The Navy Vol_60_Part1 1998 - Navy League of Australia

The Magazine of the Navy League of Australia•^^Tstew FfeeTSupport * All Compass PbiritsFighters and the Defence Budget * Veteran RcMagic Lantern Slides * Japanese Naval Reyj

-NAVYOFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE NAVY LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIANAVY WEEK SOUVENIR PROGRAMME ISSUEIn this Issue'Pink Panther' Leaves the Fleet 3Australia's Strategic Policy 5Fighters and the Defence Budget 7New Fleet Support 9ANZAC m the News 17Japanese Navy Pictorial 18Landing Craft for the Royal Brunei Navy 19New Ship But Old Memories 24Magic Lantern Slides 1895 28What is a Writer ? 29Regular FeaturesViewpoint 1Naval News 11Observations 15All Compass Points 20The Navy Revisited 26Book Reviews 30ViewpointThe Navy Magazine is sixty-years-oldTo mark the event long serving Federal President, Geoffrey Evanshas put pen to paper and reflected or, the role of this, the official organof the Navy League of Australia In his contribution, Geoff highlightsthe dramatic change in style of the magazine over the six decades,while at the same time, ensuring that both members and readers alike,are kept informed of the current state o< play m the Royal AustralianNavy, at home and abroadThis edition also includes a report on one of the major changes toeffect the Royal Australian Navy's support structure Last October thenewly created Defence Maritime Services, a member of P&O MaritimeServices, signed a contract for the supply of port services and supportcraft to the Navy over the next ten years What this means to the Navyis outlined m New Fleet SupportThis year the Fleet Air Arm celebrates its 50th Anniversary Readerswho wish to obtain more information about the Golden Jubileecelebrations and the Australian Naval Aviation Museum can beOur Front CoverHMAS ANZAC October. >997. enroute to Hoard Island See story paqe 17(Photo ABPM David Connolly)obtained by contacting the Museum on 044 21 1920 or e-mailanam©o/email com auThe Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force recently held a largeCorporate MembersTHE AUSTRALIAN SHIPOWNERS ASSOCIATIONCOMPUTER SCIENCES Of AUSTRALIA PTY LTDBTR AEROSPACE AUSTRALIAHAWKER DE HAVILLAND LIMITEDROCKWELL SYSTEMS AUSTRALIA PTY LTDSTRANG INTERNATIONAL PTY LTDFleet Review to publicise its new capabilities and latest submarines,surface ships and auxiliaries Photographs taken of the occasion arepublished in this edition and for the history buffs, a collection of 19thcentury iantern slides of life in the Royal NavyBefoie closing this edition's "Viewpoint" mention should be madeof the service provided by the survey ship HMAS MORESBY, paid offfrom the naval ranks on 13 November, 1997 The first purposeThe NavyAll letters to the editor, contributions etc toThe Editoi. Ross Gillett4 Deia Close,Dee Why. NSW 2099designed survey ship built for the RAN, MORESBY sailed more than1,17 million nautical miles during her 33 year career What the futureholds for the ship is still undetermined, maybe a new career in theMediterranean, like her younger running mate, the former HMASCOOKiSubscriptions and MembershipAll magazine subscription and membership enquiries to.The Hon Secretary.NSW Division.Navy League of Australia.GPO Box 1719.Sydney, NSW. 2001Ross GillettThe opinions or assertions expressed in The Navy are those of theauthors and are not necessarily those of the Federal Council of theNavy League of Australia, the Editor of The Navy or the RoyalAustralian Navy 09Copy deadline for the next issue is 9th February 1998.INCLUDING PROGRAMME ofDISPLAY AT GARDEN ISLAND, 12th OCTOBER. 1957 \ANDOPEN DAY AT H.M.A.S. "WATSON" AT WATSON'S BAY, 19th OCTOBER. 1957.1 number

FROM OUR READERSOUR HISTORY GOINGDear Sir,Yours faithfullyR Genge.Stockton. 229>prompted me to write to youto enquire ifa) There are any backAs an Australian andissues of thereader of "The Navy". I wasEditor: Some interestingmagazine availabledisappointed to read aboutthe fate of ex HMAS SWANideas, but I think the Federalwith articles onLet's hope that the samedoes not occur with the soonauthorities have other ideasSee MORESBY article in thisFairmilesb) If you know of anyto be decommissioned issuebooks available thatdestroyer escort HMASdetail the wartimeTORRENS. which could besteamed back to Sydney andhanded over to the Navymuseum and placed in theFAIRMiLESDear Sir,service of the FairmileMy late father was onseveral Fairmiles during thewar and I would like to knowunused Naval Dockyard The photo article more about this class ofgraving dock within Sydney "Onboard a Fairmile" in the vessel and their serviceHarbour The NRC could alsouse the ship for trainingAnd what about theHydrographic Survey ShipHMAS MORESBY could besteamed back to her buildingplace in Newcastle, NSW, forher decommissioning andhanded over to the Maritimelast issue of the magazine careers.Museum and placed ondisplay there.There's one more shipsoon up for decommissioning,HMAS FLINDERS, when herreplacement is commissioned.Australia doesn't have enoughnaval museums. That's why Isay let's save these ships. Ifwe don't another part of ourhistory will be lost.Any information " youcan provide would beappreciated Thank youTony Rundle.Denistone East 2112Editor: A copy of arecent Fairmile article hasbeen sent to ourcorrespondent. A new bookoutlining the history of the35 Fairmiles is expected to bepublished in 1998 by theFairmile Association. We willbe reviewing it whenreleased. 0THE .WHY mitler Jtthn Mortimer sent In ihe.se clews of the new survey shifts. LEE WIS Oyhig alongside) and MELVILLE (on the constructionslipway). He also managed to I/Kale the old mlnehunler CURLEW, strip/nil of most fillings and tucaiiing a new career. Dues any reader know of thefuture fitr CJ'RLEWV .Ul of the photitgrnfths were taken In September."Pink Panther" Leaves The Fleet\"w Jeffery. Navy Public Affairs Officer (WA)An era ended in Royal Australian Navy history when theveteran hydrographic survey ship HMAS MORESBY wasdecommissioned at HMAS STIRLING in Western Australia onThursday, 13 November, 1997When commissioned in 1964, MORESBY boasted twosurvey motor boats (SMBs), FANTOME and HERALD, the 1945design boat SANDFLY and the all-purpose boat TRINITY Theywere later replaced by SMBs ALERT, BEAGLE and DART, whoIn a 33 year career MORESBY recorded many milestones, were in turn replaced by FLY, RATTLESNAKE andthe most famous being that of the first RAN ship to reach onemillion miles in service MORESBY achieved this on 31 October,1992 whilst surveying off Arnhem Land whilst under thecommand of CMDR Mark Hudson, RAN.At the time of her decommissioning MORESBY hadboosted that total to a staggering 1,170,421 7 nautical miles,accumulated during 88,241.8 hours underway Her last CO,CMDR Paul Spencer. RAN, said in his Decommissioning speech,"it is a sad occasion, but it may be a time to reflect". How verytrue!The 2350 tonne, 9b 7WATERWITCH. Finally they were in turn replaced by FANTOME.INVESTIGATOR and MEDIAFor the first decade of her career, MORESBY was based inSydney, conducting surveys on the east coast, Tasmania, PapuaNew Guinea, Torres Strait, South Australia and the north westof Western AustraliaHMAS MORESBY, renowned for her teak deck, buff funneland all white colour scheme briefly sported a blue 'GT' stripealong her length in 1973 until directed by Fleet to remove theoffending stripe and revertto her normal unbrokenmetre long HMASwhite appearance.MORESBY was laid-downUndergoing a refit inat the Newcastle State1973-74, which saw aDockyard way back on 1June, 1962 as the firstpurpose built hydrographicsurvey ship for the RAN.number of modifications,including the building of aslim forward exhaust stackon the forecastle whichCosting two millionreplaced the original sidepounds, she was at thattime, one of the mostexhausts, the heighteningof the main funnel, theadvanced vessels of herremoval of two 40/60type in the world.Bofors guns from 01 deckMORESBY was(although the sponsonslaunched by Mrs W.remained until her 1991Gatacre, the wife of RearAdmiral G.G.O. Gatacre,Flag Officer Commanding East Australia Area on Saturday, 7September, 1963.On 13 February, 1964, MORESBY sailed from Newcastle asrefit) a new crane (from theold aircraft carrier HMASSYDNEY III), which is still on the ship, and a new searchlightsonar and echo sounders.MORESBY arrived at Fremantle, Western Australia inan unregistered civilian vessel flying the Red Ensign, and after November, 1974 for homeporting Five years she laterclearing lobby's Head headed soi 'th bound for Sydney. At thehalfway mark of the delivery voyage, off Norah Head,MORESBY was officially accepted by the RANAt 1400 on Friday, 6 March, 1964, MORESBY wascommissioned into RAN service at Garden Island, NSW, underthe command of CMDR J.H.S. Osborn, RAN. in what hasbecome a long and fruitful career.Initially, MORESBY carried a Westland Scout helicopterwhich was replaced by a Bell 206B-1 in 1973. During hercareer, three helicopters have 'gone for a swim' the first beinga Scout in 1967, followed by two 206Bs, one totally destroyedin the 1970s after a rotor clipped a cliff and the most recent, a1985 ditching in the Admiralty Gulf, WA after an enginefailure. This helo was rebuilt and was embarked on MORESBYwhen she achieved the million mile mark. Fortunately therewas never a serious injury in any of these incidents.transferred to the nearby recently commissioned HMASSTIRLING in 1979. MORESBY remained homeported atSTIRLING for the rest of her service career, completing a record23 years based on Australia's west coast, and surpassing thelegendary HMAS DIAMANTINA's 20 years in the west between1959-79.Ironically, MORESBY only ever visited Sydney three times inthe next 23 years; in 1988 for the Bicentennial Naval salute, in1995 for the Hydrographic Service 75th Anniversary, and lastlyin November, 1996 for a farewell visit.Over the years, MORESBY was involved in a number ofmedivac and rescues. In October, 1975 she departed her surveyground near Rottnest Island, WA. to rendezvous with theJapanese fishing vessel. FUJISAIE MARU No. 6. after analtercation onboard has resulted in one death and anothercrew member with serious stab wounds A medivac wasiti The Navy. January-March/.'*«The Nary. January-March I'HtH 17

ill IK i ! V - I III I 111 Icarried out by the ship's helo to transfer the wounded seamanto HMAS LEEUWIN at Fremantle Just over four years later,MORESBY evacuated a sailor from the yacht SELTRUSTENDEAVOUR 1985 saw MORESBY'S helo rescue two shelldivers near EsperanceChampagne corks popped in Fremantle in June, 1978when the 17 officers onboard MORESBY learnt that they hadwon the Si00.000 second prize in a million dollar lotteryMarch. 1982 saw MORESBY in a different role when shewas ordered to observe a splashdown and recovery of aRussian space vehicle some 300 nautical miles south of theCocos Islands The ship also shadowed units of the none-tofriendlySoviet Navy, using the ship's helicopter to flyphotographic and surveillance sorties daily The splashdownand recovery was observed by the aircraft crew and theoperation described a complete success, with a well done'from CNSMORESBY'S other diverse activities have includedembarking members of the WA Maritime Museum m anattempt to find the missing World War II cruiser HMASSYDNEY, assisting with her helo during anti-US demonstrationsat the HAROLD FHOLT Communications Station, andarresting an illegal Indonesian fishing vesselDarwin was MORESBY'S final port before her return toFleet Base West to decommission It was MORESBY'S 82nd visitto Darwin during her long career.IssLstiny refugees /i»»m 11 it nam.MORESBY was also the first RAN vessel to be slipped in theyards of Australian Shipbuilding Industries at Henderson, WA,for a bi-annual refitThe ship's RAS tune, the theme from "The Pink Panther",which was fittingly played by the WA Naval Band at the ship'sdecommissioning, originated when the ship was operating inthe Port Hedland area in the 1970s A dust storm turned thefreshly painted MORESBY into a dusky shade of pink, earningit the affectionate nickname of "The Pink Panther" MORESBYhas also been known as "The Love Boat", a reference to hergraceful lines and livery being similar to P8iOs cruise shipsThe departure of MORESBY from the Fleet marks the endof an era All future survey ships will be based at HMASCAIRNS in northern Queensland, thus ending a 38 yearassociation between the Hydrographic branch and WesternAustralia with HMA ships DIAMANTINA and MORESBY writingthemselves into local maritime folkloreAfter the decommissioning MORESBY was turned over tothe Department of Asset Services for sale by public tender withbids closing on 10 December Who knows where the gracefulold lady will end her days?Perhaps joining the former RAN units STALWART andCOOK in the Greek Islands as a ferry, or being fitted out as aresearch ship, private yacht or as a fisheries mother ship Therehas been no lack of interest in the ship and time will tell whereshe will finally go 011 MAS MORESBY. IfUHi. Th, shi/> Ls acnmpanted by three olhersurvey motor launches. The ship's helicopter deck Ls vLsilth aft.Kesplentleni in her hydmqmphlc while colours. MORESBY returns to her Beneath overcast skies the Australian While Ensign Ls lowered alumnihi tmefturt at HMAS STIRLING after a survey of theArafuru Sea. If MAS MORESBY for the last lime on lit November. I'.HIT.(I"h

