficient to juslilv proceeding with prices). This decision followed an based on a innovative permanent magnet conversion in auxiliary minesweeper. that option. unsolicited offer by Vospcr Thomycroft with design, known as a dyad, coupled with a Two types of mechanical sweep have The decision to proceed with the MHI had MOD (UK) agreement for the sale of two pipe noise-maker. This influence sweep been developed to sweep the mine moored some effect on the minesweeping capability vessels then building for the Royal Navy. By offered the advantage that, unlike close to the sea bed (rising mine) and the and its development. In particular it March 1982 the Defence Program was conventional influence sweeps, it did not conventional contact mine moored close to indicated a higher priority for minehunting experiencing severe financial pressures require electrical power to be supplied by the surface. Successful concept proving of than minesweeping and also the relatively resulting, inter-alia, from the aircraft carrier cable from the towing vessel. Therefore, any the sweeps has been completed and limited specialist manpower resources and related aircraft proposals. It was in the craft with an acceptable acoustic and improvements arc now being tested. tended to be allocated to the MHI project. context of these pressures that the then magnetic signature could be used to tow the Australian commercially available Interest in minesweeping was regenerated in Minister for Defence concluded that he was sweep. equipments have been used in the 1977 when the project was activated. disposed to remove the acquisition of Hunt The problem of the unacceptably high development of these mechanical sweeps. class vessels from the program altogether Initially attention focused on variants of cost of a purpose built minesweeper for The COOP concept is not new and, as and asked that cheaper alternatives be overseas mine countermeasure vessel Australia and the COOP solution offered by mentioned earlier in this paper, modified explored. It was also acknowledged that one designs and there was some preference for RANRL's sweep development came merchant ships were used in the consequence of this decision would be a the Federal Republic of Germany's together in 1984. minesweeping role during the First World TROIKA unmanned drone influence somewhat longer gap in MCM capability. Three different classes of COOP vessel War. The United States of America . United The first auxiliary minesweeper acquired since 1939-45, BROLGA, with the SALVATORE V. sweeper concept. An increase in cost and An Invitation to Register Interest in are envisaged: Kingdom and a number of European navies in Fet ary. 1988 - Pfwto courtaty Jofin Mortimer Pag* Fourteen October-December THE NAVY October-December THE NAVY Page Fftteen and other issues. This process has been the diverse requirements of both the RAN RAN MINESWEEPING evolutionary in nature and is likely to and RANR. Present intentions arc that basic CAPABILITY continue in this manner for some time. training will be provided at the Mine FROM THE WEST (FROM NAVY PR-WA) CONTINUED The notion of short term leasings from the Warfare School at HMAS WATERHEN and fishing and tug industries seems most thereafter RAN and RANR personnel will overall length are relatively scarce and arc unlikely to provide a viable solution to the train in dispersed locations on a computer not being replaced. needs of the force in being. Therefore, it is based system. While project planning tor the COOP has now planned to acquire a number of vessels In summary, the Australian COOP included provision for tugs to tow the large to equip the force in being and for Reserve concept aims to develop a mincsweeping influence sweep this phase is being training. Links between the RAN and capability which is relevant to our particular accelerated following difficulties RANR would also be closely integrated and strategic and geographic situation. It experienced in Melbourne when commercial there would be a regular series of exercises recognises the vast potential area of our tugs declined to provide assistance in conducted involving both elements. maritime approaches and the relatively finite berthing HMS ARK ROYAL in October While it has been acknowledged that the resources, both financial and manpower, that 1988. Consequently, a Request for Tender limited stowage and accommodation space can conceivably be devoted to Defence was issued in early 1989 for the acquisition of COOPs, particularly the smaller fishing efforts. The concept aims to avoid using of two ocean going tugs 10 undertake mine vessels, imposes restrictions on their ability expensive conventional overseas solutions countermeasures and berthing assistance to deploy over long distances such and to exploit new or innovative approaches roles. Tenders have been invited both for the implications can be alleviated to some extent which provide adequate capabilities for purchase of existing vessels or the by utilising civil infrastructure to the contingencies credible in the shorter term construction of new tugs in Australia. maximum extent and by deploying support and have the flexibility to meet tasks arising Severai developments have occurred to elements. In this context it is envisaged that at a greater number of locations, for any the COOP concept since it was originally in nmc of emergency vessels would be taken given cost. Trials to date have confirmed the devised by the RAN. These changes have up from the area to be cleared and validity of this approach though in instances resulted from experience gained through the mincsweeping equipment and support would it has been necessary to modify some details procurement and trials processes and certain be deployed of the concept. Particular emphasis has been placed on Australian sourced and parallel investigations of craft availability Training of personnel to support COOP commercially available equipments and HMAS CURLEW during Sweep Mike Towtng operations has involved the development of technologies. Tnals m March 1989 - (two M^wy JOK-**>«—•* new techniques which can effectively meet

A rare view ol the submarine wharf at HMAS STIRLING with HMAS OXLEY. the survey ship HMAS MORESBY and the two DEs. HMA Ships STUART and DERWENT

^-'^"

Letter to the Editor .. bottles recovered from the "Kormoran" Details of: lifeboats! "HER OS "ST GILES' For L. K. Wood - the "St Giles and Built 1919 382 tons 1919 380 tons "THE SAVT' "Heros" were sister ships; I believe there Com RAN 111.40 15.1.40 Dear Sir. were 13 built and they were all named "St Returned 13.8.42 18.5.42 Re G. K. Andrew's article on the (something)". They finished up all over the Re-Corn 25.2.46 2.8.45 HMAS OXLEY exercising with Army SAS personnel in late 1988 April/June issue "Royal Australian Tugs" world (two to Australia). Paid off 12.2.46 11.3.46 and L. K. Woods in July/Sept issue "View Returned 5.11.47 4.6.47 For G. K. Andrews - I DO NOT THINK NAVY WEEK - MELBOURNE (Continued) 2 30pm Shrine Cornrnemoraiiori Service Point". THE "Heros" was the "St Erthe". I can Two 3 fire boilers - triple expansion to 3 30pm (Contact CAPI Peter Richardson Ph 882 4450) remember in 1943 reading the name "St SAT 07 OCT 89 - 10 30am . Rehearsal Seafarers Service Naval Reserve Band AWE patty and buglers L.K. Wood was correct in that it was the steam engine. • 12 00 pm - VRC Navy Race Day. Ftemington Platoon ot Naval Reserve Cadets "Heros" and not the "St Giles" which Ives" on the bell attached to the forward Victoria Naval Band performing 4 00pm Navy Week Reassembly HMAS I do believe these facts to be correct. I recovered the "Sydney's" carley float. This mast. "St Ives" is said, so 1 think this must - 1 00pm - Sh>p open to visitors LONSDALE have been "Heros" original name. hope «o! 10 ^ 30pm (Contact Mr John Anderson Ph 889 4066) float is in the War Museum in Canberra. - 7 30pm - Harness Racing - Navy CuP Meeting Naval Reserve Band pertorrreng Nobody has ever satisfactorily explained We have a lot of Navy Associations. Regards. Vooneo Va ley Victoria Naval Bang performing MON 09 OCT 89 - AM HMAS DARWIN departs - Operation Navy Blue with Naval Reserve Cadeis the machine gun bullet holes in this float Cruisers. Destroyers. Corvettes etc. I think R. TL'NBRIDGE SUN 08 OCT 89 - 1030am -Seafarers Service at St Pauls Cathedral 'Contact CAPT Pa* Blarney P* 870 7545

