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Registered by Australia Post Publication No NBP IJ82 EDITOR ROSS GILI.ETT PO BOX 653 Reliability. To Isuzu owners THE # VB«® DEL: WHY. NSW 2099 Regit t tied by AutUtU• Pott Publication No NBP 1412
Reproduction in part or whole is forbidden without the permission of the Editor in writing ifs an everyday thing. NAVY The magazine of the Navy League of Australia There is a phik >s< >phy (>n which have achieved amazing levels of all Isuzu trucks are built. economy and performance. Features JANUARY, 1986 Reliability is everything. such as swirl inlet ports, chromed You can't run a reliable busmess cylinder bores and direct fuel injection without a reliable truck. That's why have kept Isuzu in the forefront of Isuzu trucks are designed and built the diesel development. way they are. T<> keep your business Everyday Isuzu reliability on tlie road more of the time. covers all weight categories through F< >r (>ver 4<) years Isuzu has lfi models, from 2 tonne nominal developed diesel engined trucks that payload to 38 tonne (JCM.
Souief Kiev class aircraft carrier NOVOROSSIYSK (Photo USN)
ADVERTISING AND BRISBANE 3rd floor. 460 Ann Sreet PUBLICATION: Brisbane. 4000 Perclval Publishing Co Pty Ltd Phone 31 2531 IINCORPORATED IN NSW) CONTENTS SYDNEY Our faovi "PftattufxaJiA 862 Elizabeth Street Waterloo. NSW. 2017 Phone 699 2600 HMAS DARWIN arriving in Darwin for Viewpoint 3 the first time. 25th October. 1985. The Defence of Australia 4 ADELAIDE (Photo - POPH Ron Berkhout) Naval Roundup 6 26 Currie St Adelaide. 5000 The Partizan Navy 14 Phone 51 6225 Navy and Industry 15 The opMona or aaaarttona axpraaaad in PERTH arttdaa to The Navy" are thoaa of the The Cherbourg Boats 17 5th door Eagle House Northern Navy News 23 10 William St. Perth. 6000 the Federal Counc* of The Navy League ol Homeport — Cam Ranh Bay 27 Phone 322 4072 Australia, the Editor ol "The Navy" orTha Sea Mail 29 MELBOURNE Book Reviews 30 388 Bourke Street Phone 67 1461 Navy League and Cadet News 31
HOBART 123 Murray St Hoban. 7000 Phone 34 4098 SO Reliability is everything. THE NAVY
GMAT SSM For years lip service has been paid to Australia's maritime vulner- ability but precious little has been done to correct the glaring deficiencies We are pleased to publish Admiral Peek's paper RELIABLE PARTNERS . . ff^f^lfOfffl ON GROUND, SEA, AND IN THE AIR RAN's 75th Anniversary OGETHER with its supporters the RAN Dunlop Aviation Australia are aircraft, the Navy's Mulloka electroplating, and make The Defence of Australia plans to celebrate its 75th birthday during recognised as quality leaders T Sonar Array and the Army's Dunlop Aviation Australia 1986. The history of naval forces in Australia of in the manufacture of precision Leopard tank. Currently the reliable partners on ground, 1IS issue of THE NAVY includes a paper course goes back much further than 10th July, engineered components and company is manufactunng sea, and in the air. prepared by Vice Admiral Sir Richard Peek T 1911, when the prefix "Royal" was approved assemblies for the defence wheels, brakes and hydraulic Dunlop Aviation Australia who retired from the Royal Australian Navy as forces of Australia and 'ts actuators for Australia's new and a diverse collection of vessels and facilities, A Division of Dunlop Olympic Chief of Naval Staff in 1973 after a career in overseas allies. F/A- 18A fighter Limited (Inc. in Vic.) some inherited from the Colonial navies, given which he held a variety of senior appointments They have been closely The extensively equipped 838 Mountain Highway its present proud designation. involved with many large scale machine workshop, assembly Bayswater, Victoria including Command of the Australian Fleet — programmes including the and test areas are Australia 3153 when it really was a fleet. The fortunes of the RAN and of the naval forces which under various titles preceded it have been greatly influenced by public percep- Admiral Peek, now a successful pastoralist. has continued to take a Mirage, Macchi and Nomad complemented by specialised Tel. (03)729 6411, Telex AA31643 tions of danger at the time, inevitably resulting in periods of neglect keen interest in defence matters and has expressed his views on the followed by frantic and expensive efforts to make good deficiencies current defence scene in a refreshing y uncomplicated way which allowed to develop The same could be said of the Armed Forces anyone can understand generally and the custom has not changed much over the years Some of his views will be controversial, particularly those relating to the acquisition of the FA-18 aircraft, others including the training of This is not a sensible way to ensure national security — it was not in guerilla-type land forces are likely to find wide acceptance in the general the past as we learned at great cost in lives and material in war nor is it community The questions the Admiral poses at the end of his paper are now One wonders about the kind of fright Australians will require to pertinent but one suspects they will be difficult to answer shake the prevailing complacency and attract attention to their Armed The point that Admiral Peek makes is that in the long run Australia's Forces maritime capabilities - and this includes commercial activities and the ability to protect our trade — are all important and will largely determine Iii the meantime the Navy League wishes the RAN the country's future "Many Happy Returns" and hopes smoother seas lie ahead. DEADUNE The deadline for the April, 1986 issue of The Navy is GEOFFREY EVANS 1st FEBRUARY, 1986 Federal President APV HALL The Navy League of Australia 75th Anniversary (Australia) Pty Ltd JSNAVY 1911-1986 Marine Air Conditioning and Refrigeration PROTECTING AUSTRALIA SYSTEMS — PRODUCTS — SERVICE TO MEET MODERN NAVY STANDARDS NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS The Trade Practices Act 1974 came into force on Oclobe' ' '974 There are important new provinor advertisers an
P*g« Two THE NAVV January, 1986 THE NAVY held weapons could perhaps be landed cov- ertly. such a force without logistic support could be dealt with by properly trained, led and equipped Reserve Army units in the area of the The Defence of Australia landing A larger force of say battalion strength with support arms would require so much shipping, both for the initial landing and re-supply, that its transit to our coast would be detected hundreds of miles out to sea Once detached it would be vulnerable to our maritime forces Given adequate intelligence and adequate maritime forces armed incursions other than small covert landings do not seem to pose a threat It may be argued that there is a potential threat from armed incursions or even invasion troops carried by enemy aircraft To land even a battalion with support arms and initial supplies would require a large number of aircraft and these in turn would require a major aerodrome on which to land. Such aerodromes are not numerous and surely could be defended by passive means, e g trucks across the runways, or by the Reserve units postulated above
Invasion ties against Australia Assuming we are not pre- ments that our defence strategy should be based overwhelmingly on maritime forces The The potential to mount an invasion of Austra- pared to join the nuclear missile club, present concept of a core force with the greater lia. if it exists at all. lies only with the super- acknowledging the demonstrated ineffective- port.on of defence spending on other than powers and even they would first have to estab- ness of conventional bombs against land targets maritime forces, with a little bit of everything for lish a bridgehead close to Australia Suggestions and that we have insufficient manpower and all arms of the Defence Force, does not seem that a superpower could launch an invasion by resources to threaten to invade an adversary logical, wastes money and is certainly not effec- based and controlled air-superiority fighters be using another nation as a surrogate do not war- nation, our only credible deterrent is a strong IR the purpose of this paper it Bv Via- Admiral tive deployed rant analysis maritime force is assumed the people and If the highly unlikely threat of attack by con- P Si, HICHAM) PI I K. The invasions during World War II demon- The question also arrises as to how to defend Without trying to enumerate the type of ventionally armed aircraft. including fighters, is government of Australia intend strated the enormous resources required even our island territories, stretching from Norfolk to maritime equipment required it is clear that any considered to exist, it can come only from sea- that Australia should be defended KI5I . t B, DSC. KAN (Kill) when the Allies had almost complete control of Macquarie to Heard to the Cocos Islands, threat to Australia must come from the oceans borne aircraft platforms The only countries the maritime environment. around us and the air above them. Given the country possessing nuclear missiles Delivery of should a threat to them arise It seems clear against external and internal possessing such ships with the sophistication to Adequate Australian maritime forces could correct decisions any likely threat could be nuclear weapons by aircraft is not a cost they could only be defended by naval forces be considered seriously are the USA and the defeat an invasion force before it landed If an countered almost completely by maritime threats to our sovereignty, our way effective option The countries currently capa helped in some cases by other maritime ele- USSR invasion force was evet established ashore (and forces. ble of such missile delivery are the USA. USSR. ments of life, institutions and standard of It is noted that our government seems to this would mean the invader controlled the China, and perhaps the United Kingdom and have decided that seaborne aircraft platforms maritime environment) the Australian popula- There are those who believe that in addition The same broad comments also indicate the living. It is also assumed that Aus- France with submarine-launched missiles. are vulnerable to land based maritime aircraft tion is not large enought to repel it even if the to defending Australia and its Territories, we need for a critical look at the present structure There seems little likelihood of any other coun- tralian forces will not be deployed Theory rather than the actual loss of any car whole country was mobilised Our only means have a wider responsibility to assist the free and infrastructure of the Defence Force and the try joining this group on foreign soil except as part of a riers in combat situations (e g Korea. Vietnam) of defence would be the use of guerilla forces world to defend common standards Apart defence organisation generally Even if the "star wars" programmes of the appears to have led to this decision. — which have proved so successful in recent from this moral responsibility there is also the United Nations peace-keeping USA and the USSR prove to be effective the • Why is it that the huge and growing defence years in a number of countries — the core of insurance aspect to consider If we wish to cost of such defence systems is clearly beyond Threats to, or attacks on trade organisation in Canberra cannot produce force. such forces being the Reserve military forces accept these responsibilities and do not wish to Australia relies heavily on seaborne trade for logical advice to the Government? Australia s capability base military forces on foreign soil, the only way This intention requires Australia to be both imports and exports to sustain the • Why has there been such and explosion of It follows that the only available way to try to we can pay our premium is by possessing and defended against economy and standard of living We are there- people, uniformed and civilian, since the protect ourselves against this threat is to rely on Deterrence using naval forces • Nuclear threats or nuclear attack the deterrent power of one of these five coun- fore vulnerable to threats and to actual attacks Deterrence, by military force in being, is often abolition of the three Service Ministries? • Internal disorder tries The presence on our soil of defence instal- on the shipping carrying this trade Due largely argued as a means of preventing hostile activi- It seems to follow from these broad com- • Are there any valid arguments in favour of a • Bombing with conventional weapons lations belonging to our protecting ally is the to the industrial strife that has plagued our mer- divisional structure for the Army, and for • Threats to. or attacks on our trade insurance premium we have to pay for such chant shipping industry over a period of many tanks, artillery, ground-to-air missiles and • Mass illegal immigration protection as deterrence provides years, we have literally priced ourselves out of the like? • Armed incursions the market and most of our trade is earned In • Is there really a requirement for huge areas • Invasion Internal disorder foreign shipping. of pastoral land for training purposes when Internal disorder appears to be increasing but only if any or all of these threats exist now It is not hard to imagine a situation where a any landing must be on the seaboard where throughout the world and it must be considered or are likely to arise in the foreseeable future country or countries wishing to impose their will the terrain is completely different? a potential threat It is noted that most Western Most of these threats are conditioned by our on Australia could try to do sc by threats to. or • Why does Australia need such large training countries have accepted the need for military geographical position with, apart from the prox- action against, our overseas trade The reaction areas when European countries, actually forces to assist the police There is always the imity of Cape York to Papua New Guinea, of overseas shipowners in such a situation is exposed to the threat tof land warfare, do risk the Military might come to regard itself as hundreds of miles separating the Australian debatable not have them? mainland from the nearest foreign land — and an alternative government Action could take place in areas remote from • Would we not be better served by having 1500 miles to our major centres of population Bombing with conventional weapons Australia, e g the Persian Gulf, as well as by well trained, equipped and led local Reserve stretching from Brisbane to Perth All recent experience including World War II. clandestine mining of the approaches to our forces? In the comments which follow I discuss the Korea. Vietnam. Afghanistan and Iran/Iraq has ports and submarine attacks in focal areas • Why is there such emphasis on air- potential threats listed, without elaboration, to shown that conventional aerial weapons used Mass illegal immigration superiority fighters and all the consequential examine whether or not they are genuine against land targets, whether civilian, military or infrastructure when no air-superiority threat This may well be the greatest long-term threat threats. industrial, are ineffective in determining the out- can exist? to Australian sovereignty and one that is come of the war The use of missiles to deliver • Why are not all our offensive aircraft armed unlikely to be solved by military means Nuclear threats or nuclear attack conventional weapons against land targets is with air-to-sea and sub-surface weapons Australia is vulnerable to this threat because equally ineffective and very costly Armed incursions and the crews trained in their use? of the concentration of our population in a In addition, only sparsely populated areas of It would be possible for any one of several and finally. small number of major cities and possibly Australia, a not-attractive target, are within countries to land minor military forces on our • Do we wish to accept any responsibility to because of the presence of a few Allied defence range of foreign land-based aircraft It is also coast, particularly in the northern parts of the the free world by providing naval forces for installations We can only be so threatened by a noted that nowhere over Australia can foreign country A force of Company-size with hand our common defence? THE NAVY Pag* Rvt Compiled by NAVAL ROUNDUP "GAYUNDAH" Compiled by NAVAL ROUNDUP "GAYUNDAH" search and rescue, medevac and personnel transport The Pacific PatTol Boats will have a range of 2.500 to 3.000 nautical miles — more Patrol Boat Order than 1.000 nm more than the Attack class It's more spacious than the Attack, being 2 SOVIET NAVAL metres wider and has overall a better sea- to be Increased keeping capability It will have a sturdy steel hull, or an average thickness of 5mm which K ATTACK GROUP thicker than Attack class hulls. The Pacific Patrol Boat also has a water making capability (3.000 litres a day) where the Attack class has none It is designed to take 20mm cannon and 50 calibre machine guns, and will have a specially designed magazine to store ammunition for these weapons
PACIFIC PATROL BOAT CONTRACT SIGNED The Minister for Defence. Mr Beazley. has announced the signing o/ a contract for the con- struction of a new class of patrol boats which Australia will provide to South Pacific nations as part of the Defence Co operation Programme The Department of Defence and Australian Shipbuilding Industries of Jervoise Bay In Western Australia have signed the f8 4m tIn November 1984 pnces) contract for three patrol boats, with an option for further boats one ol the PNG Attack class patrol boats to be replaced by the Pacific Patrol Boat Mr Beazley said the ASI vessel, to be known The most powerful Soviet surface besides its large and varied weapons fit which Strait and then shadowed the Russian ships at as "Pacific Patrol Boat", would assist the island An order for four additional Pacific Western Samoa. Vanuatu and the Solomon attack group to have yet entered includes surface to surface, surface to air. and close range Stales to establish or maintain effective national anti-submanne missiles, torpedoes and 100mm Patrol Boats was announced on 31 Islands maritime surveillance and enforcement Pacific waters was recently HMAS CANBERRA was something of a gun mounts, is a vast array of electronic sensors David compared with the FRUNZE Goliath October by the Minister for Defence. The aim of the project was to assist Pacific capabilities shadowed by the Royal Australian and equipment countries establish or maintain effective national "The boats are Intended for Western Samoa. The FRUNZE carries a total of about 200 He said "Australian Shipbuilding Navy guided missile frigate HMAS In company with the FRUNZE was the brand missiles and a crew in excess of 900 while the maritime surveillance capabilities in their large Vanuatu and Solomon Islands." Mr Beazley CANBERRA south of Vietnam in the new Sovremennyy-class guided missile RAN frigate displaces 3.600 tonnes, has a crew Industries (ASI) of Jervoise Bay. WA mantime resource zones said South China Sea. destroyer OSMOTRITEL'NYI of 7.800 tonnes, of about 190. and carries two guided missile now has a contract for seven boats 'The ASI 315 is a multi-purpose vessel "This project will make a significant contribu- and an older Kashin class 4.600 tonne guided systems and a much smaller calibre gun valued at $19.2m in June 1985 designed to undertake a number of tasks in tion to development in the region by giving the Leading the Soviet task group was the missile destroyer STROGII A merchant tanker, Opportunities for RAN units to closely addition to its primary fisheries surveillance island States the ability to monitor activities in recently commissioned 25.000 tonne nuclear prices." the PAMYAT LENINA accompanied the task observe major Soviet naval task groups are role, including disaster relief, search and their extensive maritime resource zones powered guided missile cruiser FRUNZE, the The decision to increase the number of boats group from the Indian Ocean into the Malacca unusual However, the guided missile frigate, rescue, medical evacuation and personnel most modern of two Kirov class cruisers built by to be built followed formal confirmation from Strait with long endurance and a Squirrel helicopter is transport tasks the Russians, and the first to be deployed to the Papua New Guinea that it wished to take HMAS CANBERRA, was participating in a well suited for the task While the new Patrol Boats are not intended Pacific delivery of four of the vessels three ship RAN task group deployment to On completion of her surveillance task. as replacements for the Attack Class vessels The Papua New Guinea Prime Minister. Mr The Kirov-class are the largest warships, South East Asia when she intercepted the HMAS CANBERRA left the Soviet Task Group presently in service with the PNGDF. they pro- FITS POWER Somare. foreshadowed this decision after dis- excluding aircraft earners to be built anywhere Soviet battle group The Australian frigate and proceeded to Hong Kong for a routine vide improved capabilities compared with the cussions with the Australian Prime Minister. Mr since World War Two On the FRUNZE made the intercept north west of the Malacca operational visit older vessels including significantly greater DEFENCE EXERCISE Hawke. in Port Moresby on 16 September range and endurance, better sea-keeping capa- The other three boats are intended for RAAF aircraft and RAN ships bilities. more internal space and a water making capability participated in a major air defence exercise held in the Malaysia/ EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS The vessels to be provided to Papua New Guinea would be equipped with 20mm guns Singapore area during November 5/ AUGUST 1985 and 50 calibre machine guns under the Defence 8 under the terms of the Five Power Co-operation Programme to meet PNG's The total strength of the Australian Defence Arrangements. special needs Defence Force (excluding Reservists) Other units from Malaysia. Singapore and was 70.748 at the end of August 1985. Provision has also been made in the contract New Zealand which took part In the exercise compared with 70,867 at the end of July with ASI to increase the number of vessels were early warning radar stations, fighter air- 1985. the Minister for Defence. Mr Kim should other South Pacific countries wish to join craft. attack aircraft, surface to air missiles, Beazley. has announced. the project later helicopters and anti-aircraft artillery together The strength of the individual The total project cost for the seven vessels is with ships of the Royal Malaysian Navy Services were: Navy 15.787: Army $32 2m in June 1985 prices including RAN A Royal Australian Navy task group, 32.225: Air Force 22.736. training in Australia. RAN advisory personnel comprising HMA Ships Stalwart. Canberra and Mr Beazley said that enlistments for posted to participating countries and Perth, participated as early warning pickets the month tc'illed 473 comprising 347 Departmental management costs. A detachment of eight Royal New Zealand male and 126 female enlistments. The Pacific Fatrol Boats will be 31.5 metres Air Force A4K Skyhawks operating from Air RESERVE FORCES long and displace 165 tonnes They are a multi- Base Butterworth acted as enemy forces The defending fighter force comprised F5E Tigers of At the end of August 1985. Reserve purpose boat with a long range patrolling capability to support their primary role of the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Republic The RAN frigate. HMAS CANBERRA (rear) shadows the new Russian nuclear powered cruiser "FRUNZE" as It heads through the China Sea Forces with training obligations totalled fisheries surveillance of Singapore Air Force together with Mirages of to the Pacific Ocean The 25.000 tonne FRUNZE is armed with about 200 missiles plus 100mm guns and torpedoes 26.216. They also have capabilities for disaster relief. the RAAF January, It TMf NAVY Compiled by NAVAL ROUNDUP GAYUNDAH" Compiled by NAVAL ROUNDUP GAYUNDAH" STUDY OF BASING OF AUSTRALIAN FLEET NAVY TO REQUEST TENDERS FOR New Sonar Test Tank SEAHAWK FLIGHT SIMULATOR A unique advanced underwater The Defence Minister, Kim "Moving the bases out of Sydney might be preceeded by an environmental impact acoustic test facility which will help Beazley, confirmed on 3 October viewed as a response to changes over the last statement and other processes normally keep Australia abreast of the latest 200 years — in the character of the Fleet as well accorded such proposals " that the New South Wales as Sydney itself. anti-submarine warfare technology Government would be approached "With gradual development of the Navy's was opened in Sydney on by the Federal Government facilities in Sydney and their supporting infra- 18 October. structure. it has become more and more difficult regarding co-operation in a study of Australia gains 150 extra The new $750,000 Sonar Testing Facility at for Governments to consider how the facilities a proposal to move some Australian Plessey Pacific Pty Ltd's Meadowbank site will might be moved from Sydney Beth the NSW people through FF6 project enable high standard testing of components of naval fleet facilities, excluding and the Federal Governments are no longer underwater radars Garden Island Dockyard, from prepared to ignore the problem Sydney. The new test tank is designed for use in an ' The study will focus on the scope for acoustically noisy environment and yet is establishing a base for the fleet, submarines, The fleet has had an historic association with capable of accurate and repeatable measure- mine countermeasures vessels and patrol boats Sydney, with origins going back to its first ments of underwater sensor products such as at Jervis Bay basing in Por! Jackson in 1788 Many of the the Mulloka surface ship active sonar and the "It will also examine options for increasing HarSour's historic landmarks derive from naval BaiTa passive sonobuoy — two world class Navy's presence in WA. at HMAS Stirling. activities." Mr Beazley said "However, the Australian sonar systems future growth of Sydney is expected to impose "Other issues to be canvassed include the Plessey Pacific has successfully produced increasing constraints on the Navy's operations environmental, financial and social impacts of hydrophones for the RAAF's Barra sonobuoy The bases for Its Fleet. at Garden Island. the proposal on the local community. and is now manufacturing the complete Submarines at HMAS Platypus in Neutral Bay. "There is also the question of disruption to Mulloka sonar detection array for the Royal and Mine Countermeasures Force and Patrol the lives of service personnel. About 11.(XX) Australian Navy's FFG-7 Frigates. Boats at HMAS Waterhen in Balls Head Bay. military people and dependents — the In addition, the company has established a are now confined to small areas of the equivalent to about a quarter of the total capability to manufacture transducers and foreshores and are hemmed in by urban population of the Jervis Bay region — are hydrophones for sonar equipment on the development directly associated with the bases in Sydney Navy's Oberon-class submarines "If. after the study, the Government decides The new facility, which is dominated by a "The Jervis Bay area was originally intended to move the bases, this could occur only huge 8 7 metre high, 7.6 metre diameter test as the main Flee! Base and extensive areas of progressively because of the heavy investment tank containing 398.000 litres of fresh water, land have long been reserved there for defence involved, and will need to take account of other also includes an electrocoustics laboratory and purposes As proposals are now being Government priorities We must also consider Seahawk helicopter ancilliary equipment. developed by the Navy for further investment in the capacity of affected regions to adjust to the some of its Sydney bases to enable them to per changes. Tenders are being called for a The new simulator will enable aircrews to To extract acoustic information from the sea requires sophisticated sensor systems which can form their functions properly it is timely to "I emphasise that any decisions on a move, "exercise" with simulated surface ships and combined Flight Simulator and recognise the "signature" of the selected source review their long term future in principle and on its major stages, will be submarines and to practice dropping torpedoes Weapon System Trainer for the and sonobuoys without the expense of taking from the natural background noises and quickly RAWs new Seahawk Helicopter. real ships to sea or expending real weapons and fix its location. stores. The aircrew will also be able to practice The sonars search for a wide variety of FREMANTLE TWINS The new facility would be used to train the crews of the eight Seahawks which will operate emergency procedures without endangering frequencies, from high frequencies associated from the RAN's guided missile frigates. The their aircraft. with high speed weapons to sub-audible facility would provide both pilot and crew The simulator will be manned by civilian frequencies generated by machinery vibrations. Four new ships, 50 new wives and training on a single moving platform A visual engineers, and wif. require an extension to the The active sonar generates a.* acoustic signal 100 new babies. That is the net gain system would be Incorporated to allow pilots to existing helicopter simulator complex at Nowra. and receives the reflections from surrounding practice dusk and night landings in high sea It is planned to place a contract by mid-1986. objects The passive sonobuoy listens to all for Australia in the $ 1,000m guided states without risk. with delivery scheduled for mid to late 1988 surrounding noise generators missile frigate project now nearing its end with the arrival from the United States of HMAS Darwin. Since the first crew travelled to Seattle to commission HMAS ADELAIDE, in 1980. a total of almost 800 RAN personnel, many accompanied by wives and families, have set up temporary residence In the United States while their ships have undergone extensive trials and tests of the myriad of high technology equipment used in modern fighting ships During this time 50 US brides became new Australians, and 100 birth certificates on young Australians show that they also have the entitle- ment to US citizenship by virtue of the entry — place of birth: United States of America Although HMAS DARWIN, which was commissioned into the RAN in May last year, has Just arrived home, the families returned to Australia in August Since then HMAS DARWIN, in company with the guided missile Seen off ih? West Australian coast during an exercise on 4 November. 1985 are the HMAS destroyer HMAS HOBART. and the submarine Stirling based Fremantle class patrol boats HMAS BUNBURY 1217) and HMAS GERALD HMAS ONSLOW, has participated in the 75lh Anniversary celebrations of the Canadian Navy, TON 1213) and In a major maritime exercise with Canadian Visitor to Sydney. USS BROOKE October. 1985 and United States naval units.