\nslraliji's SiinKiiiiI'olioPriority FocusTogether, the enhanced militarycapabilities I have outlined - and therigorous set of priorities against whichthey have been developed - will give usthe most modern, capable force in ourimmediate regionThis force relies on highly-skilledpersonnel using high technology andmodern equipment to achieve mobility,hitting power and flexibility, exploitinginformation technology to attainmaximum effect from relatively smallforcesThese initiatives will bring acomprehensive enhancement of themilitary capabilities of the ADF over thecoming decade, enabling the force tomeet the key benchmarks I mentionedearlierWe will upgrade all our majorcombat ships and aircraft, restructureand re-equip the land force and investheavily in technology to promote theknowledge edgeOf course, such capabilities don'tcome cheaply Over recent years, wehave spent some $2.2 billion annuallyon investment in new equipmentThe Defence Reform Program will,over the next three years, realise a oneoffsaving of $500 million and matureannual savngs of between $900 and$1000 millionCurrent defence spending levels willallow us - with the savings from theReform Program - to substantiallymodernise our existing defenceplatforms like the surface fleet, toacquire airborne early-warning aircraftand to give the Army greater mobilityHowever, the current budget doesnot make it possible for us in themedium term to contemplatedeveloping major new capabilities in theform of new fighter aircraft, or a newsurface combatant should governmentdecide that such acquisitions wereneededAnti-Ship Missile Self-DefenceUpgrades for Guided MissileFrigates (FFGs)The six Adelaide class guided missilefrigates (FFGs) acquired in the early1980s will remain amongst our mostcapable and flexible surface fightingships to around 2015FFGs can strike other ships withHarpoon anti-ship missiles, used inconjunction with surveillance andtargeting information from Seahawkhelicopters They can aiso protectmilitary and commercial shippingagainst attack by aircraft andsubmarines Each FFG can embark twohelicopters, not necessarily Seahawks,adding to the flexibility these ships offerto a maritime forceTo harness the full potential ofthese ships the core combat systems areto be upgraded Radars and commandsystems with improved capability todetect missiles will be fitted and a newdefensive missile system, optimised toengage anti-ship missiles, will also beinstalled. Crew habitability and selfdefenceagainst torpedoes and mineswill be upgraded and the ships' ageingmachinery systems will be made morereliable.HMAS ADELAIDEBased on earlier design studies theAustralian companies ADI Limited andTenix Defence Systems are competingfor a contract to upgrade all six FFGsThe ships will be upgraded in Australiam the first half of the next decadeMissiles for ANZAC ShipHelicoptersEight ANZAC frigate^ are beingbuilt by Tenix Defence Systems The firsthas entered service and the remainderwill be delivered over the next severalyears.Initially the ships will be fitted witha basic suite of equipment, allowing formore advanced equipment in the futurewith minimal disruption. A series ofupgrades are already in progressincluding capability to fire Harpoon antishipmissiles, acquisition of SuperSeasprite helicopters to embark on theships, and additional self-defencecapabilitiesAs a key element in this progressiveupgrade. Penguin anti-ship missiles willbe purchased for the Super Seaspritehelicopters These missiles will provide apotent strike capability, particularly incoastal waters, and will allow strikesagainst other ships while the ANZACfrigate remains safely out of range of aresponse Penguin will complement theopen ocean longer-ranged Harpoonmissile which is carried by other ADFships, aircraft and submarines.The Penguin missiles will enterservice early next decade in conjunctionwith the introduction of Super Seaspritehelicopters. 0Fighters and the Defence BudgetI ill Navy LeaguerF-IIIC. taxiing at Tlndal. June 177A significant defence budgetingproblem looms.The plan had been to modernisethe RAAF's Hornets with new radars andhas a substantially longer radius ofaction than the F/A-18A/ Due to theAlthough their airframe and combat systems under project Air 5376 withdrawal of F-111 type aircraft fromengines are only half way through theirnormal life of time, the RAAF's 71Hornets F/A-18A/B strike fighters havebeen found obsolescent in one of theirrolesThe Australian Hornets have tworoles Firstly, they are strike aircraft withthe ability to attack hostile surface craftin the sea/air gap around Australia'scoast and ground forces. In this theirprimary role in Australia's defence, theHornets are still very effective with theirHarpoon missiles and will be more soafter new air to surface missiles areprovided under Project Air 5398. Thisproject is to provide the RAAF with anew general purpose stand off weapon,an anti radiation weapon, a weapon toattack area and semi-hardened targetsand a multi-purpose stand off weapon.However, in their air superiorityfighter role the RAAF's Hornets werefound deficient in exercises with theRoyal Malaysian Air Forces MiG-29sarmed with a new type of Russian madeair to air missile. The RAAF plans toWith Projects Air 5398 and Air 5400, itwas concluded that the RAAF Hornetswould be brought up to the full combatcapability to keep them in service untilabout 2015However, it is now being arguedthat it may be more cost effective toreplace the Hornets in 2005. This wouldinvolve bringing forward by some tenyears the most costly Australian defenceequipment project ever undertaken. Thefunds to do this could only be found byincreasing the defence budget or bycancelling or postponing by up to adecade one or more other defenceprojects.An alternative to is to acquire onesquadron of new aircraft as soon aspossible, deploy this squadron in thesensitive air superiority role and upgradethe remaining F/A-18A// for deploymentin the strike role.Into consideration with the strikefighter problem must be taken thequestion of successors for the strikereconnaissance group's 17 strike F-US service, difficulties are foreseen inobtaining spare parts etc for the RAAF'saircraft.Looking ahead, no new aircraft willbe available to succeed the F-111s inRAAF service Therefore, it is proposedto replace both the F/A-18 strike fightersand the F-111 strike and reconnaissanceaircraft with one type of aircraft On aone for one replacement basis, some110 to 120 aircraft would be requiredA further factor is the new types ofaircraft available by 2005.There are the Eurofighter 2000(Western Europe's new air superiorityfighter with some strike capacity),France's Rafale, Sweden's Gripen andthe US Navy's F/A-18E/F All these are inthe later stages of developmentFurther ahead, the US led multinationalJoint Strike Fighter and the USF-22, an air superiority fighter which hasjust started flight trials. The JSF willcome in several versions - land basedfighter, land based strike, conventionalaircraft carrier based strike fighter andprovide its Hornets with new air to air 111Cs, 15 strike F-HIGs and 4 short take off and landing strike fightersmissiles under project Air 5400reconnaissance RF-111Cs. The F-111 for the US Marine Corps and some USAFThe Savy. .lanuary-Mimh lUftHThe Savy. January-March HHtH 7

l ijjhlcrs an«l l IK* IICIIIKVltwli>CIroles and British service inc udmg carrierborne At this stage, the JSF is in theearly stages development, technologicallyambitious and risky In thelonger term, this is the most likelyreplacement option for the F/A-18AWell down the track there will befurther alternatives These includeunmanned aerial vehicles, both forcombat and reconnaissance Earlyversions of the latter have seen service inBosnia Ideas for unmanned combataerial vehicles include operations forrelatively small naval surfacecombatantsBefore Australia undertakes such astupendous budget outlay, every aspectmust be subjected to the most rigorousand objective analysisFirstly, the basic question ofstrategic priority must be addressed Dowe really need to spend so much of ourdefence budget on the aerial defence ofthe sea air gap ? Do we really need astrategic strike and deterrent capability 7Then, are there better ways ofdoing it than simply acquiring, at verygreat cost, the same number of aircraftas we have now'Then, are fixed bases, whoselocation an enemy would know and beable to attack, and which are difficult toresupply particularly with fuel, the bestway to do it ? Would mobile bases -aircraft carriersoperating joint strikefighters and unmannedaerial combat vehicles,with their much greaterflexibility in deploymentand easier logistic support,be more cost effective andless vulnerable than fixedbases? Or would it bebetter to acquire airdefence fighters andundertake the strike rolewith naval surfacecombatants ?Naval vessels - aircraftcarriers, submarines andsurface combatants offerthe advantage p r e-positioning in launch areasand a much quickerreaction time thanaircraftThen, there are the force multiplierbenefits of the airborne early warningand control aircraft that will enter ADFservice early in the next century BecauseAEW & C can make more effective useof strike fighters, we may not need toreplace the F/A-18A/Bs on a one for onebasis We may be able to do the samejob with fewer strike fightersThen AEW&C can greatly improvethe attack and defensive capabilities ofnaval surface combatants. This isimportant in both defence against airattack against Australian shore facilitiesand in the use of offensive shiplaunched weapons The use ofappropriately armed and directed navalsurface combatants may well be a morecost effective way of providing defenceagainst air attack than shore based hightechnology aircraftAs a strike successor to the strategicdeterrent F-111s there is an alternativewith substantial attractionsThat isTomahawk land attack cruise missilesand other similar missiles of shorterrange Submarine launched cruisemissiles are covert - an enemy will notknow where the submarine is or howmany there are With surgical strikecapabilities, risk of collateral damage isminimised This surgical strike accuracyenables a naval force to completeits strategic deterrent mission with aPIA-I8A aver North (opr. refuelling from a 707 tanker.relatively few missiles. There are none ofthe overflying right difficulties which caninhibit the use of strategic strike aircraftand their inevitable air to air refuellingaircraftBecause of the long range ofTomahawk, a surface combatant armedwith Tomahawk can launch theirmissiles outside the range of shorebased hostile aircraft This can be usedas an implied threat, in place forweeks or months, during diplomaticnegotiationsThe RAN's Collins class submarinesand ANZAC class frigates already havethe mechanical launching equipmentrequired for launching Tomahawk.Some combat system work would berequired on missile mission planning,but the cost would be much lessthan acquiring a whole new class ofaircraftThere is no doubt that there areavailable to the ADF a number ofalternative ways of replacing the RAAF'sstrike fighter and strike reconnaissanceaircraftThese must be analysed andevaluated without an assumption thatthe existing aircraft should simply bereplaced on a one for one basis orindeed by manned aircraft at all ggNEW FLEET SUPPORTBy Graham DavisBRITISH MAONVS. November. 1090.17An historic change for the RoyalAustralian Navy has occurred withinshore afloat support sen/ices for theRAN Australia-wide, provide many of"Of the remaining 60 Defencecivilians, a significant number of themthe signing of a S320 million the required craft and maintain all craft will be hired by DMS." its generaicontract with a new company, to operational standards, including by manager, Mr Mark Taylor, said. "DMSDefence Maritime Services (DMS),for the supply of support craft ?ndport services to the Navy.replacement if necessaryAmong the key services that theNavy will require from DMS are tugwill have a permanent workforce of110," he addedBoth CMDR Smith and Mr TaylorAs a result of the contract officers services, target services, practice agreed that the most dramaticand sailors of the RAN will soon be weapons recovery, range support, developments brought about by theoperating from a number of new, butprivately owned, vessels including a patrolsubmarine trials and calibration supportIt will also require a full range of harbournew contract included;a The purchase of a new Pacificboat, two 2000 tonne multi-purpose services. including ammunition class patrol boat from Transfield WAvessels and a fibreglass sail training shipThe contract, to last for ten years,will effect more than 600 craft operatedby the Navy"It is the greatest change in thehistory of the RAN," CMDR WarrenSmith, the project manager for thechangeover commented The contractembarkation and fuelling of HMA shipsIn addition the contract will calls for acomplete range of training servicesinvolving both motor and sailing craft, afull range of logistical services forsupport craft, including craft embarkedin HMA ships, both in Australian watersand when deployed overseaswhich will be unarmed Operated by aDMS crew, the new vessel will replaceGPV ARDENT as the navigation trainingvessel based at HMAS WATERHEN. Theboat will have additional navigationalfacilities to the 22 other Pacific classpatrol boats now serving with navies ofAustralia's Pacific neighbours She willbetween the Navy and DMS was signed The contract means that 210 be in DMS livery, likely to be a black hullat Pyrmont last October by SCA/NRADM Admiral Simon Harrington andthe chairman of DMS, Mr Ross BrewerThroughout the contract, DMS willbe required to plan, provide andmanage a wide range of offshore andcurrent employees of tne RAN who nowoperate support craft around Australiawill have their billets "disestablished.""Of the 210, 150 are uniformeddefence people They will be absorbedinto the Navy, CMDR Smith saidand buff superstructure and will carrycivilian registration numbers. No namehas been decided upon for the newboat Delivery of the boat is expectedaround October 1998 at which timeARDENT will be disposed ofitiThe Navy. January-March/.'*«The Nary. January-March I'HtH