Story and Photographs by GEOFFREY BEWLEY

The CSS Virginia brought in the age of the ironclad ram when she sank the USS Cumberland at Hampton Roads in 1862. She started a fashion in warship design which didn *t really die out until the First World War. In that 50-year span, nearly every major warship was built with a ram bow.

Battleships were designed for fleet actions like cavalry charges, where they'd attack head on in line abeam. Smaller ironclads were designed specifically as rams, with gun armament secondary or absent. The Dutch ram Buffel was one of them. There aren't many survivors now of the fleets of Queen As the submarine submerges the SAS inflatibtes drift clear to begin their training Victoria's age. but Buffel is one. In the first half of this century, the Dutch showed themselves reluctant to cast away their obsolete ANNUAL GENEI \ . MEETING 1989 warships. The turret battleship Koning Der Ncdcrlandcn. launched NOTICE is hereby given lhai ihe ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the rv K LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA will be held ai The Navy Club, 26 Marine in 1874. was serving as a depot ship when she was scuttled at Terrace. Frenwnuc. WA. on Thursday. 17th November. !'4X9. at 7.30pm. AV Surabaya in 1942. Other veterans of the last century saw active BUS ESS service as German floating batteries during the Occupation. 1. To confirm the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held in ( unher IN Friday, lllh November. 1988. The Dutch modified Buffel into an accommodation ship, and she 2 To receive Ihe rcpon of the Federal Council, and to consider mailers on .1 Ul therefrom U survived as a hulk until the 1970s. Then she was saved for a 3. To receive the financial statements tot the year ended Wth June. I K9. .111^ museum ship, and now she's still afloat, looking her old self again, 4 To elect office bearers for 198VW as follows: moored in a dock basin at Rotterdam. She's one of the most (a) Federal president (b) Federal Vice-Presidents (3) interesting naval relics in existence. (c) Auditor "Ironcald ram" sounds quaint and comic now, but in her day Nominations for these positions arc to be lodged with the Hon Secretary by (M October. I989 B'iffel was an advanced design. Ramming tactics appealed greatly BY ORDER OF TH 1 P EOEBAL COUNCIL to naval thinkers for a couple of decades. There was a lot of BUFFEL's rather nicely shaped stern. Old-fashioned gitt-painfed quarter gallery windows, auxiliary helm on poop. More or less dear 9 CULLXTON ROAD. CAMBERWELL. VIC 3124 R.M. BLVTHMAN Hon Federal Secretary evidence in their favour. flush deck, but for funnel, turret, sketchy bridge, hatches In the American Civil War. both sides were keen on ramming. At Hampton Roads the Virginia and the USS Monitor each tried to ram the other. The CSS Albemarle rammed and sank the gunboat USS Ramming's opponents pointed out that lots of other ships at Lissa Southficld. The Confederates had the rigged seagoing ram had tried to raman d failed. The Re d'ltalia had bought it because Stonewall built in France. In Europe, in the Seven Weeks' War of she'd been momentarily dead in the water, a sitting target. PHILIP DIVING SERVICES 1866. the Austro-Hungarian and Italian ironclad fleets met at Lissa. Successful ramming attacks were only possible in a confused close- The Austrian flagship Ferdinand Max rammed the Italian ironclad quarters action, and then they'd probably be the result of luck rather • Manufacturers of Gas Flow Control than skill. Equipment Re d'ltalia. which sank like a stone with two-thirds of her crew. This was ramming':; biggest boost. Ramming enthusiasts pointed Meanwhile, new seagoing ironclads were given ram bows. That • Modification of Overseas Equipment to out that big guns then were slow-firing and inaccurate, and readily didn't cost much, after all. Purpose-built ironclad rams were small, Australian standards foiled by armour plating. Virginia and Monitor hadn't hurt each with few guns and small crews, so at least they were cheap. Big A Leading Australia•n Supplier to the other much. In 1864. it had taken a whole fleet to fight the navies built (hem as experimental additions to their fighting • Design Fabrication and Fitting of Defence Forces of Compressed Air - Confederate ironcald Tennessee to a standstill at Mobile Bay. At strength. Small navies bought them because they couldn't afford Habitable Pressure Vessels, Particularly Lissa, casualties in the surviving armoured ships had been very anything more impressive. Construction and Mining Equipment - Recompression Chambers light. In the ironclad era, the Dutch navy was rather small. It had nevi r Shipboard Pumps and Equipment • Service Testing and Certification of recovered its strength after its defeat at Campcrdown in the Frer ch wars. Now it settled for a force of coast defence ships for home Overhauls • Hydraulic Pumps and systems service and unarmourcd cruisers to police the East Indies. In the Designers of HP and LP Gas Systems 1860s the Dutch rebuilt a 2800-ton screw frigate as a small CreditationAS1822 broadside ironclad, and they ordered a 3400-ton rigged turret ship INGERSOLL RAND from Lairds in Britain. Quality Assurance and Control Buffel was one of the first of more than a dozen small rams and State Branches Sole Australian Agent Bauer monitors added to the fleet in the 1860s a"nd 1870s. Her sister, High Pressure Compressors Guinea, was built at Amsterdam, but Buffel herself was ordered from Napier at Glasgow. The Dutch yards then were new to iron New South Wales - (02) 648 5055 A Division of Mcllwraith shipbuilding. Napier's yard had already produced several more or Queensland - (07) 277 3511 McEacharn Limited less successful ironclads, including HMS Black Prince, HMS 36 Wattle Road Hector, and the Danish tunci ship Rolf Krake. The Dutch navy South Australia - (08) 352 6122 wanted the benefit of the latest British practice. Brrookvale, NSW 2100 Western Australia - (09) 277 2211 Only a handful of purpose-built rams had yet been delivered. The Royal Navy had the rigged HMS Pallas. Stonewall was sold to Victoria-(03) 794 1611 Telephone: (02) 938 1733 Japan, and a sister to Prussia. The French had just built the stubby Fax: (02) 938 5302 BUFFEL in ihe dock basin at Rotterdam, surrounded by other old turtle-decked Taureau. and laid down four improved versions. None Dutch craft. Her original waterline was roughly the top of the red of these were turret ships. stripe along her hull. Note the fairly modest, safe proportions of her When Buffel was laid down in 1868. most existing turret ships business end. were American monitors left over from the Civil War. They had Page Eighteen THE NAVY October-December October-December TH AVY Page Nineteen The turret is an obvious dummy, planked all round, it would look BUFFEL - IRON CLAD RAM - CONTINUED BUFFEL - IRON CLAD RAM - CONTINUED better covered with light plating. The conning tower is thin metal, not armour, of course. There's a hand capstan on the long forecastle to work the anchors. When Buffcl was launched, steam power clumsy Ericsson turrets and freeboards best measured in inches. This was a big job. She couldn't be returned to her original hadn't travelled far from the engine room. They were slow, unhandy, and liable to sink in bad weather. The condition, since her engines and guns had disappeared long ago. Buffel's historical value to us is general rather than specific. On Royal Navy had two coast defence turret ships. The Italians and the But the barracks lophampcr was cut away and her upper deck was the one hand, her career was utterly undistinguished. She Danes had one each The Russians were building others. rebuilt to its original appearance, with a light dummy turret, a exchanged no shots, her ram remained unblooded, no Dutch Nelson The value of the turret was as hotly debated then as the value of dummy funnel and a replica conning lower and bridge. Her simple died on her deck, no Gridley fired. the ram bow. On the one hand, they allowed bigger guns to be rig presented no problems. On the other hand, she gives us an insight into the technical earned more easily, they gave wider fields of fire, they reduced the Now she's tied up in a basin off Rotterdam's Churchillplein. a concerns of her time. Five minutes on her upper deck will give you ship's silhouette so that less or thicker armour could be used. On the mile or so from the central railway station. She looks just as she a better idea of the Monitor-Virginia duel, for instance, than five other hand, their weight meant they couldn't be earned high above must have when she was tidied up after her delivery voyage, black weeks of studying descriptions and illustrations. When you the water, so turret ships had to get by with reduced freeboard and hull, buff funnel, gold leaf around the ports aft. Only her waterline compare the photos of her as a barracks ship with the present reduced seakeeping ability. has changed. She's still