January, 1B0S Compiled by NAVAL ROUNDUP "GAYUNDAH" ^^ NAVAL ROUNDUP- PERTH RESCUES CREW OF SINKING SHIP HMAS PERTH went to the rescue of the crew of the Singaporean MV HOELIEN on 13 October. PERTH was engaged in the Air Defence phase of Exercise Coral Sea. off Newcastle, when the HOELIEN was first sighted. The 4000 ton HOELIEN was steering erratically and commencing to list when encountered. Radio contact was made with the vessel's master who reported that his cargo had shifted in rough weather, causing his problems, and requested that PERTH stand by him
Weal her conditions were had wit.) a strong southerly wind and high was making access to the port of Newcastle impossible The master of HOELIEN was advised by Sydney Maritm., that the port of Newcastle was closed and to make for Sydney He was unable to comply and attempted to reach shallower water off Newcastle to anchor PERTH was released Irom the exercise to standby HOFLIEN during the passage, which was a relief after the tedium of Air Defence with the RAAI At 144(1 more of the HOELIEN s deck cargo shifted and the ship started to list further When this occurred the master of the HOF.I IF.N called a MAYDAY and said he intended to abandon ship Commander Sloper manoeuvied PERTH close to the stricken vessel to provide a lee. and a lifer aft was drifted down to the HOF.I IF.N lor the crew With the assistance of PF.RTH's gemini crew (LSUC Bowes and LSQMG Watson) the 24 people aboard HOELIEN were successfully transferred
MH-53E Sea Dragon mmesweeping helicopter technologies for Australia Recent The deal demonstrates how designated work announcements include agreements for heli- and offsets can achieve very substantial results copter intermediate and tail rotor transmissions, for Australian industry when primary items of and magnesium, steel and aluminium heli TtMDKli^ ©IM1L defence equipment are purchased overseas copter castings Planned orders include structural parts of composite materials from the The Minister for Defence, Kim I'he Sikorsky Australian industry programme brings employment and skills in significant new Government Aircraft Factories in Melbourne Beazley, has welcomed the to the liferaft and then to the Newcastle police HOELIEN indicated that she was still in danger awarding of a A$6 million contract launch Doyle which took them ashore During of sinking and PERTH could only make 2 to a Melbourne-based aerospace the rescue HMAS ADELAIDE and several knots PERTH'S boarding party were recovered industry firm to design and buiid two NEW DEGAUSSING RANGE RAAF SAR helicopters stood by but were not for their own safety and the HOELIEN was helicopter trainers for the United Approval has been given (or the upgrading of the RAN's degaussing range used to required successfully towed south overnight States Navy. monitor the magnetic "signature" of mine warfare vessels. The range Is situated near Once the HOELIEN's crew were safe Early the next morning the tug WONGA Shark Island in Sydney Harbour. PERTH'S stalwart boarding party of LSRP joined and PERTH'S intrepid boarding party The company — Commonwealth Aircraft The equipment is designed specially tor ships used (or hunting or sweeping sea Reed LSRP O'Connor. ABQMG Kotaras. made another visit to the now dangerously Corporation — was awarded the contract as mines. To reduce the risk to these ships from magnetic mines it is essential to monitor LSFC Connew. ABRP Gray. ABUC listing HOELIEN to secure the WONGA's tow part of a long term industry participation pro- the magnetic field they create and ensure that It remains as low as possible. O'Connor. LSQMG Woods and LSQMG and slip PERTH'S tow This hazardous gramme with Australian aerospace companies Near range equipment, using the latest sensor technology capable of measuring Hampton were put onboard the derelict vessel evolution was completed at 0739. the boarding following the purchase this year of eight very low magnetic signatures, will be laid on the harbour bed. and a tow was passed to pull HOELIEN clear of party was recovered and WONGA commenced Sikorsky Seahawk helicopters by the RAN It will be used to test the new Australian-designed inshore mlnehunters. Two o( the ships anchored in Newcastle Roadstead to tow HOELIEN stern first to Sydney Maintenance trainers are used to familianse these ships, which have fibreglass hulls to reduce their magnetic field, are being built Despite the rough conditions and proximity to WONGA's towing method was not as sue flight and ground personnel with aircraft at Tomago, near Newcastle,for th e RAN. the anchored merchant ships the evolution was cessful as PERTH s and HOELIEN took a lot of systems The range will te installed by Amalgamated Wireless (Australasia) in early 1987 in successful and PERTH began towing HOELIEN water, eventually rolling on her starboard beam Under the agreement. CAC will design and time for the trials o( the first o( the RAN's new inshore minehunters. HMAS clear at 1700 and sinking stern first in 80 fathoms of water 30 build a composite maintenance trainer and an RUSHCUTTER miles northeast of Sydney Unfortunately, the list and instability of automatic flight control system trainer for the THI NAVY , IMS January, 11 THI NAVY Paga Blavan Compiled by GAYUNDAH" QUEENSLAND NAVAL ROUNDUP CONSTRUCTION DIVING SERVICES • Marine survey and consultants • Drilling and blasting • Pipeline repairs • Underwater welding and cutting • Ship cleaning and repairs • Underwater colour TV and video inspection • Heavy marine construction • Recompression unit • 100 metre diving depth capability Left - HMAS SUPPLY returns SUBMERSIBLE DRILLING RIGS • Onshore and Ottshore Sile Investigation • Underwater Core Sampling • Mineral Exploration to Sydney for the last time 11 November, 1985 "AUSTRALIA WIDE SERVICE" OLD: 91 Phillip St, North Mackay. (079) 42 1S33 NSW: 47 Manooka Crs, Bradbury, Campbelltown. (046) 25 9781 Postal Address: PO Box 41, Mount Pleasant, Mackay, OLD, 4740
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Specialists in Above — HMAS DARWIN, arriving Sydney for the Oil & Gas first time, passes HMAS YARRA. arnving Sydney on the last occasion prior to Exploration services. paying off on 22nd November (Photo I SPH G*v Wh«*3> SUPPLY BASES LOCATED AT:
• Broome (091)921519 Right - HMAS ASSAIL sails from Sydney Haatf • Karratha (091)851433 Office: 191 ST GEORGE STERRACE. PERTH 6000 for the last time. 1st October. 1985 P0 BOX 7199. CLOISTERSSQUAREPERTH • Port Hedland (091)731855 WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6000 TELEPHONE (0913226555 TELEGRAMS BRAUVHAUL PERTH TELEX AA94151
TMi NAVY TMI NAVY P«9»Thlrfin The NAVY Sl INDUSTRY Partizan EVEN MORE TO COME IMavy by A. W. ORAZEBROOK HE completion of HMAS DARWIN, the by VIIIIUKL KI Klim T fourth and last FFG7 Class ship to be built "Tito's Nauy " was a remark- in the United States for the RAN, marks a able force considering the ves- milestone in the history of the RAN. sels at its disposal and the con- All ships and craft now building, ordered, planned or proposed officially for the RAN are to be locally built ditions under which it had to This very important fact, which has passed largely unnoticed in the function. general media, has a number of key and very beneficial implications for Begun in December 1^42 with the fishing Navy and Australia as a whole vessels PARTIZAN and PIONIR it grew rapidlv Local construction has these ma/or benefits until by mid ll>44 it mustered enough vessels to • The more of our ships and aircraft that are built in Australia, the rate classification into the following categories greater is our independence of action Foreign powers will be less NB (armed ships). PC (patrol boats). MC able to influence our freedom to act as we consider necessary to (motor boats). B (launches) and BB (hospital defend the country ships) In all some 40 vessels served as warships • The greater the involvement of Australian industry in naval ship while a further 2(X) were used as transports building, the greater is the Navy's security of supply or spare parts The largest were of about 2
regulations, insurance certification, and so on. understand that our hasty and unceremonious any specific authority as long as we did not all of which are the legitimate concern of port departure had been prompted by prior request formal permission to leave French authorities No civilian ship may put out to sea knowledge of the embargo decision I asked waters for good without satisfying the harbourmaster that both him if we could discus the matter in private Over the coming months, the work in the vessel and crew are insured But warships need When his officers had departed. I asked him shipyard proceeded on schedule: one after the neither insurance nor seaworthiness papers what he would have done in my place He other, our boats were launched and underwent replied that, had he been out of uniform, he All we needed as clearance was for the sea trials with our crews on board — but there would gladly have told me how much he would customs to record that the important was no sign of the embargo being lifted, and we have enjoyed being in my place, however component — for example, the engines from needed the vessels badly Then, in late 1969. After a short pause, he went on to declare that Germany - were "imported for re-export" so with the pressures building at home and in the French Navy did not want to be involved in that the pending files could be exempted from France, things began to happen in parallel duties. The official, motivated, as are all affairs of this kind, and that he was not customs officers, by the desire to help his prepared to accept any kind of responsibility for country's exports, promptly recorded all our behaviour Therefore, we were requested necessary details, and we were free to go By to remove ourselves, lock, stock, and barrel THE NORWEGIAN BUYER the time that information of the embargo finally from the naval anchorage within 24 hours The shipyard was in trouble financially. Over reached Cherbourg from Paris (after the 1200 families in Cherbourg were dependent on weekend), we were already out at sea We had no boats in the water and no crews the yard for their livelihood, and the owner in the barracks, so all we had to do was shift a could not be paid in full unless the boats were On previous occasions, we had consulted few spare parts and other stores over to the delivered It was a Gaullist town with a strong French naval meteorological services in shipyard adjacent to the civilian port The naval lobby in Paris, and nobody wanted to see the Cherbourg, particularly since the Bay of Biscay The Five Cherbourg boats at Haifa harbour The sign of the Norwegian Starboat" company can be seen on the bridge of each of the tiro boycott was not to be total As the months went yard close down On the other hand, it was crossing could be treacherous, and had taken foregound vessels, although they were by then a long way from the North Sea by. they generously lent the shipyard the rafts only a matter of time until officialdom woke up ceremonious leave of the local naval that were essential mooring for our ships and took notice of the anomaly of our commandant We were, after all. guests in the The owner of the yard was ready to clutch at they were geared for much larger craft. (because of the heavy Atlantic tides, we could presence And that might lead to unpleasant naval anchorage, where we enyoyed logistic any straw, and the government, so I assume THE OVERLOOKED Meanwhile, our boats had been launched at not tie up directly to the quayside) In fact, the developments in the "sleeping embargo" from what I could read between the lines, was regular intervals and we had been finding faults services that included space for our essential move would prove to be a blessing in disguise, DETAILS stores, the use of the naval barracks and But salvation was at hand for both Paris and willing to kill two birds with one stone: firstly, persistently during the sea trials in order to since we could come in and out of the civilian There were some overlooked details. Had canteens, and so on but this time we couldn't Cherbourg A prospective buyer turned up at the deal would solve the Cherbourg problem postpone the formal acceptance — at which port at will, without having to cross any naval the eager sellers looked closely at the buyer's the yard with an attractive offer to make. The and. secondly, this would remove one obstacle point we could hardly have justified maintaining take that risk boom at the entrance buyer, a Norwegian representing a company in letterhead, they might have noticed that the crews in Cherbourg. The yard was not receiving At Gibraltar. I arranged with the Royal Navy from the path to improvement in the somewhat the oil exploration business, needed fast boats Norwegian address was a post box serving a payment for the finished boats, so the to refuel not just the one boat that had arrived That had been the Christmas week of 1968. strained Franco-Israel relations to service its rigs. company registered in Panama. The nervousness there was adding to the right one week before, but both — and then I flew and we entered the new year wiser in two There was one problem Israel had to agree Norwegian, whom Admiral Limon had known psychological frame of mind for the deal. At back to Cherbourg, confident that the sixth and respects: firstly, the civilian location allowed Of course, the company would prefer to waive her rights to the boats — but she for quite a while, was convinced, at a secret home, pressure was being brought to bear on seventh members of our precious flotilla were more freedom of movement, and secondly, law something a little more heavy-duty — and it couldn't have them anyway, so it was worth a meeting at Oslo Airport, to lend the name of his the General Staff to accept the view that, one well on their way home and bureaucracy work in strange ways didn't really need 13.000 horsepower in a try. The approach was made, not in writing but company. Starboat He sincerely believed in way or another, the Navy had to have its boats A hot reception awaited me at Cherbourg I Embargo meant that no customs officer would 250-ton hull. However, the buyer was in a by telephone, to Moka Limon Moka took his Israel, and was deeply affected by the Injustice We had thought, at one stage, of simply was summoned to the office of the naval sign release papers, but there was nothing to hurry, and nobody else had anything suitable to time over replying One week later, he came done to Israel by the French embargo, with its taking the boats and running, but Defense commandant and. in the presence of all his staff stop any work from being done for us There offer So If the shipyard was prepared to make back with a reluctant "yes" Of course Israel dangerous implications for Israel security. Minister Moshe Dayan vetoed that suggestion officers, was treated to a tirade of fluent French, was nothing even to stop a ship putting out to the sale within four weeks, he would be happy would prefer to have the boats, but in the In spite of the total embargo, spare parts for the the gist of which was that we had behaved in sea. and leaving territorial waters, as long as no to take the five greyhounds of the sea off their present stalemate we might at least cut our It hadn't been quite that simple For months, IDF were being shipped out of France by ungentlemanly fashion True, there was documentation was being requested Aircraft hands. After all. everybody knew that in the oil losses with a sale to a respectable customer — all the alternatives had been considered and diverse ways and means Therefore Dayan and nothing illegal in what we had done, but we sitting on an airfield inside the countty were a business whoever gets there first with producing and this Norwegian buyer did seem serious and checked out The OC Navy had looked at the different proposition, but we were not subject to Prime Minister Golda Melr decided that there must not assume that he did not fully wells stands to make the profits. possibility of getting American-built boats, but , IS THI NAVY was loo much at stake for them to allow the in blankets and turning blue The police time A survey was made, and a list drawn up. French hotels It was decided that we could ilhcit escape of the five boats It became obvious promptly called in the electrical engineer to see of all the supermarkets in the Cherbourg area cope with 20 men per boat instead of the full that if the boats were to be taken out of France, whether he could get a landline for the power We had seven Israeli families who had taken complement of 40 — but we still had to get a legally foolproof plan would have to be drawn that we said we needed for heating the men apartments and houses in the town Each them in Over the 72 hours before Christmas, up It was Moka who prepared the elaborate and the boats It could not be done, but the family was given a list of the supermarkets, and in small groups Missile boat crewmen from paper work Over the following weeks, our police did recognise our need — so they the order in which they were to be visited Israeli navy bases were put aboard every friendly Norwegian's frequent business trips undertook to explain to the irate neighbours Then, for seven days the seven families each available flight to London that was stopping from Oslo to London were slightly rearranged that we must have the use of one of our bought what would seem to be a normal over in Paris It was permissible to disembark to bring him quietly in and out of Paris to generators at night The complaints died away amount of provisions for family over the for 24 hours at a stopover From Paris, the men finalise details Then the deal was offered — as the residents of Cherbourg grew accustomed holiday week The resulting 49 purchases were were dispatched, two up front and two at the and snapped up to the noise Meanwhile, we hoped that force of delivered to the quartermaster officer, who back of every train to Cherbourg They were habit, plus Christmas festivities, would prevent divided them up into more or less equal shares given precise instructions Cherbourg is the last The >oy of the shipyard owner was not yet them from complaining to the police on the big for each of the boats station — so don't ask any question of fellow complete The buyer wanted fast delivery, night when we had twenty engines to warm up passengers, no Hebrew language newspapers otherwise the sale might fall through There or books, and don't talk if you don't have to! were seatrials to be completed and somebody GETTING CREWMEN IN Carrying suitable identification, they were had to make the actual delivery Where on picked up from the amvals platform and were FINDING FOOD The seatrials had been carried out with earth could crews be found at such short notice taken to Israeli homes in the town For the last We were going to need food for five crews skeleton crews We needed more seamen, but — unless of course the Israelis were prepared to three days, every available square inch of floor for a week or ten days, and we could hardly the French police seemed to be paying do a favor to their friends, after all. we had space in our seven families' homes was taken buy that kind of quantity in one store at one particular attention to Israelis registering in come a long way together Moka was most helpful and understanding, of course we could help out — but you do realise that it would have to be in civilian clothes and not in Israel Navy uniforms
THE RACE AGAINST TIME This was where our problems began We civilian port But the dust settled and nothing arrange First of ail. the help of the Israeli were in a battle against time We had to happened However, the shipyard decided to merchant marine had to be enlisted, without complete seatrials and assemble everything we delay launching because of a problem with the letting too many people in on the secret We needed for the final stage quickly and quietly, fourth engine on boat number five Once a would need two merchant ships, each with and be out of Cherbourg before anybody began month, on the 14th or 15th. the tides at skilled naval refueling crews on board, and the to put two and two together Cherbourg reach a height of six metres, and this ships had to be fitted up with the necessary The shipyard owner, who I think did was the only time when the slipway was equipment — pumps, hoses, and fuel tanks - understand but preferred to say nothing, knew sufficiently covered with water to allow and the whole operation had to be drilled at we were in a hurry However, the fifth and last launching If we missed December 14. then sea The whole exercise was explained away as boat was only due to be launched on December there was no way to get the boat into the water a secret naval investigation of the possibility for 14 and it normally took at least a month to before January 14 It took all our powers of extending the range of operations One ship complete seatrials — so the date should be persuasion to convince the yard that we could chosen was a phosphate carrier that regularly mid January But that didn't suit us at all The run in the engine and solve the problems in the visited French shores A month before the penod leading up to Christmas is not exactly a water The truth was that it would be far easier deadline, it was fitted up with the necessary time when bureaucrats want to make close on the yard's test bench — but we couldn't equipment at Haifa The refueling techniques studies of stacks of paperwork As they come allow that The boat was duly launched and our were carefully rehearsed, including the back to work, with clear heads, after New engineers went to work against the clock to problematics of rough seas in the Bay of Biscay Year's Day. it might be a completely different have the obstinate engine - and everything Then it sailed to Ashdod and was loaded with story So our deadline was set for the early else - ready for the 24th phosphates and clean diesel oil - our boats evening of Chnstmas Eve — on the assumption needed a purer variety than that usually burnt that this was the least likely day of the entire by merchantmen — and ordered to sea at year for anyone to be paying attention to us FILLING UP deadline minus 14 days, with instructions to linger at Gibraltar until needed And there was a lot to be done by then There were logistic problems to solve, and the most critical of all was fuel We calculated The second vessel, the Dan. was a First of all. we had to ensure that the boats that we would need full tanks on departure and Mediterranean Line passenger ship that usually remained in the water, it would have been only two refuelings at sea Obviously, we could not spent the winter months in port The Navy's natural to store them high and dry on land fill the tanks of five boats that were only first problem was to find the necessary fuel during the winter storms That was easily engaged in short seatrials without arousing tanks and install them As luck would have it. a overcome by continually finding minor faults suspicion The technique was simple the faults local fuel company was busily installing a new that needed adjustment at sea We had been that needed correcting each day always depot outside Tel Aviv, and had some assigned an amicable old yacht captain to keep happened to be in the boat that was moored eminently suitable tanks at hand The company an eye on us But he felt queasy in high seas closest to the raft that was lashed to the executives who could not be told what it was and. in any case, only appeared on the quayside all about, were very annoyed to receive a quayside at 9 00 am The naval day starts Defense Ministry requisition, and the sue of much earlier than that. he would turn up at To get the boat out. all the others had to slip their bill reflected that annoyance the port only to find that the boat due to go out their ropes and manoeuvre out of the way. with that day had already slipped its moorings at their engines running. Each day we would 8 00 am At first, he would sit on the quay until order a tanker to top up the few tons of fuel oil IRATE NEIGHBOURS we returned at 12 00 or 1 00 pm But as weeks expended — and each time we would take a The next problem to overcome was a tricky and months went by. and we always returned, few more tons that we had actually used The one indeed The civil harbour in Cherbourg he contently retired to a waterfront bistro to level in the fuel tanks was steadily rising when faced a row of homes on the waterfront The linger over a drink until the boat came in Christmas came to lend a hand The regular local families were sensitive to the noises driver of the tanker asked a favour of us: the generated in the port Late in November, we We became really nervous just before the fifth holiday was coming up fast, and he would had started a generator at night, and the police boat was launched The French Navy launched appreciate some free time — so would we mind had promptly arrived to announce that the their first nuclear submarine — in the navy yard particularly if he brought bigger loads twice or neighbours were complaining But electric at Cherbourg — and the ceremony, with ail the three times a day? That way. he could have power would be essential to pre heat engines visiting dignitaries, took place right across the Christmas off Our quartermaster officer, who for at least two hours before we put to sea water from our four craft We were sure that, handled the orders and payments, was There was only one thing to do The next night with the Minister of Defense and the press there delighted to oblige in force, somebody would show interest in the we summoned the police and took them on obviously military-style boats moored in the The refuelings at sea were not so simple to board a freezing boat to see our boys huddled
