HMAS Melbourne (R21) was a Majestic-class The Majestic class was a ship class of six light fleet aircraft carriers constructed for the Royal Navy, but serving in the Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, and Indian Navy light aircraft carrier of the Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following federation of the Australian Colonies in 1901, the former colonial navies merged to become the Commonwealth Naval Forces. From this early fleet, the Royal Australian Navy was officially established in 1911 to become the new navy of the Commonwealth of (RAN). Operating from 1955 until 1982, she was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier(I) to serve in the RAN. Melbourne was the only British Commonwealth The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and previously as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states. All but two of these countries were formerly part of the British Empire naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisions.[4]

The ship was laid down for the British Royal Navy The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of HM Armed Forces . From the beginning of the 18th century until well into the 20th century it was the most powerful navy in the world, playing a key part in establishing the British Empire as the dominant world power from 1815 until the early 1940s. In World War II the Royal Navy operated almost as the lead ship The lead ship or class leader is the first of a series or class of ships all constructed according to the same general design. Almost always, this is only applicable for military ships and larger civilian craft of the Majestic class in April 1943, and was launched as HMS Majestic (R77) in February 1945. At the end of World War II Albania · Australia · Austria · Azerbaijan · Belarus · Belgium · Brazil · Bulgaria · Burma · Cambodia · Canada · Ceylon (Sri Lanka) · Channel Islands · China · Czechoslovakia · Denmark · Dutch East Indies · Egypt · Estonia · Finland · France · Germany · Gibraltar · Greece · Greenland · Hong Kong · Hungary · Iceland ·, work on the ship was suspended until she was purchased by the RAN in 1947. At the time of purchase, it was decided to incorporate new aircraft carrier technologies into the design, making Melbourne the third ship to be constructed with an angled flight deck The flight deck of an aircraft carrier is the surface from which its aircraft take off and land, essentially a miniature airfield at sea. On smaller naval ships which do not have aviation as a primary mission, the landing area for helicopters and other VTOL aircraft is also referred to as the flight deck. The official U.S. Navy term for these. Delays in construction and integrating the enhancements meant that the carrier was not commissioned until 1955.

Melbourne never fired a shot in anger during her career, having only peripheral, non-combat roles in relation to the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation The Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation was an undeclared war over the future of the island of Borneo, between British-backed Malaysia and Indonesia during 1962–1966. The origins of the conflict lay in Indonesian attempts to destabilise the new Federation of Malaysia, which came into being in 1963. Malaya had been given its independence by and the Vietnam War The Vietnam War [A 2] was a Cold War military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from November 1, 1955 [A 1], to April 30, 1975 when Saigon fell. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between the communist North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of South Vietnam, supported by the. However, she was involved in two major collisions with allied vessels. On the evening of 10 February 1964, Melbourne collided with The Melbourne-Voyager collision, also referred to as the "Melbourne-Voyager incident" or simply the "Voyager incident", was a collision between two warships of the Royal Australian Navy ; the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne (R21) and the destroyer HMAS Voyager (D04). On the evening of 10 February 1964, the two ships were and sank HMAS Voyager HMAS Voyager was a Daring class destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), that was lost in a collision in 1964 when the Daring class destroyer altered course across her bow. Eighty-two of Voyager's crew were killed, and two Royal Commissions In states that are Commonwealth Realms a Royal Commission is a major government public inquiry into an issue. They have been held in states such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Saudi Arabia. In Hong Kong, Ireland and South Africa, a Commission of Enquiry or Commission of Inquiry is similarly organised were held to investigate the incident. The second collision The Melbourne-Evans collision was a collision between the light aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the destroyer USS Frank E. Evans (DD-754) of the United States Navy (USN). On 3 June 1969, the two ships were participating in SEATO exercise Sea Spirit in the South China Sea. At approximately 3 am, when ordered occurred in the early morning of 3 June 1969, when Melbourne collided with and sank the Allen M. Sumner class destroyer USS Frank E. Evans USS Frank E. Evans , an Allen M. Sumner class destroyer, was named in honor of General Frank Evans, a leader of the American Expeditionary Force in France during World War I. She served in late World War II and the Korean War, and Vietnam War before being cut in half in a collision with the Australian aircraft carrier Melbourne in 1969 in similar circumstances. Seventy-four United States Navy The United States Navy is the sea branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. It is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. As of 31 December 2008, the U.S. Navy had about 331,682 personnel on active duty and 124,000 in the Navy Reserve. It operates 284 ships in active service and more than 3,700 aircraft. The U.S. Navy is the largest in (USN) personnel died, and a joint USN–RAN Board of Inquiry was held. These incidents, along with several minor collisions, shipboard accidents, and aircraft losses, led to the reputation that Melbourne was jinxed The superstition can also be referenced when talking about a future event with too much confidence. A statement such as "We're sure to win the contest!" can be seen as a jinx because it tempts fate, thereby bringing bad luck. The event itself is referred to as "jinxed". The most dramatic historical example of this type of.[5]

Melbourne was paid off from RAN service in 1982. A proposal to convert her for use as a floating casino failed, and a 1984 sale was cancelled, before she was sold in 1985 and towed to China for breaking Ship breaking or ship demolition is a type of ship disposal involving the breaking up of ships for scrap recycling, with the hulls being discarded in ship graveyards. Most ships have a lifespan of a few decades before there is so much wear that refitting and repair becomes uneconomical. Ship breaking allows materials from the ship, especially. The scrapping was delayed so Melbourne could be studied by the People's Liberation Army Navy The People's Liberation Army Navy (simplified Chinese: 中国人民解放军海军; traditional Chinese: 中國人民解放軍海軍; pinyin: Zhōngguó Rénmín Jiěfàngjūn Hǎijūn) is the naval branch of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the military of the People's Republic of China. Until the early 1990s, the navy performed a subordinate (PLAN) as part of a secret project to develop a Chinese aircraft carrier Since the 1970s, the People's Liberation Army Navy has expressed interest in operating an aircraft carrier as part of its blue water aspirations, and press reports have frequently quoted senior Chinese military officials as expressing an intention to build aircraft carriers and used to train PLAN aviators in carrier flight operations.[6]

Contents

Construction and acquisition

Melbourne was constructed by Vickers-Armstrongs at their Naval Construction Yard in Barrow-in-Furness In the Middle Ages, Barrow was a small fishing hamlet within the parish of Dalton-in-Furness. Furness Abbey, on the outskirts of the modern day town, controlled the local economy before its dissolution in 1537. Even as late as 1843 there were still only 32 dwellings including two pubs. The iron prospector Henry Schneider arrived in Furness in 1839, England The area now called England has been settled by people of various cultures for about 35,000 years, but it takes its name from the Angles, one of the Germanic tribes who settled during the 5th and 6th centuries. England became a unified state in AD 927, and since the Age of Discovery, which began during the 15th century, has had a significant.[7] The ship was laid down as HMS Majestic on 15 April 1943, and was launched on 28 February 1945 by Lady Anderson, the wife of the British Chancellor of the Exchequer The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all economic and financial matters. Often simply called The Chancellor, the office-holder controls HM Treasury and plays a role akin to the posts of Minister of Finance or Secretary of the Treasury in other nations. The position is considered, Sir John Anderson.[7] Following the end of World War II Albania · Australia · Austria · Azerbaijan · Belarus · Belgium · Brazil · Bulgaria · Burma · Cambodia · Canada · Ceylon (Sri Lanka) · Channel Islands · China · Czechoslovakia · Denmark · Dutch East Indies · Egypt · Estonia · Finland · France · Germany · Gibraltar · Greece · Greenland · Hong Kong · Hungary · Iceland ·, the Admiralty The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy. Originally exercised by a single person, the office of Lord High Admiral was from the 18th Century onward almost invariably put "in commission", and was exercised by the Lords Commissioners ordered the suspension of many British shipbuilding projects, including the fitting out of Majestic and her five sister ships.[7] Construction resumed in 1946, and major modifications to the design were incorporated.[7]

A review by the Australian Government's Defence Committee held after World War II recommended that the post-war forces of the RAN be structured around a Task Force incorporating multiple aircraft carriers.[8] Initial plans were for three carriers, with two active and a third in reserve, although funding cuts led to the purchase of only two carriers in June 1947: Majestic and sister ship HMS Terrible, for the combined cost of AU£ The pound was the currency of Australia until 1966. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence2.75 million, plus stores, fuel, and ammunition.[7][9] As Terrible was the closer of the two ships to completion, she was finished without modification, and was commissioned into the RAN on 16 December 1948 as HMAS Sydney.[7] Work progressed on Majestic at a slower rate, as she was upgraded with the latest technology and equipment.[10] The Colossus class carrier HMS Vengeance was loaned to the RAN from 13 November 1952 until 12 August 1955 to cover Majestic's absence.[10]