NEW FLEET SUPPORTPROTECTOR'S duties in Adelaide,PROTECTOR will be refurbished toNAVALNEWSbecome a sea training vessel based atJervis Bayon the 27th, is the Navy'sannual test for itsat the time of the incidentand a survey of the hull wasc A 16 metre fibreglass sailmine countermeasures andundertaken to determine thetraining vessel will also be bought andpositioned at Jervis Bay Delivery of theyacht is expected in October of 1998Virtually all vessels of the RANincluding HMA ships, will be effected bythe contract"Even the launches and rubbercraft carried on our warships are part ofclearance diving force Lastyear the exercise took placein Mackay.Navy Clearance Diversestablished a tent city atScarborough Boat Harbourfrom where they conductedthe mine clearance andclandestine operations indamageThe boat was leftsuspended, listing to port,until the next day, when anattempt was made to floatGAWLER at the high tideDuring the lowering processone of the supporting cablesbroke, the aft section of theb The purchase of two secondhand2000 tonne offshore supplytenders. BRITISH MAGNUS and BRITISHPROTECTOR, currently involved in safetyand support of the Collins classsubmarines The second of the twothe contract, CMDR Smith said. "Likethe workboats and tugs at our ports andfacilities they will be maintained andchanged over by DMS"If a warship is up in the Gulf andneeds a replacement RIB, its captain willcontact DMS "The sailing boats used bythe people at HMAS HARMAN on LakeBurley Griffen will also come underDMS "Implementation of the contractcommenced in mid November with thesupport craft attached to HMAS CAIRNSthe first to "go private" HMASCOONAWARRA m Darwin followedimmediately with Sydney changing overin late December 1997. HMASCRESWELL in January and HMASSTIRLING in February Backgroundingthe changes, CMDR Smith said he and atemporary staff of five had beenworking on the Commercial SupportProgram concept for five years"Five groups showed interest inseeking the contract," he said "Thiswas reduced to a short list of two onewas from the Navy, an In House OptionMS. \(S) KDRAAGA will take /tin in EX II INTER in .April.(ItuHo - Urian Morrison)Hunter 98ExerciseumpiringcontrolwithandtheirThe Royal AustralianAustralian counterpartsNavy (RAN) and theJoint Commanders forRepublic of SingaporeEX HUNTER 98 will beNavy (RSN) will conduct athe Commander of theMine Counter MeasuresAustralian Mine Warfare and(MCM) Exercise. EXClearance Diving Forces,HUNTER 98. in DarwinCommander Geriy Kelly, andfrom 13 to 24 April 1998.the Commanding Officer ofThe third in the series,the RSN's 194 (MCMV)EX HUNTER, will includeSquadron Lieutenantplanningfor MCMColonel Albert Leeoperations and the conductEX HUNTER 98 willof such operations at seaprovide both 'fleets' with theHosted alternately by theopportunity to gaintwo navies, the last exerciseexperience working togetherwas organised by the RSN into combat a commonMay 97For EX HUNTER 98 theRAN will deploy up to sevenmaritime mine threat. Thetwo navies mutually benefitfrom their interactions andMine Counter Measure will look forward to closerVessels to Dan/vin, Currently co-operation in the futureprogrammed to participateare the mmehunters HMASDivers Keep BrisbaneRUSHCUTTER and HMASOpenSHOALWATER and auxiliaryMoreton Bay Also with themwas a US Navy/US MarineCorps detachment of 16personnel known as the VeryShallow Water Mine CounterMeasures Detachment(VSWMCM Det) from SanDiegoThe vessels operated inMoreton Bay from a forwardsupport unit at Bulimbabarracks.Patrol Boat StrandedThe RAN Fremantleclass patrol boat HMAS"GAWLER" became stuckin mid-air on Monday, 3November, when thesynchrolift lowering herinto Darwin Harbourbroke down.GAWLER had justcompleted a minormaintenance period whenthe frame collapsed Nopersonnel were on the boatvessel taking a five metreplunge into the harbour, herbow still left on the lift Theboat was towed away to beassessed for repairsThe synchrolift wascompleted in 1982 and waslast sen/iced in June, 1996Navy Marches IntoCoffs HarbourThe close linksbetween the northernNSW city of Coffs Harbourand the Royal AustralianNavy were reaffirmed on1 November, when theAustralian MinesweepingSquadron was grantedthe Freedom of CoffsHarbour City.With the Freedom of theCity previously held bythe now decommissionedsubmarine HMAS OVENS.the Council was anxious toretain the close links that hadVIKING from the British companyDramgate To be called 'multi purposevessels' the ships are currently involvedin oil rig supply and similar dutiesaround the UK Costing S15 millioneach . the vessels will operate with aDMS crew of seven to nine The first ofthe two ships is due in Australia toparticipate in next March's OperationBlack Carillon, a submarine escape andrescue exe r cise The first of the MPV'swili be based in Adelaide and replaceMPV's will go to Fleet Base West MrTaylor said he was confident hiscompany would tind officers and crewfrom within Australia to man bothMPV'sThe 2,000 tonne craft will be multiroledand equipped to conduct othertasks such as weapon recovery Like thenew patrol boat, the MPV's will haveblack and buff livery No names havebeen decided upon Once the Adelaidebased MPV has taken overand the other was from DefenceMaritime Services, an Australiancompany put together by P and 0Maritime Service and SERCo Australia,"CMDR Smith said"DMS got the contract and it wassigned recently by RAMD Harringtonand Mr Brewer." he said. Mr Brewer, thechairman of DMS, said ," this contractcements further, our relationship withthe Government 0minesweepers BROLGA.WALLAROO. BANDICOOT.KORAAGA. and BERMAGUIMCM operations aredesigned to ensure thesafety of navigation bykeeping the sea lanes free ofmines.Up to eight RSN officerswillparticipate in ExerciseHeadquarters planning andcommand, as well as theMore than 250personnel and sevennaval vessels visitedBrisbane in mid Novemberto clear mines layed bythe mythical enemy ofOrangeland which hadblocked the approaches tothe Port of Brisbane.The exercise whichbegan on Monday, 10November and concluded10Thr Savy. January-MarchI'.HtHThe Nary. Janutiry-MarchHHNi

\uvulNewsdeveloped between the Navyand the local community.The ships of theMmesweeping Squadronhad been regular visitors toCoffs Harbour over the yearsas they travelled betweenHMAS WATERMEN andoperational exercise areas inQueensland Accordingly,the City's request to grantthe new FOE was forwardedto CANBERRA for approvalby the Chief of NavyThe Squadron, comprisingthe Auxiliary MinesweepersBROLGA. WALLAROO.BANDICOOT. BERMAGUIand KORAAGA. crossed theCoffs Harbour Bar andberthed alongside theFisherman's Co-op wharfat 1400 on Thursday,30 October, to begin a busyfour days of activitiesFriday night witnessed areception hosted aboardBROLGA. with the officialguests and a large andappreciative crowd of localstreated to a spectacular BeatRetreat and CeremonialSunset ceremony featuringthe RAN Band and a guarddrawn from all five vessels ofthe SquadronThe Freedom of Entry tothe City of Coffs Harbourwas conferred on Saturdaymorning by the Mayor.Councillor John Smith, onbehalf of the citizens ofCoffs Harbour Personnelfrom the MmesweepingSquadron, accompanied bythe RAN Band, then marchedthrough the streets toexercise their newly gainedright of passageAs they approached the |council chambers, theSquadron faced thetraditional challenge by thelocal Police Chief Inspector,demanding to know by whatright the Squadron Dassedthrough Coffs Harbour with"swords drawn, drumsbeating, bands playing andcolours flying" Havingpassed the challenge, theSquadron proceeded tomarch in review before theMayor and other dignitariesin front of the City CouncilChambers before continuingon to the CenotaphThe ever popular RANBand followed up its rolein the celebrations byperforming at a lunchtimeconcert in the MallAmphitheatre to the delightof the crowds of touristsand shoppers The final dayof the visit was markedby several hours of openship, with hundreds ofcurious locals and touriststaking the opportunity tolook over the assembledminesweepersThe Squadron departedthe port early on Monday,3 November, bound forMoreton Bay in Queenslandto rendezvous with otherelements of the MineWarfare force to participatein Exercise Shortscope inMoreton BaySydney Mourns SailorsLost at SeaThe Royal AustralianNavy conducted its annualcommemorative service inmemory of the personnelwho lost their livesaboard the Second WorldWar light cruiser HMAS-SYDNEY", at the SydneyCenotaph on Wednesday,19 November.During 1939-41 SYDNEYachieved notable victories inthe Mediterranean SeaHowever, on 19 November1941 the ship was tragicallylost with all hands, offCarnarvon, Western Australia,after sinking the Germanraider KORMORANThe Lord Mayor ofSydney, Frank Sartorattended the service with theCommanding Officer of thecurrent SYDNEY. CommanderJames Goldrick, providing ashort memorial addressFour SYDNEY'S haveserved in the RAN. the first, alight cruiser, won the Navy'sinitial battle honour of theGreat War when shedestroyed the German raiderEM DEN on 9 November1914 Her mast now restson Bradleys Head in SydneyHarbour The third ship ofthe name was an aircraftcarrier that operated offKorea and later as a trooptransport to Vietnam Thecurrent SYDNEY, a guidedmissile frigate, wascommissioned in 1984 andserved during the 1990-91Gulf WarParticipating at thisyear's 56th anniversaryservice were members of theHMAS SYDNEY AssociationThe service also featured theRAN Band and a CeremonialGuard of Sailors drawn fromSydney establishmentsRAN Fleet Air ArmCelebrates 50 YearsThis year marks theGolden Jubilee of theRoyal Australian Navy'sFleet Air Arm and itshome base at HMAS-ALBATROSS".This historic occasionwill be marked with anumber of special events andreunions The majority ofthese will be held atALBATROSS. 9 km southwestof Nowra. over the periodWednesday. 28 October toMonday. 2 November 1998The celebrations willculminate on Sunday, 1November with HMASALBATROSS Open Day andAir Show commencing at10 30 am. This Air Show willattract a large variety ofhistoric and contemporarymilitary aircraftAlso located atALBATROSS, and playing avital role in preservingAustralia's naval aviationhistory, is the AustralianNaval Aviation MuseumThis non-profitinstitutionhas one of the finest privatedisplays of naval and othermilitary aircraft Theseaircraft are supported by ahost of other exhibits and aunique research facilityMore information aboutthe Golden Jubileecelebrations and theAustralian Naval AviationMuseum can be obtained bycontacting the Museum on044 21 1920 or e-mailanam@ozemail.com.auFirst FemaleCommanding Officer ofNavy ShipThe first woman tocommand a RoyalAustralian Navy (RAN)ship. Lieutenant JenniferDaetz. completed herfirst deployment on20 November as theCommanding Officer ofthe survey ship HMAS"SHEPPARTON".Lieutenant Daetz andthe other 16 members of theship's company returned toCairns form Australian Navyoperations to the south-eastof Papua New Guinea.Equipped with the verylatest in survey andcomputerised hydrographicdata processing equipmentonboard, HMA shipsSHEPPARTON and BENALLAhad been proving the safetyof the inshore route at AvaPoint in conjunctions withthe PNG HydrographeruThe \ary. January-Starch /.

Vn.ilThe two survey shipssurveyed the area forpotential use for shippingfrom Port Moresby to the FarEast via the China Strait Thiswork was undertaken duringOctober to December andwill be continued in late1998 It is part of theRAN's three year rollingsurvey programme, calledHydroschemeWomen now make up15 percent of the RAN. 30per cent of the new recruitsand 51 per cent of thecurrent Australian DefenceForce Academy intake ofSeaman Officers. Women arealso being selected forsubmarine training to serveon the Collins classsubmannes - of the total160 volunteers. 40 arewomen, and probably 12 willjoin the course to begin earlynext year.Lieutenant Daetz, aged 29.took up her position asCommanding Officer of-SHEPPARTON" in Octoberafter completing her navalcommand courses in Sydney.Navy Joins PNGDrought ReliefOperationTWo Royal AustralianNavy heavy landing craft(LCHs) recently joined theAustralian and PapuaNew Guinea DefenceForces' drought reliefoperations in Papua NewGuinea.The Cairns-based HMAHMAS TARAKAN. assisting In the Ai/m

()!>scrval ionshave to protect themselves from them as if they were theenemy You will not be able to talk with some of these ships letalone control themUnder the Government's policy towards Australian flagshipping I suspect that the Navy would be well advised to thinklong and hard about procedures to deal with unsafe vesselsoperated by unskilled, incompetent crews with little or noEnglish because these are the only ships likely to be availableto Australian industry in any sizeable emergencyMr Bolitho concluded his address by saying it was "follyfor a island nation to allow the carriage of its commerce anddefence of its sovereignty to fall totally into the hands offoreigners" and that on a global scale "the ultimateconsequences of this FOC phenomenon cannot be foreseenThey can however be foreseen with respect to the Australianflag fleet and its future. Without an immediate change ofpolicy and strong Government and public support the industryhas no future"One has to say the recent transfer of responsibility formaritimes reform matters from the Department of Transport toWorkplace Relations and Small Business supports Mr Bolitho'sfears for the future of Australian-flag ShippingSailors despise thievesThe BULLETIN recently highlighted an article onallegations of theft from naval premises and breaches ofcustoms regulations It was reported that an inquiry wasunderwayHook"WINGS AND THE NAVY 1947-1953"By Colin JonesPublished by Kangaroo PressReviewed by Joe StraczekThis is a very timely book coming as it does on the eve ofthe 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the RoyalAustralian Navy's Fleet Air Arm Co'in Jones has produced abook which not only succinctly tells the story of theestablishment of the Fleet Air Arm but also that of the menwho helped create it He tells the story of this fledgling air armfrom birth to its first baptism of fire in KoreaFrom the arrival of SYDNEY, the aircraft carrier was to bea central and integral part of the navy for over 30 years Beingso central to the Navy's force structure and operations, it issurprising that the topic has not received greater coverage inthe past The carrier was central to an ambitious naval planwhich, like many in the past and future, virtually came tonought The RAN did operate two carriers and two naval airstations but this was only for a short time Financial realitieswould soon halve this.Perhaps the one element missing from "Wings and theNavy 1947-1953" is a more detailed examination of theinternal Navy considerations concerning the development ofthe post-war force structure Notwithstanding "Wings and theBecause of space considerations sailors serving at sea havevery little privacy and mutual trust is essential if the ship is tofunction effectively: thieving has always been regarded bysailors as a major crime and woe betide anyone caughtpinching his mates' belongings!Naval establishments are manned by a mix of sailors andcivilians, the later predominating in the vast stores. It is a pity THEBULLETIN smeared the uniform people in the way that it didNavy BriefingA briefing by Navy in November for the Navy League'sFederal Council was most enlightening for members, includingthe writerThe event took place prior to the League's annual generalmeeting, held in late 1997 in CANBERRA, and obviously Navyhad gone to a good deal of trouble to bring League membersup to date with the maritime situation The Chief of Navy,VADM Don Chalmers introduced the briefing team, Mr JohnMortimer. CDRE Paul Kable and CAPT Jack McCaffrie anaprovided a comprehensive overviewIt is not appropriate to offer comment in this column, butfair to say the writer was agreeably surprised to learn thenumber of important projects put forward by Defence andapproved by the Federal Government Both deserve credit forstriving to maintain the credibility of the ADF, when funds arelimited and defence does not seem to have a high priority inthe public's "want list" 0ReviewNavy 1947-1953" is still a major new contribution in an areaof Australian naval history which should attract more seriousstudy"Wings and the Navy 1947-1953" provides a good readand is an .nvaluable history of a period when graduates of theRoyal Australian Naval College were starting to shape thedestiny of the RAN in a manner not previously possibleANZAC in the NewsForeign Fishing Vessels ApprehendedThe Howard Government hastaken decisive action to protect thesovereignty, fish stocks and uniqueenvironment of Australia's remoteHeard and McDonald IslandTerritories in the Southern Ocean.Last August Cabinet directed theAustralian Defence Force to mount anoperation against illegal foreign fishingin the sub-Antarctic As a result, theNavy apprehended two vessels allegedlyoperating illegally in Australia's ExclusiveEconomic Zone surrounding the Islands.The two boats, registered in Belizeand Panama, were apprehended on16/17 OctoberHMAS AVZ.tr «(I html Island. (Thoto - LS Chresman)this operation isThe Minister for Defence, Mr Ian proof of theMcLachlan said this operation showed high standardsthat we have the capability and will to of training andprotect Australia's resources and equipment thatnational sovereignly even in the mostremote of our territoriesUnlike the dozens of foreign fishingvessel apprehensions that the Navy haswe possess in theAustralianDefence Force."The Ministersuccessfully achieved in Northern for the Environment,Australian waters so far this year, theSenatorSouthern Ocean apprehensions took Robert Hill said " m ' Hshln>l r u ' 1 SAL\T)RA. (Photo - ARM David Connolly)place under extremely hazardous Illegal fishing has the capacity to do Berthing 30 minutes before ANZACconditions.great harm to marine species in the was the other ship of the task group,"The Naval Task Group was Southern Ocean. It would also threatenoperating in the far reaches of the some of the values that have led to ourthe underway replenishment shipSouthern Ocean in extremely harsh World Heritage nominations for the WESTRALIA (commanded byweather conditions with very low Heard and McDonald Islands.Commander Stewart Dietrich. CSM,visibility, strong winds and high seas", "The capture of these two vessels is RAN) which provided support, includinghe addeda positive step towards ensuring thefour re-fuellings to HMAS ANZACAustralia's newest frigate, ANZAC. long-term preservation of theapprehended the vessels, with the RANworking closely with officers from theenvironment in the Southern Ocean.""The operation is a warning toduring her time in the Southern Ocean.The navy worked closely withAustralian Fisheries Management foreign fishing operators: if you fish officers of the AFMA in theAuthority (AFMA) in making the illegally in Australian waters, you will beapprehensions.caught."apprehension of the two boats, ALIZAMr McLachlan said, "The success of ANZAC returned to Fremantle withGLACIAL and SALVORA 0the apprehended vessels on 28 October,after which the boats and their crewswere handed over to civil authorities for •further investigationHeard and McDonald Islands arelocated in the Southern Ocean 4,000kmsouth-west of Perth This is one and ahalf times further than where the NavyDuring the operation HMAS WESTRALIAsuccessfully rescued around the world conductctl four urulrncay re-fuelllngs of theyachtsman Tony Bullimorefrigate KIMS ANZAC(Photo - ARM David Connolly)iti The Navy. January-March /.'*«The Nary. January-March I'HtH 17