free of a great weight of armour, guns and reality, you're inclined to give the Dutch a lot of credit for detecting Masts and rigging restricted the arcs of fire of the turret guns, but machinery, so she shows more than 6 feet more of her sides now. her value and her possibilities. a square rig was still obligatory for a seagoing ironclad. Obviously. Several of the officers' cabins aft have been kept in their original BufTel wasn't as seagoing as all that. She was meant for short-range Lookmg forward from the auxiliary helm Nothing much in the way of order. The forecastle still contains a big washroom from her work close to the Dutch coast. Nonetheless, she was designed to upper works. barracks days. The rest of the inside has been made into a museum, carry an impressive brig rig. with marine engines, model ships and guns, pictures, plans, maps, a In theory, turret guns with wide arcs of fire were especially They nearly always failed. small video theatre and a snack bar. One model shows the heavy valuable on a ram. They could readily engage the enemy ship Buffel's performance wasn't exciting even by these moderate brig rig she never received, another shows her as completed and as ahead, being rammed. In practice, it was feared, a turret might be standards. Her length to beam ratio of about 5 to I wasn't bad for a she looks now. disabled by the shock of ramming. Buffet's turret was placed well ram. But the French Belicr class, half as big again, with a length to On the upper deck, Buffel's steering looks like another weak aft, just forward of amidships, as far as possible from the danger beam ratio of only 4 to 1, reached 12 knots with only 1800 ihp. point in the design. There's a single wheel right aft, on a raised zone, and where its shooting would be least affected by the ship's Long hindsight suggests that ironclad rams were a doubtful black grating, completely exposed to the weather as well as to shot motion. operational prospect, and that the Buffcl wasn't an awfully and shell. In fact, this is the auxiliary steering position. The proper Ramming enthusiasts argued among themselves over the best successful example of the type. This wasn't so obvious when she wheel was originally amidships, below decks, but it was taken out design for a ram bow. A long jutting beak would readily penetrate was built, of course. It became more obvious when she got into in 1896. The original plans have been lost, and nobody could the enemy's hull, but then it might be wrenched askew, starting trouble in heavy weather on her delivery voyage across the North reconstruct the original linkage. leaks, or it might become trapped, so the doomed ship took the ram Sea. Her officers considered she was dangerously unstable, because The light exposed bridge was the captain's normal post. The down with her. But a tall, steep, slightly curved bow might chop a of the weight of the turret high in the ship. engine-room telegraph was by the binnacle, with speaking tubes to tall gash in the enemy, then disengage without trouble. They may have been exaggerating from lack of experience with the engine-room, the helmsman and the turret. In action the captain But a tall bow needed a big ship to wear it. making a big target. ships ol her kind. On the other hand, they may well have been right. was supposed to go down to the conning tower, a cramped A ram needed to be shon and handy to outmanoeuvre its target. It In any case, that appears to have been her biggest adventure. In armoured cylinder the size of a public lavatory, out of the way Looking aft from BUFFEL's forecastle. Good view forward from light also needed to be low in the water, to make a small target for the Dutch service she led a very quiet life. The Dutch navy wasn't behind the turret. bridge, not much of a view from the conning tower. enemy's guns. Finally, the long, jutting sort of how gave any ship a going to see action in European waters until 1940. fine, speedy, aggressive took. She had a crew of 117 officers and men. Her list shows the BufTcl's designers avoided extremes. The tall brig rig didn't get captain, 6 other officers, 2 cadets, 22 petty officers, 37 seamen, 9 DESALINATIO M FOR JSHIP S any farther than the builder's model, and she would up looking like boys, 5 engineers, 2 assistant engineers, 17 stockers, a petty officer i derivative of the USS Monitor, single turret, conning tower and of marines, 13 marines, a piper and a drummer. It was a first class Offshore Platfoi •ms, Ga.ifields, funnel, with two pole masts and an extra deck's worth of freeboard ship's complement in miniature. The Dutch navy may have kept up Pharmaceutic al Proce sses all along. Her bow's profile was a swelling curve, not a jutting the division between deck and engineer officers for longer than beak. Her K or 9 feet of freeboard was excelleni for a turret ship ol most. When potable water is re II... her size. After some years of service, Buffel's gun armament was updated. quired for onboard ship Arcadia Chem can supply She was just over 200 feet long, with a beam of 40 feet and a The 9-inch muzzle-loaders were replaced in the turret by a single Wl lubricants submerged tube type or maximum draught of 16 feet 3 inches, and she displaced just under Krupp 22-calibre 11-inch breech-loader. The 4.7-inch guns were "KJUI stage Hash units BP Lubricants proudly supply Army, 2300 tons. Her Dutch-buill sister, Guinea, was 100 tons heavier and removed, and four I-pounder quickfirers and two I-pounder Arcadia Chem have sup drew 6 inches more. revolvers were mounted on her upper deck. Apparently torpedoes plied desalination units for Navy and the RAAF with premium HMAS Cook FFG frigates She was too small and high in the water to carry thick armour ail were never fitted. quality petroleum products ranging and F reman tie Class ^k"M . over. But she had a 6-inch belt along the waterline. with 8 inches on Buffcl was never really fast enough to look like a useful ram. and patrol boats all units from:- 1 .;c turret and on the turret trunk inside the hull. This was generous her deep draught made her an unsuitable defender of the Dutch bemg of Aqua Chem Engine Oils * Hydraulic Oils for a ship her size, by the standards of the day. The British ironclad coast. She was finally taken off the effective list in 1896, and design Technical assis ^IH' * converted into a floating barracks. tance literature and Gear Oils ' Greases Penelope, twice Buffet's size, had 6 inches on the waterline and 6 budge) prices available on inches over her broadside battery. This conversion was a thorough job. Her guns and turret were request Detergents Buffet's turret held two 9-inch 12-ton Armstrong muzzle-loading removed, her engines and boilers were lilted out and the 8-inch K . From our popular Vanellus Engine Oil rifles, firing 254-pound shells theoretically capable of penetrating armour was stripped from her hull. This reduced her draught by more than 11 inches of wrought iron at point blank range. She also more than a third. Then an extra deck was built up all along her range to our highly effective- Comprox carried four 4.7-inch short Krupp breech-loaders, two a side on the hull, pent-roofed, so she looked like a giant houseboat or a Noah's detergants. BP lubricants has products main deck amidships, for no very clear purpose. They were too Ark. Accommodation and facilities for a couple of hundred seamen to meet all Australian Defence Force close to the waterline to be much use in a seaway, and they were too were fitted inside. Only the officers' cabins, right aft. were left small to do much damage to an armoured enemy. Nor would they untouched. requirements. bear ahead, where a ram's enemy was most likely to be found. A Between 1896 and 1920 Buffcl was used at Hcllevoetsluis. on the CALL OUR LUBRICArlTS TECHNICAL single gun on the upper deck aft would have been better value. coast west of Rotterdam. In later years she was towed round to She had twin engines and twin screws, with 2000 indicated hp for various other moorings. Even as a barracks she became less and less LIME OM ARCADIA-CHER " LTD 11.5 knots. This was hardly fast enough to keep up with most useful, and she was put up for sale to scrappers in 1974. • contemporary ironclads, never mind outmanoeuvring and ramming However, by then ship lovers had become interested in saving 39 Malcolm Rd, Mordiallo ;, 3195 A (008) 03 3558 ToU Free them. Her bunkers held 150 tons of coal, giving enough range for and restoring floating relics. Dutch ship lovers, many in number, Phone:(03)580 165 ^^ 5 DAYS A WEEK FOR PROFESSIONAL coastal service. Lack of speed was a common fault of ironclad rallied and proicsied. Then the city of Rotterdam took her over, and 5^ ISO (61 3) 580 165! A LUBRICANTS SERVICE rams. Designers built them shon and handy, and tried to make them charged the Prins Hendrik Maritime Museum with her Fax: (03) 580 8337 Aread a Own yitd fast enough by improving the ratio of horsepower to displacement. reconstruction.