Labour difficulties, late delivery of equipment, additional requirements for Australian operations, and the prioritisation of merchant shipping over naval construction delayed the completion of Majestic.[11][12] Incorporation of the new systems and enhancements caused the cost of the RAN carrier acquisition program to increase to AU£8.3 million (an amount equivalent to approximately AU$113.6 million in 2007 terms(II)).[12] Construction and fitting out did not finish until October 1955.[13] As the carrier neared completion, a commissioning crew was formed in Australia and first used to return Vengeance to the United Kingdom.[14]

The completed carrier was commissioned into the RAN as HMAS Majestic on 26 October 1955.[15] Two days later, the ship was renamed Melbourne by Lady White, the wife of Sir Thomas White, the Australian High Commissioner In the Commonwealth of Nations, a High Commissioner is the senior diplomat in charge of the diplomatic mission of one Commonwealth government to another to the United Kingdom, and recommissioned.[16]

Design

As the lead ship of the Majestic-class The Majestic class was a ship class of six light fleet aircraft carriers constructed for the Royal Navy, but serving in the Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, and Indian Navy of light aircraft carriers, Melbourne was conceived as a modified version of the Colossus class carrier, incorporating improvements in flight deck design and habitability.[7] Majestic and Colossus carriers were almost identical in hull design and both were considered subclasses of the '1942 design' light aircraft carrier program.[17] These carriers were intended as 'disposable warships': to be disposed of at the end of World War II or within three years of entering service.[18]

Melbourne had a standard displacement of 15,740 long tons (17,630 short tons), which increased to 20,000 long tons (22,000 short tons) at full load.[1] At launch, the carrier was 213.97 metres (702.0 ft) long overall Length overall is commonly used to indicate maximum length of a vessel. LOA is the most commonly-used way of expressing the size of a boat, and is also used for calculating the cost of a marina berth . Another measure of length is LWL - "Length, WaterLine" - which is more useful in assessing a vessel's performance. In some cases (, but this was increased by 2.43 metres (8.0 ft) during a refit HMAS Melbourne was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Operating from 1955 until 1982, she was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier(I) to serve in the RAN. Melbourne was the only British Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisions in 1969.[1] She had a beam of 24.38 metres (80.0 ft), and a draught of 7.62 metres (25.0 ft).[1] Melbourne's two propellers were driven by two Parsons single-reduction geared turbine sets providing 40,000 shp, which were powered by four Admiralty 3-drum boilers.[1] The carrier could achieve a top speed of 24 knots (28 mph; 44 km/h), and a range of 12,000 nautical miles (14,000 mi; 22,000 km) at 14 knots (16 mph; 26 km/h) or 6,200 nautical miles (7,100 mi; 11,500 km) at 23 knots (26 mph; 43 km/h).[1] The size of the ship's company averaged 1,350 officers and sailors, including 350 personnel from the embarked Fleet Air Arm squadrons.[19]

Modifications during construction

Following the recommencement of construction, modifications were made to the ship, based on wartime experience and Britain's post-war carrier warfare technology and innovations.[20] These included an angled flight deck The flight deck of an aircraft carrier is the surface from which its aircraft take off and land, essentially a miniature airfield at sea. On smaller naval ships which do not have aviation as a primary mission, the landing area for helicopters and other VTOL aircraft is also referred to as the flight deck. The official U.S. Navy term for these, steam catapult, and a mirror landing aid, making Melbourne the third aircraft carrier (following HMS Ark Royal and USS Forrestal) to be constructed with these features, instead of having them added later.[21]

The main modifications centred around the need to operate jet aircraft, which were larger and heavier than those that the carrier was originally designed for.[22] The flight deck was angled 5.5 degrees left of the carrier's centreline, to allow for the simultaneous launch and recovery of aircraft.[13] Despite an increase to approximately one acre The acre is a unit of area in a number of different systems, including the imperial and U.S. customary systems. The most commonly used acres today are the international acre and, in the United States, the survey acre. The most common use of the acre is to measure tracts of land (4,000 square metres, 4,800 square yards) in area, the deck was still significantly smaller than other Cold War The Cold War was the continuing state of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition existing after World War II (1939–1945), primarily between the Soviet Union and its satellite states, and the powers of the Western world, particularly the United States. Although the primary participants' military forces never era carriers; S-2 Trackers, with their 22.12-metre (72 ft 7 in) wingspan, had less than a metre's clearance for their starboard Starboard is the nautical term that refers to the right side of a vessel as perceived by a person on board facing the bow . The equivalent for the left-hand side is port. The starboard side of a vessel is indicated with a green navigation light at night wingtip when landing, and pilots from other navies would often refuse to attempt landing.[23] Water rationing was required in the early years of the carrier's operation, as the ship's fresh water supply was insufficient to freely provide for the steam catapult, propulsion turbines, and crew.[21] The flight deck, hangar deck, and aircraft lifts were strengthened, and reinforced arrestor cables were installed.[8] Flight direction radar was included, making Melbourne the only military airfield in the Australasian Australasia is a region of Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term was coined by Charles de Brosses in Histoire des navigations aux terres australes . He derived it from the Latin for "south of Asia" and differentiated the area from Polynesia (to the east) and the region at the time capable of operating aircraft at night and in poor weather.[16]

Refits

HMAS Melbourne's starboard Starboard is the nautical term that refers to the right side of a vessel as perceived by a person on board facing the bow . The equivalent for the left-hand side is port. The starboard side of a vessel is indicated with a green navigation light at night bell

Early in her career, Melbourne underwent a series of short annual refits, commencing in September and ending in January or February of the next year.[24] As time passed, the refits were either extended in length or replaced by major upgrades or overhauls.

A Sea King of 817 Squadron, taking off in 1980

Melbourne's first major refit started in December 1967 and continued until February 1969, during which she was upgraded to operate S-2 Tracker and A-4 Skyhawk The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. The delta winged, single turbojet-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D under the US Navy's pre-1962 designation system aircraft.[3] The modifications cost AU$8.5 million (approximately AU$79.6 million in 2007 terms), and included an overhaul of the hull and machinery, strengthening of the flight deck, improvements to the catapult and arrestor cables, modification of the aviation fuel systems and flight control arrangements, and upgrades of the navigational aids and radar.[25][26] Air conditioning systems and a liquid oxygen Liquid oxygen — abbreviated LOx, LOX or Lox in the aerospace, submarine and gas industries — is one of the physical forms of elemental oxygen generation plant were also installed.[26] Melbourne re-entered service at the conclusion of the refits on 14 February, and performed sea trials in Jervis Bay from 17 February until 5 May.[27] This was the largest project undertaken by Garden Island Dockyard to that date.[26]

The next major refit was required in 1971 for the scheduled rebuilding of the catapult, which was only possible after components were sourced from HMCS Bonaventure and USS Coral Sea.[4][28] The flight deck was again reinforced and strengthened, and attempts were made to increase the effectiveness of the air conditioning system installed in 1969.[4] Melbourne had been designed to operate in North Atlantic and Arctic climates, and the original ventilation systems were inappropriate for her primary operating climate, the tropics.[29] The 1969 and 1971 refits did improve conditions, although there was little scope for upgrade, and the system was still inadequate: temperatures inside the ship continued to reach over 65 °C (149 °F), and on one occasion a hold reached 78 °C (172 °F).[29] The refit took seven months to complete, and cost AU$2 million (approximately AU$17 million in 2007 terms).[4]

Several Trackers and a Skyhawk parked forward of the island, 1980

More large-scale refits occurred throughout the rest of the 1970s. Melbourne was back in dock from November 1972 until August 1973, with further work done to her catapult.[30] The next major refit ran from April 1975 to June 1976, and was intended to increase the operational lifespan of the carrier to at least 1985.[31][32] The refit was lengthened by industrial action Industrial action or job action (US) refers collectively to any measure taken by trade unions or other organised labour meant to reduce productivity in a workplace. Quite often it is used and interpreted, mistakenly, as a euphemism for strike, but the scope is much wider. Industrial action may take place in the context of a labour dispute or may at the dockyard.[31] Melbourne underwent another refit from late 1978 until August 1979.[33]

Melbourne's next major refit was scheduled to begin in late 1981.[34] It was postponed in September until a decision was reached regarding the new carrier.[34] The refit was cancelled in January 1982, after the announcement that the RAN would be acquiring HMS Invincible.[35]