Paga Twanty THI NAVY January, II up by mattresses and sleeping bags The boys fury Zero hour was set for 8 pm on Christmas Then a small plane from Malta came head on were given a list of restaurants where they could Eve. an hour when we could confidently expect towards us. As he flew overhead, we heard on eat. according to a strict rota to ensure that the respectable burghers of Cherbourg to be the BBC an excited reporter, on live broadcast, NORTHERN NAVY NEWS never more that two Israelis sat together in any sitting at their heavily-laden Christmas tables, crying. "I can see them, they are below me public place eating to their hearts' content and drinking now!" One remaining detail had to be arranged An heady French wines At eight o'clock, there was We met with the MS Dan. for our second experienced Zim Israel Shipping Lines captain, a gale blowing with Force 9 winds reported in refueling, south of Malta in the shadow of the THE ROYAL DARWIN NAVY who did know what was going on. was the Bay of Biscay There was no way we could island of Lampedusa From here on we were in dispatched from Israel to Antwerp, carrying put to sea in that, nor any sign of it abating in waters where somebody might try to stop us by For the City of Darwin written orders that allowed him to take the hours to come And we could hardly ask force, and we were unarmed I had issued strict the month of October was command of any Zim ship There he the French Navy for their weather forecasts I orders about emergency procedures In the commandeered the MS Tibenas and put to sea ordered our departure delayed to 10 pm. and Atlantic, the boat commanders were told, if in spiced with much naval He was to heave to off the coast of southern sat a number of seamen at radio sets to listen to trouble, to make for Lisbon Each boat carried a England and wait to give assistance if we the met reports from the BBC. French radio, street map of the city and local money, so that if flavour. needed it If anything went wrong, he was to and so on But it was all the same strong anybody had to be taken to hospital, it could be Apart from the arrival for the first tow the boat in trouble into an English port as westerly winds with a barometric depression done with a minimum of questions asked of the time of HMAS DARWIN, the RANs preferable to returning to France moving in from the Atlantic I postponed to locals Gibraltar was the second possibility We fourth FFG and its first warship to midnight, but there was still no change We had would not be unwelcome there In the to be well away in the dark, and if we didn't go carry the name, the northern port 9 Mediterranean, we had likewise selected other DID HE KNOW that night, how on earth would we be able to possibilities Luckily, there was no need The city also welcomed the general The owner of the shipyard knew, more or conceal all the equipment and the crews? only medical problem happened to be on the purpose vessel HMAS BASS. The less, that we were ready for sea although he boat carrying our doctor, and technical 180 tonne GPV has been alloted as had obviously kept to himself any of the At 1 00 am on Chnstmas Day.the BBC. bless problems only occurred where there was a the training vessel for the Darwin thoughts that he had put together about the their hearts, reported that the depression was senior engineering officer to help out turning north for Ireland. Scotland, and Port Division. Norwegian deal and our insistence on having We were under orders from the QC Navy not Scandinavia, and the winds were now the fifth boat in the water He was quite a to resist if challenged by French naval units, but En route from Sydney. BASS arrived in northwesterly This meant that the seas would character He had been a pilot in World War I. they never came anywhere near us I was not Cairns on 18 October under the command of still be high, but the winds would flatten the and had set up a plant to make planes after the overly concerned about the Libyans or LCDR John Spooner. RANR. Senior CO of waves This was it — at 2 am we would go war One day. a stnke had occurred in the Egyptians We were running with the heavy HMAS LABUAN of the Brisbane Port Division plant, so he closed it down His wife had some All five generators had been running all seas behind us and. moreover, they didn't then At HMAS Cairns LCDR Ian Gibson. RANR. land in Cherbourg, and there he had set up his evening — and no one had complained Now have anything fast enough to match our speed assumed responsibility for the ship and the next shipyard to build yachts It had developed into there only remained one minor detail to take The only tangible danger was from a submarine leg of the voyage to her new home port something much bigger by the time the Israel care of All seven families in Cherbourg were lying in wait at the entrance to the Aegean, and The Commanding Officer of the Darwin Port Navy had arrived, direct from our German running their own cars They were asked to that was highly unlikely To be on the safe side. Division. LCDR David Jeffrey. RANR. interlude The whole area of our boats and the bnng them down to the quayside and park I split the force in two with orders to reform welcoming his new ship, said "The acquisition advanced technology they involved had caught them "inadvertently" across the entrance south of Cyprus, then take as northerly a of BASS to our region will generate much his imagination and appealed to his sporting Then, if the police got wind of twenty marine course as possible, to keep distance between us interest in the RANR in the North" "We hope, instincts And it was perhaps those instincts that engines starting up. they would gain precious and Egypt after a suitable period of working up to be put to made him keep his own counsel through those minutes As it turned out. the police never The weather was bad all the way — high seas work in support of NORFORCE and eventually long weeks appeared The engines turned over and gained and rain squalls Normally we might have relieve the burden of the PCFs in such areas as power, the last mooring ropes were slipped off cursed our bad luck, but this time the poor patrolling Ashmore Reef, he added — and we were on our way home OUR SAILING BOAT visibility and the waves running with us were Looking to the future, the Darwin Port exactly what we needed, up to the last leg Division is hoping for a manpower strength of On Wednesday the 24th. we sat down for Then, since we would have entered Haifa at fifty plus lunch - Moka Limon. three boat commanders, midday if we maintained speed, we were ON THE HIGH SEAS Although she was built in 1960 Bass myself, and another officer — in the Cafe de ordered to slow down and only enter port after Christmas Day in Europe is a quiet day - no according to her new "owners" is in excellent Pans, a famous Cherbourg restaurant We had dark Now the heavy seas became a nuisance, newspapers, nothing to disturb the family material and mechanical condition "With taken a small room in which to celebrate our particularly since two of the boats were only atmosphere If anybody missed us. we didn't tender loving care she will last forever", said imminent departure - and in walked the old running on three engines But we held on for know about it until we reached our first LCDR Jeffrey man It must have been obvious at once, all six hours Then, in the late evening of New refueling rendezvous off southern Spain There these officers had rarely been together in Year's Eve. we slid stealthily into Haifa Harbour "After a maintenance period we intend to we heard a brief BBC report that we had left Cherbourg He came straight over to us and — only to find that the world was waiting for us begin day running from the Darwin Naval Base, Cherbourg — nothing more We did have said "So we can celebrate? If you are all here, on the quayside working up to weekends and then three day visitors A local customs man came out on a you must know what you are doing!" He joined runs." he said fishing boat from a nearby Spanish harbour, us at the table We kept up the pretense as long circled a couple of times to see what was going Prior to her recent duties m NSW. BASS was as we could: our job was to deliver the boats to POSTSCRIPT on. and headed back to port Either he said formerly the Reserve Training Ship at HMAS Norway, the weather was stormy — no time for nothing, oi the Spaniards weren't interested, The French government made the best of Huon in Hobart until relieved by an Attack sailing, and it was Christmas In the course of for there was absolutely no noise about us out what was for them a bad job The boats had Class Patrol Boat In her early years the GPV the conversation, somebody asked him about of Spain A helicopter circled overhead during been legally purchased - for oil exploration also served in the survey role BASS and her the customary present given by a shipyard to a the refueling, but that turned out to be the local work By agreement with Paris, they spent their sister BANKS were built by Walkers Ltd of customer when a new ship left "And what will Lloyds man whose duty it was to keep statistics first six months, unarmed, performing as Maryborough. Queensland and first you give us when the time comes?" When we on ship movements — and to him we were specified in the sale contract Rear Admiral commissioned in 1960 first arrived in Cherbourg, the yard had loaned obviously only a statistic, or perhaps five of Limon left France a few days after the five boats us an as yet nameless sailing boat to use them. arrived safely in Haifa The French authorities whenever we wanted We had promptly named could not pin on him anything that violated The Last Attack Boat Retires the balloons raised the pendant to a vertical were hauled down for the final time at sunset. it after the shipyard owner's daughter He 1818. In traditional fashion ASSAIL's crew On the afternoon of the third day. we slipped French law However, they asked the Israeli When HMAS ASSAIL paid off from the position, and there it remained until berthing at announced that he was going to Paris, and 1640 marched off the Patrol Boat followed through the Straits of Gibraltar close to the Government to recall him from Paris A small RAN at HMAS CAIRNS on Friday "might not be around when you leave" Having Immediately by the XO SBLT Daniel Gibbons Moroccan coast The five of us. in line astern, price to pay for the victories of Damietta and 18 October, another chapter In the Later that afternoon, at the official ceremony. said that, he phoned his foreman in charge of COMAUSMINPAB. CMDR Bob Dagworthy and lastly, the CO. LEUT David WhMe passed scores of ships of every conceivable Latakia in the 1973 war The sailboat given by history of the Australia Fleet came to a yacht production, and told him to load our said that "ASSAIL had become the longest Despite being officially "paid off ASSAIL nationality Nobody paid any attention So far. the shipyard owner of Cherbourg was quietly close. sailing boat onto a cradle and place it onto one serving PNF Attack Class Patrol Boat She had soon tTembled to the activities of the decommis- the reports about us said that we were heading loaded on board a Zim merchant ship, and Her last Commanding Officer. LEUT David of the boats I intervened and said that we arrived in Haifa one month after its bigger served around Australia and New Guinea as sioning party and then on Sunday 20 October for Norway On the next morning, the news White had taken his ship to sea for the final time would worry about shipping it later — not to both a patrol boat and survey vessel working in sisters at 1530 on 18 October, with the Deputy Fleet was open for inspection during Navy Week bother loading it aboard now bulletins reported us in the Mediterranean and conjunction with the larger survey ships In fact celebrations. from here on. everybody was looking for us The Israeli fuel company executives in Commander. CDRE Malcolm Jackson and the ASSAIL was required only recently to fill in for At 0830 on Monday 21 October. ASSAIL, Out at sea. we knew very little of the fuss in the atonement for their annoyance over the CO HMAS CAIRNS. CMDR Jon Delaney extra duties after the incident at Gabo." he still in perfect working order, proceeded under press — it was only later that I was handed a requisition of their fuel tanks, turned up in Haifa embarked added her own power from HMAS CAIRNS to NQEA THE GETAWAY bunch of newspaper clippings — but we did port with 120 bottles of champagne for the 120 Several miles off the entrance to Cairns. The Australian White Ensign. Australian where she is now being refitted for further We were as ready as we would ever be — have visitors. The first inquisitive soul was a seamen who had made the Christmas voyage ASSAIL's new launched their 107 foot long National Flag and Commissioning Pendant service with the Indonesion Navy as KRI and then the weather struck with full Atlantic French aircraft which circled and went away from Cherbourg "paying off pendant but due to following winds January, 1B86 Psfls Twanty-thraa Pag* Twanty-cwo TM1 NAVY January, IBM Cairns Commanding Officer CMDR Jon 13 December but for duties pnmanly in the Looking further ahead the crew are expecting Delaney sees the week of activities as an coastal areas work in New Guinea waters for three months in opportunity to promote the RAN in the north BETANO has previously worked in company 1986. then a visit to Adelaide to partake in the "We have involved the community as much as with FLINDERS surveying around LuaH Island South Australian 150th Anniversary possible in our activities, including the Lady Nell during last July August Celebrations For the latter. the ship is expected Seeing Eye Dog School, local Naval Reserve On the average FLINDERS steams over 280 to re enact Mathew Flinder's voyage and Cadets from TS Endeavour and the citizens of nautical miles each 24 hours and puts down rendezvous with a French naval representative in Encounter Bay. South Australia, as a re Far North Queensland through the Freedom of approximately 3.000 soundings the City enactment of the meeting between Mathew Currently she is surveying th« main shipping Flinders and the French hydrographer Baudin "Our other activities included an inaugural channel to Hay Point, from Japan, to map out Navy XI versus Mayor's XI cricket match, a a clear passage which will reduce the miles FLINDERS is currently manned by six Navy Week race meeting and a sailing regatta." steamed by more than one hundred officers and 36 men including five officers and eight other ranks as dedicated hydro personnel he added The ship sailed from Cairns on 31 September "But I think our most ambitious activity was bound for Willis Islet. 240 nautical miles east of the Navy Week fashion parade aboard HMAS Cairns There she erected an ARGO antenna, The R. G. Fry Trophy GLADSTONE The proceeds from the evening the first of a pair to allow the fixing of the ship's were donated to the Lady Nell Seeing Eye Dog Many in the RAN have most probably position during surveys School' following an excellent turnout by the never heard of the event but to members ABSR Andy Clements remained on the islet local fashion conscious community of the Calms Naval Base the chance to for five weeks to check ARGO. change the tide win the trophy has been keenly sought On Saturday afternoon HMAS PERTH guage and more often than not. watch the since Its Inauguration back In 1978. arrived in Cairns at very short notice, but satellite television, one of the few comforts of despite being involved in our Navy Week Four teams, each sprouting 13 vibrant men home activities, the base and personnel came to the and women from the Naval Base represented After sailing to South West Cay in Force 4-5 fore in our Fleet Supporl role, satisfying the Engineering (2 teams). Supply lone) and ship's fuel and store requirements conditions. FLINDERS headed for Turtle Islet Seaman (one) where the other ARGO was established "At the same time, helicopters from HMAS The trophy is run over the length and breadth Unfortunately 15 of the crew were bitten by the HMAS ASSAIL paying off at Cairns 18th October. 1985 STALWART and HMAS CANBERRA of the base and above and below the water ticks which infest the islet underlook vertical replenishments of stores and Each team was required to complete a series of I And lor those who argue that ATTACK was Prior to Open Day HMAS CAIRNS and personnel as the Task Group headed north to FLINDERS then sailed onto Diamond Islet gruelling events in high temperatures designed the longest serving PNF boat of her class. six of her attached ships exercised their right to their South East Asian deployment." he said and erected a mini ranger to enable the shtp to to sort out the fit from the unfit ATTACK served lor 17 years. 3 months and 4 the "Freedom of the City" The parade was led calibrate The shtp conducted soundings up and These included land ski ing (when four days, that is 2 days less than ASSAIL I by CMDR Jon Delaney and the salute taken by down Diamond Passage (the route the coal persons walk on two skies and avoid obstacles), the Deputy Fleet Commander CDRE Malcolm LCH UPDATE ships from Japan will utilise) for the following swimming (don't worry, there are no sharks or Navy Week a Great Success Jackson and the Mayor of Cairns The Naval Following the recent decision to lay up two weeks stingers, only crocodiles), wheelbanow racing, Support Command Band, led by LEUT Jock" three of the LCH's and convert two others For the remainder of 1985 FLINDERS will obstacle course (including crawling through 44 Over 1.000 visitors took the Heath provided the musical accompaniment in to the survey role. NQEA are now undertake her annual sea inspection .n late gallon drums, scaling ropes and sliding under opportunity to visit and inspect both preparing an area in front of their the 35° Celsius conditions October and sail in early November for Willis tarpaulins pegged to the ground), climbing a HMAS CAIRNS and the nine ahips open Portsmith Division as the new "home" for and Turtle Islets then onto Marion Reef to erect cargo net. jumping off wharves and last but not for Inspection during Navy Week in Far On Sunday. 2() October, the band headed ex HMA Ships BALIKPAPAN. TARAKAN another ARGO least, drinking a 10 oz beer, not an easy task North Queensland. the impressive "Fun in the Sun" parade through and WEWAK All three ARGOs will be recovered by the The trophy was finally won by the Seaman Supporting the Base and Fleet units were the streets of Cairns and with a guard from HMAS TARAKAN. the second LCH to end of the year, after a short visit to Mackay Department and presented by Mrs Celia Fry. special photographic and recruiting displays HMAS CAIRNS performed Ceremonial Sunset anive was the first to move onto the slipway on from Sydney and Townsville as well as onboard HMAS TOWNSVILLE the next 4 October and then on 17 October was "railed" numerous technical and hydrographic exhibits evening across Cook Street to await her lay-up area As part of the preservation work being under taken by the Refit Protect Officer LEUT Ted Jensen and his team at NQEA. each LCH will be mothballed including the preservation of machinery NQEA and the Navy refit team are responsible lot the refitting of the RAN's Fremantle Class PCFs. LCHs and HMAS FLINDERS as well as RANR and PNG Attack Class Patrol Boats When all work is completed the three LCHs will be at 21 days notice to reinforce HMAS TOBRUK and satisfy spec-fic Army amphibious tasks Transferred to the Indonesian Navy The Far North Queensland SIGUROT When she arrives in Indonesia ASSAIL will be used for anti smuggling and Survey Squadron! other patrol work including fishery protection That's what they're now calling that odd HMAS ASSAIL — Commissioned into the collection of "built (or the purpose" RAN at HMAS MORF.TON BRISBANE. survey vessels and the former LCHs. now 12 July 1968. in commission 17 years. 3 converted to the role. month*. 6 days, steamed 403.(XX) 7 nautical Led. capably, by the 12-year-old hydro- miles Decommissioned HMAS CAIRNS graphic survey ship HMAS FLINDERS and her 18 October 1985 embarked survey motor boat BRAMBLE, the For the record, the last word from Squadron is tasked with the updating of marine COMAUSMINPAB "The Attack Class Patrol charts, many prepared as far back as the 1800s Boats established the standards and were the Under the command of LCDR Doug "Doc" forerunners to the RAN's involvement in coastal Holliday. since January 1985. FLINDERS is surveillance operations and minor war vessels responsible for the Great Barrier Reef, a task since World War II which will see her fully employed for the "These mighty little cost effective boats have remainder ol her operational career set a great tradition HMAS ASSAIL's The two LCHs. recently allotted to the survey Decommissioning sadly reflects the passing of role. HMAS BETANO and HMAS BRUNEI will TARAKAN laid up at North Queensland Engineers & Agents an exciting era in the RAN's history " team up with FLINDERS for the first time on Pag* Twenty-four THI NAVY January, 1888 January, 1B8B wife of the Idle Dick Frv Chairman of Directors. NQEA IIOMEPOKT CAM KAMI BAY What's up with Wollongong? At most Patrol Boat crews are acutely aware the KAN has been short of an operational PCF since the unfortunate grounding of one of their number off Gabo Island in May For Navy and NQEA personnel alike, the repairs to the damaged WOLLONGONG are being seen as a unique challenge Under the charge of LEUT Ted Jensen Refit Project Officer for NOCQLD the entire protect is being documented to provide data for naval planners and staff courses for many years to come WOLLONGONG arrived in Cairns on 5 July, was slipped 16 July and moved into the large hangar of NQEA s Portsmith Division (where all but one of the Fremantles were built) three days later Since then work has progressed at a steady rale with NQEA producing a "Full Ship Survey" intended to provide a model for future repair tasks of a similar nature "The main work list and associated surveys represent )ust about as much as you would ever want to do to a Fremantle Boat, said LEUT Jensen Bigger ships have been repaired for the RAN in the past but I doubt, that proportionally speaking, as much work has been carried out to a ship since the Second World War ' he added One of the first jobs was the removal <»f over water effected everything from No 2 deck WOLLONGONG These include a new sewer 30 tonnes of concrete, placed in the hull to down, said LEUT Jensen age system, a new salt water pump and the maker her watertight As part of the work, various changes are deletion of the auxiliary propulsion units "She is now a shell of her former self as being implemented to the refitted (APUs) UNITED SHIP REPAIR The Silent Pack >s an engine ol the family L >n a capsule • with identical install jtKyv and *ange configuration • same output and contnuous "oao characteristic: SERVICES (EVANS DEAKIN INDUSTRIES LTD Bear G strategic bomber aircraft 'enable and MocDONAlD HAMILON • CO r/l) fnendy to the environment • Same good accessitrtty for all operational and maintenance elements 24 HOUR • The cap6ule makes an engm cover i*mecessary • It has the same noise dampening effect like a fun encapsulation of the entire SERVICE TO THE machine • Noisyaumhary dnves can be accom- MARINE INDUSTRIES modated under the c a ovale
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A Naval Reserve Cadet contingent from the New South Wales Training Ships CONDAMINE. MORETON. NEPEAN. SYDNEY and TOBRUK made a "long voyage" across the Nullarbor Plain in August to visit Western Australia The group are pictured here before departing from the HMAS STIRLING fleet support facility in Western Australia to return via Albany and Esperance to the Eastern States The contingent under the command of Acting Lieutenant J Park. NRC and his most capable assistant (ex WO) Sub Lieutenant George Eaton. NRC The group departed from Sydney on 24 August and arrived back on 8 September They were in the capable hands of Coach Captain Paul Phillips (Ex PO AVN. RAN)
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APRIL, 1986 THE NAVY
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Registered by Australia Post Publication No NBP 1482
1986
Royal Australian Navy ^ 75th Anniversary A EDITOR ROSSGILLETT PO BOX 653 A BREAKTHROUGH IN THE DEE WHY. NSW 2099 o, Am'rM. foil Pi.fMC.fw Mp HBR fm MATERIALS HANDLING, THE Reproduction in part or whole is torbidden without the permission ot the Editor in writing PERMA-PALLET;" NAVY The magazine of the Navy League of Australia APRIL, 1BB6 FOR JUST * 26c The PERMA PALLET M system TWO-TONNE CAPACITY represents a unique and exciting Wide usage and stackable live innovation tor all companies PER WEEK high to a ten tonne total load No involved m materials handling point loads to damage goods PERMA PALLET is constructed underneath National Materials of a special lightweight high Handling Bureau prototype test strength steel with bearers certified formed ol two shaped channels welded back to back M.I.G. WELDED ASSEMBLY The prototype of the PERMA No loose nails or pin cushion PALLET Steel Pallet was effect No disintegration while in use Increase productivity successfully tesled on 18th reduce damage to goods reduce January 1983 by the National operational pallet quantities Materials Handling Bureau and (Less are required fo< operational met the requirements ol 'he use because less are being I AS2068 - 197 7 Test repaired ) Specification CONVENTIONAL Consists of three bearers and The Perma PALLET system has deck boards Single-laced two been designed to conform to way entry Protects investments ASA 2068 - 1977 and 1899 m existing equipment and - 1976 I S O Series I facilities Standards STEEL CONSTRUCTION STANDARD AND SPECIAL No lire risk splinters, rotting, SIZES/CONFIGURATIONS absorption problems or odours AVAILABLE no termites, longer working life steam cleanable hygienic Standard PERMA-PALLET sue is reduced maintenance costs 1165 x 1165 x 135(46" x 46 ) repair equipment stocks and The production line can labour manufacture otner sizes including the IS O dimension 23 KG WEIGHT CLOSE TOLERANCE Less than hall that of a tirnbor MANUFACTURE pallet Easy man handling Protects from distortion and Reduce transport costs Increase potential load damage in a revenue bearing loads Reduce conveyor systems operation iniunes. strains sick days and compensation claims OUTSTANDING APPEARANCE HOT-DIP GALVANISED Improve company image morale Protection from rust and goodwill, reputation and corrosion Creates durability and competitive edge clean appearance Store in the ALSO AVAILABLE IN open and increase useable STAINLESS STEEL warehouse or factory space At 64 cents per week ADVERTISING AND PUBLICATION: CONTENTS Perclval Publishing Co Pty Ltd (INCORPORATED IN NSWJ Through safer, smoother operation, the PERMA-PALLET SYDNEY PERTH VIEWPOINT 3 system is both an investment and a profit earner, instead of 862 Elizabeth Street 5th floor. Eagle House THE NAVY - SPECIAL FEATURE just another materials handling expense item. Waterloo. NSW. 2017 10 William St. Perth, 6000 Mine Warfare and Patrol Boat Forces: The tangible benefits for you commence when you authorize Phone 699 2600 Phone 322 4072 I Introduction 4 II Roles and Functions 6 ADELAIDE your first PERMA-PALLET order. MELBOURNE III Mine Warfare 7 26 Currie St. Adelaide. 5000 „ ^ „ . ,„. • To approved customers Minimum order quantity — 40 units Available for purchase at $42 00 1 S T Phone 51 6225 388 Bourke Street Phone 67 1461 IV Bay Claas MHCAT 13 Terms based on 60 month period at 26c per week per unit where Sales Tax Number is provided V Minehunting Weapon System .. 17 VI HMAS Waterhen (I) 20 Companies not quoting Sales Tax Number with order, please calculate at rate of 29c per week per unit tlw OPWOM or MMrtlOM Iipr—Md In HOBART VII HMAS Waterhen (II) 22 For further information please telephone (043) 88 2011 artttM hi 1H Nsvjr are MOM of «w 123 Murray St. Hobart. 7000 Phone 34 4098 VIII Clearance Diving Team One ... 25 Orders by mail or telex to: IX Sydney Port Division RANR . . . 28 FTOFEFT^COWI?*'T)M NMT'LMVUS tf PALMET ENGINEERING PTY LIMITED X Patrol Boat Operations 30 AuatrsAa, tt» Editor of "T)m or T*a BRISBANE P.O. BOX 355. WYONG. NSW 2259 Corvettes for the RAN 33 flMUawllg. 3rd floor. 460 Ann Sreet 50 Newbridge Road. BERKELEY VALE. NSW 2259. Brisbane, 4000 75th Anniversary Calendar 35 Telex: AA75127 inted by Mi .well Pnntkig Co Ply Lid (Incorporated Phone 31 2531 Naval Roundup 37 m NSW) 962 Elizabeth Str*«t. Waterloo. 2017 Telephone: (043) 88 2011 Phone 699 2600
THE NAVY Page Ona NEWCASTLE has the depth of experience,technology, skills, manpower,and industrial stability to undertake the RAN's Submarine Project!