Page Twenty IAVY October-December October-December Psge Twenty One EARLY USN MISSILE SUBMARINES EARLY USN MISSILE SUBMARINES CONTINUED

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY A.D. BAKER 111

he American Navy's postwar experiments with guided missiles T captured from Nazi Germany soon led to tests on launching and controlling such weapons from submarines. The missile used was the Loon, a copy of the German V- 1 "buz/ bomb." which was launched from the CUSK (SS 348) The CARBONERO (SS 337) was at first used only as a control ship but later was fitted with a launching ramp like that on the CUSK. Shortly a USS BARBERO. with a Regulus guided missile on her stern, al the June 1957 International Naval Re watertight hangar capable of holding two missiles was installed abaft the conning tower of each boat but for some reason the CARBONERO was never classified as an SSG during her service as one. A number of other fleet boats were fitted with guidance equipment to pick up and direct the missile to its target after it had passed out of the range of the launching vessel.

The Loon program was terminated in 1953 and the CUSK was converted to a fleet-snorkel submarine while the USS GROWLER in 1956 The rails upon which the missiles were launched are visible Each CARBONERO. although similarly boat could carry (our missiles. modernized, was kept in use for tests of a new missile, the Regulus I. This was a so- called that resembled a In 1955 the BARBERO (SSA 317) was submarine later received a streamlined USS TUNNY, SSG 282 in April 1953. The boat was fined to fire the Regulus missile. She ceased SSG operations in 1964. pilotlcss airplane and was considerably converted from a cargo submarine to a Guppy-lypc sail to go with her snorkel. larger and more powerful than [he Loon. guidcd-missitc earner as an interim measure, With the completion of the test phase of Under the so-called Trounce program this pending the anticipated delivery of a new the Regulus I program the CARBONERO missile was perfected for submarine use and class of nuclear-powered submarines armed had her missile handling and control t the TUNNY (SS 282) was converted to an with the Regulus II missile. But this equipment removed, and reverted to normal SSG in 1953 to carry it. Her conversion program was curtailed in favour of the attack-submarine duties in 1961. Three years involved the removal of one main engine Polaris ballistic missile. The BARBERO had later the Regulus I was itself phased out of and the auxiliary engine, the installation of a lost two main engines and her stem torpedo service, at which lime the much-altered missile hangar, a retractable launching tubes in the earlier conversion, and her platform, a snorkel and streamlined sail, and officers' and crews' quarters had been BARBERO was stricken from the register the rearrangement of much internal rearranged. A hatch connected the hangar m and the TUNNY was reclassified briefly as equipment in order to make room for the the main hull and six crewmen had (heir an ordinary submarine before undergoing a missile control and servicing equipment. bunks up there with the missiles. The new conversion to a transport submarine. The Regulus II missile which followed into service, was carried by the two diesel submarines USS GRAYBACK and USS GROWLER and the lone nuclear boat USS USS CUSK, SSG 346 in December 1950. CUSK was active between the years 1948 to 1953. HALIBUT.