Armament

Melbourne carried a defensive armament of anti-aircraft guns NATO defines air defence as “all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action.“ They include ground and air based weapon systems, associated sensor systems, command and control arrangements and passive measures. It may be to protect naval, ground and air forces wherever they are. However, for most countries and an air group comprising both attack and anti-submarine aircraft. As the ship was never directly involved in a conflict, her weapons and embarked aircraft did not fire a shot in anger.[5]

Weapons and systems

Melbourne's initial armament included 25 40 mm Bofors The Bofors 40 mm gun is a famous anti-aircraft autocannon designed by the Swedish firm of Bofors. It was one of the most popular medium-weight anti-aircraft systems during World War II, used by most of the western Allies as well as various other forces. It is often referred to simply as the Bofors gun anti-aircraft guns: six twin and thirteen single mountings.[36] The radar suite consisted of three Type 277Q height-finding sets, a Type 293Q surface search set, and a Type 978 navigational set.[2] Between entering service and 1959, four of the single Bofors were removed.[36]

During the 1967–1969 refit, thirteen Bofors were removed, leaving four twin and four single mountings.[2] The three 277Q radars were replaced with updated American and Dutch designs: a LW-02 air search set and a SPN-35 landing aid radar.[2] A TACAN aerial and electronic countermeasures Electronic countermeasures are a subsection of electronic warfare which includes any sort of electrical or electronic device designed to trick or deceive radar, sonar, or other detection systems like IR (infrared) and Laser. It may be used both offensively or defensively in any method to deny targeting information to an enemy. The system may make pods were also installed during this refit.[3] The four Bofors twin mountings were removed in 1980.[36]

Aircraft

Melbourne carried three Fleet Air Arm squadrons.[19] Initially, she had up to 22 planes and 2 helicopters embarked at any time.[3] The number of aircraft gradually increased until 1972, when the air group peaked at 27 aircraft.[2] Approximately 350 Fleet Air Arm personnel were stationed aboard the carrier.[19]

Royal Navy Sea Venom fighters being handed over to the RAN in August 1955. These aircraft were later operated by Melbourne.

Initially, two types of fixed-wing aircraft were operated from Melbourne. de Havilland Sea Venom fighter-bombers were flown by 805 Squadron RAN and 808 Squadron RAN, while Fairey Gannet The Fairey Gannet was a British carrier-borne anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning aircraft of the post-Second World War era developed for the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm by the Fairey Aviation Company. It is a mid-wing monoplane with a tricycle undercarriage and a crew of three, and double turboprop engine driving two contra-rotating anti-submarine strike aircraft were operated by 816 Squadron RAN and 817 Squadron RAN.[37] At the time of their arrival, the Sea Venoms were the only radar equipped and all-weather combat aircraft in the Southern Hemisphere.[21] At Melbourne's commissioning, the standard air group consisted of eight Sea Venoms and two squadrons of eight Gannets, with two Bristol Sycamore search-and-rescue helicopters added shortly after the carrier entered service.[2][3]

A Grumman S-2G Tracker of 816 squadron about to take a wire on Melbourne in 1980

These aircraft were due to become obsolete in the late 1950s, and the RAN considered purchasing modern aircraft of French or Italian design, which were better suited to light carrier operations than equivalent British aircraft, or replace Melbourne HMAS Melbourne was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Operating from 1955 until 1982, she was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier(I) to serve in the RAN. Melbourne was the only British Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisions with a larger carrier.[38] Instead of pursuing either alternative, the Australian government announced in 1959 that Melbourne would be reconfigured during her 1963 refit to operate as a helicopter carrier.[38] The fixed-wing aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm were marked for replacement by 27 Westland Wessex anti-submarine helicopters.[39] A reduction of embarked plane numbers to four Sea Venoms and six Gannets, along with regular rotation and careful use of the aircraft, extended their service life until the mid-1960s, while the size of the air group was maintained by carrying up to ten Wessex helicopters.[2][39] The decision to retire the fixed-wing component of the Fleet Air Arm was rescinded in 1963, and on 10 November 1964, a AU£212 million (approximately AU$2.4 billion in 2007 terms) increase in defence spending included the purchase of new aircraft for Melbourne.[40][41]

A-4G Skyhawk launching from Melbourne's steam catapult

The RAN planned to acquire 14 Grumman S-2E Tracker anti-submarine aircraft, and modernise Melbourne to operate the aircraft.[41] The acquisition of 18 Douglas A-4 Skyhawk The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. The delta winged, single turbojet-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D under the US Navy's pre-1962 designation system fighter-bombers was also suggested, but these were dropped from the initial plan.[42] A separate proposal to order 10 A-4G Skyhawks, a variant of the Skyhawk designed specifically for the RAN and optimised for air defence, was approved in 1965.[42][43] Both aircraft types entered RAN service in 1968, with the Trackers operated by 816 Squadron RAN and 851 Squadron RAN, and the Skyhawks by 805 Squadron RAN and 724 Squadron RAN.[44][45] The aircraft did not fly from Melbourne until the conclusion of her refit in 1969.[45] In 1969, the RAN purchased another 10 A-4G Skyhawks, instead of the proposed seventh and eighth Oberon class submarines.[45] Melbourne operated a standard air group of four Skyhawks, six Trackers, and ten Wessex helicopters until 1972, when the Wessexes were replaced with ten Westland Sea King The Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British license-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines, British made anti-submarine warfare systems and a fully computerised control system. The Westland Sea anti-submarine warfare helicopters and the number of Skyhawks doubled.[2] Although replaced by the Sea King, two or three Wessex helicopters remained onboard as search-and-rescue aircraft.[2]

Melbourne as seen from the cockpit of an approaching Grumman S-2G Tracker

On 5 December 1976, a fire at the Naval Air Station HMAS Albatross destroyed or heavily damaged 12 of the Fleet Air Arm's 13 S-2E Trackers.[46] The carrier was sent to the United States in 1977 to transport back 16 S-2G Tracker aircraft as replacements.[47]

Over the course of her career, over thirty aircraft were either lost or heavily damaged while operating from Melbourne.[48] The majority of the aircraft ditched A water landing is, in the broadest sense, any landing on a body of water. All waterfowl, those seabirds capable of flight, and some human-built vehicles are capable of landing in water as a matter of course or crashed over the side, but some losses were due to catapult or arrestor cable failures.[48] After Melbourne was decommissioned the Fleet Air Arm ceased fixed-wing combat aircraft operation in 1984, with the final Tracker flight saluting the decommissioned carrier.[49]

Role

Melbourne was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier to operate with the RAN. Following the first decommissioning of sister ship HMAS Sydney in 1958, Melbourne became the only aircraft carrier in Australian service.[50] Melbourne was unavailable to provide air cover for the RAN for up to four months in every year; this time was required for refits, refuelling, crew leave, and non-carrier duties, such as the transportation of troops or aircraft.[50][51] Although one of the largest ships to serve in the RAN, Melbourne was one of the smallest carriers to operate in the post-World War II period.[4][52] A decision was made in 1959 to restrict Melbourne's role to helicopter operations only, but was reversed shortly before its planned 1963 implementation.[38][40]

As well as an operational aircraft carrier, Melbourne was Flagship of the RAN, a role she received almost immediately following her 1956 arrival in Australia, and fulfilled until her decommissioning in 1982.[53] During her service, the carrier was deployed overseas on 35 occasions, and visited over 22 countries.[54] Melbourne was the physical and psychological centrepiece of the fleet, and after her decommissioning and lack of replacement, the RAN fell from its position as the most powerful Navy in the Pacific area to sixth most powerful.[55][56]

Melbourne refuelling HMAS Quickmatch while conducting flying operations

As Melbourne was the only ship of her size (both in dimensions and crew complement) in the RAN, the carrier underwent a regular rotation of commanding officers in order to give them experience.[57] Commanding officers were changed on a regular basis—on average every fifteen months, with few remaining on board for over two years.[57] The majority of Melbourne's commanders later reached flag rank A flag officer is a commissioned officer who is senior enough to be entitled to fly a flag to represent where he exercises command. The term usually refers to the senior officers in a nation's navy or coast guard, specifically those who hold any of the admiral ranks and in some case it applies to those holding the rank of commodore as well.[57] The carrier was also called on to perform underway replenishments and command and control functions.[56]

Operational history

1955–1964

HMA Ships Melbourne (foreground) and Sydney (background) on Melbourne's delivery voyage to Australia. Sea Venoms are stored on the forward section of the carrier's flight deck, while Gannets The Fairey Gannet was a British carrier-borne anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning aircraft of the post-Second World War era developed for the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm by the Fairey Aviation Company. It is a mid-wing monoplane with a tricycle undercarriage and a crew of three, and double turboprop engine driving two contra-rotating are on the aft section.