Mafor home port for Australia's Mine Warfare and Patrol Boat F HMAS Waterht Big Ships and fic* f^fffififl Small Ships
It is often suggested that in the age of guided missiles and*other tIS issue of THE NAVY features the Royal sophisticated weaponry, ship size is unimportant or not as important as it Australian Navy's small ships, a used to be This is not so. as most things are comparative and virtually all T warships - large and small — have become more lethal Range and description most people associate with patrol endurance, seakeeping qualities, space available for equipment, boats, minesweepers, survey vessels and the habitability (not to be under-valued) are all governed by the size of the hull, conectly stated, the planned role of a ship and the capability like. required of it determine size In naval parlance the traditional meaning of a small ship is a vessel By extension, the size, type and capability of particular ships in a of lesser sue than a cruiser, and until comparatively recent times the navy determine that navy's capability and effectiveness, and in many difference between a big and a small ship was distinct and recognisable to ways reflect national defence thinking and policies, this is particularly so even a casual observer ol the naval scene in maritime countries such as Australia t|f Nowadays the lines separating warship types and size have become The small ships featured in the following pages are all important and somewhat blurred for example, some modern destroyers, in traditional all have a part to play in the Royal Australian Navy They also have their terms "small ships" exceed in sue the conventional cruiser while some limits — a patrol boat cannot be expected to perform the tasks a frigate cruisers, especially the new Russian types, have assumed battleship or destroyer ts designed to perform, nor the latter, even when equipped proportions with perhaps two helicopters, take the place of a purpose-built aircraft For most of its 75 years existence the RAN has maintained a "big carrier It is a matter of "horses for courses" so to speak, or perhaps it ship" navy, the very first fleet unit including a battle-cruiser and three would be better to say a boy should never be sent on a man's job — 4 cruisers as well as destroyers and other small craft From 1924 when the something we are apt to do with our Forces My. battle-cruiser HMAS AUSTRALIA was scuttled under the provisions of "By extension the size, type and capability of particular ships in a the Washington Treaty, a succession of heavy and light cruisers and navy determine that navy's capability and effectiveness, and in turn the eventually aircraft earners formed the big ship component of the fleet structure of a navy Is a good guide, in a mantime country such as When the carnei MELBOURNE was taken out of service in 1982 the Australia, to the pnority accorded mantime interests and the defence of RAN. so lar as combatant ships are concerned, became In effect a those interests, in many ways it is a reflection of national thinking and small-ship navy defence policim. and sometimes it provides a clue to a country's intentions DEADLINE The deadline for the July 1986 issue
of The Navy is GEOFFREY EVANS 1st MAY, 1986 Federal President The Navy League oj Australia
Newcastle Is the place where the most advanced the best Greenfield construction site, the skills ond industrial agreements in Australia have succeeded range ol industry, and an innovative and successful In helping build on-time and within budget malor approach to industrial relations multi-million dollar development protects Can the RAN Submarine Replacement Project be put 75th Anniversary No other place in Australia otters the combination ol ot risk with any other place in Australia? JSNAVY 1911-1986 NEWCASTLE • THE PLACE TO BUILD SUBMARINES PROTECTING AUSTRALIA Newcastle Submarine Project SUPPORT GROUP April, 1986 THE NAVY Page Thixa 418 Hunter Street, Newcastle. NSW 2300 Telephone: 262666 Telex: AA 28900 SPECIAL FEATURE SPECIAL FEATURE — MINE WARFARE AMD PATROL BOAT FORCES Mine Warfare and Patrol Boat Forces . . •
/Hfo&ctctfti&K COMMANDER CMDR R. Q. D AG WORTH V RAN, COMAUBMINPAB R. G. As one who considers himself mosl fortunate to have served many years in Patrol Boats. I am proud of the service given by these busy ships. The aim of this supplement is to profile the Royal Australian Navy's Mine Warfare and Patrol Boat Forces and their DAGWORTHY base at HMAS Waterhen. The fine traditions and special spirit of service in small ships is typified by our namesake, the original HMAS Waterhen, known affectionately as 'The Chook'. We at Waterhen particularly remember that The Chook' was the first RAN ship RAN sunk during the Second World War as a result of enemy action. A brief history of the original HMAS Waterhen has been included. With 15 Fremantle Class Patrol Boats and 5 Attack Class Patrol Boats, the Patrol Force is in good shape and adequate for the task. With a limitless bucket of money, we can always do better with more. COMMANDER The Mine Countermeasures Force is on the verge of an exciting expansion with the imminent introduction of the AUSTRALIAN MINE Australian designed and built Bay Class Minehunters and the development of the Mine Sweeper Experimental Project. The role for our Patrol Boats as the coastguard is easily explained and understood. I remind seafaring colleagues when WARFARE AND discussing Mine Warfare that every ship, including the submarine, is a one-time minesweeper. The Middle East in recent years has grimly reminded us of the ever-present sea mine menace. PATROL BOAT FORCES The RAN small ships referred to as Minor Fleet Units are an exciting part of what is essentially a young-people's navy. and These ships enable officers to enjoy and benefit from the heady experience of sea command early in their career. Minor Fleet Units also call for a special breed of sailor who is willing to accept major responsibility and to be a vital member COMMANDING OFFICER of a close-knit team at an early age. In these ships all in the crew are both operators and maintainers. The Minor Fleet HMAS WATERHEN Units have important national responsibilities in peace-time as well as during the time of conflict. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of LEUT Joe Straczek in researching and editing this supplement as W«*terhen's input to the activities for the RAN's 75th Anniversary Year. I trust that from our supplement you are better able to appreciate the importance and immensity of our task. Also. I hope the pride that the RAN's small ship personnel, both past and present, have in their job and in their traditions is evident. OMMANDER Robert (Bob) George It remains my honour and great pleasure to have the opportunity to work with such a dedicated group of young Dag worthy was born in Sydney on Australians and to help tell their story. With people such as this we can all have great confidence and pride in our C the I9th February. 1946 We spent nation. most of his childhood in Sydney, where he also received his education, at Waverley College In 1965 CMDR Dagworthy joined the Royal Australian Navy as a Supplemen- tary List Midshipman After completing his initial training at HMAS Cerberus he joined HMAS IBIS during that ship's penod of ser vice in Singapore and the Malaya Peninsula where he saw war service at the time of Confrontation with Indonesia From IBIS he Commander R G Dagworthy. was posted tc HMAS VENDETTA where Boat Forces and Commanding Officer HMAS Waterhen he remained for that ship's deployment to South East Asia Lieutenant Commander in 1977 was fol- Office, where he remained until December On VENDETTA's return to Australian lowed by a posting to Fiji 1984 when he took up his present posting waters he joined HMAS SUPPLY for train Whilst in Fiji he served as a Defence Advi as Commander Australian Mine Warfare ing as a watchkeeping officer After promo- ser to the Fiji Government and he assisted in and Patrol Boat Forces and Commanding tion to Sub-Lieutenant. CMDR Dagworthy the establishment of the Fiji Naval Squa Officer HMAS Waterhen I was posted as the commissioning Executive dron His last two years of service in Fiji Commander Dagworthy. who lives in Officer at HMAS BARRICADE This was were spent as the Commanding Officer of Centennial Park, is a keen windsurfer and followed by his promotion to Lieutenant in HMFS KIKAU. an ex-USN oceangoing regular runner with the Hash House Har- 1969. and in due course a number of post minesweeper converted for use as a coast riers in his spare time ings as the Commanding Officer of various guard vessel KIKAU was also senior ship of patrol boats the Royal Fiji Military Forces Naval Squa ACKNOWLEDGMENTS CMDR Dagworthy s period of service in dron CMDR R G Dagworthy RAN: patrol boats was interrupted by a posting After returning to Australia he attended Officers and Ships Company of back to VENDETTA The bulk of his service the Royal Australian Navy Staff College at HMAS WATERHEN and attached on VENDETTA was whilst that ship was HMAS Penguin This was followed by a craft: Lieutenant Ross Gillett attached to the Strategic Reserve based in posting as the Executive Officer of HMAS RANR: Fleet Public Relations. Singapore. From VENDETTA he was JERVIS BAY, the RAN's training ship Fleet Public Relations Officer. Command Photographic Section: posted to HMAS ARROW and was that After being promoted to Commander in Carrington Slipways Pty Ltd and ship's Commanding Officer when she was 1981 he was posted to Navy Office, in Can- Krupp Atlas Electronik. lost during Cyclone Tracy Promotion to berra. to the Inshore Minehunter Project Fremantle Class patrol boats HMA Ships FREMANTLE. WHYALLA. WOLLONGONG and LAUNCESTON alongside HMAS Waterhen
THE NAVY THE NAVY April, 19B6 SPECIAL FEATURE — IVIINE WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES EX SPECIAL FEATURE — MINE WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES
NE of the least glamorous (a) the fore and aft. (b) the athwartships. and COMMANDER AUSTRALIAN MINE WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES but certainly one of the most O (c) the vertical useful weapons in any country's Nine Any one of these components can be armoury is the sea mine. Sea used to activate a mine's firing circuit and ROLES AND FUNCTIONS mines are manifold in their design there are a number of ingenious ways in and function and require a num- which they can be harnessed 1E overall command of the manding Officer HMAS WATERHEN has (cl Develop and conduct trials and Warfare Magnetic mines can be set to catch the ber of different countermeasures the title of Commander Australian Mine type ol ship required By setting the firing Australian Fleet is vested in evaluation of tactics for MCMVs and may still be found Thus the well-known T to neutralise them and make sea mechanism to a low figure of change in the Warfare and Patrol Boat Forces (COMAUS PTFs Oropesa sweep is still fitted in many classes the Fleet Commander and is con- lanes safe for shipping. Mines can MINPABl The functions delegated to Id) Promulgation of Class Standing Orders of minesweepers and minehunters The magnetic field, ships with small magnetic ducted from Fleet Headquarters, COMAUSMINPAB by the Fleet Comman for MCMVs. PTFs and other attached be used to close channels to ship- modern mine is almost certainly likely to be signature, such as destroyers and destroyer located ne::t to Garden Island. craft ping, deny ports to the enemy, exploded by acoustic, magnetic or pressure escorts, can be caught Large ships would explode this type ol set mine too far away to However, as a result of the experi- Advising the Fleet Commander on force enemy ships to take certain influence (al Class Authority for all Mine Counter be of use By using a higher figure or course ence gained through the earlier Mine Warfare and Patrol Boat matters measure Vessels (MCMV). patrol routes where they can more easily THE MAGNETIC MINE setting the small ship on. say a screen ahead generally operations with the TON Class boats, torpedo recovery vessels, diving be attacked by other means and, The magnetic mine is activated by a of the main body, might fail to activate the If) Liaise and co-operate with RANRL tenders and other support vessels that change in the Earth's magnetic field due to mine, but the larger ships they were screen- minesweepers the need to estab- and other external authonties. on mat- of course, actively to sink ships. may be allocated to from time to time the presence of a large metal conductor, ing would do so lish a separate and dedicated ters relating to minor war vessels. by the Fleet Commander As the Class Since most modern mines are such as a ship Ships acquire a certain minor war vessel authority, under As well as performing the above adminis- Magnetic mines can be laid on the sea Authority COMAUSMINPAB is re unsweepable and have to be destroyed one amount of permanent magnetism In the trative functions COMAUSMINPAB has bed or can be moored below the surface the Fleet Commander, became sponsible for the monitoring of the per by one — they can be used to force the process of building and this remains more or operational control of the Sydney based Again the method of sweeping this type of apparent. formance of these vessels and advising enemy to expend an enormous effort, both less stable throughout the life of the ship, supporl craft vessels mine is to explode it at a safe distance by the Fleet Commander of technical in time and money, in order to clear them, although refits, gunfire, and the pounding of creating a simulated magnetic field like that problems or shortcomings in the COMAUSMINPAB also has the dual rt an effort quite out of proportion to that heavy seas may alter it slightly In addition, With the introduction of the ATTACK of a ship design of these vessels and make sponsibility of being the Commanding Offi expended in laying them a ship may acquire varying amounts of Class patrol boats the Commanding Officer recommendations as to any improve cer of HMAS WATERHEN As such he is magnetism due to the course she is steering THE PRESSURE MINE HMAS WATERHEN was delegated by the ments responsible for the daily running of the and her magnetic latitude This is the most difficult mine, apart from Fleet Commander, responsibility for minor establishment and ensuring that it is capable TYPES OF MINES the nsing mine, to dispose of It is activated war vessels Whilst carrying out the duties (bl Conducting post refit inspections and of providing logistical and technical supporl The old moored contact mine is not out A ship's magnetic field can be resolved by the change in water pressure on it caused associated with minor war vessels delegated Operational Readiness Evaluations of for all attached minor war vessels and sup- of date, but other types of moored mines into three components to him by the Fleet Commander the Com all MCMVs and PTFs port craft
The six Ton class minesweepers in Jervis Bay during the early 1960s
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THE NAVY April, II THE NAVY Page Baven X" SPECIAL FEATURE — MINE WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES SPECIAL FEATURE — MINE WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES
by the passage of a ship over i( A ship mov- nin g through the water creates an area of low pressure beneath her which varies with her speed and draught There are a number of ways of using this wszr™* change of pressure, most of which use some to COuntor the Ac oust* and Magnetic Mi form of pressure operated device which, M km d—toped by 1942 In June 1944 the Germ*, M»nr introduced the PiMture Mir* ,n the Engl.sr when the pressure on it decreases, opens gy1 Normandy bMch^wxl A Pt and completes a circuit Pressure mines are •«ne m fired by the hydroeUfic prmtuie always laid on the sea bed There is no • #Mp passing over the mine method of sweeping them they have to A MMPtor M B mine A not pr«cbr_i be found and exploded by counter mining ao the only effective any of disposing > of the mine «mtor a diver to pUce i J> an eiplowe charge be«de the mine § y THE ACOUSTIC MINE // An acoustic mine is one which is activated by the noise made by a ship passing through the water The noise is a combination of the ft HMAS MALLOW, one of the RAN's first generation minesweepers cavitation of the water drops falling off the hull and the sound of the propellers and ^ A machinery These noises divide themselves into a range of frequencies which are picked up by hydrophones fitted in the mine and con- verted into electrical signals to fire the mine's detonator The hydrophones have to be accurately adjusted to ensure that they are not so sensitive that they will pick up the ship's noises too far away and explode the HMAS minesweeping in early mine harmlessly nor so insensit!v. that a World War II ship at slow speed will fail to det mate the Pressure Mine mine The method of sweeping them is to endeavour to explode them prematurely by MINE COUNTS shipping is expected and to keep the hydro ogy this mine and others like it are able to artificially making the sound of a sh.p but phones switched off at other times This fully assimulate the data being returned To make the clearance of minefields more much larger than in real life entails complicated remote arming systems from the ocean environment and discrim- difficult, they usually consist of a mixture of Acoustic mines are generally laid on the by means of acoustic underwater signals inate between the intended target and all the all types of mines This entails having to sea bed and as time goes by they get cov CAPTOR natural phenomena and man-made decoy sweep all fields by all meant — an ered with mud and marine growth and get One of the ways to make submarines noise existing around it immense and dangerous task It is even pos- less sensitive The hydrophones are there easier to find and kill is to deprive them of sible to devise a mine which is activated by fore arranged to get more sensitive with their operational areas The Captor is PRAM all three influences A screening vessel pissing over the mine less flexible than the use of signals, clocks time, but there will eventually come a time designed to do just that Captor, standing Also in this category of underwater anti- Thus, for example, a magnetic mine can will do no more than arm' the mine ready are of value to set a minefield to safe after a when they have lost all sensitivity In addi- for encapsulated torpedo, is a deep moored submarine warfare is the Pram mine It is be arranged not to explode unless there is to explode when the larger ship behind certain period when either the field is no tion. they have to listen all the time and this acoustic activated mine It employs the known as a rising mine This mine will be re- an acoustic signal also present or an acoustic passes over it longer required, or our own ships will have is a drain on their battenes latest MK 46 torpedo in a coffin-like con- sponsible for its on-target detection localisa- mine might also require a change of water- All these tricks greatly complicate the to traverse the area Thus the acoustic mine's life is somewhat tainer It is intended to remain dormant until tion and kill mechanisms It will be expected pressure and so on sweepers operation since it is no use limited, although it can be prolonged by a given acoustic response brings it to life' to remain on station for extended periods of As if this did not make the task difficult declaring a minefield safe after it has been arranging to arm' the mines only when Through the application of digital technol time, many months at a time Quiescent enough, mines can be made to count That swept two or three times if four count mines MINE LAYING when no ship is encountered, active and is to say the mines can disregard say the have been laid Mir.es nowadays are usually laid by air- alert when the presence of a ship is first, second and third influence and The mine countermeasure operators have craft A very simple, but extremely effective, detected Deployment of the rising mines on explode on the fourth. Similarly, some to use a system of Statistical Evaluation', his mine is made by fitting a sensor package to the Continental Shelf will further deprive the mines in a field can be made to disregard best judgement, coupled with what intelli- the 500, 1000 and 2000 lb aircraft-laid submarines of operating area The rising the first influence, some the first and second gence they have of the encountered mines bombs These are called 'Destructors' and mine will be fully capable of detecting its and so on A one count mine of a set sen- As mentioned before, it is possible to set a are so versatile they can also be used to submarine threat and exercising the same sitivity for example, could be used when try- minefield to 'arm' or be safe' by means of mine airfield runways and rail tracks Even if swift destruction that it will mete out to sur- ing to catch a large ship screened by smaller acoustic underwater signals, but a simpler one of these type of mines were recovered, face vessels ones and easier way is to use clocks Although any examination of the micro-electronic
MINE CONSTRUCTION TRENDS Improvements in mines are directed towards producing smooth bodies with sometimes irregular shapes. They can be coated with acoustic absorbent materials to decorrelate the echoes which can merge with the back scattering from the bottom ARCADIA-CHEM PTY LTD Therefore, due to the inherent problems of classifying mines by their signature, their (AQUA-CHEM DIVISION) classification using shadow effects has been developed and this technique leads to far more positive and easier classification than Suppliers of: is possible using signature classification alone. Shadow classification is earned out DISTILLATION PLANTS TO DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY by examining the sonar shadow of the mine as projected on the sea-bed by the ship's sonar Irrespective of the shape and surface coating the modem mine still projects a 39 Malcolm Road, Telephone: shadow Mordialoc, Vic, 3195 (03) 580 1655
P*B* Eight THE NAVY April, 1B8B AprM, 11 THE NAVY P*0* Nine EX SPECIAL FEATURE — IVIINE WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES SPECIAL FEATURE — MINE WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES
together for a given distance, at which .ime through a minefield is to locate and explode pared for another sortie or recovered The they separate to form a large loop The every mine weapon is exploded by an acoustic signal minesweeper has a special generator which At present the system used in the RAN is One interesting development has been an produces a large pulsating current and this done by launching a Gemini dinghy fitted creates a magnetic field similar to that made attachment that can be fitted to enable the with a suspended disposal weapon beneath by a ship submersible to sever the mooring cable of it Reflections from both the mine and the moored mines A small ship is simulated by using low disposal weapon enable the Gemini to be power and a large one by the use of high conned to a position where the weapon can power It is customary to carry out the first be released and through a system of sweep on low power and then gradually delayed firing enable the mine to be neutral- step it up for subsequent sweeps ised
ACOUSTIC SWEEPING The French have developed a submersi- To simulate the noise made by a ship ble known as the PAP 104 and Australia when going through the water, electrically has agreed to purchase and fit this system to operated noise-making devices are used the Minehunting Catamarans It consists of Presently in use in the RAN are the Acoustic a wire-guided submersible which carries two HMAS BUNGAREE November 1943 Displacer and the Acoustic Hammer — explosive charges and a TV camera It is each covering a selected band of frequen unmanned and controlled by the parent chip forming the core of the mine s activat cies The ob)ect is that the noise produced ship A searchlight is provided to give TV ing system will destroy it will cause the acoustic mines to detonate cameras lights by which to see A gyro com This is not to be interpreted as the only pass is also carried and its readout is re method, numerous stores of World War II PRESSURE MINES moled to the parent ship, which then has a mines are still in stock in the various As already mentioned, there is no way of continuous reading of the heading of the armouries of the Communist Bloc countries sweeping a pressure mine — it has to be submersible A mine can be laid by any method ranging found and exploded Indeed, with all the from vanous tricks that can be played with mines Once the charge has been released the (a) minelaying ships, i e such as HMAS we have now reached a point where the submersible ascends and is controlled to BUNGAREE in World War II only safe way of ensuring a safe passage return to the parent vessel, either to be pre (b) submarine. (c) merchant ship (every Communist ship is a potential mine layer) Acoustic hammer on Ton class (d) sampan (Korea. Vietnam) minesweeper (e) aircraft. and (0 Finally, by a diver (the pressure mines so successfully used in Vietnam) The advantage of the aircraft laid ground HELICOPTER SWEEPING mine over a moored mine is that when it Helicopters for minesweeping were first explodes, the greater part of the energy used in Korea, since then, they have proved released goes upwards to the surface and invaluable off Vietnam and In the Suez hits the ship on the underside of the hull, Canal The RN 53D Sea Stallion chopper is the best place to cause a hole A moored used and can tow a double-wire sweep mine releases its energy in all directions and against moored mines The wire sweep is is generally not so lethal Mining is not an similar to that used by surface vessels and expensive form of warfare, as the modern employs explosive cutters influence mine costs only about $ 10.000 Acoustic Sweep. The acoustic sweep is a MINESWEEPING towed noise maker which operates by the pressure of water, which via water pressure There are two types of vessels used for stream sweeps, the wire Oropesa type for mines and blow them up Many minehun drives a turbine, which in turn rotates a clearing minefields - minesweepers and cutting moored mines and the magnetic ters are. however, also equipped with wire noise-producing disc minehunters. and they are often known ones for exploding magnetic mines They and magnetic acoustic sweeps so they can under the general term of Mine Counter- can also tow an acoustic sweep be used as minesweepers when required The Magnetic Sweep. This sweep con measure craft Minesweepers can be quite MINEHUNTERS MAGNETIC MINESWEEPING sists of a towed hydrofoil sled on board it is large for ocean sweeping or very small for These are for use against ground To detonate a magnetic mine, a sweeper Divers en-route to detonate an enemy mine after location by minehunter a Jet Turbine Generator which is controlled coastal or in shore work They actually influence mines Their main job is to find the tows astern of it two buoyant cables lashed