Japanese Navy PictorialLanding Craft for Royal Brunei NavyI'holographs by John MortimerIn late October (25th) the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force conducted a Fleet Review inSagami Bay off Tokyo. The review was attended by Prime Minister Hashimoto and the DefenceChief, Akio Kyuma from the decks of the flagship, the helicopter destroyer SHIRANE. Fortyeightships and 46 aircraft from the MSDF and Air Self Defence Force participated. Two of thenew Murasame class destroyers were on show, as well as submarines and auxiliaries.Flagship SI lift WE.with ii lull hud of official quests.ftirt side vine of the ilestroyer TACHIK.IZE. IIATAK.XZE with a single live Inch gun ami tut) single I'halan.t CIWSmounietl aft.Transfield Shipbuilding WA(TSWA) have delivered a pair of 36.5metre landing craft for the RoyalBrunei Navy.Launched on 8 November 1996,KDB SERASA and KDB TERABAN arenamed after districts within Brunei. Eachis 36.5 metres long with an 8 metrebeam and with a top speed of 12 knotsare manned by a crew of twelveThe contract to build the vessels inWestern Australia was won againstinternational tenders The landing craftare designed for marine transportationand logistic support duties in coastalwaters and to carry a variety of deckloads including battle tanks, artillerypieces and combat troops The vesselshave the ability to load through theirmain bow door or via two side doors,port and starboardOf all welded mild steelconstruction, built to internationalclassification society standards, thevessels comply to NATO standardsand safety and stability requirementsVery comfortable air-conditionedaccommodation and recreation facilitiesare provided for a ship's complementThe design also incorporates modernnavigation and communication systems.A typical weapon may comprisetwo 20mm lightweight and two 50calibre naval gun mounts Each vessel isalso equipped to transfer fuel, waterand store to smaller combatants at seaThe design can readily be adapted logistic roles including emergencyfor a variety of non-military peacetime disaster relief operations 0The tteo netv Royal BruiiiiSavy landing craft.-••--=- mi-" H-hfrj iftjlujjiEscort ship MISEOVMO. Like many MSDF ships. MISEGl'MO carriesthe ,\SRO(' anti-submarine launi hir.1 Visitor far the Fleet Rcvletc wais the new Thai carrier. CfbXKRJSARI 'RET. (lluxo - Martin Dunn)Handover of the craft from Thins field. Bridge deck of KDB SERASA.The Savy. January-MarchHKtNThe Savy. January-MarchI9!ttt

Tribute toGoose Green Later in theSS CANBERRA day casualties from theassault were transferred toUNITED KINGDOM -SS CANBERRAThe Royal Navy paidLater, between 27 Maytribute to SS "CANBERRA"on her final docking inSouthampton in October,and 2 June. SS CANBERRAwas off the coast of SouthGeorgia as reinforcementsat the end of her lastarrived from the UK Thecruise.Five Royal Navy shipsand two Sea King helicopterswere on hand as a RoyalCANBERRA was also to playa key role in the transfe r ofprisoners of war from PortWilliam to ArgentinaSS ( ASBERR.\during the Falkland» oim/mfa/n.Marines band played onthe quayside during thenostalgic dockingThe Royal Navy'sparticipation marked theimportant role played by theCANBERRA in support of theseaborne force sent byBritain to the South Atlanticin 1982 to liberate theFalkland islands 846 NavalAir Squadron, which sent theSea Kings, has a directconnection with SSCANBERRA when aircraftwere embarked in May 1982after the cruise ship'sconversion to a troop carrier.It was at dawn on the21 May. 1982 when SSCANBERRA entered FalklandSound and her aircraft wereinvolved in the support oftroop landings at Darwin andAll Compass PointsGermany and Indonesiasign MoUJAKARTA. Indonesia -In late September, theGerman and IndonesianGovernments signeda Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MoU) forthe sale of five GermanType 206 submarines toIndonesia.The accord will providefor a rapid handover, withthe Indonesian Navy Chief ofStaff Admiral AriefKushariadi travelling toGermany to take possessionof the boats on 23September. The first twosubmarines were scheduledto arrive in Indonesia lastNovember or December. Theremaining three submarinesshould be delivered toIndonesia this yearAll five boats willbe modified for tropicaloperations before beginningsen/iceNamed KRI Nagarangsang403. KRI Nagabanda 404,KRI Bramastra 40S. KRICundamani 406. and KRIAlugoro 407. the five boatswill more than treble the sizeof Indonesia's two-strongsubmarine fleet, comprisingthe larger Type 209 KRICakra 401 and KRI Nanggala402Bu:lt in Kiel, the exGerman vessels weremodernised between 1987and 1992. including newcontrol, sensor, navigation,and weapons control systems,new periscopes and snorkelsNavy Christens"CONNECTICUT"GROTON, Conn - TheUnited States Navychristened its newestnuclear-poweredsubmarine "CONNECTICUT"(SSN 22) during aceremony Sept. 1 atElectric Boat in Groton.Conn.CONNECTICUT is thesecond ship of the Seawolfclass, the most capableattack submarine ever built.With mission and growthcapability far beyondprevious submarines, thedesign uniquely supportsmissions such as surveillance,intelligence collection,special warfare, covert cruisemissile strike, mine warfare,anti-submarine and antisurfaceship warfare.In addition to itsformidable open-oceanpresence,the Seawolf class isalso a highly capable shallowwater warfare platform,setting the standard forsubmarine technology intothe next century Its inherentstealth, coupled with stateof-the-artsensors andadvanced combat systems,make it one of the world'smost advanced weaponssystems and the benchmarkfor underwater excellenceCONNECTICUT'S flexibilityand impressive capabilitiesprovide the Navy with anundersea weapons platformto operate in any scenarioagainst any threat - fromunder Arctic ice to shallowwaterArmed with the battleprovenTomahawk cruisemissiles. CONNECTICUT cansafely conduct deep strikemissions while submergedfar off an enemy's coastCONNECTICUT alsocarries the Mark 48advanced capaDility torpedo,the most reliable torpedo inthe world, for use againstsurface ships andsubmarines With twice asmany torpedo tubes and a30 percent increase inweapons magazine sizecompared to the LosAngeles class submarines.CONNECTICUT is eminentlycapable of establishing andmaintaining battle spacedominance.This is the fifth navalvessel to be namedCONNECTICUT. The last was abattleship which served asflagship for PresidentTheodore Roosevelt's GreatWhite Fleet"Just as that shipepitomized Roosevelt'sfamous mottoSpeak softlyand carry a big stick'," saidSecretary Dalton. "this USSCONNECTICUT will patrol theworld's oceans, preservingpeace and silently protectingour precious freedoms."CONNECTICUT with acrew of 14 officers and 120enlisted personnel, is 353feet long, a beam of 40 feetand displaces approximately9,138 tons submerged and8,060 tons surfaced. It canoperate at depths greaterthan 800 feet, and itsnuclear reactor powers thesubmarine to speeds inexcess of 25 knots whensubmergedAnti-Missile MissileScores HitSINGAPORE - TheRepublic of SingaporeNavy (RSN)successfullycarried out the first firingof its Barak Anti-MissileMissile (AMM) during alive firing exerciseconducted in the SouthChina Sea on 10September 1997.Launched from RSSVALOUR, a Missile Corvette(MCV). the Barak (meaning"Lightning") AMM scored adirect hit against an airbornetarget simulating a modernAnti-Ship Missile (ASM) bothin terms of size and speed.The fully automated BarakAMM fire control system onboard RSS Valour was able todetect and track the targetand launch the Barak missile,intercepting the target ata range of about sixkilometres.The successful firingdemonstratedtheeffectiveness of the BarakAMM point defence system. •The Barak missile, togetherwith the MCV* 76mm OtoMelara Super Rapid gun andElectronic Countermeasur?equipment, provide the RSNMCVs with a comprehensivecapability to counterairborne threats such as seaskimmingmissiles and lowflying aircraft.The Barak AMM systemwas acquired by the Navyin 1996, and is currentlybeing fitted on board all sixRSN MCVs. Armed witheight Harpoon ASMs, sixWhitehead anti-submarinetorpedoes and asophisticated ElectronicWarfare suite, the MCV isfuily capable of carrying outmulti-dimensional maritimeoperations to contribute tofulfilling the RSN's missionsof providing for Singapore'sseaward defence andprotecting Singapore's SeaLines of Communications.The Republic ofSingapore Navy conductsregular live firing exercises aswell as rigorous trainingprogrammes under realisticconditions to honethe proficiency andprofessionalism of itspersonnel as well as toensure that its equipment isalways at the highest state ofoperational readiness Suchexercises include successfulHarpoon ASM and MistralSurface-to-Air missile firingsconducted earlier in the yearBarak Anti-MissileMissile SystemThe Barak (Lightning)Anti-Missile Missile (AMM)point defence system isdesigned to protect shipsagainst airborne threats. Thesystem consists of a verticallaunch unit housing eightmissiles per launcher, and afire control system that canbe integrated with the ship*existing warfare suite. TheRSN Missile Corvettes are inthe process of being fittedwith two launchersA key feature of theBarak AMM is that it is fullyautomated with thefirecontrol system capable ofcalculating the level ofthreats, allocating missile(s)and launching themautomaticallyuponacquisition of the target(s) bythe ship's radarSpecifications;Weight - 98 kg.Warhead - 22 kg, Length -2175 mm. Diameter - 170mm. Wing span - 685 mm.Range - 10 km. Velocity - Inexcess of Mach 2.Super Hornet 1,000thflightPATUXENTRIVER.Maryland - The F/A-1BC/FSuper Hornet flew its1,000th flight on 12September at Naval AirWarfare Center AircraftDivision, Naval Air StationPatuxent River, Md."The Super Hornet is agreat airplane - one that willprove its value tonavalaviation in the years ahead,"said CAPT Gib Godwin. F/A-18 Program Manager. "But itis the people of the SuperHornet - government andcontractor. F/A-18 programand entire Naval AviationSystem Team - who havecontributed so much tomake the F/A-18E/F asuccess. The credit for thisachievement is all theirs."Nearly two years intothe three-year flight test,program development of theSuper Hornet is on scheduleand on budget with theaircraft still well underspecified weight.This month, primecontractor Boeing beginsinitial production of SuperHornets for fleetreplacement squadrons17BATAANPASCAGOULA, Miss.(NWSA) - The UnitedStates Navy commissionedits newest amphibiousassault ship, USS"BATAAN" (LHD S), on 20September in a ceremonyat Litton's IngallsShipbuilding. Pascagoula,Miss.BATAAN is the fifth ofseven Wasp-class amphibiousassault ships authorized byCongress. Her mission will beto serve as a primary landingship for assaults from the seato defend positions ashoreBATAAN is the secondU.S. Navy ship to bear thisname, and commemoratesthe heroic defense of theBataan Peninsula on thewestern side of Manila Bay inthe Philippines by U.S. Navy,Marine Corps. Army andFilipino forces during theearly days of World War IIThe new assault ship willbe homeported in Norfolk asan element of AmphibiousGroup TWO The crewconsists of a ships companyof 1.200 and a MarineDetachment of 2.000.NR-1 ReturnsGROTON, Conn. -Naval Research Vessel(MR) 1. the United StatesNavy's smallest and onlyresearch submarine,returned to her home atthe Naval Submarine BaseGroton, Conn, on 20September.During a five-monthdeployment to theMediterranean Sea, NR-1and a research team fromthe National GeographicSociety discovered a largeconcentration of ancientshipwrecks while exploring offthe northwest coast of Sicily.iti The Navy. January-March/.'*«The Nary. January-MarchI'HtH