Following a working-up period in British waters, Melbourne departed Glasgow on 11 March 1956 on her maiden voyage The maiden voyage of a ship, aircraft or other craft is the first journey made by the craft after shakedown. A number of traditions and superstitions are associated with it to Australia via the Suez Canal The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869, it allows water transportation between Europe and Asia without navigating around Africa. The northern terminus is Port Said and the southern terminus is Port Tawfik at the city of Suez. Ismailia lies on its west.[15][58] Aboard were the 64 aircraft of RAN squadrons 808, 816 and 817, as well as the racing yacht Samuel Pepys (named after the English naval administrator and diarist), which was a gift to the RAN Sailing Association from the Royal Navy.[3][59] The ship visited Gibraltar, Naples, Malta, Port Said, Aden, and Colombo, before arriving in Fremantle on 24 April 1956.[58][60] Melbourne sailed east via the Great Australian Bight, meeting sister ship HMAS Sydney near Kangaroo Island a week later.[58] After visiting Melbourne and Jervis Bay, where the aircraft were offloaded and sent to Naval Air Station HMAS Albatross, the carrier concluded her maiden voyage in Sydney on 10 May.[3][61] The role of flagship was transferred from Sydney to Melbourne three days later.[61] The carrier immediately underwent a two and a half month refit, allowing for the inspection of machinery and repair of defects detected during the maiden voyage.[62] Melbourne spent from September to November in Southeast Asian waters, during which she participated in Exercise Albatross and received an official visit by Philippines president Ramon Magsaysay.[63] On return to Australia in mid-November, the carrier visited Melbourne for the 1956 Olympics, where 200 of Melbourne's crew were provided to work as signallers, event marshals, carpenters, and medical workers.[59]

HMAS Melbourne underway in August 1956, with Gannet aircraft on the flight deck

In February 1957, Melbourne was sent to the Royal Hobart Regatta.[19] Following this, she travelled to New Zealand, where she participated in exercises with HMNZS Royalist and visited several New Zealand ports.[3] The first of several annual three-month deployments to Southeast Asia as part of the Far East Strategic Reserve began in April, with Melbourne returning to Darwin at the end of June.[64][65] The carrier spent the rest of the year visiting Australian ports for open inspections by the public.[66] During the visit to Port Adelaide, on 28 October 1957, Melbourne was slightly damaged when she was struck by MV Straat Lanka—the first of several minor collisions the carrier would experience throughout her career.[67] Operations for the year concluded with participation in Exercise Astrolabe off Lord Howe Island, with ships from the RAN, Royal Navy, and Royal New Zealand Navy, before returning to Sydney on 13 December.[19][66]

From February until July 1958, Melbourne was deployed on a 25,000-nautical-mile (46,000 km) flag-showing cruise.[19] During this cruise the carrier participated in four inter-fleet exercises and visited Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Pearl Harbor and Fiji.[19][68] On return to Sydney, Melbourne entered a short refit, which concluded on 13 October and was immediately followed by a visit to Port Phillip, where the carrier was displayed to Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force officer cadets before the carrier returned to Sydney.[68] At the start of 1959, Melbourne spent four days in her namesake city, where she was used for the filming of On The Beach, based on Neville Shute's post-apocalyptic novel of the same name.[69][70] After filming concluded, the carrier participated in a demonstration exercise off the coast of Sydney before embarking on a Far East Strategic Reserve deployment from March until May.[70] The rest of the year was spent visiting Australian and New Zealand ports.[70]

A Bristol Sycamore taking off from Melbourne's flight deck, c. 1960

The following year, 1960, was a bad year for the carrier's air group, with four Sea Venoms and two Gannets damaged in incidents aboard Melbourne over the course of the year.[71] All four Sea Venom incidents occurred in March, with three attributed to aircrew error and one to brake failure.[72] The year began with exercises en-route to Adelaide, followed by a visit to the Royal Hobart Regatta.[73] The carrier's Strategic Reserve deployment ran from April to June, and was followed by manoeuvres along the east coast of Australia until September.[73] In the lead up to Melbourne's 1961 deployment to the Strategic Reserve, the carrier visited Bombay, Karachi, and Trincomalee.[74][75] It was the first time a flagship of the RAN had entered Indian waters.[74] Melbourne returned to Australia in June, and on 15 June led several ships in a ceremonial entry to Sydney Harbour to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the RAN.[74] In August, Melbourne was called upon to lead Exercise Tuckerbox, in the Coral Sea.[74] Following the conclusion of Tuckerbox, the carrier visited several New Zealand ports before returning to Sydney for demonstration exercises and public relations activities.[75]

In 1962, Melbourne began the year's activities at the Royal Hobart Regatta, before sailing to her Strategic Reserve deployment, by way of Adelaide and Fremantle.[76] After Strategic Reserve duties were completed, the carrier visited Japan, Guam, and Manus Island before returning to Sydney in late July.[76] In September, Melbourne reprised her role as the leader of Exercise Tuckerbox II.[74] The 10,000th catapult launch from Melbourne occurred in late 1962.[74] The carrier's annual refit began in Sydney on 1 October.[76] At the beginning of 1963, Melbourne again visited to the Royal Hobart Regatta, which was immediately followed by a deployment to the Strategic Reserve, including involvement in SEATO Exercise Sea Serpent.[77] The 20,000th landing on Melbourne was performed in April by a Gannet, and in September, Melbourne participated in Exercise Carbine near Hervey Bay, Queensland.[74][78]

Voyager collision

Melbourne underway with Daring class destroyers Vendetta and Voyager in 1959 Main article: Melbourne–Voyager collision

On 10 February 1964, Melbourne was performing trials in Jervis Bay under the command of Captain John Robertson, following the annual refit.[79] The Daring class destroyer HMAS Voyager was also present, undergoing her own trials following refit, under the command of Captain Duncan Stevens.[79] The trials involved interactions between both ships, and when Melbourne performed night flying exercises that evening, Voyager acted as the carrier's plane guard escort.[79] This required Voyager to maintain a position 20° off Melbourne's port quarter at a distance from the carrier of 1,500 to 2,000 yards (1,400 to 1,800 m).[80]

During the early part of the evening, Voyager had no difficulties maintaining her position during the manoeuvres both ships performed.[80] Following a series of turns intended to reverse the courses of both ships beginning at 8:40 pm, Voyager ended up to starboard of Melbourne.[80] At 8:52 pm, Voyager was ordered to resume the plane guard station.[81] The procedure to accomplish this required Voyager to turn away from Melbourne in a large circle, cross behind the carrier, then take position off Melbourne's port side.[81] Instead, Voyager first turned to starboard, away from Melbourne, then turned to port without warning.[81] It was initially assumed by Melbourne's bridge crew that Voyager was conducting a series of tight turns in order to lose speed before swinging behind Melbourne, but Voyager did not alter course again.[82] At 8:55 pm, with Voyager approaching, Melbourne's navigator ordered the carrier's engines to half astern speed, with Robertson ordering an increase to full astern a few seconds later.[82] At the same time, Stevens, having just become aware of the situation, gave the order "Full ahead both engines. Hard-a starboard.", before instructing the destroyer's Quartermaster to announce that a collision was imminent.[82] Both ships' measures were too late to avoid a collision; Melbourne hit Voyager at 8:56 pm.[83]

Animation showing the courses and approximate positions of the two ships leading up to the collision

Melbourne struck Voyager just aft of the destroyer's bridge, rolling the destroyer to starboard before cutting her in half.[84] Voyager's forward boiler exploded, briefly setting fire to the bow of the carrier before it was extinguished by seawater.[84] The destroyer's forward section sank quickly, under the weight of the two 4.5-inch (110 mm) gun turrets.[85] The aft section did not begin sinking until half an hour after the collision, completely submerging just after midnight.[86] Messages were immediately sent to the Fleet Headquarters in Sydney, although staff in Sydney initially underestimated the extent of the damage to Voyager.[87] Melbourne launched her boats to recover survivors, and the carrier's wardroom and C Hangar were prepared for casualties.[88] At 9:58 pm, Melbourne was informed that search-and-rescue boats from HMAS Creswell, helicopters from the naval air station HMAS Albatross, and five Ton class minesweepers had been despatched to assist in the search.[89] All of the survivors were recovered within fifteen minutes of the collision, although the search continued until the next day.[90]

Melbourne en-route to Sydney, immediately after the collision. The damage to the bow can be seen.