In the two conventional boats the missiles were housed in a large compartment forward of the bridge and v.helled out for launching on the deck. Four missiles were carried. With the advent of the Polaris missile force the need for the boats lessened and in 1964 the pair were withdrawn and used as attack submarines. Later GRAYBACK. in 1968 was con­ verted to an amphibious transport submarine and her missile area used for carrying troops, swimmers and their gear. She was finally stricken in 1984. HALIBUT reverted to the role of an With her regulus missile in the launch position, USS GRAYBACK arrives in San Diego attack submarine in 1965 and was paid off in The nuclear powered, SSGN, USS HALIBUT in November 1959. This boat operated only until 1965, when she reverted to the role ol an attack Harbour. 1976. submarine. Page Twenty Two THE NAVY October-December October-December Page Twenty Three having dealt with Fletcher class destroyers. known as the former German heavy cruiser Like the first, the Essex class book is a PRJNZ EUGEN. compilation of text, 100 black and white It is a little known fact that after she was HMNZS KUPARU - MARCH 1944 TO MARCH 1989 illustrations and over 150 scale line allotted to the United Slates by order of the (Courtesy New Zealand ) B§01 drawings. 1945 Potsdam Conference, PRINZ EUGEN As the publication describes a class of served for six months with a mixed German- On 14 March 1944 sixteen Harbour Defence Motor Launches could travel at 12 knots: had a wartime armament comprising ships, the author (and also illustrator) has American crew whilst her high-pressure were commissioned into the RNZN. One of these motor launches. 1x20mm cannon, I x .5 and 2 x 303 machine guns, plus depth successfully highlighted a number of the superheated steam turbines and other REfllWS units over the lifespan of the type. This has installations were examined. Q1348 remained in service as TASMAN 11948-51), ML 3563 until charges, and had a crew of one officer and eight ratings. mid-fifties, then as P3563 and since 1967 as KUPARU until 2 involved the large number of drawings, Full coverage of US cruisers specific February 1989, when she was destored, awaiting disposal. SEAGULLS, CRUISERS AND depicting every conceivable pan of the ship features included in this book includes KUPARU saw service in Fiji, from November 1944 until CATAPULTS: from overall views to specific items of armament; aircraft and helicopters; November 1945 (a long passage for a 72ft wooden ship, with a AUSTRALIAN NAVAL AVIATION equipment. electronic installations including fire control Essex class Aircraft Carriers spans 192 systems and radar fittings; colour schemes speed of t(M2kls). and subsequently served with each of the four 1913-1944 Reserve Divisions (HMNZS Toroa. Olphert, Pegasus and pages and measures about 7 by 7 inches. It and camouflage; deployment and war losses. Ngapona). and with the Fishery Protection Squadron. Since 1984 Author: RAY JONES begins with a narrative of 13 pages Published by Arms and Armour Press of she was based in Auckland, to provide navigation and seamanship Publisher: I'elorus Publications, including tables of data before entering into London, this book is distributed by training for young officers attending the Officer Training School at 11 Atuaga Street,'la TIN ma. the plans and photographs. Capricorn Link (Australia) Pty Limited of HMNZS I .unA i Its 7053. Like the previous Fletcher class, this book Lane Cove. NSW. Many thousands of regular and volunteer reserve officers and Pages: 144 pages, B5, paperback. is highly recommended to both naval Retailing at $65 it is not cheap. However. sailors sailed aboard KUPARU and her sister ships, and her Available: By mail from publisher, post| historians and model makers alike. for the enormous amount of information retirement will invoke many memories, and recall the distinctive and packing free. contained in this reference work it is smell and dampness of these cramped craft. Recommended price is: $24.95. "CRUISERS OF THE US NAVY reasonably priced. Her last official duty in the RNZN was to tow the contestants in Seagulls, Cruisers and Catapults is an 1922-1962" Recommended reading and a most the Hawea Cup to the start line at Stanley Bay, and escort them authoritative account or the technical, by STEFAN TERZIBASCHITSCH enjoyable book. back to the training jelly at HMNZS Philomel, then tow them to the operational and political aspects of A total of 110 individual ships are Tamaki Boatyard. Australian naval aviation from the first For the technically minded the motor launches were built in described and illustrated within the 320 plans for a naval air arm, prepared in 1913, pages of this most comprehensive account of California (under lease lend) from a British design. They were 72 until the last aircraft disembarked from feet long, 5 feet 4 inches deep and had a breadth of 15 feet 10 US cruiser types over a 40-year period. HMAS Australia in 1944. inches; were powered by a dicsel engine driving two screws and HMNZS KUPARU in 1984 - PMO «xin«y HNZN From the 1922 Omaha-class cruisers of The Navy's role as catalyst in the the post World War One Washington Treaty formation of the Air Force is outlined for to the huge nuclear-powered guided-missile the first time and details of the sometimes cruiser USS LONG BEACH of 1962, it is acrimonious struggle between Navy and Air truly a superb reference. Force over naval aviation are included. No Predictably, a majority of the book is serious work of RAN history can deal with devoted to a detailed examination of the mid-war years without taking account of individual ships and classes. advice from London and the Admiralty's Each entry gives the operational histories influence on RAN planning is made clear. and comprehensive data tables list technical characteristics. Operation of aircraft, such as the Seagull III and Seagull V amphibians, from Some 395 photographs illustrate each ship listed and 20 sets of detailed line drawings Australian warships is described and the cover every class. rationale for Australia's unusual seaplane There arc some truly magnificent photos carrier is explored. The hazards of cruiser of some truly graceful ships spread aircraft operations are illustrated by the throughout this easy-to-read reference work. number shot down or damaged while AUSTRALIAN SHIPS Several photos of USS OKLAHOMA performing their essential tasks in wartime. Author: ROSS GILLETT CITY which made a historic visit to the yct- Publisher: Child & Associates, 5 Skyline The vital role of aircraft operating from to-be commissioned STIRLING Naval Base cruisers searching for raiders and taking Place, Frencns Forest 2086. on April 19, 1976 is naturally one of Pages: 146. part in fleet operations defending Australia interest. in 1942 is stressed. Price $39.95. Hard cover. USS OKLAHOMA CITY was the first Reviewed by Peter Plowman Extensive archival research in foreign warship to visit the fledgling base The most modern form of fast ferry Melbourne, Canberra and London has been and the only World War Two cruiser to ever transport is the wave-piercing catamaran, the combined with details gathered during come alongside at Garden Island. latest state-of-the-art- vessels of this type hours of interviews with the men who flew Other prominent ships include USS presently being built in Hobart. The aircraft from cruisers and seaplane carrier to CANBERRA, the cruiser named to honour catamaran ferry is generally considered a provide a balanced and well-rounded the RAN cruiser of the same name lost in very recent innovation, yei in "Australian narrative which is an essentia) addition to the Battle of Savo Island in 1942; USS Ships" there is the story of a catamaran ferry the library of any naval or aviation history HOUSTON, lost in the Battle of Sunda built in Hobart as long ago as 1855. enthusiast. Strait in company with the Australian cruiser Unkindly known locally as "Old Double HMAS PERTH also in 1942 and the USS Guts", but officially named KANGAROO, it ESSEX CLASS AIRCRAFT PHOENIX - belter remembered as the operated for seventy years across the CARRIERS Argentinian cruiser General Belgrano lost in Derwent River in rather erratic fashion. The the Falklands War in 1982. some 31 years 3**£= fry ALAN RAVEN story of the KANGAROO is just one of over Publitrwtf try the UrviM Sutw Naval Inuitur* after leaving US Navy service. 