Ml ( onipass I'oiiilsMl ( ompiiss PointsThe discovery was amajor breakthrough in mar nearchaeology. Eight sailingships, spread over 20 squaremiles, were lying 2,300 feetbeneath the surface of theMediterranean The oldestship, dating from about 100BC, is one of the earliestRoman shipwrecks everdiscoveredThree of the ships wereof relatively modern origin,including two from the 19thcentury and an Islamic shipfrom the 18th century.NR-1 also assisted theIsraeli navy in searching forthe submarine INS DAKARThe ex-British World War IIeradiesel submarine sank inthe Mediterranean Sea on25 January 1968 DAKARwas on its maiden voyagewith the Israeli Navy whenshe went down with all 69crew members aboardNR-1 searched in severallocations in internationalwaters requested by theIsraeli Navy, but the submarinestill was not locatedA Smart ShipWASHINGTON (NNS) -Secretary of the NavyJohn H. Dalton gave"Smart Ship" a gradeof excellent during aSeptember visit to thecruiser USS "YORKTOWN"(CG 48). the platformchosen to test 3ndevaluate new ideas andtechnologies.Secretary Dalton touredYORKTOWN anchored offAnnapolis, Md, and spokewith all hands "I want tostress to you that I recognizewhat is truly smart about theSmart Ship program It is oursmart Sailors'," he said"Most importantly. SmartShip is about workingsmarter, not harder"The Smart Ship allowsSailors to test ways toincrease their readiness byfreeing them from dailyrepetitive tasks. Workloadand manpower requirementsare reduced while combatreadiness and quality of lifeare greatly enhancedYORKTOWN wasconverted to create a teslbedfor increased readiness.reduced life cycle costsand enhanced safetyimprovements for Sailors.Some of the experimentsinvolve decreasing the crewof a normal Ticonderogaclass cruiser from 350 to 306and spending less time onmaintenance and repairsThis is done by using a touchscreenconsole running offthe-shelftechnology likeMicrosoft Windows NT on afiber optic local area networkThe test also eliminated 10people from the normal 13on bridge watch This allowsthe crew to focus on the taskat hand - warfighting"Because of your effortsand innovation, we willbegin to implement SmartShip concepts in the fleet assoon as possible," said theSecretaryThe Navy intends toincorporate the ideas andtechnologies from SmartShip into all 27 of itsTiconderoga class cruisersand 25 Arleigh Burke classdestroyers, starting withDDG 83These ideas bringautomation to maintenance,engineering, damage control.The new Egyptian Nary SII-HG(E) Super Seasprite helicopter.(I'hoto - Kimuin)and bridge functions, savingthe Navy money"A one time investmentof up to $8 million per vesselon the four internal systemscould save maybe S75million, equating to $2 5million a year over eachship's roughly 30 - year life,"said RADM Daniel Murphy,Director, Surface WarfareChief of Naval OperationsADM Jay I Johnson calls theSmart Ship "the first stepdown the path" of a moreefficient NavyFirst InternationalSuper SeaspriteBLOOMFIELD,Connecticut - In midThe Egyptian governmentis acquiring the advancedmaritime helicopters throughthe US Navy as a foreignMilitary Sale Value of thecontract to KamanAerospace is more than S150million for aircraft andsupportCharles H Kaman,chairman and chief executiveofficer of Kaman Corp., said,"This is a milestone event forthe SH-2G and we lookforward to have Egypt as thelead international customerfor the SH-2G and we lookforward to supporting thisaircraft for the life of theprogram."Kaman Aerospace willcontinue deliveries of theaircraft at the rate of one amonth through July 1998The first three aircraft will besent initially to the PensacolaNaval Air Station in Floridafor use in flight training ofEgyptian pilots In-countydeliveries of the aircraft arescheduled to begin in April1998Other internationalcustomers for the SH-2Ginclude Australian and NewZealand, which signedcontracts in June for a totalof 15 aircraft and supportvalued at $785 millionDeliveries of 11 aircraftordered by Australia wil!begin in the year 2001Deliveries of New Zealand'sfour SH-2Gs will begin in theyear 2000The SH-2G is the mostrecent helicopter tocomplete US NavyOperational Evaluation andis currently in service withthe US Naval Reservesperforming long-rangeOctoberKamanAerospace Corp. rolledout the first of 10 SH-2G(E) Super Seaspritehelicopters for delivery tothe Arab Republic ofEgypt, the firstinternational customer forthe aircraft.surveillance, anti-surfacewarfare, anti-submarinewarfare,mine warfarecountermeasures, search andrescue, and utility serviceProject 15 CommissionedINDIA - The IndianPrime Minister I. K. Gujralformallycommissionedthe Indian Navy's newindigenouslybuiltdestroyer INS "DELHI" atBombay on 25 September."DELHI"is the first ofthree Project 15 ships. Theother two. "MYSORE" and"BOMBAY", are currentlyfitting out and will bedelivered in 1998 and1999 respectively.INS DELHIEach Project 15 ship is amulti-role destroyer withadditional flag facilities fortask group commandDisplacing 6,300 tonnes,DELHI adopts aCODAGmachinery arrangement withtwo AM-50 gas turbines andtwo KVM-18 dieselsHermaximum speed is 32 knotsLaid down in 1987 andlaunched in February 1991,DELHI'S completion was aprotracted affair, caused bydelays in the supply of Russianmanufacturedequipment.DELHI'S principal weaponsuite comprises a single AK-100 100mm gun forward,16 Zvezda Kh-35 Uran(NATO SS-N-25 'Switchblade')surface-to-surfaceguidedweapons (in four quadlaunchers),two single-armlaunchers (each with a 24-round magazine) for theAltair Shtil medium rangearea air defence missilesystem (NATO SA-N-7'Gadfly') and four AK-630Mclose-in weapon systems(two on either beam)For anti-submarineduties. her armamentconsists of two RBU-6000rocket launchers (fitted justforward of the bridge) and aquintuple 533 mm torpedolauncher amidships. RussiansuppliedPK-2 decoy launchersare fitted on either beamThe destroyer's hangerand flight deck facilities sitedaft, provide for the operationand support of two GKNWestland Sea King Mk 42Bhelicopters Both A/244Slightweight torpedoes andt sea trials.Sea Eagle anti-ship missilesare carriedThe sleek looking DELHIhas a complement of 40officers and 320 ratingsAmerican Bits and PiecesThe United States hasbecome the first of 13nations to sign anagreement for futureproduction of the EvolvedSea Sparrow Missile(ESSM) on 10 August.ESSM will be animprovement on thecurrent RIM - 7P SeaSparrow surface-to-airpoint defense missile; itwill be capable of beingrsslaunched from the MK 29.MK 41, and MK 48launching systems.The USN announced on12 August that the carrierKITTY HAWK (CV 63) wouldreplace the INDEPENDENCE(CV 62) as the Japan-basedforward-deployed carrier,KITTY HAWK is scheduled todepart her current homeportof San Diego on 15 July1998, to arrive in Yokosuka.Japan during August 1998Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5),currently assigned to theINDEPENDENCE, will transferto the KITTY HAWKINDEPENDENCE will return tothe United States fordecommissioningMISSOURI (BB 63) isscheduled to be towed fromBremerton, Washington, toPearl Harbor, Hawaii, duringApril 1998 Following athree-week tow, currentplans are to berth her initiallyat Ford Island's Pier F-5, thenmove her to Pier F-3 afterthat site is developed as herpermanent location It ishoped to have the ship readyfor visitors in her temporarylocation by January 1999The permanent location is tobe ready during 2001The decommissioned tanklanding ship SCHENECTADY(LST 1185) has beenauthorized for transfer toThailand, while her sistership,BARBOUR COUNTY (LST1195), will be transferredto Malaysia (previouslyapproved for Venezuela andsubsequently cancelled). •MisstnniThe Sary. January-Marchl!H*NThe .Sary. January-MarchI'lfUi

Nev\ Ship but Old MemoriesNew Ship but Old Memories(iraham I kinsWhen, after a multi-million dollarrenovation. HMAS MANOORA. slidesback into the Hunter River at Newcastle,she will carry on her funnel theCombined Operations Crest a navalanchor crossed by a sub machine gunand surmounted by an eagle in flightFor those watching ihe ship's returnto the water there will be a wave ofmemories, memories which will takethem back 50 years, to Australia's "first"HMAS MANOORA and to HMASASSAULT a naval/military trainingestablishment which operated duringWorld War II at nearby Port StephensThe crest is the legacy of HMASASSAULT, the ships assigned to it andthose who trained thereToday there is little left of HMASASSAULT apart from its sick bay which isan arts centre, its sport field which isnow Nelson Bay Oval and the LittleBeach slipway which is heavily used bycommercial boat operators and even theArmyThe Port Stephens Lighthouse, nowunder the control of the Royal VolunteerCoastal Patrol has a room set aside as amuseum to HMAS ASSAULT The patrolthrough its Chief of Staff. JohnMclnerney and his volunteers from PortStephens have provided some detailsabout the vital baseThey come as MANOORA and sistership KAN 1MB LA near completion inNewcastle during 1998/99In mid 1942 following thesuccessful naval battle in the Coral Seawhen allied forces had halted thesouthward push of the Japanese.General MacArthur decided anamphibious warfare strategy forAustralian and US forces to go oh theoffensive against the Japanese andregain the territories they had occupiedFirst move was to get amphibiousships and support craft with trainedcrews and then train troops from the USand Australia on how to strike from theseaIn June 1942 Commander F N.Cook DSC RAN with a Royal Marine anda Royal Artillery officer made an aerialsurvey of the east coast to find alocation for a training base PortStephens was selected At the end of apeninsula, with only one access road, itwas an easy spot with which to maintainsecurity At the time there were only 420people of whom only two were aliensCMDR Cook was authorised to buya square kilometre of land at NelsonsBay's Fly Point on which to buildan Amphibious Warfare TrainingEstablishment The armed merchantcruiser HMAS WESTRALIA which hadbeen earmarked for conversion to anamphibious operations role as a LandingShip Infantry (LSI) was sent to the portarriving on September 1, 1942 She wasaccompanied by HMAS PING WO. an ex-Chinese river steamer to act as tenderIn addition 12 launches werecommandeered as instructional craftwhile 24 assault landing craft were builtFunds were also allocated to build alanding craft pound, wharves and aworkshop At the same time the Armycommandeered the Shoal Bay CountryClub for its headquarters for soldiersundergoing the amphibious trainingGeneral MacArthur directed theestablishment of a "Joint OverseasOperations Training School" (JOOTS) onthe eastern side of Fly Point and theRAN's training school to go on itswestern sideThe mission of JOOTS was toconduct 20 day courses in combinedoperations for officers of both nationsHMAS ASSAULT under thecommand of CMDR Cook in HMASWESTRALIA was officially commissionedon September 1 with an initial intake of24 officers and 280 sailors The missionof the base was to instruct officers andsailors to man and maintain assaultlanding craft and to form BeachmasterteamsThe task of the teams was to landwith the first wave of assaulting troops,check the beach and mark the area withflags for following waves of incomingcraft, troops and materialsThe teams also trained to maintainship to shore communications. One ofthe officers at ASSAULT in 1942 wasLEUT VAT Smith a Fleet Air Armobserver who was to become AdmiralSir Victor Smith, Chief of Naval Staff andthen Chairman of the Chiefs of StaffThe new establishment had onlybeen operating a few weeks whenMacArthur told the AustralianGovernment he thought training shouldbe conducted in QueenslandHMAS MA\(X>RA (II) (ItuMn - . WW A .\ldwnrth)The Naval Board (AUS) counteredby saying Port Stephens was ideal TheAustralians won the argument and thebase remainedIn January 1943 the first of thethree Australian merchant cruisersselected for conversion to LSI's . HMASMANOORA. arrived At 11,000 tons anda draft of 7 3 metres she is believed tohave been the largest vessel to haveanchored in Port StephensAt this time there was an oddsituation with hMAS ASSAULT teachingBritish/Australian amphibious doctrineon one side of Fly Point while on theother side at JOOTS. US procedureswere being taught. In February of 1943those of the SW Pacific Command HQchanged their mind regarding the roleof Port Stephens and closed downJOOTS. In its place came an amphibioustraining centre under the command ofCAPT K J. Christopher USNThe new set up was to compriseHMAS ASSAULT, a facility to train troopsin landings and a USN Landing ForceEquipment Depot. The depot was toamass 94 USN landing craft to be usedin training across the beaches of PortHMAS riSO UT).Stephens. Meanwhile LSI's HMA shipsMANOORA. WESTRALIA andKANIMBLA had been assigned toAdmiral Barbey's amphibious force.In the eight months till October1943 the Port Stephens training areawas to see 22,000 soldiers and marinestraining in ship to shore warfare. HMASASSAULT had by then trained 100 RANofficers. 100 landing craft coxswains.453 landing craft crewmen. 250 stokers.120 beach commandos ( beachmasters)and 40 signalmen. In that monthAdmiral Barbey closed down thetraining centre and ordered that futuretraining be done in Queensland.The three Australian LSI's sailedtogether on October 11HMAS ASSAULT remained incommission for another ten months, herlanding craft providing training forsailors and a holding depot foroperations trained personnel. By thistime it had also acquired a small fleet ofits own, HMA ships PING WO and GUMLEAF (commandeered trawler), twoauxiliary patrol boats FLYING CLOUDand KWEENA, nine locally built landingcraft and 19 built in the US. In August of1944 ail training stopped with an officerand 24 sailors held to carry out care andmaintenance.In April of 1945 it was handed tothe Royal Marines to be used by themfor amphibious training.What remains of the base today?The site of the main hutted camp atFly Point is now a grassy, tree studdedpublic reserve with just a few scatteredconcrete foundations. A covered stagehas been built in the park as a memorialto those who served at ASSAULT andaboard MANOORA. WESTRALIA andKANIMBLAThe US has built a memorial at LittleBeach to the 20,000 who trained in thearea while at Salamander Bay three roadshave been named after the three LSI*.But according to John Mclnerney,"the best legacy of HMAS ASSAULT is herCombined Operations Crest - a navalanchor crossed by a sub-machine gunand surmounted by an eagle in flight, allin red on a royal blue background -which continues to be displayed as thefunnel badge of the RAN's amphibiousships and craft of the 1990 s" •24The .Vary. January-SUirvhl'&ftThe .Vary. January-Mnrrh HUtH