Of the 314 personnel aboard Voyager at the time of the collision, 14 officers, 67 sailors, and 1 civilian dockyard worker were killed, including Stevens and all but one of the bridge crew.[87] Melbourne arrived in Sydney with the survivors on 14 February, and after spending time alongside at Garden Island, was moved to Cockatoo Island Dockyard on 25 March, where a 40 ton prefabricated bow was fitted.[91] A Royal Commission into the events of the collision was held in 1964, and found that while Voyager was primarily at fault for neglecting to maintain an effective lookout and awareness of the larger ship's location, Melbourne's bridge crew was also at fault, for failing to alert Voyager and not taking measures to avoid the collision.[92] Robertson was posted to the training base HMAS Watson, a move that he and the Australian media saw as tantamount to a demotion; Robertson resigned rather than accept the posting.[93] The Royal Commission and its aftermath were poorly handled, and following pressure from the public, media, and politicians, combined with revelations by Voyager's former executive officer that Stevens may have been unfit for command, a second Royal Commission was opened in 1967.[94][95] This is the only time in Australian history two Royal Commissions have been held for a single incident.[96] The second commission found that Stevens was medically unfit for command and that some of the findings of the first Royal Commission were therefore based on incorrect assumptions.[97] Robertson and the other officers of Melbourne were absolved of blame for the incident.[98]

1964–1969

Melbourne spent ten weeks at Cockatoo Island Dockyard, having her new bow fitted.[99] Following the repairs, Melbourne was involved in Strategic Reserve deployments and exercises in Southeast Asia from June until September 1964.[91] During this deployment, the carrier visited Subic Bay, where the RAN performed flight deck trials with S-2 Tracker anti-submarine aircraft and A-4 Skyhawk attack fighters.[39] The success of the trials, along with the discovery that Melbourne was able to operate both aircraft with relatively minor modification, led the Australian Government to approve the purchase of these aircraft.[39]

From March 1965 until mid-1967, Melbourne underwent a regular pattern of deployments to Southeast Asia, exercises, and flag-showing visits to nations in the Asia-Pacific region.[91] Several of the Southeast Asian deployments were related to the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, and involved participation in show of force exercises off the coast of Malaysia.[100] During 1965 and 1966, Melbourne escorted sister ship HMAS Sydney, which had been recommissioned as a troop transport, for short periods during the latter's first, third, and fourth transport voyages to Vietnam.[101] Despite the carrier being the centrepiece of several plans to involve Australian forces in the Vietnam War, the escort runs were the extent of Melbourne's participation in the conflict, and the carrier remained outside the Market Time area while Sydney and her other escorts proceeded to Vũng Tàu.[101][102] As the carrier was optimised for anti-submarine warfare, there was little need for her at the start of the war.[103] Utilising the carrier was suggested again by RAN officials in March 1966, when the United States Seventh Fleet was having difficulties maintaining anti-submarine patrols around Yankee Station, but Melbourne could only remain on station for a single, ten day period, a third of the time that US carriers were operational for on rotating deployments.[104] Seventh Fleet staff suggested in April 1967 that Melbourne deploy in the anti-submarine role, but nothing came of these talks.[105] Consideration was also given to using Melbourne as a floating helicopter base, but only ten Wessex helicopters could be provided, and modifications were required for them to operate as troop carriers.[106] Both options were made more prohibitive by the need to supply at least two escorts for the carrier at a time when the RAN was having difficulty meeting deployment commitments with the available destroyers and destroyer escorts.[106]

An A-4G Skyhawk "in the wires" aboard Melbourne, c. 1980

In September 1967, Melbourne travelled to the United States to collect new aircraft: 14 Trackers and 10 Skyhawks.[3] In order to operate the new aircraft, the carrier received a major refit on her return to Sydney, which began in December 1967.[3] In May 1967, it was proposed that while Melbourne was out of service, A-4 Skyhawk pilots and maintenance personnel could be attached to a United States Marine Corps Skyhawk squadron in South Vietnam.[107] Australian aircraft were not to be provided, as the A-4G Skyhawks used by the RAN were optimised for air defence, not the fighter-bomber role performed by the Marines, and would have suffered heavy losses from North Vietnam's heavy anti-aircraft defences.[108] This deployment did not occur; the Skyhawk pilot training program was experiencing delays because US squadrons were being shipped training equipment and replacement parts in priority to the RAN, and sending qualified pilots overseas would have caused further holdups with the program, while also disrupting Melbourne's post-refit reactivation.[109] Melbourne re-entered service at the conclusion of the refit on 14 February 1969. She performed sea trials in Jervis Bay from 17 February until 5 May, then sailed for Subic Bay, Philippines, to participate in SEATO Exercise Sea Spirit.[27][110]

Frank E. Evans collision

Main article: Melbourne–Evans collision

Melbourne's commanding officer during the SEATO exercise was Captain John Phillip Stevenson.[110] Rear Admiral John Crabb, the Flag Officer Commanding Australian Fleet, was also embarked on the carrier.[110] During Sea Spirit, Melbourne was assigned five escorts: US Ships Everett F. Larson, Frank E. Evans, and James E. Kyes, HMNZS Blackpool, and HMS Cleopatra.[110] Stevenson held a dinner for the five escort captains at the start of the exercise, during which he recounted the events of the Melbourne–Voyager collision, emphasised the need for caution when operating near the carrier, and provided written instructions on how to avoid such a situation developing again.[111][112] Additionally, during the lead up to the exercise, Admiral Crabb had strongly warned that all repositioning manoeuvres performed by the escorts had to commence with a turn away from Melbourne.[110] Despite these warnings, a near-miss occurred in the early hours of 31 May when Larson turned towards the carrier after being ordered to the plane guard station.[113] Subsequent action narrowly prevented a collision.[113] The escorts were again warned about the dangers of operating near the carrier and informed of Stevenson's expectations, while the minimum distance between carrier and escorts was increased from 2,000 to 3,000 yards (1,800 to 2,700 m).[113]

The paths taken by Melbourne and USS Frank E. Evans in the minutes leading up to the collision

On the night of 2–3 June, Melbourne and her escorts were involved in anti-submarine training exercises in the South China Sea.[112] In preparation for launching a Tracker, Stevenson ordered Evans to the plane guard station, reminded the destroyer of Melbourne's course, and instructed the carrier's navigational lights to be brought to full brilliance.[110][114] Evans had performed the manoeuvre four times over the course of the night.[110] Evans was positioned on Melbourne's port bow, but began the manoeuvre by turning starboard, towards the carrier.[110] A radio message was sent from Melbourne to Evans' bridge and Combat Information Centre, warning the destroyer that she was on a collision course, which Evans acknowledged.[110][115] Seeing the destroyer take no action and on a course to place herself under Melbourne's bow, Stevenson ordered the carrier hard to port, signalling the turn by both radio and siren blasts.[110][116] At approximately the same time, Evans turned hard to starboard to avoid the approaching carrier.[116] It is uncertain which ship began to manoeuvre first, but each ship's bridge crew claimed that they were informed of the other ship's turn after they commenced their own.[116] After having narrowly passed in front of Melbourne, the turns quickly placed Evans back in the carrier's path.[117] Melbourne hit Evans amidships at 3:15 am, cutting the destroyer in two.[117]

The stern section of USS Frank E. Evans on the morning after the collision. USS Everett F. Larson (right) is moving in to salvage the remains of the abandoned destroyer.