COSTAM - PEARSON BRIDGE MENELING ABATTOIRS BATCHELOR, NT Main Contractor For SERVICES DUCT PROJECT Suppliers ol: GENERAL MEAT LINES TO DEPT OF ADMIN. SERVICES Are Proud to be Associated with ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY Telephone: (089) 76 0085
Garden Island Modernisation Proud to Support the Defence Forces of Australia
THE NAVY Paga llavan THi NAVY ApHI, 1SBB EX SPECIAL FEATURE — IVIINE WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES SPECIAL FEATURE — MINE WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES
from the helicopter This produces a magnetic field in the water similar to that of a ship BAY CLASS MHCAT tainerised system is ashore being main Disadvantages. Helicopter sweeping has Background or disposal of submerged objects, and (f) Supporting diving operations tained three disadvantages, these being Minelaying is one of the most (a) Poor Endurance - the time on task The concept of operations for these small The Minehunting System is the primary cost-effective ways of exerting and total monthly operating hours can MCM ships is that a two-ship unit will be weapon system of the Minehunter Cata not compete with the performance ol naval power. As was illustrated able to keep a port open, each operating maran and it comprises the following sub- surface ships recently in the Gulf of Suez and twelve hours continually on minehunting systems and neutralisation and twelve hours off for (a) Minehunting sonar sub-system (b) Poor Navigation compared to a the Red Sea during 1984. mines surface vessel - greatly increases the Jft JT5T ^mrm .iiw^i^j maintenance, rest, and such less continually (b) Tactical Data sub-system. can be laid clandestinely in amount of MCM effort required to demanding tasks as marking cleared chan (c) Precision Navigation sub-system, and achieve any given percentage of mine _ • peacetime by merchant ships, nels This concept brings the advantages of (d) Mine Disposal sub system minimum crew requirements and. accor To keep ship costs down, the design clearance HMAS CURLEW in September 1982 fishing craft, submarines or air- (cl Cost thus is very high considering craft to either harass shipping dingly. minimum accommodation, victual length of the hull has been kept to the mini ling and self-maintenance facilities mum that model tank testing has shown will the logistic requirements needed to AUSTRALIAN MINE COUNTERMEASURES SQUADRON with low-charge mines or com- uplift and support a MCM helicopter For their operational tasks, such ships will provide an efficient speed/length ratio and squadron CURLEW 1121 pletely seal off port approaches or need reliable and efficient systems for still provide space for main machinery to be HOVERCRAFT SWEEPING Displacement 484 49 tonnes (476 tons) deny the use of shipping channels (a) Mine locating, whether the mines are installed on the weather deck, and provide Length overall 46 77 metres (153 ft 5 in) Advantages. In the MCM environment by the thick sowing of large explo- riding on moorings or lying on the sea an adequate area for mine disposa' weapon Beam « 55 metres (28 ft) handling the Hovercraft have three advantages over sive mines. bed. conventional displacement vessels, these Engines Two Napier Delttc D 18-7A diesels - 1500 bhp (b) Identification of located suspected A composite foam sandwich construction During the Vietnam War. the Port of being Hunters only - Active rudders two Foden FD6 Mk VIII-220 bhp mines. has been selected, comprising a 60 mm Generators Three Foden FD6 Mk 1 or II Haiphong was sealed off for months by la) speed (c) Destruction of the mines. thick layer of high density rigid PVC foam Propellers Twin Screw heavy American mining In the Korean War (b) relative immunity to underwater (d) Close to hand maintenance and stores planks with external and internal laminates Speed 15 knots the North Koreans denied Wonsan to the shock. support, whether by support ship or by Each layer of laminate consists of alternating Armament One Bofors 40 60 mm (IBIS - Two) United Nations forces for many weeks (c) low magnetic, pressure and acoustic mobile forward operating support plies of resin and 300 gm/square metre Ship's Company Five officers and 32 sailors During WWII the US Navy laid 25.000 signatures base glass chopped strand mat The selected mines in Japan's coastal routes and pon Disadvantages. The Hovercraft also To get to the area of threat, the ships resin is thixotropic unsaturated isophthallic approaches to sink 1.075 ships and caused have disadvantages, these being acoustic sweeps and installing a high fre the Australian Defence Force CURLEW must be capable of coastal passages polyester the virtual collapse of Japanese coastal sea (a) poor sea keeping. quency sonar set Minehunting is comple will shortly be replaced by the RAN's new The design selected after extensive tank The advantages of the foam sandwich transport (b) poor endurance. mentary to minesweeping but is earned out Inshore Minehunter. the prototype of which testing of models of the hull shape in both construction are (c) poor controllability, and in a different way CURLEW locates mines will be launched at Newcastle in May this Every country with a sea coast and pons Australian and Netherlands test facilities and — Light-weight. (d) poor towing power by means of a sonar beam The mine is then year needs to possess mine counter-measures shock-testing in both Australian and United Ease of construction. Future. Whether a Hovercraft will be suf exploded by lowering a countermining (MCM) forces to provide a credible Kingdom facilites. is a catamaran hull form, — Low maintenance. ficiently manoeuvreable to carry out mine charge of high explosive nearby, or divers AUSTRALIAN capability to deal with any mine threat by to be constructed of foam sandwich GRP — Minimum magnetic influence. hostile country, guerilla forces or terrorists hunting is questionable, however, a role 111 may descend to the mine to render it harm MINESWEEPING PROJECT and fitted with an anti pitching fin between — Low noise transmission. the form of a Precursor Sweeper to a limited less for recovery purposes In the 1980s the world's navies have the two bow areas — Good thermal insulation degree cannot be overlooked In addition to this specialised mine coun In late 1985 the Minister for Defence evolved three basic ship types for dealing EQUIPMENT PRESENT CAPABILITY termeasures role, the squadron has located announced that the Federal Govern with the mine threat These are HULL FORM To enhance this new ship type's capability Navy's present wooden hulled TON Class aircraft that have crashed at sea. sunken ment had approved expenditure of The minesweeper, which tows sweeps A catamaran hull was selected because it to operate effectively in suspected mined minehunter HMAS CURLEW was built in ships, and underwater obstructions that $5 8 million to develop and trial a new through the sea to sever moored mines and provided, with minimum displacement, a waters, all equipment fitted in the ship must the United Kingdom in the 1960s and pur could well have proven hazardous to ship- and innovative concept in mine activate magnetic or acoustic mines very manoeuvrable, stable, shock-resistant, meet the criteria of chased with 5 other TON Class vessels from ping CURLEW carries a team of clearance sweeping At the heart of this new The minehunter. which locates suspected and relatively spacious working platform (a) High shock resistance (by use of shock concept was a major breakthrough by the Royal Navy in the 1960s, all ships then divers and these men have participated in mines by high definition sonar, investigates Low displacement means a lower pressure mountings and/or vibration mount scientists working at the Royal Austra- being configured as minesweepers Mine operations involving disposal of World War the suspect object by underwater television signature to actuate pressure mines and the ings). lian Navy Research Laboratory The sweepers counter mines either II mines in Australian and Papua New cameras and destroys confirmed mines by capability to hunt for mines in the shallow (b) Minimum magnetic signature. centre point of the breakthrough was (a) mechanically — by towing wire astern Guinea waters, salvage of crashed aircraft, remotely controlled explosive charge waters used by many inshore craft The (c) Low magnetic permeability. the development of a highly which cuts the mooring wire of and assistance to civil powers, such as in Ships which combine the capabilities of increased stability inherent with the cata- magnetised buoy made of a strontium (d) Minimum noise emission moored mines, thus allowing the mine Darwin following Cyclone Tracy in 1975 minehunter and minesweeper femte alloy maran form enables propulsion and power The minimum magnetic properties criteria to nse to the surface where it is des The TON Class is constructed of a double After lengthy evaluation of available types generation to be located at upper deck level requirement has been followed stringently in troyed by nfle fire, or skin of mahogany laid over an aluminium The development of this magnetic ol modern mine counter-measures ships, which brings a threefold advantage in that the selection of materials for ships finings (b) by exploding mines by towing cables frame as protection against magnetic mines buoy means that no longer will mines- the Royal Australian Navy has determined (a) The ship's magnetic signature is Fiesh water pipes are plastic, hydraulics sys- and equipment astern that simulate the CURLEW was also designed to operate with weepers have to be complex an that the most cost-effective procurement to reduced when measured at a distance tems pipes of Tungum (aluminium silicon magnetism and noise of a very large a low level of underwater noise as protec expensive ships In fact, almost any replace the Navy's existing mine warfare below the water: bronze), machinery cooling pipes are cop- vessel with a work area on the stern ship, thereby deceiving a mine's trig- lion against acoustic mines vessels and maintain a capability to cope (b) The ship's acoustic signature is per nickel and exhaust pipes of stainless deck can be used to sweep magnetic gering device The valiant efforts of operators and main with the mine threat in coastal waters would reduced when measured at a distance steel Phosphor bronze or minimum mines This system of using craft of In 1969. CURLEW (and SNIPE) were tainers have kept CURLEW going, but she be a number of small, relatively cheap, below the water; magnetic stainless steel is used for deck fit- opporiumty will allow, in times of war. converted from influence minesweepers into is approaching her end of life and her capa specially designed, single role minehunters tings The tripod mast is of aluminium. the skills and local knowledge of fisher (c) Vital equipments are provided with mmehunters by removing magnetic and bility falls short of today's requirements of men and other seafarers to be used in increased protection from underwater When the use of magnetic material is defence of their nation ROLES shock effects unavoidable (e.g. main machinery), such This class of small minehunter would be Manoeuvrability can be greatly enhanced equipments are provided with individual In conceri with the evaluation of the required to undertake the following roles by having two independently controlled and degaussing coils craft of opportunity minesweeping sys- (a) Detecting mines laid in water depths widely separated steering propulsion units, The Navy has built a Magnetic Test Range tem wil be tests to as to whether it is less than. 100 metres, and neutralising one to each hull and each with 360 degrees ashore on which every piece of equipment possible to develop a similar "bolt on" | FLINDERS TIDE. or disposing of mines in the same traverse. to be placed on board is first magnetically system for use with helicopters These depths. Following weapon system studies under- checked for its magnetic signature a vessel ideally helicopters could then be used to (b) Operating as training vessels in mine- I suited for use as a sweep ahead of the minesweepers taken in France and Germany, the concept An electric earthing system is provided for hunting techniques and operations. of a modularised/containerised weapon sys- *'! metallic equipment and a lightning pro- | craft of opportunity Once these projects and the RAN's (c) Developing minehunting techniques tem was selected which has enabled a tection system with lightning conductors fit- Inshore Minehunters reach operational and tactics in local waters. separation of the shipbuilding and outfitting ted on the mast yard-arms and taken down status Australia will have an anti-mine (d) Collecting data for Mine Warfare Pilot task from weapon systems integration. This to an earthing system distributed between warfare capability that will be the Survey; concept will permi one operational weapon carihing plates, propulsion unit and sonar envoy of the Western world (e) Locating and assisting in the recovery system to be embarked while a spare con- trunk
THI NAVY THI NAVY Rmgm Th|pt*n EX SPECIAL FEATURE — IVIINE WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES SPECIAL FEATURE — MINE WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES
A maintenance policy of repair by be capable of withstanding, with the use of PASSIVE DEFENCE MEASURES (2) reduction of the amount of equipment replacement wherever practical has been mounts if necessary, repeated shocks For the ship's specialist minehunting role, to the minimum practicable and siting selected and the ship's design supports this without sustaining damage beyond the it is important that the noise signature and it as high as possible in the ship con- concept On board maintenance will be limi capabilities of ship staff to repair using on- magnetic signature emitted are kept below sistent with satisfactory operation: ted to servicing and routine planned main board spares. those that would activate a modern sea (3) the use of minimum magnetic tenance Each propulsion steenng unit can mine This is achieved in the minehunter materials for construction of the hull, be lifted out from the ship without require In order that on-board spares will be catamaran by superstructure and fittings: and ment for dry docking as can the sonar trans capable of withstanding repeated shocks ol (a) To reduce Noise Signature: (4) the use of compensating devices ducer An overhead monorail is provided in similar magnitude without damage, appro- (1) the mounting of machinery on noise- In-service checking of the signature the machinery compartment for the easy priate shock mounted stowages for spares isolating mounts: should be carried out by portable test equip- removal and replacement of machinery and are provided. (2) providing acoustic enclosures of diesel ment or fixed ranges an overhead hatch permits the whole engine generators: to be lifted out Control arrangements for machinery and (3) oversizing of hydraulic propulsion sys- GUN ARMAMENT CREW equipment, other than purely domestic equipment, are such that they will not be tem: No weapons, other than the Mine Dis- The Royal Australian Navy has decided on impaired by repeated shocks (4) special attention to insulation of noise posal System, are carried during mine- a ship's complement of thirteen, comprising paths: hunting operations However, provision is Two officers Captain and Executive Automatic control of machinery and other (5) special attention to propeller and rud- made for mounting two 0.5 in machine officer. equipment and labour-saving devices have der design: and guns on gun supports (two forward and two Three petty officers two seamen, one been incorporated where this will result in a (6) insulation of the hull. aft), when the ship is not minehunting. Pro- technical. saving in manpower or is cost-effective on (b) To reduce Magnetic Signature vision is also made for the carriage of small Five seamwn. other grounds and is acceptable within (1) the use of minimum magnetic equip- arms when required. A separate Small Two Technical sailors. magnetic and acoustic signature constraints ment: Arms Ammunition Magazine is provided One Communications sailor One spare sleeping berth is provided In order to confirm the accuracy of their design studies and model tank testing the Navy Vessel's Epic Maiden Trip: 100m Navy funded the construction of a full-scale section of hull from keel to upper deck and The Royal Australian Navy's Navy tests have shown that the material The straddle carrier will be used for the then in 1980 had this section subjected to a will be less vulnerable to sensitive magnetic- second time in February to lift the ship out- test programme of underwater explosive down in stability and buoyancy criteria revolutionary new minehunter, Beam of each Hull 3.0m ally activated mines than steel or timber ves- side the building for final outfitting and shocks of increasing intensity This full scale for US Naval surface ships Depth of Keel to 1 Deck HMAS RUSHCUTTER. made its sels painting. testing proved the soundness of the mine BUILDING STANDARDS at Centreline 4 6m first voyage recently. Carrington Slipway's contract includes hunter catamaran hull design and of the About 10 weeks later, the carrier will take Maximum draft 1 8m The minimum service life of the hull But the journey involved a distance of options for up to six more minehunters if the selected material and method of construc should be of the order of 20 years with nor the completed 170-tonne vessel 300m Height overall 19 0m about 100m and it was not carried out vessels prove successful in extensive trials. tion mal usage upkeep along a specially constructed road to a canal Displacement at full load 170 tonnes under the ship's own power The firm also is engaged in an interna- As far as is practicable, the ship conforms off the Hunter River and lower it into the Displacement at hall load 160 tonnes The RUSHCUTTER was lifted from its tional marketing exercise, with its marketing Minehunter Catamaran to approved RAN standards as laid down by water for its official launching. SPEED & ENDURANCE construction berth in a large, covered ship- manager. Mr Richard Miller, currently in the the Department of Defence (Navy Office) The minehunters are each 31m long with Specification The ship is capable of a maximum con- building facility at Tomago out into the Middle East talking to Arab nations about tinuous speed of at least 10 kts in calm seas The ship complies as closely as possible the minehunters. 9m wide catamaran hulls The following ship specification has been open, to allow the hull of a second mine- at half load displacement and six months with the following international regulations The praying mantis-like straddle carrier evolved from the Navy's prolonged studies hunter. HMAS SHOALWATER. to be the completed hull of the RUSHCUT out of dock in tropical waters (a) Convention on the International Regu TER weighs about 55 tonnes In the outfit- weights 100 tonnes and has lifted up to 205 and material and model testing moved on to the berth. Under the same conditions, the ship has lations for Preventing Collisions at ting berth the ship's superstructure, electrical tonnes In tests, about 10% more than its DESIGN The lift was done by a $700,000 heavy- an endurance of at least 1.200 nautical Sea. 1972. including IMCO amend lift straddle carrier buih specially for the equipment and pipe sy^ems will be nominal capacity. It sits on eight 2.5m An asymetric catamaran hull form, built miles, with 30% of fuel remaining ments minehunter project The straddle carrier is installed. diameter tyres of foam sandwich glass reinforced plastic The vessel is designed to be: (b) International Convention for Prevent- (GRP). of the smallest sue capable of con the biggest of its type in Australia, with a (a) Capable of making ocean passages at ing of Pollution from Ships. 1973. lifting capacity of 180 tonnes. taining and operating a modular mine reduced speed in Sea State 4 and con- including IMCO amendments Carrington Slipways Pty Ltd's fibreglass detection and neutralisation weapon sys- ducting minehunting operations con- SHOCK REQUIREMENTS division is building the two prototype mine- tem. and with a diesel hydraulic propulsion tinuously in Sea State 3 The hull is capable of surviving repeated hunters for the Navy under a contract worth system (b) Capable of maintaining a stationary shocks from underwater explosions to the about $25 million. DIMENSIONS fixed geographical position to within magnitude expected from a modern sea Length Overall 31 0m the accuracy required lor minehunting mine Anniversary Celebration Length at Waterline 28 Om (c) In accord with the intact and damaged Machinery and equipment other than The RUSHCUTTER is scheduled to be Beam of Ship 9.0m stability criteria for 60 knot winds laid purely domestic equipment are designed to launched on May 3 this year and it will be the only neu naval vessel to go into the water in the RAN's 75th anniversary year. Lamination of the hull of the RUSHCUT- TER has been completed and fitting-out work will begin next week. Once the second vessel had been moved on to the construction berth, the straddle contain the world. carrier lifted the RUSHCUTTER back into the covered facility, setting it down on a OCL long a wurkl leader in fitting-out berth. containerised shipping and transhipoing. continues to offer yai a host of ancillary Critical Period services lo help you mow your goods The movement of the two vessels marked quickly and safely anywhere the end of a critical 18-month period for We are also in a position to give you Carrington Slipways, ending what has often extensive information on new markets lor Delivering the goods been a slow learning process in using fibre- specific products and commodities. glass lamination. Overseas Containers Australia Pty Limited Call on us anytime. The two ships are the first minehunters in It wont cost you a cent to talk to us Sdnrv2QS® Mrtboumr 627721 • Brobmr 2291022 the wotld to be built from glass-reinforced and it could be the route lo important new plastic RUSHCUTTER. MHI01. under construction profits
THI NAVY Apr*. TH« NAVY SPECIAL FEATURE — MIME WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES The KAE MU)S 80 — Minehunting Weapon System Introduction The MWS 80 system fined in the RAN fci:IIU!MHI 1/iJ^JjiB Inshore Minehunting Catamaran was designed and manufactured by Krupp Atlas Elektronik (KAE) in Bremen. West Ger many The system provides for a new approach to Minehunting and is consistent with the Royal Australian Navy's novel cata- maran solution The extent of system inte- gration includes common consoles, hardware and software and its packaging in Containers for easy removal/exchange which ensures high operational availability for Australian MCM forces, even in remote locations The photographs below show the MWS 80 Land-based Test and Training Facility at HMAS Waterhen. which was offi- cially opened by the Fleet Commander. Rear Admiral Ian Knox. RAN. on the 4th March. 1986 This facility has been imple mented for the RAN by KAE and has been used by Krupp Australia, KAE Division for installation, integration, acceptance testing of the second and third Minehunting Sys- tems. since July. 1985 The first system was integrated in Germany and underwent Sea Trials in the North Sea
System Functional Overview The bask: functions of the MWS 80 Sys- MWS 80 tem are: — • to search for. detect and classify mines, whether suspended, moored or lying on MHCAT. In early 1974, Rentco, a division of Fruehauf Austria. Australia. Belgium. Canada. France, the sea-bed: Finance Corporation Pty Limited (incorporated in West Germany. Sweden. The Netherlands. United • to provide co-ordination and control of ground mines Under the sponsorship of the Sensor chosen by the Royal Australian New South Wales) was established in Australia as a Kingdom and United States of America, Finland. MCM operations in focal sea areas and Federal German Ministry of Dcfence. the Navy is the Motorola Miniranger III System, semi-trailer Equipment Rental Specialist. There are many factors which have enabled a port approaches. DSQS-11 H has been designed to meet the however, the addition of the KAE Doppler Since commencing the Australian operations with steady expansion of Rentco's Rental Fleet • to identify, destroy or neutralise mines by requirements of future Federal German Log DLO 3-2 provides a fully automatic a couple of platform semi-trailers there has been a throughout the world — all with a similar means of a Mine Disposal Sub-system. Navy MCM programmes, such as SM 343 back-up mode of operation Like the Sonar MJ 332 Design features of the DSQS 11 H DSQS-11 H. the NCE provides for flexibility continual expansion of the Rentco fleet by number, characteristic of concept — all with similar benefits • to retain accurate record of the areas searched, including the classification include high performance and availability, in application and future growth potential. as well as model range. to offer. results and geographical positions of mechanical simplicity, one-man operation The NCE is operated by one man. All The name Rentco. goes back for a considerable 1. Greater flexibility of changing requirements. mines and other objects detected: and substantial provision for growth poten- standard Minehuntinj procedures are period of time when the first Rentco fleet was 2. Financial commitment geared to business • to develop new MCM techniques and tial to combat future mine threats largely automated, however. Menu sup- launched in the USA. The growth over many years activity. tactics: The KAE Navigation and Command ported manual control of the Minehunting has now led to a global fleet in excess of 18.000 4. Day to day operational cost easily assessed. • to create a Data Base of all coastal areas Equipment (NCE) fulfils the MCM require- operations is always possible trailers and ancillary equipment. 5. Maintenance down-time minimised. from (Route Survey) operation. ment of precision navigation as well as tacti- The Mine Disposal Equipment incorpor- This vast rental fleet of trailers is serviced from a 6. Avoidance of obsolescence The KAE DSQS-11 H is a Minehunting cal display, information processing, data ates a Mine Disposal Vehicle MDB (PAP network of over 120 Rentco depots throughout 7. Under-utilisation minimised. Sonar, suitable for detection and classifica- recording and plotting for the MCM Com- 104) but is Government-Supplied Equip- mand The primary precision Navigation countries as far afield as: 8. Conservation of capital commitments. tion of surface mines, moored mines and ment fully integrated within the system. In summary the functional design of the MWS 80 System facilitates the continuous monitoring of high risk coastal waters by route survey peacetime operations, such that rapid clearance can be achieved when required of our shipping routes For further details ring: System Layout The MWS 80 system is installed in two fRUEHAUF Glass Reinforced Plastic Containers of Foam Townsville: (077) 74 5677 sandwich construction with connection units Darwin: 84 4000 to provide the electrical interfaces to ship fit- ted equipment such as navigation sensors, Melbourne: 689 2211 Adelaide: 45 7266 communications equipment, and power Sydney: 642 0333 Perth: 458 6022 supplies. Brisbane: 277 3944 Karratha: (091)85 1979 The Containerised design of the RAN MHI Catamaran and MWS 80 System is • RENTCO WV HHJEHAUF FINANCE CORPORATION FT* LIMITED (MC NSW)