150 such vignettes that make up "Australian Price: $60.00 Twenty cruiser classes are listed in this Ships". This is the second in the series of the new work and one other designated IX-300 Ross Gillett is well known as an author of The last official duty, Hawea Cup Race on 1 March 1989. - pnoio :<*,?««* N«* ztauna Na<> u Warship Design Histor) books, the first (standing for "unclassified vessel"), belter several excellent histories of the Royal Page Twenty Four THE NAVY October-December October-December THE NAVY Page Twenty Five Australian Navy and its ships. In recent ENDEAVOUR, finishing with the sail have been preserved for posterity, including years he has turned his attention to more training ship YOUNG ENDEAVOUR of the paddle steamer ADELAIDE, general shipping topics, and his latest effort 1988. In between are many names well NELCEBEE. ENA. DOEPEL. NAVY LEAGUE AND CADET NEWS falls into this category. There is a wide known to those with an interest in ships, BARAGOOLA, LADY DENMAN. FALIE, coverage of ships both naval and merchant, along with the occasional unexpected or the steam tug FORCEFUL. HMAS plus brief histories of some of the best unknown vessel. DIAMANTINA and HMAS WHYALLA. FROM THE WEST known Australian shipping companies. Some of the vessels described achieved Very brief histories of some famous T.S. ANZAC. the Naval Reserve Cadet unit at During the Bicentennial year, a number of notable "firsts" or "lasts". These include the Australian shipping companies are also *\ Rockingham WA. had its annual inspection by the Naval books appeared purporting 10 describe First Steamers. , SURPRISE included, namely Mcllwraith McEacharn, Officer Commanding Western Australia. Captain C.J. various features of our first 200 years. Many and WILLIAM THE FOURTH, the First The Adelaide Steamship Co., Huddart Eariey RAN on Sunday 4th June. of these were of poor to non-existent value, Australian Warships. SPITFIRE and Parker, the AUSN. State Shipping Service The weather was unexpectedly Jlne and many but that charge cannot be levelled at this VICTORIA, The Last Manly Paddle and Australian National Line, as well as parents, friends and Ex Naval personnel came to see work. Steamer. BRIGHTON, the Last Manly several smaller intrastate companies. what the Cadets could do. Subtitled "Over Two Centuries of Our Steam Ferry. SOUTH STEYNE. the Last Without doubt the highlights of this book Following the inspection of the parade, cadets were Maritime Heritage", this book is very Colonial Warship. COUNTESS OF ordered to perform a series of evolutions to demonstrate difficult to categorise, as it includes such a HOPETOUN. and one ship that falls into are the 60 colour prints, spread throughout the text. The quality and variety of these their abilities, teamwork and efficiency. They undertook diverse range of material. Whilst having no both categories, CRUSADER. Major fire and damage control exercises, rigging and sailtng pretensions to being a comprehensive incidents over the years arc also recorded, pictures are well worth the purchase of this book on their own, as they bring so many of dinghies, demonstrations of mooring and anchoring, a review of our maritime history, (he author among them the sinking of the AUSTRAL snap lecture on the history of Rockingham and then has selected his material carefully to present in Svdnev Harbour in 1882, the wreck of the the ships to life. Some of the finest colour pictures show WARATAH. ENA. ALMA prepared afternoon tea for their guests. as wide a view as possible, yet keep it all in WOLLONGBAR in 1921. the collision The day was much enjoyed by all, and Rockingham order, concise but informative. The book is between the TAHITI and ferry DOEPEL and YOUNG ENDEAVOUR under full sail. NORTH HEAD crossing the should be proud of Us Naval Reserve Cadets for their intended for those ship-lovers interested in GREYCLIFFE in 1927. and the more recent skills, teamwork and attitudes. many facets of matters maritime, the once disasters involving the STRAITSMAN and Heads in stormy weather, majestic sailing fleets, the vanished coastal the LAKE ILLAWARRA. Amongst the arriving in Sydney for the first time, and steamers, the harbour and river craft, more unusual titles arc "Lifeboat that Never KRAIT. In addition, every page includes one numerous marine mishaps, and the Navy. Attended a Rescue". "Coaster to Mother or more black and white pictures, over two T.S.USMORE also assured the committee that assistance, where possible, would Ship". "The One and Only", "Tasmania's hundred in all. Most are of good quality, and be given. "Australian Ships" is divided into 162 many have not been published previously. short chapters, most covering a page or less, Aircraft Carrier" and "Cinderella Ship". It was an elated committee which met to form the necessary Sub The Naval Reserve Cadet Unit, T.S. Lismore, has operated Committee's needed to bring the project to fruition. A plan concept each of which consists of a brief description Of particular interest are the sections "Australian Ships" is a book to be for many years ID the City of its name, Lismore, OD the was formulated of a building 120' x 40', of block construction with of some event, company or ship ihat has devoted to vessels that now form part of browsed through at leisure, and returned to Northern Rivers of New South Wales. a colourbond roof. The building was to be so situated on the block played a role in Australian maritime history. restored fleets, JAMES CRAIG. LADY frequently. It would make an ideal gift for The Ciry of Lismore gave its name to the world war two for an overall outlay which would have, and create, a similarity to The text is arranged in chronological order, HOPETOUN, JOHN OXLEY, anyone with an interest in ships and the sea, Corvette, HMAS Lismore, which saw very distinctive active an RAN establishment. Entry would be gained past a quartermasters commencing with the 1770 voyage of KANANGRA and WARATAH. There is or a youngster wishing to learn something of service in many theatres, and, the Naval Reserve Cadet Unit, T.S. discovery by Captain Cook in the our maritime past. lobby and through a boom gale and the main building would have also coverage of other veteran ships that Lismore, took its name from that Gallant little ship. three classrooms, heads and showers, instructors office, CO's office, The Unit was formed with assistance from the then. Richmond an office for the "XO" and "SO", a clothing store, Bos'n store and Valley Sun section of ihe Naval Association of Australia, and armoury. A fully equipped galley would front onto a messing area. operated out of premises in South Lismore made available by Mr A parade ground would be adjacent to tne building and a boat-shed Stan Moore, himself a WW2 Navalman. The Premises were, in and classroom would be constructed on the Northern Boundary of DEFENCE, fact, pan of the Old Norco Bacon Factory and the old cold rooms the block. REACHING INTO THE FUTURE were converted into class rooms and mess and office space for the officers and instructors. A Ballina draughtsman, Mr Bert Pickup was approached and AWA has long been associated with communications-related viUjrjjJULi'il Ifoado agreed to undertake the drawings at no cost to the committee. So to, products and services for the Defence industry Today AWA Over the years, the premises took on a more active roll in the SHIPPING SERVICE Industrial build up in South Lismore. and the Unit committee in did a local firm of consulting engineers, David Ardill and has expanded its capabilities to include special -to-type Associates, undertake the necessary engineering plans. systems engineering, hardware and software manufacture recent years were becoming somewhat concerned with the and dedicated systems support for the Armed Services increased risk of accident and serious injury from the Industrial The problem now was how to finance the building. An approach For the Royal Australian Navy. AWA has provided a system activities. was made to both the Federal and State Governments, but to no under the waters of Sydney Harbour