Seventy-four of the 273 crew from Evans were killed in the collision, with the majority of these believed to have been asleep or trapped inside the bow section, which sank within minutes.[117] Melbourne deployed her boats, life rafts, and lifebuoys, before carefully manoeuvring alongside the stern section of Evans, where both ships' crews used mooring lines to lash the ships together.[118] Other members of Melbourne's crew dived from the flight deck into the water to rescue overboard survivors close to the carrier, while the carrier's boats and helicopters collected those farther out.[119] All of the survivors were located within 12 minutes of the collision and rescued before half an hour had passed, although the search continued for fifteen more hours.[120] After Evans' stern was evacuated, it was cast off, while the carrier moved away to avoid damage.[121] The stern failed to sink, and was later recovered, stripped of parts, and sunk for target practice.[117] Following the collision, Melbourne travelled to Singapore for temporary repairs to her bow, arriving on 6 June.[122] Melbourne departed Singapore on 27 June and arrived in Sydney on 9 July, where the carrier spent until November docked at Cockatoo Island Dockyard while the new bow was installed.[122]

A Joint RAN-USN Board of Inquiry was established to investigate the incident, and was in session over June and July 1969.[117] The Board found Evans partially at fault for the collision, but also faulted Melbourne for not taking evasive action sooner, even though international sea regulations dictated that in the lead up to a collision, the larger ship was required to maintain course and speed.[123] It was learned during the inquiry that Evans' commanding officer was asleep in his quarters at the time of the incident, and command of the vessel was held by Lieutenants Ronald Ramsey and James Hopson; the former had failed the qualification exam to stand watch, while the latter was at sea for the first time.[110][124] Subsequent to the inquiry, the three USN officers and Stevenson were court-martialled on charges of negligence, with the three USN officers found guilty and Stevenson 'Honourably Acquitted'.[125] Despite the findings, Stevenson's next posting was as a minor flag officer's chief of staff, seen by him as a demotion in all but name.[125] In a repeat of the aftermath of the Voyager collision, Melbourne's captain resigned amid accusations of scapegoating.[126]

1970–1976

During the 1970s and early 1980s, replacing parts became an increasing problem.[127] Components were failing due to wear and age, but the companies responsible for manufacturing the parts had gone out of business during the previous twenty years, sometimes immediately after World War II ended.[127] The carrier's engineers often resorted to making replacements from scratch.[127]

In 1970, Melbourne participated in three major inter-navy exercises: Sea Rover with SEATO forces in the South China Sea, Bersatu Padu with British Commonwealth forces off Malaysia, and Swan Lake with the Royal Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy off Western Australia.[122][128] During this year, the carrier also visited Japan to participate in Expo '70, and was hit by Manly ferry South Steyne while alongside at Garden Island, causing minor damage to both vessels.[28][122] Melbourne was out of service for most of 1971 while she underwent refits, which concluded in early August.[4] In mid-1971, the Australian military's Joint Planning Committee considered using Melbourne as a transport in order to help complete the withdrawal of the Australian Task Force from Vietnam before the end of 1971.[129] While the Army supported this proposal, the Navy successfully argued against its implementation, claiming that transporting troops and cargo would be misusing Australia's only active aircraft carrier, and would prevent Melbourne from participating in several major multi-national exercises.[129] The refit concluded in late 1971, with the carrier participating in the first RIMPAC exercise, RIMPAC 71, before the end of the year.[4]

Operations in 1972 commenced with a three month deployment to Southeast Asia.[4] During this deployment, Melbourne led a fleet of 17 ships from the RAN, Royal Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, US Navy, Philippine Navy, and Royal Thai Navy in Exercise Sea Hawk.[4] This was followed by goodwill visits to numerous Southeast Asian ports, including Hong Kong, Jakarta, Manila, Singapore, and Surabaya, before Melbourne returned to Sydney at the end of April.[3][4] The carrier spent May performing exercises off the New South Wales coast, during which she was called on to rescue three fisherman who had been stranded at sea for the previous two days.[4] In August, Melbourne sailed for Hawaii to participate in RIMPAC 72.[4] At the conclusion of this exercise, Melbourne proceeded to Japan on a diplomatic visit, then sailed to the Philippines to exercise with SEATO ships.[3] During this deployment, a fire ignited inside the ship's main switchboard.[67] The carrier returned to Australia on 27 November after 101 days at sea, and underwent a seven month refit.[3] On 24 August 1973, Melbourne returned to Hawaii to participate in RIMPAC 73.[3] She returned to Australia on 12 October, but sailed out ten days later to participate in Exercise Leadline off Malaysia, before reaching Sydney again in December.[4]

Melbourne began 1974 by transporting 120 Australian soldiers to a temporary assignment with an American infantry battalion based in Hawaii.[31] She then sailed to San Francisco to collect 12 new Chinook and five UH-1 Iroquois helicopters for the Royal Australian Air Force, arriving in Australia with her cargo in April.[31] In June, the carrier took part in Exercise Kangaroo in the Coral Sea, before returning to Sydney in July.[31] On 11 July, the passenger liner SS Australis hit and damaged Melbourne in Sydney Harbour.[67] In November, the carrier took part in disaster relief exercises.[31] These were prophetic, as on the night of 24–25 December 1974, Cyclone Tracy destroyed the city of Darwin. Melbourne's crew were recalled immediately from leave, the ship was loaded with supplies, and the carrier departed Sydney on 26 December in the company of HMAS Brisbane.[130] Melbourne, Brisbane, and eleven other ships were deployed as part of the largest peace-time rescue effort ever organised by the RAN: Operation Navy Help Darwin.[130] Melbourne remained off Darwin until 18 January 1975, acting as operational headquarters and a helicopter base.[28][130] During this operation, the seven Wessex helicopters embarked on Melbourne performed 2,493 flights, carrying 7,824 passengers and 107 tons of cargo.[31]

Following Navy Help Darwin, Melbourne participated in RIMPAC 75, then returned to Sydney for a fourteen month refit, which was delayed by industrial action at the dockyard.[31] While moored in Sydney Harbour, on 24 July, Melbourne was struck by Japanese cargo ship Blue Andromeda.[131] While working up following the refit, Melbourne and HMAS Torrens provided assistance to MV Miss Chief off the coast of Bundaberg, Queensland on 16 August 1976.[46] In October, Melbourne participated in Exercise Kangaroo II, before sailing to her namesake city for the carrier's 21st birthday celebrations, then returning to Sydney on 5 November.[31][132]

1976–1983

Melbourne as seen from the radar operator's seat in an S-2G Grumman Tracker, 1979

On 5 December 1976, a fire deliberately lit at HMAS Albatross by a member of the Fleet Air Arm damaged or destroyed all but one of Australia's S-2 Trackers.[46][133] Following participation in RIMPAC 77, Melbourne was sent to San Diego to collect replacement aircraft.[47][50] Arriving back in Sydney on 5 April, the carrier was sent on a five-month deployment to the United Kingdom on 28 April, accompanied by HMAS Brisbane and HMNZS Canterbury.[47][134] En route, Melbourne lost a Sea King in the Indian Ocean on 9 May, with the aircrew recovered by Brisbane.[135] A Tracker from Melbourne located the disabled Dutch vessel Impala Princess in the Gulf of Aden on 25 May and directed a French destroyer to assist.[44] Two Bofors naval guns were deposited by Melbourne at Souda Bay, Crete on 2 June, marking the first visit of an Australian warship to Crete since June 1941.[44] These weapons were donated to the Australian War Memorial at Stavromenos, in Crete's Rethymno Prefecture.[44] The highlight of the deployment saw the three ships represent Australia and New Zealand at the Silver Jubilee Naval Review on 28 June 1977.[134] Two days later, a Sea Harrier VTOL aircraft performed multiple takeoffs and landings aboard Melbourne.[44] Following the Jubilee Review and participation in Exercise Highwood in July, Melbourne and her escorts returned to Australia, arriving in Fremantle on 19 September and Sydney on 4 October.[136] Melbourne was docked in Garden Island's drydock on arrival, where she remained until January 1978.[3]

At the end of March 1978, Melbourne left Sydney for RIMPAC 78.[137] During this exercise, Melbourne acquired the nickname 'Little M' after working with 'Big E' USS Enterprise—the smallest and largest conventional aircraft carriers (respectively) in operation at the time.[137] On return in July, the carrier entered a major refit, which continued until 3 August 1979.[33] During this refit, on 3 March, a boiler explosion caused minor damage to the carrier.[131] The remainder of the year involved participation in three exercises, Tasmanex off Wellington, New Zealand, Sea Eagle I in the Tasman Sea, and Kangaroo III in the Coral Sea.[138] During Tasmanex, Melbourne lost her LW-02 radar aerial and a Skyhawk, both of which fell overboard during heavy seas.[139]

Melbourne at anchor off Honiara, Solomon Islands, April 1980

During February and March 1980, Melbourne participated in RIMPAC 80, as the flagship of Battle Group Two.[31] This was immediately followed by a visit to the Solomon Islands in early April.[140] The carrier was in Sydney from mid-April until mid-August, during which the 25th anniversary of Melbourne's service in the RAN was celebrated on 15 August with a cocktail party aboard the carrier, popularly referred to as 'The Night of the Admirals'.[31][140] On 18 August, Melbourne sailed for Fremantle to participate in Exercise Sandgroper 80.[140] On 8 September, HMA Ships Melbourne, Perth, Derwent, Stalwart, Supply, and Otama deployed to the Indian Ocean as the Australian Squadron for a flag-showing cruise.[141] During this cruise two Skyhawks were lost: on 2 October and 21 October.[141] On 24 October, a Tracker from Melbourne observed Soviet warships Storozhevoy and Ivan Rogov shadowing the Squadron.[141] The Squadron's return in November 1980 concluded the largest and longest RAN deployment since World War II.[3]

A Grumman S-2G Tracker "in the chocks" and prepared to launch from Melbourne, c. 1980

Following her return, the carrier spent six months in Australian waters, before a two-month deployment to Southeast Asia.[3] During this deployment, on 21 June 1981, Melbourne rescued 99 Vietnamese refugees from a disabled fishing vessel in the South China Sea.[142] The carrier's deployments for the second half of the year consisted of two exercises, Sea Hawk and Kangaroo 81.[3] A major refit scheduled to begin in late 1981 was cancelled pending the decision on a replacement carrier.[34] After docking at Garden Island in December, the carrier was accidentally flooded by an officer who was impatient to commence leave.[143] In his haste to shut down the carrier, he failed to deactivate the water pumps, and over 180 tons of fresh water were pumped in before a maintenance party discovered the flooding the next day.[143] Melbourne remained in dock at the start of 1982, and did not leave before the decision regarding her replacement was made.