• SIxtNn THE NAVY April, 11 THE NAVY Page B«y«ntiin SPECIAL FEATURE — MINE WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES
such that the important system components can be exchanged within a matter of hours BRADMILL CANVAS COVERS' The ORC is the nerve centre of the ship and contains all the electronics for the sys- tem in compact modules apart from some sonar signal processing circuits which are located within the Sonar Transducer, as THE AUSTRALIAN OUTDOORS shown in Figure 3 The unit was designed and buit in Australia by Krupp Australia Pty Ltd. KAE Division and Unisearch Limited in conjunction with the MHI Shipbuilder Car rington Slipways Fibreglass Division The ORC is fully airconditioned and the layout as shown in the accompanying photograph, ensures that the Commanding Officer has a full appreciation of the situation All the ship control indicators are fitted in the Versatile Console System instrumentation panel sus- pended above the NCE Console
Additional instrumentation includes slave Radar Display, and slave Displays for the ATLAS DSO 20 Echo Sounder and the secondly, after positive mine identification MHI Catamaran is a world first in integrated ATLAS Doppler Log DLO 3 2 The NCE by the TV, for releasing its explosive charge mine warfare systems and will provide the Console with its two displays enable the for mine destruction RAN with a capability to rapidly clear Aus- Command to monitor the tactical situation The TDGC Container is of similar design tralian coastal waters of current and future on a Labelled Plan Display (LPD) whilst to the ORC Figure 3 shows the TDGC in its mine threats Numerous peacetime applica continuing with system operation on the normally housed arrangement and the insert tions are envisaged for this versatile and second display The Sonar equipment like shows the section which protrudes beneath capable system The design of the system wise has two displays, one for detection the Catamaran hull The power electronics has been realised by close collaboration covering 360° in asimuth and the other for and hydraulic controls are contained in the between KAE engineers in Germany and classification, and system menu driven upper section whilst the lower retractable Australian engineers from both Defence operation Both consoles have layouts and section contains two sonar arrays and their Department and Industry for its specific role colour-coded presentation which enable the associated electronics All the signal pro- in containerised form on board the RAN Command to monitor the tactical situation cessing is performed in the underwater elec- Catamaran Minehunter Through life in- and the sonar performance continuously tronics section, such that a purely digital country support has been ensured by the without detracting from his overall system interface exists with the ORC where further involvement of Australian Industry, in parti- responsibilities Between the consoles is processing and display circuitry are housed cular Krupp Australia Pty Ltd. KAE Divi- situated the TV monitor and controls for the The system design is such that a variable sion. and the provision of the KAE Land PAP 104 Mine Disposal Vehicle Utilising depth sonar can be implemented for further Based Test and Training Facility the sonar guidance together with the TV extension of the system capabilities picture, this remotely-operated submersible Finally, recently conducted Sea Trials indicate the system will meet the Navy's vehicle is firstly positioned above the mine Summary firstly for positive identification, and requirements both now and into the next The MWS 80 System as fitted to the RAN century
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P«Q* DflMMn THI NAVY April, 1SBB April, 1988 THE NAVY Page Nlnatwn SPECIAL FEATURE — MINE WARFARE AfSJC
Aegean, where she was to remain until April result of near misses from three sticks of room as a result of severe structural 7 S On her return to the Inshore Squadron bombs damage Some 25 minutes after being THE OLD" CHO OK— HMAS WATERHEN I After completion of these repairs HE first stick of bombs, which fell attacked the ship had developed a danger WATERHEN was despatched to the Aegan. about 30 feet clear of the ships port ous list to starboard and was abandoned { where she was to remain until April On her bow. caused a leak in the No 1 oil T Three-and-a-half hours later WATERHEN j return to the Inshore Squadron fuel tank, as well as carrying away the W/T was reboarded and a tow line was passed to WATERHEN took pari in operations in sup- aenals The second stick fell 50 feet astern DEFENDER, however, between 0015 and port of the Army at Tobruk On 14 April, of the ship The final stick, which fell close 0030 the list increased and the ship was whilst at anchor in Tobruk Harbour. alongside the ship's port side, caused the once again abandoned, though the tow was WATERHEN was attacked by dive most damage As a result of this third stick continued Finally, at about 0150 on the bombers Fortunately, she was not the vessel developed a list to port, the boiler morning of 30 June. 1941. the fight to save damaged by this attack Five days later, fires were blown out and the ship's wheel the gallant ship was lost as the 'Old Chook' accompanied by the destroyers STUART was >ammed The list was the result of an rolled over and sank and VOYAGER. WATERHEN acted as eight foot long hole below the waterline escort for the landing ship HMS between the engine room and No 3 oil fuel The WATERHEN was the first ship of the GLENGYLE as she carried commandos for tank, the engine room and main cabin flat Royal Australian Navy to be lost in the a raid on the facilities at Bardia For the were flooded immediately Flooding also Second World War as a direct result of remainder of April she was engaged in occurred in the tiller flat and No 2 boiler enemy action operations designed to support the Army during the campaigns in Greecc and Crete Type Destroyer W' Class These operations included taking part in the Displacement 1.100 tons evacuation of both Greece and Crete Length 312 feet 2 inches (overall) In May 1941. the Tobruk Ferry service Beam 29 feet 7 inches was initiated using the destroyers of the Draught 9 feet 8 inches WATERHEN as a unit of the Royal Navy Inshore Squadron The object of the service Builders: Palmers Shipbuilding Co Ltd. Hebburn-on-Tyne England was to provide logistic support for Australian HMAS Laid Down 3 July. 1917 unch d 23 March. 1918 troyers were commissioned into the RAN on T this stage of the war Italy was still and other soldiers that were surrounded in WATERHEN La « iE latter stages of the Completed 17 July. 1918 r 11 October. 1933 The newly formed Aus neutral and as the Royal Navy had Tobruk Machinery: Parsons Turbines (Twin Screws) Great War saw the tralian Destroyer Flotilla departed England undisputed mastery of the Mediter- On 28 June. 1941. WATERHEN. in A Speed 34 Knots introduction into the Royal for Australia on 17 October Sailing via Suez ranean. WATERHEN and the other des- company with HMS DEFENDER, departed the Flotilla reached Darwin on 7 December troyers were engaged in routine patrols and Alexandria for Tobruk At about 7 45 pm. Armament 4x4 inch Guns Navy of a number of capable and arrived in Sydney on 21 December Fleet exercises Following Italy's entry into whilst off Solium, both ships were attacked 1 x 2 Pounder Gun and high performance des- After her amval in Australia WATERHEN the war and the fall of France, the strategic by dive-bombers Though neither ship was 6 y 21 inch Torpedo Tubes (Two Triple Mountings) was engaged in routine duties with the Aus- situation in the Mediterranean was com hit. WATERHEN was badly damaged as a Complement: 127 troyers. tralian Squadron until 9 October. 1934. pletely changed The British Mediterranean To operate with these destoyers the when she was placed in reserve She Fleet now found itself virtually surrounded Admiralty ordered the design of a new class remained in reserve until April 1936. when by hostile shores of destroyer leaders, known as V Class Des- she was recommissioned for a short period, On 17 August 1940. WATERHEN was troyer Leaders Following the placing of the after which she was once again placed into part of the force screening British warships order for the V Class Leaders work com- reserve which were bombarding Italian positions in menced on a new class of destroyer These On 1 September. 1939. WATERHEN Libya A week later WATERHEN was again destroyers ordered in 1916 were designed was recommissioned and made ready for off the Libyan coast, this time providing cov- in the light of experience gained at Jutland war service Her initial war duties were ering fire for the gunboat HMS LADYBIRD The design finally chosen was almost identi carrying out anti-submarine patrols based as she attacked shipping and harbour facili- cal to the V Class Leaders The initial batch out of Sydney On 14 October. 1939. in ties at Bardia Following the Italian invasian of destroyers was ordered in June 1916 and company with STUART and VENDETTA. of Greece on 28 October. 1940. became known as V Class Destroyers WATERHEN sailed for Singapore On the WATERHEN helped escort a convoy from These destroyers were followed in Decem- same day as WATERHEN sailed for Singa- Alexandria to Crete After establishing a ber 1916 by a repeat order of 19 ships, pore her sister ships VAMPIRE and VOY fuelling base the warships returned to Alex included in this order was th<> destroyer AGER departed Fremantle. also bound for andria WATERHEN Singapore The entire Flotilla was under the In December 1940. WATERHEN. as part WATERHEN was laid down In July 1917 command of Commander H M L Waller of the Inshore Squadron, provided support at the Hebburn-on-Tyne shipyards of the RAN On 13 November, after all the des for the British Army fighting in the Western Palmer's Shipbuilding and Iron Company troyers had arrived at Singapore, the Flotilla Desert On Christmas night 1940 She was launched on 26 March. 1918. and sailed for the Mediterranean Whilst en- WATERHEN intercepted the Italian supply completed just prior to the end of the Great route the destroyers were despatched to ship TEREREMO DIRITTO After taking off War help search for the German pocket her crew WATERHEN sank the vessel by battleship GRAF SPEE WATERHEN In 1933. WATERHEN. as well as the des- gunfire Five days later the Australian des- arrived in Malta on 14 December and along troyers VAMPIRE. VENDETTA. VOY troyer collided with and sank the British with the other Australian destroyers formed AGER and the destroyer leader STUART anti submarine trawler HMS BANDO- the 19th Destroyer Division of the Mediter was transferred on loan to the RAN LERO As a result of this collision ranean Fleet WATERHEN was despatched to the WATERHEN and her accompanying des-
Proud to be associated with the RAN CURTAINS & CURTAIN TRACKS FOR COMMERCIAL & DOMESTIC PROJECTS Contractors to Various Govt Depts 4 the Dept ot Defence 34 Mort Street, Braddon, Canberra, 2601 All Enquiries: (062) 48 5317
THE NAVY April, 1SBB EX SPECIAL FEATURE — IVIINE WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES SPECIAL FEATURE — MINE WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES
Warfare to COMAUSMINPAB and as such advises him on all aspects of Mine Warfare In addition to this, he is responsible for the HMAS WATERHEN II running of the Mine Warfare Pilot Survey Unit, which is located at the Royal Austra- HE site occupied by lian Navy Research Laboratories at Pyr T HMAS WATERHEN mont. Coincidental with the introduction into was created during the service of the MHI and the proposed Second World War when the modernisation of WATERHEN is to the construction of a Mine Warfare Systems area was quarried to provide Centre The function of the centre will be to fill for use during the con- provide training facilities for the operators struction of the Captain and maintainers of the MHI system, as well as any future systems Cook Graving Dock. After the site had been cleared it was Support Facilities occupied by the United Slates Navy and the To provide the required support for Royal Australian Navy as a Boom Defence attached craft and lodger units WATERHEN Depot Control of the site reverted to the is divided into a number of departments RAN in July 1943. when the USN withdrew Each of these departments is responsible for from the area Dunng October 1945 the the provision of specialist support Boom Defence Officer wrote to the Com Marine Engineering Department. The manding Officer HMAS PENGUIN advising Marine Engineering Department of HMAS him that the land had been leased from the WATERHEN is primarily tasked with the State Government for 25 years, this was maintenance and technical support of all later changed to a lease in perpetuity propulsion and hull systems of the attached Dunng the 1940s and 1950s the Boom Minor War Vessels and Suppon Craft As a Defence Depot was administered as a Ten collateral duty the department is also tasked der to HMAS PENGUIN With the impend to maintain a technical Class Authority Cell ing arrival of the TON Class minesweepers for the FREMANTLE and ATTACK Class into service in the early 1960s the decision Patrol Boats and all vessels of the Mine was taken to commission the Boom Warfare Force To achieve the task the HMAS WATERHEN. late 1960s department is supported by a well-equipped mechanical and full workshop that allows all Defence Depot as a self-accounting unit, repairs, save those that require the dry this occuned on 5 December 1962 The docking of a vessel, to be undertaken within name selected. WATERHEN. was originally HMAS WATERHEN The workshops are intended for the fourth Australian-built also supported by CTanes. forklifts and trucks DARING Class destroyer, however, the for the movement of large and heavy equip- government cancelled the ship before it was ment The nature of tasks undertaken by the laid down department are many and varied, covering To provide temporary accommodation such repair and/or preventative main- and administration areas for the newly- tenance actions as: commissioned base the BAY Class frigate CULGOA. which was laid up in reserve, * major servicing of marine diesel engines was towed to WATERHEN She was to from 250 hp to 3569 hp; remain alongside at WATERHEN until the * marine diesel engine changes. Concomitant with the maintenance and Cell maintain constant communication with early 1970s, when temporary facilities were * marine gearbox services: repair functions. WATERHEN's technical both the vessels of the Class, the vanous completed and she was sold as scrap to the * marine gearbox changes. Class Authority Cell collates and analyses manufacturers of components and all the Japanese The temporary facilities erected * sophisticated marine diesel engine logic equipment defects recommends repair refitting authorities Other minor tasks to at WATERHEN still exist today, however, control system maintenance and repair. actions, directs publication amendments, which the Manne Engineering Department investigations are currently underway for the * ship stabiliser maintenance and repair. records plant operating hours, plans repair of HMAS WATERHEN respond include maintenance tasks within the depot, short- modernisation of the depot * fuel tank cleaning and preservation, and and maintenance work and keeps other term emergency relief for individual mem- From its inception WATERHEN's primary * hull repairs to steel, aluminium and authorities informed as to the status of the bers of Patrol Boat crews, refuelling of all function has been to provide base facilities, wooden-hulled craft Class To achieve all this it is vital that the as well as technical and logistic support for the RAN's Mine Warfare forces, including the Mine Warfare School, and the Sydney- based Patrol Boats WATERHEN is also the home base for the Navy's Clearance Diving Team One and the Sydney Port Division of the RANR Hardcastle & Richards SANROY Mine Warfare School CHEMICALS The Mine Warfare School staff provide Pty Ltd instruction on all aspects of Mine Warfare to MANUFACTURERS A SUPPLIERS Of the following ALLENDALE SQUARE * Surface Warfare Officers' courses. 77 ST GEORGES TERRACE, • CLEANING SUPPLIES • CHEMICALS * RAN Tactical course. PERTH, WA, 6000 INCLUDING * Australian Joint Warfare courses. * DETERGENTS * POLISHES * AUTO PRODUCTS * Junior Officers' Stage III courses: CONSULTING ENGINEERS • LAUNDRY POWDERS & LIQUIDS . DEQREASERS * MCMV Pre-joining courses • MOST CLEANING REQUIREMENTS Civil — Structural — Mining & Petroleum Planning The Officer-in-Charge of the school also SanRoy Home or Auto Vinyl and LarAhar Proud to be Associated with the Royal Australian Navy Main mechanical workshop performs the function of Staff Officer Mine and Dashboard Repair Kits Submarine Escape Facility at HMAS Stirling Phone: 409 7228 or 409 1141 ALL ENQUIRIES PHONE: (09) 325 6998 1S BUCKINGHAM DRIVE. WANGARA TELEX: 93460 • Tw.nty-Two THE NAVY April, 1988 SPECIAL FEATURE — IVIIME WARFARE AMD PATROL BOAT FORCES
craft and ad hoc support to major Fleet units CLEARANCE DIVING TEAM ONE Supply Department. The Supply Depart ! ment at WATERHEN is responsible for pro these ships are to run efficiently and quietly I viding the material and administrative sup- A set amount of time each month is also | port required by WATERHEN and its spent selecting ships diver candidates and j attached craft to cany out their assigned carrying out continuation training for those j tasks In order to enable the Supply Depart already qualified On occasions, however, ! ment to perform its tasks the Department is the Team does get involved in some j divided into a number of sub departments interesting jobs These sub-departments are The most recent and probably the most j * The Pay and Accounts Office, which publicised major diving task that CDTl took maintains the pay records for all person- part in .was the salvage of HMAS WOL nel at WATERHEN as well as those LONGONG. one of the RAN's new Patrol posted to attached craft Prior to a Patrol Boats, from the rocks of Gabo Island, off Boat departing WATERHEN. any pays the NSW VIC border The WOL required by the boat dunng its absence LONGONG ran aground approximately will be made up by the Pay Office staff one cable from shore, whilst coming to an and given to the Patrol Boat's Executive anchorage, early on Saturday 1 June. Officer As the pay days come due the 1985 CDTl's Duty Watch were called out Executive Officer then pays the ship's immediately and flew south to Gabo Island company Final acquittance of the pay Over the next week they assisted a civilian ment is done upon the boat's return to salvage firm in patching what holes they WATERHF.N As well as maintaining could, attaching a series of flotation bags pay records the office also processes Patrol Boats and other attached craft Weapons Electrical Engineering and sealing off upper deck vents and personal accounts, such as travelling can remain fully operational As well as Department. The Weapons Electrical hatches Air under pressure was then expenses, and also traders' accounts providing stores support for the attached Engineering Department maintains or assists pumped into the flooded compartments, craft. Naval Stores provides the base Minor War Vessels in the maintenance of * Victualling section which arranges provi- thus enabling the vessel to be floated off with the spares needed to support and ship fitted electrical and electronic equip- sions for the attached craft at The flotation bags were placed around the maintain its tenders The entire spare ment Almost 30 personnel of the 4 WATERHEN Provisions are ordered stern for stability Air had to be continually parts inventory is maintained on compu Weapons Electrical Engineering categories either from the Naval Supply Centre at pumped into these compartments until the ter and new stock is automatically are employed in this task within the 3 CDTl in the Solomon Islands with HMAS BETANO Zetland or direct from contractors All vessel could be slipped for temporary repair demanded from the Navy Supply separate workshop areas the victualling accounts for the tenders Once the vessel was slipped the team Centre as replenishment stock levels are The roles of CDTl are many and varied are also maintained by the Victualling * Power and Weapons This combined LEARANCE Diving Team returned to Sydney reached They cover such things as Explosive section workshop undertakes work on electrical C One (CDTl) is the RAN's machinery such as motors (up to 35 hp) Ordnance Disposal (EOD). underwater Nearly every year, a number of divers * Cookery Department is responsible for * The Personnel Office co-ordinates and principal diving team. Comprising switchgear controllers and domestic ser- maintenance for ships in the Fleet, shallow from CDTl are involved with a defence co- providing meals for the personnel oversees the administration of all per vices Ordnance and their associated 2 officers and 31 sailors, it is water Mine Countermeasures (MCM). operation programme in the Solomon posted to WATERHEN Sailors posted sonnel records at WATERHEN The mountings, together with hydraulic stabi- based at HMAS WATERHEN. in beach surveys and obstacle clearance for Islands. The work involves blasting to some of the minor support craft, such Personnel Office also provides an lisers and steering gear, are also catercd amphibious operations and exercising the entrances through walls of coral reefs sur- as the Torpedo Recovery Vessels and amount of administrative support for the Northern Sydney suburb of for Fleet in defence against swimmer attack rounding the islands This work itself is not the Diving Tenders, are also catered for tenders Waverton. Although based in CDTl's area of responsibility is all of Austra- * Communications A wide range of HF. difficult as it only involves basic underwater at WATERHEN Crews of the Patrol Overall, the functions of the Supply WATERHEN. CDTl is a separate lia. except for Western Australia (which is VHF and UHF radio transmitters and demolitions, however, it is of immense Boats are victualled on board their own Department can be described as providing covered by CDT4) and any Overseas receivers, both ship fitted and portable unit which works directly for the value to the Islanders The channels that are vessels the required support to ensure that Deployments, when required sets are supported in this area and much Fleet Commander. Of the 33 per- blown through the reefs enable them to j * Naval Stores at WATERHEN provides WATERHEN and her tenders can fully per come and go as they please, rather than of the more complex test equipment car- A large part of the diving earned out by all the spares required to ensure that the form their assigned tasks sonnel in the team, all are quali- having to wait for the high tide before wend ried is used in this task the Team consists of routine and uninterest fied Clearance Divers, except for ing their way through the ma/e of coral * Radar and Navigational Aids In addi- ing tasks A good example of this is the 4, who provide the medical and Another welcome side effect of this work is tion to the maintenance on ships' radars many hours spent each week cleaning the that the underwater explosions bring a and displays there are many other technical support required for the hulls and propellers of Fleet units. This task multitude of dead fish to the surface, and equipments handled in this area, some team. is tedious, yet of extreme importance if of the more substantial being naviga- tional gyros, satellite navigation receivers, speed logs and echo soun- ders. Although many of the equipments are worked on in-situ the repair capability is enhanced by 'hot spares' of several equip- ments (i.e radars, echo sounders, radio transmitters and receivers) being installed in workshops effectively reducing operational downtime in the event of defects Much of the maintenance effort is preventative in preference to breakdown maintenance therefor" there is greater emphasis on the development of diagnostic skills within the WATERHEN technical personnel
Executive Department. The Executive Department is responsible for the daily run- ning and maintenance of the depot as well as the provision of support facilities such as wharves and craneage From the Executive Department are drawn personnel to supple- Overview of establishment, northern section. 1982 ment the crews of attached craft as required. X Pag* Twenty-Four TMI NAVY April, 11 THI NAVY Pag* Tw«nty-Wva MTU KEEPS SPECIAL FEATURE — MINE WARFARE AIMO PATROL BOAT FORCES A LOW PROFILE
Assisting after the Tasman Bridge collapse