"TheNAVY" Revisited1998. The Navy celebrates ps -Is 'is 60th year cf publication In this issue we feature featui the last of the earlierV R.) i* engaged u«i the * ilis. n this issue some ol the more interesting pages from the month of February 1948Uo •, guelen. tVrc V> cjtaNuh a fu I• dump The landing on Heard 1UnJ was made on ?fah »ccmbciwhen the AuMralun Has waa rawed a«l*»r The Mimater for Extcnial Atfjm (Or Evatt) announced a few Jay» later thai* equipment nut whore from LST' 5501 included a build.net. V) tun.of Itoiler •uvea, and more than •-• 200 drum* of ad, whkh vrrr H

Magic Lantern Slides 1895This set of facsimiles from original Magic Lantern Slides are taken from a series comprising a lecture about the Royal Navy,dated 189S The editor wishes to thank The Tree Factory of 136 Railway Parade. West Leederville. WA. 6007, for permission toreproduce the vintage imagesMurine Huylcr in liuulliu/ kit./ 'mlenray. a (Juartermastrr pmeUles a*Uiuly hiintl on the irheel. The net > Ablein men kepi in liHegniphic communicaiUiririih the em/me num. with the IHheer olthe Winch, keeping ihe ship on station.? WHAT IS A . . . WRITER ?The 'Wluu is a ... ' navii in-ople series was orit/iiuilli/ written in the hue lH5()s. The sel of cit/hl will heA Writer is not. as the name implies,a writer, but is a person who sits all daytyping and making lots of work out ofpieces of paper A Writer can sit in oneof three places - Pay Office, AccountsOffice, or Captain's Office Some Writersare even capable of sitting in all three(though not at the one time) but thesespecies are rare - they invariably stick tothe onePAY OFFICE In this section theWriter is trained to create paymentqueries, the answering of which keepshim busy for 13 days Much time sspent by the Writer in this section inkeeping stationary Pay Office Writershave an air about them - generallyconditionedA favourite expression used by thePay Office Writer is "come backtomorrow, we're putting up pay", whenm actual fact, they are creating still morepayment queries.Careful training in the SupplySchool enables this type of Writer toappear busy at all times This impressionre-prtKhieetl in 'The .Yun/' tlurinti 1!W7-!)H.is created by the duty writer eachmorning He attends the office early andcarefully places folders, pencils, sheetsof paper, rulers, rubbers and paymentqueries in position When the rest of thestaff arrive, they are busy straight away- clearing it all away againThe bible of the Pay Office Writeris the pocket size ready reckoner Thisis used to calculate pocket sizepaymentsACCOUNTS OFFICE This type ofWriter is a lonely type He is chosen forhis ability to remain seated for longperiods m an air-conditioned office withone or two Supply Officers Apart fromthis duty, the Account's Office Writerkeeps the travelling expense recordstravelling Because of this continualtravelling (from office to office, forsignature and checking, and back againfor more signatures and more checking)this type of Writer's favourite expressionis "come back three months fromtomorrow, your expenses haven'ttravelled far enough as yet"CAPTAIN'S OFFICE The mam dutyof this type of Writer is to see that thenotation of swimming test passes is notrecorded on the sailors servicecertificate A lesser duty (but still veryimportant) is the duty ofconfusionalisation All the Writer doesin answerto questions regardingadvancement, removal requests, etc , isto quote Australian Navy Ordernumbers, correspondence file numbers.Advancement Regulation articlenumbers, etc , with such rapidity thatthe listener leaves the office confusedNOTE BENEWriters are assuredthat no slight is offered on this pageNo-one works better No-one work«ilonger No-one works holder than aWriter(Well, it must be remembered thatWriters do carry out the duty of posting,so a good word must appearsomewherePerish the thought ofanother 12 months in MELBOURNE")athe lecture.'leaning the small arms anil cutlasses.H.MS EMPRESS OF INDIA. Members ««/ the Sural Rrigtule about to embark in their ships, lying aanchor in the (Wund Harbour. Malta.The Sapy. January-March HHMThe Savy. January-MarchIMSHMA Shl|»s TORRUK and BATAAX, early I9BO»

Hitler's U-Boat War- Volume 1: The Hunters 1939-1942By Clay BlairPublished by Weidenfeld & NicolsonU-Boat Operations of theSecond World War- Volume 1: Career Histories, U1-U510By KennethWynnPublished by: Chatham PublishingReviewed by Joe StraczekBoth of these books essentially deal with the same subjectbut tackle it from different perspectives The Second WorldWar saw the greatest undersea battle ever All the majorbelligerents deployed submarine forces against theiropponentsThe submarine forces of the German andAmerican navies were probably the most successful of thoseengaged in the war. Remarkably there are also a number ofsimilarities between the earlier operational experience of thesesubmarine forces, but more on that laterThe war against the U-Boats was. for the Allies, the crucialbattle of the war. Defeat of the U-Boats did not guaranteevictory but it did ensure that the Allies, and in particular Britain,would not be defeated Clay Blair in his book. Hitler's U-BoatWar - Volume 1: The Hunters 1939-1942 covers the first partof this important battle He recounts how the U-Boat arm wasestablished and operatedOf the many interesting points to come out of this book isthe lack of submarine numbers, and the technical problemsfaced, in the early stages of the war. Like the United States inthe Pacific, the Germans had major problems with theirtorpedoes. Part of the solution to the problem came from thecapture of a British submarine and her torpedoes. Theseproblems were offset, however, thanks to the Britishconcentration on the 'battle line' which helped result in toofew escorts available to marshal the merchant ships and huntthe U-Boats Despite the small numbers available, the Germanswere able to cause substantial damage to the British merchantmarine This situation did not change until the arrival ofadditional escorts, new technologies and new tactics. Theculmination of these factors and the increasing number ofsubmarine losses turned the hunters into the hunted.Clay Blair's 800 page study on this first half of the U-Boatwar is prepared with the authority of an individual withmastery of his subject One of his earlier books was "SilentVictory", which detailed the United States Navy's submarinecampaign against Japan in the Pacific. Though written anumber of years ago it is still the classic book on the subject.Hitler's U-Boat War is destined to follow as being the classicreference on the battle against the U-Boats. It is easy to read,packed with information and detail.Kenneth Wynn's book U-Boat Operations of the SecondWorld War - Volume 1: Career Histories. U1 - U510. thoughon the surface dealing with the same subject, takes a differentapproach. Wynn's book is a history of individual boats Eachboat from U1 to U510 is listed. The entries consist of basicdates for the U-Boat. builder, laid down, commissioning, etc.Which flotillas the boat served in. who commanded it and howmany patrols it made A short narrative is then provided givingdetails on the various patrols In the case of many of theU-Boats the final entry is "There were no survivors, 54 dead"The research and effort that has gone into producingU-Boat Operations of the Second World War is surelycommendable and will ensure that this book becomes anindispensable reference for any naval library.If a criticism can be leveled at the book it is in two minorareas. First is the lack of any photographs or illustrations, apartfrom maps at the back. The second concerns the lack oftechnical description, and again illustrations, of the variousU-Boat types. Though it must be said that this is readilyavailable elsewhere and does not detract from the overallquality of the work.Both Clay Blair's Hitler's U-Boat War - Volume 1 TheHunters 1939-1942 and Kenneth Wynn's U-Boat Operationsof the Second World War are highly recommended and do infact complement each other to the extent that the purchase ofboth would be fully justified and provide many hours ofinteresting and informative reading.THE DESPATCHES AND LETTERS OFLORD NELSON VOLS. 1 AND 2Edited by N. NicholasPublished by: Chatham PublishingReviewed by Joe StraczekDuring the 1840s Sir Nicholas Nicholas, a retired navalofficer, commenced to gather together the despatches andletters of England's greatest sea captain. Vice-Admiral ViscountLord Horatio Nelson. These documents were publishedbetween 1844 and 1847 and ran to seven volumes.To the delight of this reviewer and I am sure to any navalhistorian interested in the Nelsonian period. ChathamPublishing has commenced to re-print this invaluable referencework.From these documents researchers and historians alike canobtain an insight not just into the man that was Nelson butalso the times and the society that he lived in. The verythoughts and actions of Nelson jump from the pages of thesebooks as do his hopes and fears. These documents represent aliving history and are an important research tool. The reprintingof these volumes make them more readily accessible to a wideraudience than was previously the case.Volume 1 covers the period from the American Revolutionto the Siege of Calvi. where Nelson lost the sight of his righteye in July 1794. Included in this period is Nelson's firstmeeting with Emma Hamilton. The second volume, covers theBattle of St Vincent through to the attack on Tenerife. Thisvolume is supplemented by a number of documents whichwere omitted from the first volume in its original printing.Although these volumes are not provided with an index,they do have a comprehensive table of contents which listseach individual document. The documents themselves arearranged in chronological sequence.All-in-all the reprinting of these volumes make available,an invaluable history resource, a resource for which many willbe grateful.TAKEN BY STORM"The true story of HMAS MANOORA's experiences in theSouth West PacificBy Mervyn Eather and Bill GalmesPublished by Port Phillip PressReviewed by Greg SwindenSeveral years ago I wrote that ship history's had a tendencyto be either well done or poorly done and there was very littlemiddle ground. This is an example of a well written andinteresting ship history.Mervyn Eather and Bill Galmes both served in HMASMANOORA. Mervyn was an RANR Signalman and Bill an AIFSapper (part of the ship's Dock Operating Company). Togetherthey have produced a highly readable and interesting history ofMANOORA's time as a Landing Ship Infantry (LSI) in the PacificTheatre. The story of the ship is uniquely told by a centralfictional figure, one Ordinary Seaman 'Shorty' Blake, whereasall other characters mentioned were actual members of theships company.The ship's history starts with 'Shorty' Blake joiningMANOORA and then follows their fortunes, and misfortunes,through eight amphibious landings from Tanahmerah Bay(Dutch New Guinea) in April 1944 to Balikpapan (Borneo) inJuly 1945. MANOORA's last three assault landings were inBorneo where she landed AIF troops at Tarakan Island in May,Labuan Island in June and Balikpapan in July. When notemployed as an LSI she was used as a troopship conveyingAustralian and American reinforcements to Dutch NewGuinea, the Philippines and Borneo."Taken By Storm" is well set out. lavishly illustrated andcontains a number of appendices detailing those who servedin MANOORA details of assault landings, honours and awards,and other snippets of information about the ship and thosewho served in her. One appendix describes in detailMANOORA's only casualty of the war. the unfortunate SickBerth Attendant Alec Hill, who went for a joy ride in a RAAFBeaufighter involved in an attack on Japanese positions onCelebes (Netherlands East Indies) in February 1945. TheBeaufighter was shot down and Hill became a Prisoner of War.He was executed by the Japanese in June 1945."Taken by Storm" is an A4 size paperback of 252 pagesavailable for $30 (including postage) from the HMASMANOORA Association (c/o 21 Royalty Ave Highett VIC 3190or J. Wilson 146 Bay Road Sandringham VIC 3191).A recommended purchase for Naval historians and thosewith an interest in HMAS MANOORA."BUILDING AND DETAILING SCALE MODELSNIPS"The Complete Guide to Building, Detailing,Scratchbuilding and Modifying Scale Model ShipsBy Mike AsheyReviewed by Vic JefferyI think most of us have tried our hands at building modelships somewhere along the line and I often wondered howsome people seemed to have that innovative ability to createsuperbly lifelike models out of a model kit.This 112 page softcover book is possibly the mostcomprehensive book on building and detailing scale modelships ever written. It documents with step-by-step, both in textand in hundreds of close-up photographs, how to turn anaverage ship model kit into a highly detailed masterpiece.There are hundreds of simple techniques that will teachyou how to assemble and add detail to ship hulls, decks andsuperstructures, add real chains, and bore out kit-supplied gunbarrels. It also shows you how to scratchbuild guns, masts,propeller shafts, superstructure parts and railings; how todisplay models, create water dioramas, the list goes on ...Amongst the 238 photographs included are 28 in colour,including views of the superb models of the battleship USSARIZONA and the German submarine U-505.Published by Airlife Publishing Ltd. Shrewsbury, England,this commendable book is distributed in Australia by PeriboPty. Ltd.. 58 Beaumont Road. Mount Kuring-Gai. NSW.Retailing at S39.95. it is a must for model builders, oldand new."THE GERMAN NAVY 1939-1945"By Cajus BekkerPublished by Chancellor PressReviewed by Joe Straczek"The German Navy 1939-1945" is not the mostauthoritative book published on the German Navy of theSecond World War. nor does it pretend to be What the bookis. is a concise and very informative book which includes a briefhistory of the German Navy and its war at sea. Of particularinterest are the author's comments concerning theshortcomings of various German warships.As a former member of the German Navy, the authorwrites with the authority of a person who witnessed the eventshe describes.The publication is profusely illustrated with photographscovering almost every aspect of the German Navy^ war.Unfortunately many of .the photographs were reproduced toodark to be able to see any details. The photographs aloneprovide the reader with a clear understanding of the naval warin the North Atlantic and Arctic; fog. ice, sleet and generallyrough seas.The German Navy 1939-1945'is an excellent book andprovides an insight into the history of the German Navy duringits six years of conflict at sea.The Xary. Junmuu-MiirchHMMThe Soph- •Itinuary Shtrch HKtH

ArmyMovesNorthNiS(hi 11 Wm-mhtr. swi laiullru/ cru/i (LCMfts) I rum the Win iltrich I nisei I•in lUiicr Trims/nm Squailn m salleil /mm their hi nm • hist years. This I07& rlrwaf the Wmihrlrh lin k, itrpieis .Inni; MeillumItiiuUiui Shti*. smtilUr LCMHsaiut the can/it ship .It HIS M(l\.\SII(11i.X" Hiiss CnlUtt)Uiiicr Irrrl rune at (hi-