Replacement

A replacement for Melbourne was under consideration as early as 1956, and the question was revisited on several occasions until the 1980s. In every situation, a new aircraft carrier was turned down due to the increases in manpower and operating costs required to operate the ship when compared to Melbourne.

Between 1956 and 1959, the RAN considered acquiring a larger carrier to replace Melbourne, as the Fleet Air Arm was becoming obsolete and the RAN did not believe the ship could be modified to operate newer, heavier aircraft.[38] Under consideration were British carrier HMS Albion and a ship of the United States' Essex class.[38] Both options were turned down, and it was instead proposed to operate Melbourne as a helicopter carrier.

In 1960, the United States Navy offered an Essex class carrier to the Australian government, in the interest of improving relations between the two nations and their navies.[144] The only cost to the RAN would have been the modifications required to make the carrier operationally compatible with the RAN's primarily British-designed fleet.[144] In the late 1960s, the British made a similar offer, following a 1966 review indicating that HMS Hermes was a superfluous naval unit.[145] In 1968, Hermes took part in a combined exercise with the RAN, during which the carrier was visited by RAN and Australian government officials, while RAN Skyhawks and Trackers practiced landings on the larger carrier.[145] Both offers were turned down due to operating and manpower costs.

The need to secure a replacement for Melbourne grew as the carrier's age caused the operating costs to increase to over AU$25 million (approximately AU$89.5 million in 2007 terms) per year.[146] In June 1977, the Defence Force Development Committee approved an investigation into acquiring a STOVL/helicopter carrier.[147] By August 1979, the decision was limited to three ships: a modified American Iwo Jima class amphibious assault ship, an Italian Giuseppe Garibaldi class carrier, and a Sea Control Ship design that later became the Spanish Navy's Principe de Asturias.[148] By February 1981, the Iwo Jima class was the preferred option.[149]

HMS Invincible

The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Invincible

Plans to replace Melbourne changed in July 1981, when the recently commissioned HMS Invincible was announced as surplus to requirements and offered to the RAN for the 'bargain' price of GB£175 million (AU$285 million in 1981 and approximately AU$840 million in 2007 terms).[150] The Invincible class had been considered and discarded during the investigation, but the decreased price and the fact the already-constructed carrier would be ready for RAN service in 1983 prompted the Australian government to announce its intention to purchase Invincible on 25 February 1982 and close the carrier acquisition program.[149] The government also announced that the ship would be renamed HMAS Australia and operated as a helicopter carrier, and that a decision on the purchase of Sea Harriers would be made after acquisition.[145]

The deal was put on hold in April 1982, following the outbreak of the Falklands War.[145] The performance of Invincible and other Royal Navy aircraft carriers during the conflict showed that the report which suggested reductions in the size of Britain's carrier fleet—with the flow-on effect of making Invincible available for sale—was flawed, and both sides withdrew from the deal in July.[149] The RAN was again offered HMS Hermes, and again declined due to the carrier's age and manpower requirements.[151] The Australian government began to reconsider the previous contenders for replacement, as well as considering requesting the United Kingdom or United States to build a simple carrier capable of operating F/A-18 Hornet strike fighters, but the issue was suspended at the commencement of the 1983 Australian Federal Election.[152] On 14 March, following the election of Bob Hawke's Labor Government, the announcement was made that Melbourne would not be replaced.[152]

Decommissioning and fate

Memorial windows for the first three HMA Ships Sydney (right) and the carrier HMAS Melbourne (left)

Following the decision to replace Melbourne with HMS Invincible, the postponed refit was cancelled outright.[149] The Australian carrier was prepared for disposal, and was decommissioned and placed in reserve on 30 June 1982.[149] She was towed to the mooring dolphins near Bradley's Head, where she remained until 1985.[3] Melbourne was capable of being reactivated as a helicopter-equipped anti-submarine warfare carrier within 26 weeks, but was never required to do so.[153] A Sydney-based group proposed in 1984 to purchase Melbourne and operate her as a floating casino moored in international waters off Eden, New South Wales, but nothing came of this.[154] Melbourne's air wing was disbanded at HMAS Albatross on 2 July 1982, with the transfer of 805 Squadron's Skyhawks to 724 Squadron and 816 Squadron being absorbed into 851 Squadron.[155][156] The Skyhawks remained in service as fleet support aircraft until 30 June 1984, while the Trackers were withdrawn from service on 31 August 1984 after being used as land-based maritime patrol aircraft.[155][156]

The carrier was initially sold for breaking up as scrap metal for AU$1.7 million (approximately AU$4.1 million in 2007 terms), although the sale fell through in June 1984.[3](III) She was sold again in February 1985 to the China United Shipbuilding Company for AU$1.4 million (approximately AU$3.2 million in 2007 terms), with the intention that she be towed to China and broken up for scrap.[145] The carrier departed Sydney on 27 April 1985, heading for Guangzhou, China, under the tow of tug De Ping.[157] The journey was delayed when the towing line began to part, requiring the carrier and tug to shelter in Moreton Bay, Queensland, on 30 April.[157] The towing gear broke a day later, requiring a second tug to secure the carrier while repairs were made to De Ping.[158] Three days later, Melbourne ran aground while still in Moreton Bay.[159] Melbourne finally arrived in China on 13 June.[157] The Australian government received a telex on this day, reading:(IV)

Please be advised that HMAS Melbourne arrived at Port Huangpu, intact and safely afloat, proud and majestic. She has been innocent, never once bowed to the natural or human force, in spite of the heavy storm and the talked about jinx. —Telex communication to the Australian Government, [157]

The ship was not scrapped immediately; instead she was studied by Chinese naval architects and engineers as part of the nation's top-secret carrier development program.[6] Reports circulated that Melbourne's flight deck was either removed from the carrier or reproduced, and used for the equally secret training of People's Liberation Army Navy pilots in carrier flight operations.[6] The carrier was not dismantled for many years; according to some rumours she was not completely broken up until 2002.[145]

Melbourne's service is commemorated with a stained-glass window at the Garden Island Naval Chapel. One of the ship's anchors is incorporated into a memorial to naval aviation at Nowra, New South Wales.[160] Another anchor and the starboard side ship's bell are on display at the RAN Heritage Centre at Garden Island.

Footnotes

^(I) For the purpose of this article, a conventional aircraft carrier is defined as a ship designed primarily to launch and recover multiple fixed-wing aircraft from a flight deck, and operated as such. This definition does not include seaplane tender HMAS Albatross, or the Canberra class amphibious warfare ships.

^(II) All currency conversions in this article have been made using the Australian consumer price index (CPI), as calculated from Reserve Bank of Australia data: Alphabetical Index of Statistics – Consumer Price Index – G2 for figures after 1968, and from Australian Economic Statistics 1949–50 to 1996–97 – 5.7a Consumer Price Index for all other figures. The CPI measures changes in the cost of consumer goods and these conversions provide an approximation of the amount of such goods which could be purchased in 2007 with amounts spent on Melbourne at different points during her career. The cost of military equipment and military operations is not included in the CPI, and these amounts are not representative of the cost of operating an equivalent aircraft carrier in 2007.