they also raised the Attack Class Patrol To carTy out these tasks and the many j Boat. HMAS ARROW, which had sunk others that are required each year there are j alongside the main wharf, effectively block 3 different kinds of diving equipment com- j ing its usage Only a month after the Team monly used in the Team of the turbocharged and noise levels are fully exploited The name MTU grew Irom the returned from the Cyclone Tracy operation, SCUBA (AIR) This Is the general pur integration of the special high mtercooled diesel engine against the Tasman Bridge in Hobart was knocked pose set used in the team It is a self- speed, high output diesel engine extreme back-pressure conditions down by the MV LAKE ILLAWARRA and contained. open circuit breathing apparatus and gas turbine talents of three tor submarine service once again CDT1 personnel were involved that is very similar to the civilian scuba div- in the clean-up operations The main job ing sets It uses two-stage, single-hose regu- ; famous German companies. This development results in demolition M.A.N., Maybach and Mercedes major savings in fuel consumption, there was the recovery of the cars and lators and the air is earned in 64 cu ft tanks | LEISURE PROFILE bodies which had fallen into the river as the which are doubled up if a greater endurance | Benz Names that go back to the whilst retaining the advantages of these make a welcome addition to the Islan bridge collapsed This operation w< s not is required The set has a maximum depth very beginnings of the diesel reliability and compactness. Yacht owners around the world ders' food supply carried out by CDT1 alone as personnel of 54m. but it can be used deeper with Navy engine MTU also provide propulsion trom Cannes to Acapulco. Irom Rio iERF. have been several occasions in from CDT2 were also deployed for the Office approval T operation Today. MTU produce a range of and auxiliary power systems for to Fremantle, realize the the past when CDT1 personnel have HE second set. which is primarily engines with outputs of between Naval vessels advantages of MTU engine/ been used for aid to the civil com There are many other tasks that CDT1 used for MCM diving, is called 400 and 10,000 horsepower as diverse gearbox assemblies with their munity The biggest civil aid operation for are required to conduct on a regular or as T SCUBA (MIX) FGT1/A This is a These engines are ^^ as Landing integrated monitoring and control the Team was after Cyclone Tracy, which required basis Three times each year, semi-closed circuit, self-contained set made systems. flattened Darwin on Chnstmas Eve 1975 during the week prior to the school holi- by the DRAGER company of West Ger ! exceptionally ^Hj _ mF Craft. Mine On Christmas Day of that year, virtually all days. a unit detaches to the Jervis Bay many to RAN specifications The gas used is B •• Counter- Designers of large yachts know the the Team were recalled and flown to Naval Bombardment Range to clear any un a Nitrogen and Oxygen mix. the ratios of ! • II measure key-requirements here - Darwin Ovei the next several weeks they exploded bombs or projectiles This area is which are varied depending on the depth . * 11 vessels- Fast a great deal of power in the assisted in seaiching the harbour for sunken very popular for tourists, and this clearance As this is the set used when finding and i i—J-M Patrol Boats, minimum of space, with tittle noise boats, recovering bodies and as much debris makes the area safe enough for them to be clearing mines, it has a very low magnetic j from the harbour as possible Whilst there and Corvettes and a minimum of vibration. allowed access signature and is extremely quiet so as not to j detonate them It has a maximum depth of 52m with a maximum endurance of 131 i minutes The third set in use at CDT1 is LARV j Sydney Harbour has for years This is a closed-circuit, pure Oxygen re- I MTU engines are in service in been criss-crossed with the breathing apparatus also made by the DRA Australia with the RAN's new Urban Transit Authority's GER -ompany it has only recently been introduced Into the RAN but It Is widely Fremanlle Class Patrol Craft and Hydrofoils on the Circular Quay MTU THE COMPANY HIGH ON the Army's Leopard Tanks to Manly run. used by many navies Being a closed-circuit EXPERIENCE, LOW ON PROFILE set it produces -no bubbles, which enables a In each case the concept of Shortly, a new 238 passenger diver to swim into an enemy ship or installa- reliability and maximum power in Hydrofoil goes into service on the tion undetected The main disadvantage is the minimum of space applies. same run and later this year five that below 10m pure Oxygen becomes MTU have, through their Inner Harbour Passenger Ferries poisonous and can send a diver into convul- oredecessors. a tradition commence service. sions. therefore the depth it can be safely of supplying engines for These vessels are powered by used is limited to 8m 11-13 Garling Rd., Blacktown, submarines which dates MTU engines. Here the It is generally regarded throughout the N.S.W. 2148. Phone: (02) 6713555 Clearance Diving Branch that being sent to back to the First advantages of high Telex MTU AA 23871 CDT1 is a prime posting The diverse tasks World War power to canied out and the chance of being sent on Branches and, in jobs throughout Australia and overseas weight 54 Jephson St. Toowong. Old 4066 make working at CDT1 attractive recent ratio, Telephone (0713719766 times, reliability, Telex MTUAB AA43315 However, working there does demand a economy lot from T' am members. They are required have pioneered 488 Dorset Rd Croydon. Vic 3136 to be proficient in a wide variety of tasks, the development of operation, Telephone <031 7230251 such as underwater maintenance for ships and minimum Telex MTUAM AA37240 of the Fleet and clearance of underwater 17 Prowse Sf. West Perth, WA 6005 explosive ordnance and they must be pre- Telephone 109)3213019 pared to deploy around the country or over- Telex KOBOLD AA 95536 Channel formed by demolition of old ordnance seas at very short notice Authorised Workshops Cairns. Brisbane Melbourne Fremantle Darwin JMA1TU/5, 7 THE NAVY SPECIAL FEATURE — IVIINE WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES EX SPECIAL FEATURE — MINE WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES Royal Australian Naval Reserve - Sydney Port Division
The Australian Naval Reserve is a part of the Emergency Reservists were amongst the first to see action in World Australian Navy. The Royal Australian Naval War I and served in all theatres dunng the Second World War The official history of Australia in the War of 1939-45. by G H Reserve (RANR) is that component established to Hill, reports a quotation from a book by W H Rands The Rockies allow personnel who are not members of the (Reservists) God Bless F.m' Permanent Naval Forces, and who may or may not "Reservists brought something fresh into the Navy Instead of have had previous experience, to undertake part-time being a ship full ol sailors talking about nothing but the sea and Naval Service. ships and grog and women, we were a team of sailors, clerks, rabbiters. chemists, students, butchers, bakers and candlestick The RANR has active and inactive groups The Sydney Port makers, talking about everything under the sun and Division RANR (SPD) composes members of the Attached Active women War at sea is 99 per cent utter boredom and one per Reserve cent spine chilling excitement The Rockies entertained us 99 per cent of the time and behaved like heroes dunng the one per SPD is a unit of Naval Support Command and has been lodged in cent of action What more could we ask''" HMAS WATERHEN since 1974 There are a little over 200 The functions and roles of the RANR throughout the personnel in the Division, about 10 per cent of whom have served in Commonwealth are to contribute to the functions and roles and to the Permanent Naval Forces complement the RAN The origins of the Naval Reserve go back pnor to Federation when Its roles are to citizen sailors drilled at Rushcutters Bay in Sydney, being part of the (a) man. operate and contribute to the support of assigned Minor then styled Naval Brigade The RANR. being established at the same Fleet Units time as the RAN. in 1911. celebrates its 75th Anniversary in 1986 (b) man and operate merchant ships taken up for military use and The RANR is open to adult men and women who are Australian operate merchant ships requisitioned for Naval or Military citizens and meet certain medical and educational standards Drawn purposes, and from all walks of life, they are simply people in our community who (c) to provide command and control suppon. in particular (1) Maritime Headquarters Staff. wish to participate in the activities of the Port Division and be HMAS RUSHCUTTER. SDB 1321. manned by members of a volunteer disciplinary Naval Force (2) Naval command, control and protection of shipping, and (3) seaward and port defence (c) man and operate a diving boat and deploy a diving team. SPD personnel are required to complete 56 days obligatory In conformity with the roles and functions of the RANR generally Diving Team 5. training every two years. 12 days of which are earned out each year the ma|or activities of the Sydney Port Division are as Annual Continuous Training, the balance as Non Continuous (d) man the Naval Control of Shipping Organisation, including the (a) to man HMAS ADVANCE, an Anack Class PatTol Craft, for Training on Tuesday evenings at HMAS WATERHEN and at Naval Intelligence Division, and weekend sea training and periods of Annual Continuous weekends (e) participate in local ceremonial and public relations activities Training. primarily involving the SPD band Reservists are liable to call out in the event the Governor General, (b) maintain HMAS ADVANCE with assistance from HMAS Patrol Boat Operations. Weekend sea training is used to develop upon the advice of the Australian Government, proclaims a Defence WATERHEN. and maintain skills of seamen and technical sailors and officers A full range of evolutions, from man overboard exercises, to officer of the watch manoeuvres and boarding exercises, are carried out during weekend training Crews work up to participate in a Basic Operations Sea Safety Check and from there to carry out independent patrols, such as fisheries patrol and. up until recently. Bass Strait Oil Rig Surveillance ADVANCE also participates in Fleet Concentration Periods, MiWLiTT^FACMMID operating with ma)or units of the RAN In a full range of Naval exercises and war games With weekend sea training commitments and periods of annual continuous training the Sydney Port Division manages to have MJSTIRMM LTD ADVANCE at sea for about half the number of days per year as a patrol boat manned by the Permanent Nava! Forces ADVANCE operates mainly off the New South Wales coast but for periods ot independent patrol can operate anywhere on the East Coast of Australia The vessel cruises to Calms for periods of refit Manufacturers & Suppliers of: Diving Operations. SPD has a highly motivated diving team Computers and a Range of Peripherals for Business Manufacturing, which carries out its activities on Tuesday nights, weekends and during a penod of annual continuous training when it operates with Engineering and Science Port Divisions from the other States The team is able to deploy by road to a diving site and regularly exercises at this task The team is trained to carry out a wide range of naval diving activities Naval Control and Protection of Shipping (NCS) Members of HEWLETT-PACKARD AUSTRALIA LTD this department are trained to cany out duties within Maritime performances per year, the band is a major contributor to naval Headquarters and in ports throughout the country when the necessity musical activities within the Naval Support Command Appituatt t&tvi Itutf 0A4*ciaU&K M SUMUUxa oj 2««(ct ApHI, 11 THI NAVY Pegs Tw»nty-Nln« SPECIAL FEATURE — IVIINE WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES EX SPECIAL FEATURE — MINE WARFARE AND PATROL BOAT FORCES General Introduction Most of the Australian Colonial Naval Forces operated a number of small torpedo boats and other auxiliary vessels as patrol craft After Federation these ships formed the basis of the Commonwealth Naval Forces and many of the original members of the Commonwealth Naval Forces, and later the Royal Australian Navy, gained their first experiences in these small fighting ships The Great War saw a number of vessels being requisitioned for service in the RAN as patrol boats However, at the end of the war these were returned to their owners, and the RAN patrol boat force ceased to exist until the | outbreak of the Second World War Dunng the Second World War the Royal Australian Navy acquired 28 Harbour Defence Motor Launches (HDML) and 35 Fairmile B Motor Launches These patrol boats were used for anti-submanne patrols and harbour defence and provided Australia with its first Keeping on eye on' the northern approaches specialist patrol boat squadrons These HDMLs and MLs were supported by a large number of requisitioned vessels These requisitioned craft performed a minad of tasks, ranging from normal patrol duties to survey work, air sea rescue and the insertion and Harbour Defence Motor Launch No 1129 extraction of members of the famous M/Z Special Forces To the RAN's patrol boat forces goes the distinction of having fought the (d) although their range of operations is adequate in terms of fuel, only naval battle to occur within Australia's territorial waters This they carried only limited fresh water and are not fitted with salt engagement, involving mainly ships of the Naval Auxiliary Patrol, water distillation equipment occurred when Japanese mini submarines entered Sydney Harbour The FREMANTLE Class overcomes all of these problems They in June 1942 In the years following the cessation of hostilities nearly are bigger, stabilised and can therefore cope with more severe sea all these vessels were disposed of conditions They have a larger crew, particularlarly noticeable in the In 1961. six British built TON Class minesweepers were command structure, they are faster and have greater endurance In purchased and after modification steamed out from the United terms of both fuel and fresh water distillation capability. Kingdom to form the 16th Mine Countermeasures Squadron Dunng the period of confrontation with Indonesia during the early 1960s the The Roles of the Patrol Boat Force Squadron was employed in Borneo and the Malaya Peninsula waters The RAN Patrol Boat force is required to fulfil or take part in a as a patrol boat force Subsequent to this the Australian MOURILYAN. requisitioned for patrol duties in World War I number of roles These include. Government identified the need for a specialist patrol boat force (a) Coastal Surveillance and Fisheries Protection. ana in 1967 the first of 20 Australian designed and built ATTACK (b) Search and rescue: and Class patrol boat entered service with the RAN Operating out of (c) General Naval tasks Cairns. Darwin. Fremantle. Sydney and Westernport these 32m patrol craft carried the burden of Australia's coastal surveilance and Coastal Surveillance and Fisheries fisheries protection operations for almost 15 years Those years Protection included the period of the migration of the Boat People", the The main role in peacetime, and the one In which they are most growing awareness of our fisheries resources and the opening up of which helped defend Sydney Harbour against often seen by the general public, is coastal surveillance and fisheries commercial exploitation of Bass Strait oil the Japanese midget submarines. protection As a consequence the majority of patrol boat operations The first of the ATTACK Class replacements. HMAS is spent in fishery surveillance within the 200 nautical mile declared fish RAN patrol boats maintain year-round surveillance of Australian FREMANTLE. one of a Class of fifteen 42 metre patrol boats, was Australian Fishing Zone waters and. as far as possible, board and investigate all foreign fishing commissioned at Lowestoft. UK. in March 1980 and subsequently Licensed Taiwanese. Japanese. Korean and Indonesian fishing vessels in their patrol areas steamed out to Australia The remaining 14 vessels were built by vessels operate continuously around the Australian coast with as As a result of these boardings, foreign fishing vessels have been | North Queensland Engineers and Agents (NQEA) at Cairns between many as 400 to 600 fishing in Australian waters annually. The task fined, had their catches confiscated and. even on occasions, had their 1980 and 1985 Their names were taken from some of the 36 for the patrol boat is to ensure that foreign vessels fishing in our boats seized by the Australian Courts. This policy has resulted in far BATHUP^T Class minesweepers built in Australia during the Second waters are correctly licensed (permission to fish from the Australian better management and conservation of our very finite and valuable World War Government) and that they are only taking allowed sizes and types of resources. By the end of 1<»85 the only ATTACK Class left in service with the RAN were the five boats manned by the Royal Australian Naval Reserve (RANR) HMA Ships ARDENT. AWARE. ADROIT. ADVANCE and BAYONET Of the remainder, five had been transferred to Papua New Guinea and eight to Indonesia under the Defence Co operation Programme, one is laid up at Ships in Reserve PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE RAN in Sydney and HMAS ARROW was claimed by Cyclone Tracy. Darwin, on Christmas Day 1975 The new FREMANTLE Class has been designed to take the Royal TuMH Taifomg Ca Australian Navy through into the late 1990s, and to overcome some S.S. ENGINEERING of the limitations of the smaller ATTACK Class boats Their 2 ST ALBANS AVENUE. limitations could be summarised as weather, manpower, speed and HIGHGATE, WA, 6^00 endurance: 1984 PTY LTD (a) they were severely affected by weather and do not normally 10 BALLANTYNE ROAD, operate in conditions above a sea state four; KEWDALE, WA, 610S TKaMufrutevUMQ HctiloAA (b) they had a very small ship's company and if operating with other vessels manpower efficiency is degraded very quickly after Specialists in Propellers & Marine Undeiwater Gear, UNIFORM SPECIALISTS about 24 hours. Rudders. Shafts. Stem & Stuffing Bearings. Proud to be ot service to the Royel Australian Navy (c) their maximum speed is around 22 knots in a good sea state "I" Brackets. "A" Brackets. Skegs and many merchant ships often matched or exceeded their All Enquiries Phone Fairmile B Motor Launch No 815. speed on a normal passage, and ALL ENQUIRIES (09) 458 8577 TKLKXi BB044 328 6418 Pago Thirty April, 1B8B THE NAVY Paga Thlr*y-On« /P SPECIAL FEATURE — MINE WARFARE AISJO PATROL BOAT FORCES The second major part of this coastal surveillance role is the patrol ^ ©©GMuTM ix>at commitment to Bass Strait Oil Rig Surveillance (BSORS) Bass Strait is undoubtedly one of the roughest and most unpredictable •Jretches of water in the world it is also a major source of Australia's luel requirements and at the same time a major funnel for interstate and international shipping EM? The consequences of a passing merchant ship straying from the designated channel and colliding with an oil rig needs no explanation As a result of this possibility, and also the growing wave ! of international tenonsm. the Australian Government has committed ihe RAN to providing a continuous patrol boat presence in the area When on station in Bass Strait the patrol boat is just like a traffic policeman, ensuring that passing vessels observe the Rules of the Road and stay in their lanes The average Bass Strait patrol consists of 16 days, interrupted by occasional bouts of atrocious weather and with nothing much to look at except for oil rigs and seals For all of the discomfort, however, this is still a vital part of Australia's defence commitment, guarding as it does one of our most important natural resources Whilst meeting the requirements of coastal surveillance and The last active Attack Class patrol boat in the RAN. HMAS ASSAIL fisheries protection in the RAN the Patrol Boat Squadrons also work regularly with the Department of Health and Immigration, in particular in the Northern Australian waters, ensuring that no illegal i landings have taken place, and reminding the local inhabitants of (a) the patrol boat gains valuable experience at operating in j problems to Australian natural wildlife that could exist if livestock company with other ships of the RAN in co-ordinated from overseas is illegally landed Further to this, the patrol boats operations. ensure no illegal landings are made anywhere on our extensive coastline (b) the patrol boat can practise its tactics in anti-ship attacks: and (c) the Fleet learns to cope with operating in a patrol boat environment Search and Rescue This continual training is a vital part of keeping the Navy at an The Royal Australian Navy has always provided assistance in operational peak and ready to defend Australia search and rescue operations when the need has arisen The most recent and widely published example was that provided by the destroyer HMAS PF.RTH to the stricken merchant ship in late 1985 Patrol boats regularly contribute to the Australia wide search and The Royal Australian Navy Reserve rescue organisation and. in Sydney for example, there is always one (RANR) boat on duty and on standby for such an emergency Patrol boats With the phasing out of the ATTACK Class the decision was made have often gone to the rescue of. or stood by. fishing boats and that five of these vessels should be handed over to the RANR They yachts in distress, sometimes in sea conditions when not even the are now used for the purposes of Reserve Continuation Training and patrol boat, let alone a yacht, should have been at sea Much of this for supporting the permanent Naval Force The following Reserve work goes on with little public attention Port Divisions each operate a patrol boat Sydney HMAS ADVANCE Indonesian Corvette Military Role Melbourne HMAS BAYONET Hobart HMAS ARDENT Each time Navy has prepared a case for • Provide a surface unit with the speed and striking power of a fast These vessels also provide the military roles and training for minor Adelaide HMAS AWARE attack craft but with better endurance and sea-keeping capabilities war vessels as part of the Navy's preparedness to defend Australia Fremantle HMAS ADROIT new destroyers or escorts, and on many other • Provide a surface unit with fast attack craft strike capabilities and with The Patrol Boat Force is continuously involved in practising the art of occasions, Navy is asked "Why aren't corvettes at least some defence against the FAC's great vulnerability to air war with the major units of the Australian Fleet Such military training In the hands of the RANR this Class of patrol boat has many more attack valuable years of service to give good enough?". ensures that A glance through Janes Fighting Ships shows that a number of Now that Navy needs another generation of "Surface combatants". navies in our region are building or acquiring corvettes These are fast Navy is again being pressed to accept corvettes surface craft with surface action armament, point defence missile systems This raises the question of the definition of a corvette The or rapid fire gun systems, and some anti-submarine capability authoritative Janes Dictionary of Naval Terms defines a corvette as an Thus we see Proud to be Associated "ocean going warship slightly smaller than a frigate" The same source • Malaysia's 1500 ton ships, one Lynx-sized helicopter. 27 knots, defines a frigate as a "medium-sized warship, of moderate, or high diesel propulsion, four Exocet MM38 surface-to-surface guided speed, with primary mission of escort and independent employment" SCALES missiles in canisters, and a 100 mm and smaller guns. It is noteworthy that this authority, and others, are quite definite that • Thailand's 900 ton ships, eight Harpoon surface'to-surface guided Clam Engineering the corvette is a warship A warship has armament, damage control missiles, point defence missile systems, one 76 mm OTO Melara SALES. SERVICE. HIRE systems, and command and control facilities, and is built with warship gun. six Mark 32 ASW torpedo tubes, diesel propulsion, maximum MANUFACTURERS » SUPPLIERS OF QUALITY methods of construction As such, a warship (In particular, a corvette) speed 30 knots. INDUSTRIAL SCALES AND CONTROL SYSTEMS Ptv Ltd should not be confused with a patrol vessel, even though the two may be • Indonesia's 1200 ton ships, one Wasp-sized helicopter, four Exocet Specialising in . . Suppliers 01: of similar size MM38. one 120 mm gun. 6 Mark 32 ASW torpedo tubes. CODOG Weign Bridges and Control Systems driven, max speed 30 knots - CONTRACTORS TO THE OFPT OF DEFENCE - STEAM TRAPS AND MANUFACTURERS OF A patrol vessel is optimised for peacetime use. with some limited • India, locally built 1200 ton ships. 27 knots, diesel driven, armed Custom Engineered. Computerised Weighing STAINLESS STEEL COUPILLARY FITTINGS use in low-level wartime operations Generally, a patrol vessel is built to with SSGW. possibly with a helicopter, reportedly emphasis on merchant ship standards only. 11 Progress Street, ASW MBCMY WHOM AM CMIM SYSTEMS In more recent times, corvettes have been re-appearing in some • India. Russian buih. 590 ton. 36 knots. CODOG driven. SSGW Morriington, Vic, 3931 (but by no means all) western navies because of a need to fill several (VK) PTY LTI armed with point defence missile system and 76 mm gun functions: 59 ARDEN ST, NORTH MELBOURNE. VIC 3051 Phone: (059) 75 1266 • India. Russian-built. 580 ton. CODOG driven. 34 knots. ASW ships TELEX: 38028 • Keep down operating and capital costs (with ASW torpedo tubes. ASW rockets) with a 76 mm gun and Telephone (03) 328 2388 • Provide greater numbers of surface craft point defence missile anti-aircraft defence system Pag* Thirty-Two THE NAVY April, II THB NAVY • THhty-Thn HE first three navies Malaysia. Thailand. Indonesia — all operate primarily in coastal and island waters, over short Tdistances Of course, these circumstances do not apply to Australia Although unquestionably a major power in our region, and pnmanly a "blue water" Navy. India maintains and is building up further 75th a coastal escort force for her shorter distances (Bay of Bengal, etc) India's ocean going escort needs are being met by a separate escort construction programme Turning to Australia's needs, the circumstances which led Thailand. Anniversary Malaysia and Indonesia to order their ships do not apply to Australia Ships with a surface action pnmary role may be needed to combat surface and amphibious ships in South East Asia where an invasion force is a threat However, an invasion force is the least likely threat to Calendar Australia On the other hand, the much more likely threat to Australia is a The Navy League of Australia, in association with the Royal submarine and/or air attack on our trade Auslralian Navy, produced a calendar to mark the 75th The key question in deciding whether corvettes can meet the RAN's Anniversary of the RAN Thousands of copies were sold at $10 need is whether the corvette can handle the protection of trade role each throughout Australia and overseas, with any surplus The requirements for an RAN escort vessel are Indonesian Corvette income being directed fo assist the Naval Reserve Cadets and • Helicopter for distant' anti submarine work other maritime projects. • Area defence surface to-air missile system to defend both the escort There are still copies available and readers are reminded herself and the merchant ships under escort their target indentification range Air-to-surface missiles, of the type fitted to Russian-built maritime aircraft of types operated (by Russians and/or • Rapid reaction' anti submarine capability for short-range work that in addition lo their diminishing value as calendars, fhe client powers) In our region, have ranges well over sixty nautical miles • Close-in weapons for defence against missiles intrinsic vaiue lies in the prints of 12 especially commissioned However, the aircraft carrying those missiles must approach to less than • Endurance sufficient for both our ocean and coastal trade routes paintings, designed for mounting and framing. twenty miles from their target to confirm the identity of the possible • Survivability — the ships must have damage control, and type and The remaining copies will be sold at $8 plus $1.50 postage, target Thus, the enemy aircraft is forced lo come within the range of the strength of construction to withstand action damage Standard area defence surface-to-air missile system (fitted to our FFGs or they can be collected from your local Navy League Secretary The RAN's FFGs have all these essentials except, possibly, the last and DDGs. and without which Navy's River Class destroyer escorts are Some examples of the Artwork are reproduced here. Don't miss Some authorities have questioned whether the FFGs have sufficient vulnerable) Similar facts force Russian high performance aircraft such as what you will find to be a collector's item and at the same time survivability' In considering whether corvettes are good enough for the Backfire to approach within range of area defence surface-to-air missile offer assistance to our on-going support for cadets and maritime RAN. it must be asked whether the RAN can do without sufficient of the systems affairs. FFG7 capabilities to provide both for a reduction in size from frigate to corvette and the required improved survivability With the very long range of Russian LRMP aircraft, and as more Write to: Two factors dictate the size of the FFG7 type ships These are and more of these aircraft enter service with regional powers, the RAN's Chairman. carrying two helicopters instead of one. and the presence of the area escorts of the future must be capable of defending themselves against 75th Anniversary Calendar Committee. defence surface-to-air missile system such attack 32 Luckins Road. The area defence surface-to-air missile system is essential to keep The range of these aircraft, let alone the presence in the Russian Moorabbin. 