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The Navy League of AustraliaAPPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIPr \HISTORICALThe Navy League was established in Australia in 1901. initially inthe form of small branches of the United Kingdom Navy League(established in 1897) and since 1950 as an autonomous nationalbody headed by a Federal Council consisting of a Federal Presidentand representatives of the six States, the Australian CapitalTerritory and the Northern TerritoryThe Navy League of Australia is now one of a number ofindependent Navy Leagues formed in countries of the free world toinfluence public thinking on maritime matters and create interest inthe seaThe Navy League of Australia cordially invites you to join us inwhat we believe to be an important national tasky

MEMBERSHIPAny person with an interest in mantime affairs, or who wishes to acquire an interestin. or knowledge of. maritime affairs and who wishes to support the objectives of theLeague, is invited to joinOBJECTIVESThe principal objective of the Navy League of Australia is "The maintenance of I hiemaritime well-being of the Nation'' by• Keeping before the Australian people the fact that we arc a maritime nation andthat a strong Navy and a sound mantime industry are indispensable elements of ournational well-being and vital to the freedom of Australia• Promoting defence self reliance by actively supporting manufacturing, shipping andtransport industnes• Promoting, sponsoring and encouraging the interest of Australian youth in the seaand sea-services, and supporting practical sea-training measuresJOINING THE LEAGUETo become a Member of The League, simply complete the Application Form below,and post it. together with your first annual subscription of $22 (which includes thefour quarterly editions of The Nauy). to the Hon Secretary ol the Division of the NavyLeague in the State in which you reside, the address of which are as followsNEW SOUTH WALES DIVISION: GPO BOX 1719, Sydney, NSW 2001.VICTORIAN DIVISION: PO Box 1303. Box Hill Delivery Centra, Vic 3128.QUEENSLAND DIVISION: CI- PO Box 170, Cleveland, Old 4163.SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DIVISION: GPO Box 1529, Adelaide, SA 5001.TASMANIAN DIVISION: C/- 42 Army Road, Launceaton, Taa 7250.WEST AUSTRALIAN DIVISION: CI- 23 Lawtor Road. Attadale. WA 6156.It you live in the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory, pleaae post theform to the Hon Secretary of the New South Walea or South Auatrallan Divisionreaped Ively.Subscriptions are due on 1 July in each year, and your membership will be current to30 June immediately following the date on which you join the League, except that if yourfirat subscription is received during the period 1 April to 30 June In any year, your Initialmembership will be extended to 30 June In the following year.• Co operating with other Navy Leagues and sponsoring the exchange of cadets fortraining purposesACTIVITIESThe Navy League of Australia works towards its objectives in a number of ways• By including in its membership leading representatives of the many elements whichform the maritime communityTHE NAVY LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIAApplication for MembershipTo The Hon SecretaryThe Naw League of AustraliaDivision• Through soundly-based contributions by members to journals and newspapers, andother media comment• By supporting the Naval Reserve Cadets, and assisting in the provision of trainingfacilities• By encouraging and supporting visits by recognised world figures such as formerUnited States Chiefs of Naval Operations and Britain's First Sea Lords• By publishing The Navy, a quarterly journal reporting on local and overseasmantime happenings past, present and projectedSir or MadamI wish to (om the Navy League of Australia, the objectives of which I support, and Ienclose a remittance for $22 being my first annual subscription to 30 June nextName(Mr)(Mrs)(Ms)PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY(Rank)StreetSuburb• By maintaining contact with serving naval personnel through activities arrangeddunng visits to Australian ports of ships of the Royal Australian arid Allied NaviesStateSignaturePostcodeDale• By organising symposia, ship visits and various other functions of maritime interestthroughout the yearMember participation is encouraged in all these activitiesISubscriptions ere do* on 1 July In iKh year and your membership will be current to 30 JuneImmediately following the data on which you |oln the League, except thst If your firstsubscription Is received during the period 1 April to 30 June In sny yesr, your Inltlstmembership will be extended to M June in the following yearI

JOIN THENAVAL RESERVE CADETSIf you are between the ages of 13 and 18 year*:Hi* Naval Reserve Cadets provide lot the spiritual. social and cducabonal well are of boysand girls and help to develop Ibem in character, a sense ol patriotism, sell-reliance.uttfenship and disciplineUniforms are supplied Iree ol chargeCadets are required to produce a certificate from their doctor to confirm they are capableof carrying out the normal duties and activities of the Cadet Corps If iniured while on duty.Cadets ate considered for payment of compensationParades are normally held during a weekend day or on Friday eveningThe interesting syllabus of training covers a wide sphere and includes seamanship,handling of boats under sail and power navigation physical training rifle shooting signalling,splicing of ropes, general sporting activities and other varied subjectsInstructional camps are arranged for Cadets and they are also given opportunities,whenever possible, to undertake training at sea in ships of the Royal Australian NavyCadets, if ccrsidertng a sea career, are given every assistance to join the Royal AustralianNavy or Mercantile Marine but there is no compulsion to >o»n these ServicesFor further information, plea** contact the Senior Officer in your Stata. u*lng the addrea***providedbelowNEW SOUTH WALES Cadet Liaison Offlcar. HMAS Watson. Watsons Bay NSW 2030 Telephone(02) 9337 0640QUEENSLAND Senior Offlcar NRC, Naval Support Offlca. Bulimba Barracks, PO Box S44Bulimba OLD 4171. Telephone: (07) 321S 3512WESTERN AUSTRALIA Cadat Liaison Officer. HMAS Stirling. PO Box 22«. Rockingham WAtIM Telephone (OS) 9550 0444SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Cadat Liaiaon Officer. Naval Support Office. Keswick Barracks. AruacHighway. Keswick SA 5035 Telephone (04) 4305 4704.VICTORIA: Csdet Liaison Officer. Naval Boatshed. Nelson Place. Wllllamstown VIC 3014.Telephone (03) 9399 9924TASMANIA Cadet Liaison Officer. Naval Support Office. Anglesea Barracks. Locked Bag 3.Hobart TAS 7001 Telephone (03) 4237 7240AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: Commanding Officer. TS Canberra. HMAS Hsrman.Canberra ACT 2400. Telephone: (02) 4240 2742NORTHERN TERRITORY Cadat Liaison Officer. HMAS Coonawarra. PMB 11. Wtnneille NT 0421.Telephone (04) 4940 4444.THE NAVYAll enquiries regarding the Navy Magazine, subscriptions and editorial mattersshould be sent toThe Hon. Secretary. NSW DivisionNAVY LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIAGPO Box 1719, Sydney NSW 2001

APRIL-JUNE 1998 VOLUME 60 NO.2 $3.50

Above:A recent visitor to Austrahon ports. The USSBENFOLD is pictured arriving at the FleetBase East on 28 January for a five daygoodwill stopover. (Photo - NPU)THE NAVYFront Cover and rightAfter thirty years of service, the RAN'sguided missile destroyers still form animportant part of the Navy in 1998. Here,HMAS HOBART leads HMAS BRISBANEduring fleet exercises.(Photo - Naval Photo Unit)The Asian Financial Crisis and DefenceThe Royal Malaysian NavyThe Future New Zealand NavyAustralia's Strategic PolicyThe RAAF s FleetNew Navy Fire Safety DeviceTOWNSVIliE in the NewsWhat is a SBA >REGUU^EATURESViewpointNaval NewsObservationsThe Old NavyBook ReviewsCorporateMembersTHE AUSTRALIAN SHIPOWNERS'ASSOCIATIONCOMPUTER SCIENCES OF AUSTRALIAPTY LTDBTR AEROSPACE AUSTRALIAHAWKER DE HAVILLAND LIMITEDROCKWELL SYSTEMSAUSTRALIA PTY LTDSTRANG INTERNATIONAL PTY LTDTheNavyAll Letters to the Editor, contributions, etc to:The Editor. Ross Gillett4 Dela Close.Dee Why. NSW 2099Subscriptions and MembershipAll magazine subscription and membershipenquiries to:The Hon Secretary.NSW Division.Navy League of Australia.GPO Box 1719.Sydney. NSW. 2001Copy deadline for the next edition is9 May 1998.VIEWPOINTTHE NAVYThe second edition of The Navy in 1998examines two major topics, the RoyalMalaysian Navy in the 1990s and in a seminavalarea, the fleet of vessels operated bythe Royal Australian Air Force from theearly 1920s until 1993Many readers will be unaware of theexistence of the RAAF's Navy'. Over1,300 vessels of different types and sizesflew the RAAF Ensign, the majority duringthe Second World War in support of flyingboat and seaplane operations inAustralian. New Guinea and South EastAsian areas.Back to current events, sections of therecent New Zealand Defence Report arereproduced in this edition, with emphasison the Royal New Zealand Navy andmaritime assets of the RNZAF. Thisedition also presents an overview of theRAN's new Penguin anti-ship missile.Upcoming Naval events for the calendarinclude the Oceans Governance andMaritime Strategy Conference at theLakeside Hotel in Canberra over 18-19May. The aim of the conference will be tohighlight the greatest challenge facingmankind, the management of the oceansand its resources. For further detailsreaders should contact the MaritimeStudies Program on 02 6266 6116 or byfax on 02 6266 6754Later, during August, 1998. at the Naval AirStation. HMAS ALBATROSS will host themajor 50th Anniversary Air Day. with| dozens of aircraft and helicoptersexpected on show. The era of navalaviation on public disptayjwll span the fivedecades, witlv^niand static disptqt?.-*Ross GillettThe opinions or asservoHf txprtued tti Tfe Navy arethose of the authors and are notfttti^urS those of theFederal Council of the Navy League of Australia, theEditor of The Nary or the Royal Australian NavyThe Navy League ofAUSTRALIAFEDERAL COUNCILPatron in Chiet Hrs ExcHkncy. T>* Gcw^ior GeneralPiesidenC Graham M Hams, RFOVkxfnMMx RADMAJ Roheraon AQ DSC. RAN(Rid): John BrtCDRE HJP Aim AM. RAN (RollCAPT HA jonfta. AM. RAN (Rid)Hon.Senary: Ctoo SdvapelPO Bo l35.VUoodv*e.SA 5011 Tete(rfwe (08) 8347 1985 Fix(08)8347 3256NEW SOUTH WALES DIVISIONPetrort He ExcdencyThe Goemor al New, SoudsWHaPresident: R OAJberc. AM.RFDRDHon. Serrotary: | C | jeppesca GAM. RFO GPO Box(7l9.Sy*«yNSW 1043Telephone: (02) 9S70 8425 Fajc (02) 9232 8383VICTORIAN DIVISIONPatron: His Exccficncy. The Gownor of Victoria.PiWtecJ Mwais IVD*Hon. Secretary: T E KLAM. MBEVRD-. PO BOB (303Bo Hi Oeivery Caere VIC 3)28Tdephone and fix (03) 9560 9927QUEENSLAND DIVISIONPmidtnc IM Finer, QAMHon. Secretary: R D FYxittn. RFQ PO Box 170.Oevebnd.Q