to measure the • ATTENDANCE AT SHIPS The Lismore City Council was approached for suitable land, avail. No funds could be made available either as a grant or low magnetic signature' of RAN vessels The system 1$ preferably with water frontage, ideally, fronting Lismore lake, an interest loan for this youth training organisation. The building fund instrumental m degaussing these vessels to safeguard agamst • MARINE CONTRACTORS area used for Boating Recreation. Unfortunately, council was held $28,000, and it was estimated we would need about $45,000, enemy magnetic mines • LINE RUNNING unable to accede 10 the request and the future development of to get to lock up stage. An approach was made to the Ballina Sub For the Royal Australian Air Force. AWA manufactures the T.S. Lismore looked none too bright. Branch of the Returned Services League of Australia and we were Barra Sonobuoy. a passive submarine detection device which • GENERAL TOWING is dropped from RAAF Onon aircraft The Barra Sonobuoy The Unit committee continued with the many fund raising has achieved considerable international recognition and • BUNKERING activities undertaken, and funds were salted away in a special high many thousands of these highly sophisticated detection • LIGHTERAGE SERVICE interest "Building Account". devices have been sold overseas In 1987, an approach was made to the Shire Engineer, Ballina AWA operates Australia's over the honzon radar, an Shire Council, Mr Fred Woods, to ascertain if any suitable location important aircraft early warning system designed for the Many years experience in this area ensures could be acquired in Ballina. Three members of the Unit RAAF Based in Central Australia, the system reflects radar efficient service accompanied Mr Woods on an inspection of an industrial Estate in waves from the earth's ionosphere to achieve >ong range North Ballina, under development which was to front onto a man detection of aircraft made lake with an average depth of some three metres, which NATIONWIDE SALES & SERVICE Port Kembla: (042) 72 1045 would have navigatable access to the Richmond River. Mr Woods indicated that some 2800 square metres could be set aside for use Newcastle: (049)69 2411 by the T.S. Lismore to develop a headquarters base. AWA Marine Sydney: 810 0537 A letter was submitted to Ballina Shire Council concerning the land, together with letters of support from the Ballina Sub Section, AWA LIMITED INTO THE 21st CENTURY Botany: 694 1344 Naval Association. The Ballina Sub Branch of the RSL of A. and • Sydney I021 5*0 8644 • Melbourne |03) 693 3322 the Ballina, Korea, South East Asia, Vietnam Veterans Association. . Adelaide (08) 250 2700 • Cadre (070) 51 9534 also at: • Brisbane (07) BU 1631 - Newcastle (049) 69 4722 The matter was discussed by the council and the Unit committee • FMrt Kembla (042) 29 5881 • Gladstone (079) 72 4335 CAIRNS - MOURILYAN - LUCINDA was informed that the land would be placed under their control, at no cost, for the development of the Naval Cadet movement. Council . Fremanlle (091 331 3355 • Port Hedlano (091) 73 2229 TOWNSVILLE - MACKAY, OLD. The old dredge tender REDWING I! Page TWenty Seven successful in negotiating a low interest loan form them S2U.000 repayable over 10 years. Letters were sent to all ex service organisations throughout the district requesting donations towards jri^r the project hut unfonurutely. outside a few. no assistance was Designed, manufactured and operated forthcoming. by the SubSea International Group. In September/October 19-H8. cootnctl were signed to commence building operations. Local Solicitor and RSL member. Peter ZaTF" ~ tv Presently operating 5 systems Carmont handled all legal work at no cost to the committee. Just as throughout Australia with a fleet of 20 building operations got under way. down came the rain which mm * worldwide. Utilised primarily as a finally put the project some three months behind schedule. Cadets *U t survev/inspection vehicle with varying commenced full time parades at the new headquarters in April M - optional specialists tooling- e.g. 11989) but a lot of work remains 10 be done to complete the main ? building and the overall concept. !•_. platform cleaning, flooded member It is to rhr credit of the Ballina Ex service organisations, Bi detection. CP, wall thickness and water together with the Naval Association Sub Sections from Ballina. ^U letting. Utilised exclusively lor Svdnev Lismore and Mullumbimby and the Ballina RSL Club Ltd that the H ouUall installation Protect. Kated to Unit committee could take ad\ ant age of this magnificent offer from Ballina Shire Council. ^•^ b.UUU with a standard :>() HP package At the time of discussions regards the land. Ballina Shire av^^.'iji^fl ^^^ (75 HP option). Engineer. Mr Woods, made the offer of an old dredge tender of no ^k SubSea International also specialise in further use to Council, to use as a training vessel. The Commanding ^-\ Ullshore fc-ngmeertng. Project Officer T.S. Lismore Lieut Earie Dundas. NRC Together with several members of the Ballina Sub Section of the Naval nv\ Management, Submersible Operators. Association, inspected the vessel She was of timber construction, HWa Hyperbaric Welding, Diving and some 30" in length, weighed in at nine ton. about 26' were below r • ^L\ Inspection services. the water and she was powered by an old 3 cylinder Gardner Diesel, somewhat the worse for lack of maintenance A programme of 0 SUBSEA INTERNATIONAL restoration was undertaken and after an estimated 1400 man hours, W^^^ Australia Inc •TZM&ZSSZZ w which saw- her stripped of paint, several major jobs undertaken by New HQ building. >"*» ' 99 Howe Street, Osborne Park, WA 6017 the "Chippies" and overhaul of ihe engineering plant by several Ex PIONIH ^s1*^ engineering branch members and a paint job by the Ex navalmen in Naval reserves and cadets, Captain Tom Lewis, took to the water in Phone: (09) 443 3455 Ballina, she took to the water resplendent in her new role as a cadet Ihe old girl for a short cruise on the Richmond River. Telex: AA94622 (SUBSEA) training aid lo better equip the >outh of the unit in the ways of the The vessel has been rccommissioncd as the Richmond the Fax: (09) 443 3270 sea. previous vessel of the name being a long serving boat in In November 1988. the flag officer. Naval support command. government service, now on static display at the naval and maritime Rear Admiral Tons Horton and Mrs Horton with the Director of museum in Ballina LIGHTWEIGHT • STRONG • NON FLAMMABLE Mm TS SHROPSHIRE WINS INAUGURAL PETER BALLESTY MEMORIAL TROPHY TS SHROPSHIRE, the Naval Reserve Cadet Unit at 1 'm Grafton, New South Wales, had a double occasion for HEXCEL 2 celebration on Saturday, 22nd July. • •aW#% 4ae? kk m f The NRC Unit was the first to be awarded the Peter Ballcsty HONEYCOMB MATERIALS ^^ Memorial Trophy, a trophy donated by the New South Wales A range of lightweight, rigid honeycomb panels faced n a range of Formica Fire Retardant, Division of the Navy League as a memorial to the late Commander High Pressure, decorative laminates, alur ninium or stainless steel. Peter Ballcsty RFD RD RANR. a former President of the NSW 3 Division of the League and a former Commanding Officer Available 6 mm to 100 mm thick (v4" to /4" cell size), to US Navy and (Reserves) of the Sydney Port Division of the RANR. Coastguard specification standard. The trophy is a scale model of HMAS ARCHER, an Attack Class patrol boat, once commanded by Commander Ballcsty and formerly used for training by the RANR. The trophy is to be awarded annually to the NRC Unit in New South Wales demons traung the greatest proficiency in seamanship judged by the *"TT1 .-. 'of>! da w«^k- sWuft-a- Unit's performance during the year and on results obtained in examinations for higher ranks • i\ Jl"- '*' 1/ H«ee>>a'4 D'•»- l.fl*>-e.g»i On the day of the award 16 SHROPSHIRE was being inspected by Captain T. E. Lewis RAN, Director of Reserves - Navy, as the mi s Unit had also been judged to be the Most Efficient NRC Unit in the NSW & ACT Area and llan^X^----- ' '- - - - - y Captain Lewis presented the Unit with T. c Yarra Shield, a >'' \ shield awarded by HMAS YARRA. • ihe parade was supported by the presence of a large number of