^(III) Sources are inconsistent regarding who attempted to purchase Melbourne in the first sale. Lind claims the sale was to South Korea,[49] Cassells states it was to Taiwan, and that the sale fell through when they failed to commit to scrapping the carrier,[158] and the Sea Power Centre indicates an Australian company was the buyer.[3]

^(IV) The text of the telex message has been altered for readability. The original message reads:
Pls b advised that HMAS Melbourne arrived at Port Huangpu, intact n safely afloat, proud n majestic. She has bn innocent, never once bowed to the natural or human force, in spite of the heavy storm n the talked abt jinx.

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e f Bastock, pp. 308–9.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Bishop and Chant, p. 62.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u HMAS Melbourne (II), Sea Power Centre.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Bastock, p. 313.
  5. ^ a b Hall, p. 9.
  6. ^ a b c Storey and Ji, p. 79.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Hobbs, p. 5.
  8. ^ a b Donohue, p. 33.
  9. ^ Donohue, pp. 38, 45–7.
  10. ^ a b Donohue, p. 94.
  11. ^ Donohue, p. 149.
  12. ^ a b Stevens et al., p. 165.
  13. ^ a b Hall, p. 72.
  14. ^ HMAS (ex-HMS) Vengeance, Sea Power Centre.
  15. ^ a b Cassells, p. 84.
  16. ^ a b Hall, pp. 72–3.
  17. ^ Hobbs, in Stevens and Reeve, p. 211.
  18. ^ Hobbs, in Stevens and Reeve, p. 217.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g Bastock, p. 309.
  20. ^ Hobbs, pp. 5–6.
  21. ^ a b c Hobbs, p. 6.
  22. ^ Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, pp. 13–5.
  23. ^ Hall, pp. 16, 72, 83.
  24. ^ Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, pp. 26, 28, 30, 33, 37, 39, 44, 48, 53, 84.
  25. ^ Hall, p. 174.
  26. ^ a b c Coulthard-Clark, p. 61.
  27. ^ a b Gillett, p. 59.
  28. ^ a b c Hall, p. 213.
  29. ^ a b Hall, p. 16.
  30. ^ Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 77.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Cassells, p. 86.
  32. ^ ANAM, p. 235.
  33. ^ a b Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, pp. 89, 91.
  34. ^ a b c ANAM, p. 251.
  35. ^ Wright, p. 168.
  36. ^ a b c Gillett, Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946, p. 22.
  37. ^ Hobbs, HMAS Melbourne (II) – 25 Years On, pp. 6–7
  38. ^ a b c d e Stevens et al., p. 187.
  39. ^ a b c d Stevens et al., p. 193.
  40. ^ a b Hobbs, p. 7.
  41. ^ a b Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 88.
  42. ^ a b Stevens et al., pp. 193–4.
  43. ^ Wynn, Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Production History
  44. ^ a b c d e Lind, p. 293.
  45. ^ a b c Stevens et al., p. 194.
  46. ^ a b c Lind, p. 291.
  47. ^ a b c Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 83.
  48. ^ a b Hall, pp. 218–9.
  49. ^ a b Lind, p. 302.
  50. ^ a b c Lind, p. 247.
  51. ^ ANAM, p. 221.
  52. ^ Frame, No Pleasure Cruise, p. 261.
  53. ^ Hall, pp. 74–5.
  54. ^ Hobbs, p. 8.
  55. ^ Lind, p. 274.
  56. ^ a b Stevens et al., p. 250.
  57. ^ a b c Hall, p. 20.
  58. ^ a b c Hall, p. 73.
  59. ^ a b Lind, p. 234.
  60. ^ Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, pp. 21–2.
  61. ^ a b Hall, p. 74.
  62. ^ ANAM, p. 128.
  63. ^ Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 22.
  64. ^ Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 25.
  65. ^ Frame, No Pleasure Cruise, p. 215.
  66. ^ a b Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 26.
  67. ^ a b c Hall, p. 217.
  68. ^ a b Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 27.
  69. ^ Lind, p. 237.
  70. ^ a b c Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 29.
  71. ^ Lind, p. 239.
  72. ^ Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 35.
  73. ^ a b Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 33.
  74. ^ a b c d e f g Bastock, p. 310.
  75. ^ a b Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 37.
  76. ^ a b c Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 39.
  77. ^ Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 43.
  78. ^ Hall, p. 76.
  79. ^ a b c Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 8.
  80. ^ a b c Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 11.
  81. ^ a b c Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 12.
  82. ^ a b c Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 13.
  83. ^ Frame, The Cruel Legacy, pp. 14–5.
  84. ^ a b Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 1.
  85. ^ Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 2.
  86. ^ Frame, The Cruel Legacy, pp. 3, 7.
  87. ^ a b Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 5.
  88. ^ Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 4.
  89. ^ Frame, The Cruel Legacy, pp. 5–6.
  90. ^ Hall, p. 131.
  91. ^ a b c Bastock, p. 311.
  92. ^ Frame, The Cruel Legacy, pp. 27, 67–9.
  93. ^ Frame, The Cruel Legacy, pp. 78–9, 82.
  94. ^ Frame, The Cruel Legacy, pp. 88, 114–5.
  95. ^ Stevens et al., p 202.
  96. ^ Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 117.
  97. ^ Frame, The Cruel Legacy, pp. 159–60.
  98. ^ Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 160.
  99. ^ Hall, p. 132.
  100. ^ Stevens et al., p. 198.
  101. ^ a b Nott and Payne, The Vung Tau Ferry, pp. 169–71
  102. ^ Stevens et al., pp. 204, 208.
  103. ^ Grey, Up Top, p. 77
  104. ^ Grey, Up Top, p. 86
  105. ^ Grey, Up Top, p. 88
  106. ^ a b Grey, Up Top, pp. 80–1
  107. ^ Grey, Up Top, pp. 88–92
  108. ^ Grey, Up Top, p. 89
  109. ^ Grey, Up Top, pp. 91–2
  110. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Frame, Pacific Partners, p. 126.
  111. ^ Hall, p. 175.
  112. ^ a b Hills, In The Wake.
  113. ^ a b c Hall, p. 176.
  114. ^ Smith and Lancaster, p. 1.
  115. ^ Hall, p. 178.
  116. ^ a b c Sherbo, Death of a Destroyer.
  117. ^ a b c d e Frame, Pacific Partners, p. 127.
  118. ^ Hall, pp. 178, 184.
  119. ^ Hall, pp. 183–4.
  120. ^ Hall, pp. 182, 184.
  121. ^ Hall, p. 185.
  122. ^ a b c d Bastock, p. 312.
  123. ^ Hall, p. 204.
  124. ^ Hall, p. 200.
  125. ^ a b Frame, Pacific Partners, p. 129.
  126. ^ Frame, Pacific Partners, pp. 130–1.
  127. ^ a b c Hall, p. 12.
  128. ^ Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 61.
  129. ^ a b Grey, pp. 96–8.
  130. ^ a b c Lind, p. 289.; Hobbs, pp. 8–9.
  131. ^ a b Hall, p. 218.
  132. ^ Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 79.
  133. ^ Hall, p. 19.
  134. ^ a b Stevens et al., p. 231.
  135. ^ Lind, p. 292.
  136. ^ Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, pp. 83–84.
  137. ^ a b Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 89.
  138. ^ Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, pp. 91–2.
  139. ^ ANAM, p. 245.
  140. ^ a b c Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 95.
  141. ^ a b c Lind, p. 297.
  142. ^ Lind, p. 299.
  143. ^ a b Hall, p. 15.
  144. ^ a b Frame, Pacific Partners, p. 101.
  145. ^ a b c d e f Hobbs, p. 9.
  146. ^ Hall, p. 11.
  147. ^ Stevens et al., p. 225.
  148. ^ Stevens et al., p. 226.
  149. ^ a b c d e Stevens et al., p. 227.
  150. ^ Wright, p. 167.
  151. ^ Stevens et al., p. 228.
  152. ^ a b Wright, p. 173.
  153. ^ ANAM, p. 253.
  154. ^ Lind, p. 301.
  155. ^ a b 851 Squadron, Sea Power Centre.
  156. ^ a b Wilson, pp. 171–2.
  157. ^ a b c d Lind, p. 304.
  158. ^ a b Cassells, p. 87.
  159. ^ Cassells, p. 88.
  160. ^ Cassells, p. 91.

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'HMAS Melbourne (R21)' Blogs
Apos falha em gerador, submarino australiano vai para manutencao
naval.com.br
Apos falha em gerador, submarino australiano vai para manutencao

Nunao

ue, 26 Jan 2010 03:43:56 GM

Sobre a o antigo porta avioes australiano . HMAS Melbourne. (. R21. ) , estava fucado na net e descobri que ele afundou dois navios de um jeito um pouco inusitado , ele atropelou os navios , como que isso pode acontecer duas vezes ? ...

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