3189. enemy long-range mantime aircraft (equivalent type to the P3s) outside Pacific/Indian Ocean Fleet of aircraft earners, means the days when the RAN could operate in Australian waters free from air attack have gone, and gone forever. In the absence of our own aircraft carrier, any escort of the RAN lacking an area defence SAM system will be in serious danger JRNING to helicopters, there are two ways in which reductions RACAL could reduce the size of future escorts for the RAN These ways Tare a reduction in the numbers and/or a reduction in the size of the helicopters carried The sue of a helicopter has a direct effect on the size of its payload The bigger the helicopter the greater is that helicopter's range and the greater is its load of weapons and sensors To ELECTRONICS reduce the size of a helicopter compels a reduction in the ability of that helicopter to find and destroy an enemy submarine or other target VALE It is this very size and payload argument that convinced the COMMANDER PETER BALLESTV RFD RD RANR Government to order the SH70B Seahawk helipcopter for the FFGs A well-known member o( the Navy League. Commander PTY LTD Exactly the same logical argument will apply to the choice of helicopter Peter Ballesty, died early in February at the age of 50 after for the new surface combatant more than 25 years' dedicated service in the Royal Austra- Turning to the need for two helicopters, that arises from the obvious lian Naval Reserve and a lifetime spent in supporting and Appreciated their Long Association as fact that no helicopter can be In the air 100% of the time A second promoting Australia's maritime heritage. helicopter halves the time when an escort has no helicopter in the air A Peter joined the RANR In 1954. was promoted to the rank Suppliers of Quality Products to the Royal second helicopter halves the time when a submarine Is much more of Sub-Lieutenant in 1955, and served in various capacities Australian Navy capable of approaching its target — our merchant or warships during the following years, including as a Lieutenant- From these facts It can be seen that a reduction in size of ship, from Commander, being posted In command of the patrol boat frigate to corvette, would involve a reduction in fighting capability, and HMAS ARCHER. In 1977, as a Commander, he capped his Racal, established in Australia for more leave our ships — war or merchant — In greater danger A reduction active years in the RANR by being appointed Commanding than 20 years, is now listed amongst the from frigate to corvette would save money in the short term, but would Officer (Reserves) of the Sydney Port Division, a position he be a false — dangerously false — economy in the longer term held for 3 years. Country's top Defence Contractors. Yet another question is whether Navy would be better with (say) He wa* an active member of the Naval Association and of nine corvettes or with six frigates — whether a total sum spent on more the Naval Reserve Association and in the latter served both as Secretary and President for a number of years. smaller, less capable ships would be better spent on fewer, more capable Peter was also a keen and dedicated member of the Navy ships 47 TALAVERA ROAD '.eague of Australia, joining the Executive of the NSW Divi- It is the view of professional maritime defence experts that the sion in 1980 and becoming its President later in the same minimum size of a ship should be dictated by the minimum attack, year. He subsequently also took on the time-consuming role NORTH RYDE, NSW, 2113 defence and survivability requirements Without these minima, the ship of Divisional Secretary and enthusiastically retained and will fail in her mission and/or be sunk. maintained both positions until his illness in August last Therefore, say the experts, future RAN escorts must have year. Telephone: 888 6444 survivability, area defence SAM systems and at least one large Peter is survived by his wife Maree. and by his children helicopter Therefore, the corvette is not the ship for the RAN's next Stephen. David. Leanne and Andrew. generation of surface combatants —NAVAL ROUNDUP DIESELS Suppliers ol Propulsion S Auxiliary High FLEET SALUTE MONO PUMPS Performance Diesel Engines to Navies ol the World (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD PAXMAN GORMAN BAUDOUIN Colchester Stafford Marseilles tanHO RUSTON KELVIN Newton-le Willows Glasgow Sold and Serviced in Australia by Pumps for Every Purpose uxzjmmr • INDUSTRIAL • AGRICULTURAL • BOREHOLE • CHEMICAL • MARINE • DOMESTIC • DEEP WELL • MINING • SEWERAGE • FOOD DIESELS • BEVERAGE AND PROCESS Phone: 521 5611 AUSTRALIA MELBOURNE: 544 8344 PERTH: 277 4844 CNR ETHELL & MARSHALL RDS. KIRRAWEE SYDNEY 644 9822 ADELAIDE: 277 4211 BRISBANE 52 4421 DARWIN: 84 3520 When a seven-ship RAN Task Group sailed through Sydney Heads on Friday. 24 January, the arrival BORG marked the official beginning of the Royal Australian Navy's 75th ROTHENRERGER HMAS ONSl.OW during the 75th Anniversary amval Anniversary year. WARNER The Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Ian Knox AO RAN led his Task Group comprising DHL the six frigates and destroyers, sailed into Port Australia Jackson in a "three abreast formation' with Anniversary March HMAS HOBART. HMAS DARWIN and HMAS SYDNEY leading HMAS DF.RWENT. HMAS PARRAMATTA and HMAS VAMPIRE Rear Admiral Ian Knox led the AUSTRALIA Royal Australian Navy's Anniversary Limited Protecting the rear was the Oberon class sub AIR CONDITIONING DIVISION manne HMAS ONSLOW This unusual lorma March of 1200 men and women, offi- lion amval was the first ever conducted into cers and sailors, for the Fleet Appreciate their long association PTY LTD Sydney by units of the RAN Freedom of Entry to the City of Syd- By 8 30 am. when HMAS HOBART was ney during the forenoon of Friday, 24 as suppliers to the passing Bradleys Head, the ships were formed Royal Australian Navy Appreciate their long association as into a single 'line ahead' formation and at January. 8 40 am a 21 gun salute echoed across the har A lOO-man Royal Guard paraded the • Commercial * Industrial • Marine suppliers of quality hand tools in the bour as the ships passed Mrs Macquarie's Point Queen's Colours while the March included the brands, Rothenberger, Dowidat, Belzer, in the Domain combined Naval Support Command and Fleet Bands. NIRIMBA band and thirteen 72-man - FACTORY TRAINED ENGINEERS - Intertool, to the Royal Australian Navy. The Fremantle Class patrol boat HMAS GEELONG embarked the Governor General. Platoons representing Naval Support establish 24 Hour, 7 Day Action Line Sir Ninian Stephen and the Chief of Naval ments Rear Admiral Knox was challenged at Staff. Vicc Admiral Michael Hudson, to take Martin Place by Chief Superintendent Arthur Horder representing the Commissioner of New the salute while anchored off Bennelong Point 26 Terrace Road, South Wales Police with the words "Stand fast, 484 Victoria Road, near the Sydney Opera House who goes there'" The Fleet Commander then Helicopters from the RAN Fleet Air Arm then NORTH RICHMOND, NSW 2753 replied "HMA Fleet exercising its Right and Gladesville, NSW, 2111 provided the finale for the 73th Anniversary Pnvilege to pass through the City of Sydney Year arrival, the lead Sea King helicopter with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beat towing a giant 48 foot by 24 foot Australian Fm ipemlul advice telephone Telephone (045) 71 1501 ing. band playing and Colours flying" Naval White Ensign beneath its undercarriage (Direct Line) Sales (045) 71 1347 and weighed down by a 1.000 lb plus weight On approaching the Town Hall, the order (02) 816 4133 The ensign was manufactured by Southern 'Eyes Right' was given The Salute was then The Chief of Naval Staff. Vice Admiral Michael Cross Flags especially for the RAN's 75th take by the Lord Mayor of Sydney. Alderman Hudson and the Lord Mayor of Sydney. Doug Doug Sutherland Anniversary Sutherland P*0« Thirty-Bin TME NAVY April, 1BB6 April, 1B8B THE NAVY 1 Compiled by HAVAL ROUMDUf " " " NAVAL ROUNDUP 'GAYUNDAH" BIG LIFT FOR FIRST 'CAT' TWO-OCEAN NAVY FOR AUSTRALIA The RAN's first Inshore Mine- The now completed hull was ready to have to weigh the ship as it was being assembled and HE Minister for Defence, "This policy was further enhanced by the I8s. will strengthen Australia's northern all its internal compartments outfitted for its to raise and lower the ship as necessary to announcement earlier this week of our decision defences " hunter Catamaran — to be named Kim Beazley, has operational tasks It was moved from the con- achieve the most efficient working conditions T to upgrade the Over-the-Horizon Radar facility In addition to this increased submarine pres- HMAS RUSHCUTTER - has been struction dock, which was equipped with beams from day to day announced that the Govern- called Jindalee. which is based near Alice ence the Minister forecast that there would also moved to the outfitting area at Car- Spnngs. and our intention to look into propo- be an increase in deployments by other Fleet ment would develop HMAS rington Slipways Fibreglass Division sals for Airborne Early Warning and Control air Units to Western Australia The extent to which craft this was practicable would be considered as part in Newcastle. STIRLING at Garden Island, "These defence surveillance initiatives, com- of a Government-initiated study into the move- Her move from the construction dock to the Western Australia, as a major bined with our decision to go ahead with the ment of Naval facilities from Sydney to Jervis missile occurred exactly as planned, he said outfit dock was descnbed as "unique" The Royal Australian Navy base for Australia's sub- development of Tindal, near Katherine In the Bay and other studies relevant to Australia's "The combination of Harpoon missiles and A triple move was achieved by the use of a achieved a world first when HMAS Northern Territory, as a base for the new F/A- defence advanced Mark 48 torpedoes gives the RAN marines. specially designed heavy lift vehicle, built at Ovens successfully launched a Har- submarine force formidable firepower." Mr Camngton Slipways "This is in addition to those facilities already poon anti-ship missile whilst sub- Beazley said "Their value as a deterrent to any Some 10 metres high. 14 metres wide and provided there for Destroyers and patrol boats would be aggressor is enormous and reflects the strategic need for the Royal 16 metres long, the mobile straddle crane has a merged. This had not previously "With the successful test firing, the RAN sub Australian Navy to operate from both coasts." Nov/ Chief 200 tonnes lift rapacity been achieved by a conventionally- marines now have the capability to ergage sur Mr Beazley said Next year, in early May. this heavy lift vehicle powered submarine. face targets with these sea-skimm.i.a missiles at The announcement was made during the will lift the completed RUSHCUTTER from the The first shot made a direct hit on a distant ranges in excess of 70 kilometres " official welcome to the Navy destroyer-escort Calls for Public fo Celebrate outfit dock and carry her out to the launching small remotely controlled surface target HMAS SWAN, which is also to be permanently basin The Minister for Defence. Mr Kim Beazley. The Chief of Naval Staff. Vice Navy and it is only right that they should share based at HMAS STIRLING at Cockburn said that the tnal firing of the missile by the with us our deep sense of pnde in the achieve- Only Harbour Trials and builders' Sea Trials HMAS SYDNEY IN Sound HMAS SWAN arrived at Fremantle Admiral M. W. Hudson, has invited Oberon class diesel electric submarine had ments of the Service over the past 75 years " will then have to be completed before the ROYAL SYDNEY having recently completed extensive refitting at the people of Australia to join with taken place on the US Navy's Pacific Missile Admiral Hudson said that Australia was a completed prototype minehunter catamaran is Williamstown dockyard in Victoria and a sub- Range near Hawaii serving and past RAN personnel in maritime nation dependent for its wealth and handed over to the RAN as HMAS RUSHCUT ANNIVERSARY sequent work-up from the fleet base in Sydney celebrating the 75th Anniversary of continued prosperity on maritime security The TER. to commence evaluation trials "The successful firing marks a significant REGATTA The ship will be permanently home-ported in increase in the capability of the RAN submarine role of the Royal Australian Navy as an integral The lead ship RUSHCUTTER and her sister Western Australia and as a result a further 82 the Royal Australian Navy through- HMAS SYDNEY anchored between the part of the Australian Defence Force was to squadron which operates six boats.' Mr Beazley families would be locally based Sixty-six new out 1986. ship' SHOALWATER are part of a $23 o mil Opera House and Fort Dent son on Mon- ensure toe protection of Australia and her vital said Navy houses have been built In the local area lion contract and are due for completion next day. 27 January, to act as Flagship for the "In addition to the major events, such as the interests and to contribute to regional security "All have had their weapons systems "HMAS SWAN will join HMAS STUART as the year 150th Anniversary of the Royal Sydney unveiling of the National Naval Memorial in upgraded, but HMAS Ovens is the first to have second destroyer escort to be home-ported in During the past 75 years the RAN had met Laid down on 31 May. 1984. the PVC foam Yacht Regatta.- Canberra in March and the Naval Review in fired the Harpoon missile " Western Australia Before 1984 the largest every challenge In the process it had built up a The first (anniversary) Regatta of sailing Sydney in October, the Navy will be on show planking of Rl"\ Y UTTER's hull was ceremo Mr Beazley said the submarine had tracked combat vessel base here was a patrol boat record of service to Australians of which It. and craft was held on Port Jackson in 1837 to around the country with ship visits, band tours, nially completed on 16 August. 1984. by Rear the small surface target with its own sonars to the public, could be justly proud commemorate the foundation of Australia "The Federal Government has planned for a exercising the rights of Freedom of Entry at Admiral W J Rourke. AO. RAN provide data for a fire control solution The mis "Let us make 1986 a special year." Vice as a Bntish Colony This was the 150th greater presence by the Royal Australian Navy various cities, open days on both ships and External lamination of the hull with layers of sile. which can also be launched from surface Admiral Hudson added "It should be a year of occasion on which the Regattu has been in the west, to accord with the strategic need for establishments, and many other special glass and resin was completed on 31 January. ships and aircraft, was encapsulated in a buoy- tribute to the efforts of past and serving person- conducted and it is now claimed as being maritime operations to be conducted from both events." he said 1985. when the hull was then rotated upright ant canister for the launch from the submanne's nel in service to their country, and a time for full the oldest event of its type in the world east and west coasts." Mr Beazley said torpedo tubes Since then, the internal hull has been lamina- "I urge members of the public to join us commitment to continue that service in the The format of the Regatta has varied "There has not been sufficient emphasis in future." ted and decks and bulkheads installed launch flight and terminal homing of the wherever we are celebrating The RAN is their over the years This year it comprised of the past given to the requirement for a two- up to 25 different classes of sailing vessels, ocean Navy." varying from small high performance din Mr Beazley stressed that this decision did not gies of the exciting 18 ft skiff class to pre empt future decisions to be made on the medium sued keel boats of classic lines, all construction site for the new submarines, as A *2m Order for Exercise Mines sailing vanous courses on the harbour there was no requirement for both facilities to As a part of a major programme to The exercise mines, which can be pro- be geographically co-located upgrade Australia's mine warfare capabil- grammed to simulate modern ground- It was the Government's intention that ele- ity. the RAN is to buy exercise mines type mines, can be laid and recovered ments of the existing Oberon submarine force worth $2 million from the Marconi Com- from depths up to 100 metres. ANTI-SUBMARINE would be based at HMAS STIRLING as soon as practicable, to be followed in due course by pany Limited of the United Kingdom. The mines would be used for Fleet exer- some of the new construction submarines The Federal Government has directed cises and gathering vital environmental EXERCISE However, the timing of the initial deploy- that a mine warfare countermeasures data needed for developing other facets of ments would depend on the early establishment capability be given very high priority. mine warfare. An anti-submarine warfare exer- cise involving RAAF and Royal New of civilian ship lift or slipping facilities These "The exercise mines will provide the Mr Beazley said the contract with Mar- would be needed to accommodate both des- Navy with a modern device which is coni provided for significant Australian Zealand Air Force aircraft and a troyers and submarines and he was confident essential for evaluating the new Austra- industry participation which would allow RAN submarine was held off the that the Western Australian Government would lian designed and constructed inshore local companies to become involved In East Australian coast from 24-28 give this development their full support. Mr future development of an Indigenous minehunter." Defence Minister. Mr Kim January. Beazley said that he had directed the Chief of Beazley. said. design and production capability for this the Naval Staff to provide the necessary techni- type of equipment. cal advice on Navy's requirements to State offi- "Two new minehunter catamarans Exercise TAMEX is one of a series of anti- cials as soon as possible under construction near Newcastle are The project will provide an Australain submarine exercises, held annually, for the due to enter service in 1988. with follow- Industries participation package of at training of RAAF and Royal New Zealand Air With major Naval bases on both coasts, there up vessels planned. least 35 per cent of the total contract Force maritime crews will be greater operational flexibility in ship and cost. The minehunters. along with the exer- submarine deployments, which will significantly The RAAF contributed four P3C Orion air cise mines and planned minesweeplng This package will include key elements reduce transit times for operations and enhance craft and the Royal New Zealand Air Force one training activities. initiatives, emphasise the Government's of the electronic systems, assembly of the P3B Orion aircraft desire to attain a very effective mine war- mines and manufacture of both the test "The concept of a two-ocean Navy is an fare capability in Australia." and mine handling equipment. RAN participation was the submarine HMAS essential element of the Government's objective ONSLOW of defence self-reliance." Mr Beazley said Live radio (2GB) on board HMAS HOBART during January 1986 (ABPH m April, II ApHI, 1888 THE NAVY Pag« Thlrty-fMIn® Pag* Thirty-Eight THE NAVY Compiled by 'GAYUNDAH" NAVAL ROUNDUP SUCCESS Sea Trials . . . SUCCESS, the RANs replacement for SUPPLY, is nearing completion at Cock- atoo Dockyard Pty Limited, Cockatoo Island, Sydney. The 157m vessel with a full load displace- ment of 17.900 tonnes, recently completed a comprehensive programme of approximately 250 alongside tests and tnals Heeling Trials, one of the last major trials to be conducted before Contractors Sea Trials commence, were carried out 25-2b November. 1985 This involved the operation of ships systems and machinery at low power with the ship pro- SUCCESS on trials off Sydney (John Mo^n i gressively heeled to 15 degrees to port and star- board goes to sea in April 1986 for her Acceptance will, for many. ste the completion of six years Contracts Sea Tnals commenced 29 Novem Tnal of intense hard work in procurement, design, ber 1985. and occupied approximately three It is at this stage the vessel is handed over to hull erection, fitting out and testing weeks the RAN for operational and shakedown train For the sea trials programme. SUCCESS ran ing from Woolloomooloo and by )oint agreement, However, the link with Cockatoo Dockyard the ship was manned by a combined Cockatoo will continue for some time to come, through Stalwart Completes Dockyard Naval crew under Captain J G the guarantee period and through the RAN Soa Loncjden. RNA. the Commanding Officer Acceptance Trials, when Codock personnel will Designate be associated with Replenishment at Sea trials Macquarie Island The ship was put through Its paces as it car and other speculent testing nes out a range of trials, including propulsion The handing over of SUCCESS to the RAN machinery, consumption, circle, pre-wetting. Resupply and many others, designed to prove the effec- tiveness of the key systems which go to make After several disruptions caused by up this latest acquisition of the RAN ^PATROL BOAT FOR ^ adverse weather conditions, the Royal Australian Navy's flagship HELICOPTER INDONESIA HMAS STALWART successfully SUCCESS, a derivative of the French Navy- The RAN handed over its eighth Attack completed the transfer of stores, fuel designed Petrollier Ravitalleur (PR) MEUSE. is Class patrol boat to Indonesia on 30 and personnel to the Australian the fifth of this class to go into service, the other January as part of the Australian four having been built in Brest for the French Indonesian Defence Co operation Pro National Antarctic Research Expedi- Navy gramme tion (ANARE) sub-Antarctic station Helicopter facilities will also allow the transfer on Macquarie Island. of heavy stores lifts to other vessels, in addition The Commander of the Eastern Fleet of The wintering party of scientists, which has to the vaned types and duties a helicopter sup- Indonesia. Rear Admiral Gatot Soeuiardi. been on the Hand since October 1984. port facility is able to offer accepted the former RAN patrol boat HMAS ASSAIL, from Fleet Commander embarked on 8 December in HMAS The first unit of the vessel was laid down in Rear Admiral Ian Knox, at a ceremony in STALWART by the ship's Sea King helicopter, August 1980. at No 1 Slipway. Cockatoo, by Cairns which during the previous two-and-a-half days the then Minister for Defence, The Hon James has flown more than 100 sorties Thirty-nine Killen. MP. now The Hon Sir James Killen. HMAS ASSAIL is the final Attack Class scientific personnel, intending to spend the next KCMG vessel to be provided to Indonesia as part 12 months on the Island, were ferried to the Her Excellency. Lady Stephen, wife of the of the Defence Co operation Programme 's main station ashore Governor-General, named and launched maritime project, directed towards increas Besides resupplying the main ANARE SUCCESS in March 1984 ing the Indonesian Government's coastal station, the Navy's helicopter was also used to Since launching, the ship has completed the surveillance capability carry stores and fuel to six outstations on the • Ma|or Warship Builders lor the RAN fitting out stage of machinery and accommoda- Island tion areas HMAS ASSAIL will work with seven Strong winds, at times gusting up to 55 The last few months have also seen the paral other former RAN Attack Class patrol knots, and rising seas, forced a halt to resupply lei activity of alongside testing of all major ship boats previously provided to Indonesia to operations on a number of occasions In spite of • Home of the Australian Frigate Proiect systems, culminating in the recent Basin Trials deal with smuggling, illegal entry, protec- tht adverse weather HMAS STALWART trans and Heeling Trials tion of fishing rights and search and rescue fered more than 200.000 litres of fuel and within Indonesia's territonal waters more than 100 tonnes of general cargo, includ- ACCEPTANCE .ng 1600 kilograms of pine logs and a Ferguson 3rd May 1986 Following her Contractors Sea Trials. ASSAIL will be renamed KRI tractor SIGUROT when it enters service with the SUCCESS returned to Cockatoo Dockyard for During the ship's visit, small groups of Navy Indonesian Navy later this month dry docking to enable final painting and other personnel were taken ashore to view aspects of • Inquiries Welcome (03) 3930497 adjustments to be made before she once more the ANARE's work at the sub-Antarctic station. Pifla Forty THE NAVY April, 11 Steel ServiceCentres Australian industry cut steel costs to size. THK INSTITl'TK OK STKKI.SKRVK K OCEXTRKS OF Al'STRAI.I A 8U Alfred*! .Milsons Point. N > W .3)61