local dignitaries, parents and friends. Fonn,ea Pictured is Mrs Marec Balk-sty presenting a photograph of the Available from YFOKHIC? Australia Ply Limited trophy, which is permanently housed in HMAS WATSON, to the A. PO Box 63 Pennant Hills NSW 2120 Tele phone: (02) 875 9111 Fax: (02)875 3291 indottyl HWWMW Commanding Officer of TS SHROPSHIRE, LEUT Mike Richards FORMICA and HEXEL are registered trademarks NRC who, co-incident!y, built the model for the League. Psoe Twenty Eight THE NAVY October-December Stay Afloat With Actrol!

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The Sonar Acquisition Display System (SADS) is a multiprocessor based system which provides Australia's Mulloka Sonar with state-of-the-art target detection and tracking capabilities. It is now being manufactured by Thorn EMI Electronics (Aust) Pty Ltd as a retro-fitted modification to the Mulloka Sonars in service with the Australian Navy. The Defence Science and Technology Organisation I (DSTO) designed Mulloka and SADS for the Navy to meet the unique requirements of Australia's physical and tactical environments. The Australian Defence Force and the Australian defence community are our primary customers but our partnerships extend widely into industry and research institutions in Australia and overseas.

SERVICING DEFENCE DSTO * BENEFITING AUSTRALIANS AUSTRALIA

AW A Defence General Enquiries: DSTO Science Liaison Canberra (062) 48 2516 General Enquiries: AWA Defence Industries Salalbury (06) 256 0211 Industries Pty LlCl DSTO Science Liaison Canberra (062) 66 6516 PLEASE NOTE

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