aboutandthe. „r for the Hornets and F-111 s.The comments regarding the use ofcruise missiles to replace the F-111 s werequite interesting, and the summary of thevarious fighter replacement options waswell done.However, the YF-22 was merely describedas "an air superiority fighter which has ijust started flight trials" and nothingmore, and to balance the discussion. I felta few extra facts should be put beforeyour readers.Firstly, the YF-22 is a stealthy fighter, and jthis, combined with its unusually long jrange for a fighter, and its very agileperformance makes it capable ofreplicating the F-1II's ability toundertake long-range strike missionsunaccompanied by a fighter escort. It alsohas the ability to perform in theDefensive Counter Air and Close AirSupport roles as well or better than anycurrent fighter. Whereas the JSF. andparticularlyEurofighter are pure airsuperiority platforms, with short rangeand single engines, the YF-22 is a betterall-round choice, as its potency in air-toaircombat is enhanced by the tacticaladvantage of stealth, enabling it to closeand engage in optimal position.The outright cost of acquisition should bebalanced against the huge savings inlogistics which are achievable by havingthe one aircraft in both air superiorityand strike roles. The F- III is anotoriously expensive platform tomaintain, whereas the YF-22 will becheaper to maintain. In addition, wherethe F-111 has around 2500 componentsthat provide potential safety hazards bothon the flightline and at a crash site, theYF-22 will have less than 500.We should also not forget that the F-111came to us eight years late, millions overbudget and with a reputation as a whiteelephant, yet has been the most potentconventional strike aircraft in service fornearly thirty years. With impendingdelivery of 70-odd Su-30 Flankers toIndonesia (forget the Malaysian MiGs) weshould again buy the best, and maintainour edge over the region.Flight Lieutenant Michael VaggRAAF Williams, Laverton.THE NAVYAustralian Yachtsmen's SchemeDear Sir.I am seeking the assistance of yourreaders with a project I have to recordthe active service lives of some of therecruits to the Australian Yachtsmen'sScheme which was introduced in 1940 tohelp the UK war effort.More than 450 men went from Australiato serve as officers with the RN underthis scheme, with a large proportionbeing in the 30 to 40 age group. Thesewere appointed at once as officers, theyounger participants entering first asordinary seamen. Whilst all Australianstates were represented under thescheme, a total of more than half of themen in fact came from Western Australiaand New South Wales.As some readers may be aware, the firstgroup of volunteers (now well over 70years of age) had its 50th anniversary inSydney in September 1990.Bernard Bayly Wests (deceased) and Iwere among the first to volunteer for thescheme. We trained for sea service atHMS COLLINGWOOD, in Hampshire. Bernserved in the North Adantic on HMSCAIRO, then HMS KING ALFRED in Sussex.He was appointed first Lieutenant of aFairmile ML operating out of Stornawayin the Hebrides, and responsible for coordinatingair/sea rescue between thereand the UK. After being appointedCaptain in his own ML. Bern served in theMediterranean on convoy and escortduties during the height of the desertcampaign. After the landings in Italy hewas sent back to Australia and served inthe RAN in command of a coastal vesseltransporting stores and materialstoBorneo and the islands to the North ofAustralia.I was drafted to the destroyer HMSQUORN operating between the channeland the Orkney Islands and conductingescort duties in the Western Approaches.I was later in command of my own MLwhich was sent to the port of Freetownin West Africa to act as escort toincoming convoys and for relief escortwork. Later again I took part in D Daylandings based at Arromanches beforetraining as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm.hoping to provide support against theJapanese in the Far East. Soon aftercompleting my flying training the atombomb was dropped on japan and ourplanes were grounded.I have some details of another Westernend Australian. Roy Hall, and sparsedetails of others such as Ted Thomas. KenHamblett. and Jack Moppett just to namea few.I am anxious to record as much detail aspossible of the Scheme and the men whoserved under it, and I hope publication ofthis letter may prompt others to recordtheir experiences and send them to me.or let me have information regardingothers to whom I may write. I would bevery happy to collate the information in asmall booklet, should there be sufficientresponse.In conclusion I would like to say howmuch I enjoy receiving and readingThe Navy magazine with its excellentcoverage of world-wide matters Naval.Yours faithfullyGA NegusLaurel Nursery. Green Lane,Fleet End RoadWARSASHHants S03 9JJEnglandPlated foredeck of the destroyer VOYAGER, under construction at Cockatoo in 1955.(Photo - M. Koczmarowski)PAGE 2Editor: The "TOWNSVILLE" story isincluded in this issue. (See page 2 7)THE NAVYA number of readers hove enquired about the current condiUon of the ex HMAS WHYALLA. preservedashore m Whyolla. South Australia The four views, supplied by Ron Mead, depict the ship overall, hernew four inch gun. the bridge deck and commemorative plaque.Trawler RecordDear Sir.As a regular reader of The Navy I thoughtyou may be interested in the recentexploits of the patrol boat TOWNSVILLEThe attached article by SBLT StephenTaylor. RAN. covers the apprehension inDecember last year of what is believed tobe the largest fishing vessel apprehendedinside the Australian Fishing Zone (AFZ).The vessel was chased by TOWNSVILLEunder the rules of 'Hot Pursuit' frominside the AFZ and only stopped when ithad crossed the 'dividing' line. Even thenshe only came to a complete halt aftervolleys of rifle fire and having theTOWNSVILLE crew prepare the mainarmament for use.The TOWNSVILLE story may complementthe earlier piece on HMAS ANZAC andthe even more recent HMASNEWCASTLE apprehension in February.Our own plans are to capture more ofthe same, sending a big message tounlicensed fishermen; "If you fish illegallyin Australian waters, the RAN will bethere to sort you out".Yours faithfully.Piers ChattertonLCDR RANCommanding OfficerHMAS "TOWNSVILLE"Survey Ship ArticleDear Sir.With reference to the excellent HMASMORESBY story in the last edition of TheNavy. I can recall as a teenager, before theSecond World War, also a white paintedsurvey ship.I would like to know if you or any of yourreaders could provide a photographand/or information on the earlier ship ofthe name.Regards,H.TerryPenrith 2745Editor: A brief description of the firstHMAS "MORESBY" and photograph of herin survey white have been forwarded toMr Terry.PAGE I IOld ShipsDear Sir.One of your correspondents in yourJanuary-March 1998 edition of The Navyexpresses his concern at the loss of partof our Navy history, with the disposal ofits ships.Your readers may be interested in theactivities of several groups in WesternAustralia regarding two vessels, currendystill in RAN service. The Naval HeritageCentre (WA) is a small but active groupof former RAN personnel, who areseeking a vessel to be the basis of a navyheritage facility, to be located inFremantle.The group has been active forseveral years and made a comprehensiveand respectable submission regarding theformer HMAS SWAN, when she wasdecommissioned in September 1997.However, such was the program ofregarding undertaken by the RAN that allthat was left of SWAN was a hulk, animpossible basis on which to develop aheritage centre, with almost all fittings,equipment and furnishings beingremoved. SWAN as your readers nowknow, lies in Geographe Bay. Busselton, inthe south-west of WA. as a dive wreck.Notwithstanding this temporary setback,the Naval Heritage Centre regrouped andis now actively seeking another vessel,probably the guided missile destroyerHMAS PERTH - the name giving the shipspecial relevance for WA. By the time youread this, the group will have met with theWA Minister for Tourism, with a view toget local support for the project.Western Australia, without being tooparochial, is arguably one of Australia'smajor maritime States. It has also played asignificant role in Australia's naval historyand it would be fitting if a navy heritagefacility was established here. The NavalHeritage Centre group received widecommunity support for its SWANproposal, plus considerable interest fromlocal authorities.

THE NAVYTHE NAVYAs far as HMAS FLINDERS is concerned, alocal independent maritime traininginstitute is seeking her for use as a seagoingtraining vessel. The institute trainsships' masters, marine engine drivers,deckhands and coxswains, etc.. for workin the maritime industries. The ship hasbeen visited, inspected, and a businessplan has been prepared, outlining how theship can be deployed after her RAN life,making a further contribution toAustralia. This plan includes making thevessel available for training purposes fornaval reserve cadets, in trainingestablishments up and down the WAcoastline.However, unless arguments other thaneconomic are considered by theCommonwealth Government when itdisposes of its assets, including RANships, both of these worthwhile proposalsmay not succeed. While it isunderstandable in these times of"economic rationalism" that both theprivate and public sector wants to get thebest return on its assets, there are stillmay other reasons to retain these ships.It would be sad to see FLINDERS, forexample, go to overseas interests, andend up catching dolphins on long-lines.This ship is an Australian asset and shouldbe retained in Australia's interests, notsold off like a used government computer,ministerial car. or office furniture.VAMPIRE, alongside at the AustralianNational Maritime Museum, attracts60.000 visitors annually. Certainly its ideallocation in Darling Harbour helps tomake these figures healthy. DIAMANTINAin Brisbane, and CASTLEMAINE inMelbourne are two more success storiesabout naval heritage vessels.All of these heritage centres have severalthings in common.They all rely heavily ona dedicated band of volunteers - to actas guides, and to help with somemaintenance. VAMPIRE also getsconsiderable government support via theANMM. and I understand it also receivedassistance from the RAN in establishingits current role. Private sponsors alsomake an important contribution, in cashand in kind.It is stating the obvious that theestablishment and continued operation ofsuch naval heritage centres are expensiveundertakings HMS BELFAST, the RoyalCommissioning ceremony. HMAS FARNCOMb at fremantle. March. 1198 (NPU)Navy's former cruiser now lying in theThames between London and Towerbridges, reportedly costs the ImperialWar Museum in Britain approximatelyStg. £5.000 per day to stay open. Ofcourse Australia's naval heritage shipscost much less than this.But what is the price one should pay forthe nation's heritage? AustralianGovernments have, for example, quiterightly funded the Australian WarMuseum for decades. Other moremodest heritage facilities andestablishments around the countryshould also be considered for officialgovernment support.Readers of The Navy serving RANpersonnel and members of the NavyLeague of Australia might like to helpretain this nation's naval heritage bywriting to Federal Government Ministers,expressing their support for such facilities- and urging government support for thecreation of some new ones.Yours Faithfully.Roy StallNaval Heritage Centre (WA)PO Box 198Mosman Park WA 60120149 042 468 (m)THEWHYALLATHE ASIANFINANCIAL CRISIS ANDDEFENCEBy Navy LeaguerOver Che last few months, both printand electronic media have carriedextensive reports, opinion andconjecture on the financial crisesthat have beset South Korea, ThePhilippines, Thailand, Malaysia andIndonesia.As neighbours and important tradingpartners, the difficulties of these friendlypowers are of great importance toAustralia.Defence is an important aspect of this.These powers have had to makeextensive cuts in governmentexpenditure. These include cuts indefence. Some decisions are already clear.Others have yet to be finalised. Many ofthem involve the cancellation orpostponement of defence equipmentpurchases.Thus Indonesia has postponed indefinitelythe purchase of new fighters, militaryhelicopters and naval vessels from Russia.Thailand is seeking ways of minimising theconsequences of a purchase of F/A-I8Dstrike fighters from the USA. Thispurchase, for which Thailand has a verytight contractual obligation, is difficult toavoid. It is suggested that Thailand mayaccept delivery of the aircraft and try andre-sell them elsewhere.Recognising that it is very difficult toavoid a purchase alreadyMalaysiacontracted.is reviewing all its planneddefence purchases. Some will bepostponed. Those to which the greatestpriority is attached will proceed.Practical experience has shown that it isvery difficult to cut defence expenditurein the short term. The opportunity tomake cuts is limited to personnel trainingand operational readiness. Cuts inequipment can generally only be achievedby canceling projects for which contractshave not yet been placed. These cutsnecessarily take time to show up in anation's financial performance.Nevertheless, it is inevitable that the cutsnow being determined by regionalpowers will result in a weakening of theirdefence in the medium term.There are those whoargue that aweakening of regional powers' defencecapabilities diminishes the need for anincrease in Australian defence funding.This argument is wrong - fundamentallywrong. Australia needs to increase itsdefence expenditure to maintain itstechnological edge in the broad regiongenerally, particularly compared to thoselarger powers who are as yet at leastunaffected by the financial crises besettingsome countries to our near north.These near northern countries areAustralia's friends. It is not in Australia'sinterests for our friends to be forced toweaken their defences. With strongdefences, in defending themselves ournear northern neighbours act as a barrierfor Australia. More likely, and verysignificantly, these near northernneighbours play an important part inensuring the security of vital sea lanesthrough and near the Indonesianarchipelago.The security of maritime trade transitingthe Malacca. Sunda and Lombok Straitsand other constricted waterways is ofvital importance to Australia's economy.This aspect of Australia's defence planningand force structure needs more attentionthan it has received in the unclassifiedversion of Canberra's recently published"Australia's Strategic Policy". This majorpolicy statement pays most attention tothe defence of the sea/air gap.There is no doubt that this is importantproviding, as it does, the means of defenceagainst invasion of continental Australia.However, although if it were to eventuatesuch a threat would be truly terrible forthe Australian people, that threat is alsothe least likely threat to Australia.Threats to our economy through hostileaction against our overseas and coastalmaritime trade are far more feasible,particularly recognising the growingmaritime strength of larger regionalpowers (as distinct from regional powersto our near north).Our combat maritime forces, and plans toupdate them, are:* Three guided missile destroyers, due tobe paid off in the next few years.* Six Adelaide class FFG7 class frigates,due to be modernised early nextcentury.* One Anzac class frigate, with sevenmore on order, due to undergo a majorwar fighting improvement programme.* One River class frigate, due to be paidoff shortly.* Two Collins class submarines, with fourmore building.* Two Oberon class submarines due to bepaid off shortly.* Six Huon class minehunters on order.* A number of smaller mine countermeasures craft* Sixteen Seahawk S-70B2 helicopters forthe frigates* Eleven Super Seasprite SH-2G(A)helicopters on order for the frigates.* Eighteen P-3C Orion aircraft, beingupgraded.* About thirty five F-111 strike aircraft,being upgraded.+ About seventy F/A-I8A/B strikefighters, which it is planned to upgrade.The new construction and upgradingprogramme represents very substantialexpenditure and a significant portion ofAustralia's defence budget. The firstconcern is the numbers of ships andaircraft. Many units will be very wellequipped when they enter service.However, the numbers may be insufficientto fulfill the defence duties required.However, there are gaps. Looking ahead,there will be further gaps unless rectifyingaction is taken soon.Firstly, the best and most modernequipment is ineffective unless sufficientfully trained personnel are on line withthat equipment. The ADF's shortage ofpersonnel in some categories reducesoperational readiness. This is exemplifiedby the RAN's Seahawk helicopters.Although we have enough aircraft ininventory, not enough of them haveachieved sufficient operationalqualifications to equip those Adelaideclass frigates which are operational.Another example is the P-3C Orions.TheADF will not reveal how many crews areprovided. That very reluctance impliesthat there are not enough P-3C crewsavailable. Secondly, insufficient flying hoursand sea going time are allowed to bringADF maritime units up to a satisfactorylevel of operational training.Thirdly, moreneeds to be done to develop theintegrated use of weapons and sensorsalready available in individual air andmaritime units. Fourthly, plans to buildnew generation destroyer type ships, tosucceed the Adelaide class are repeatedlypostponed. At first, the first of these shipswas stated to be required by 2005. Nowthat date has slipped to 2013. One lessonthe RAN has already learned is that,however good the maintenance, old shipsand aircraft cannot last forever. Fifthly,plans for a new generation of underwayreplenishment and maritime supportships need to receive prompt attention.Above all. it must be recognised thatweaker defence forces for our nearnorthern friends do not permit aweakening of the ADF. On the contrary,the ADF must be strengthened to fill thegapPAGE 4PAHF S

THE NAVYTHE NAVYTHE ROYALM A ^ t t j A ^ M ^ ^New Ships. Capabilities and ChallengesBy Mike JamesThe Royal Malaysian Navy (or TenteraLaut) is responsible for some of thebusiest waterways in the world, withmuch of the bulk freight and oil traffic ofthe South East Asian region passingthrough Malaysian waters for at least partof its journey. In addition the Federationof Malaysia encompasses the mainlandStates and the States of Sabah andSarawak, located on the island of Borneosome 700 nautical miles across the SouthChina Sea. The combined ExclusiveEconomic Zones of these widelyseparated areas takes in the disputedterritory of the Spratley and MischiefReefs, claimed in whole or part byMalaysia. Indonesia. Brunei. Vietnam. ThePhilippines and China.The potentially vastenergy reserves believed to lie underthese coral reefs ensure that theirownership will remain a hot topic for theforeseeable future. Establishing a claim tothe area, and enforcing it, requires anocean-going navy, and it is not surprisingthat most of the claimants are engagedin building up naval forces to allowthem to better support their territorialambitions.The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) isengaged in a far reaching upgrade,acquiring new vessels and introducingnew capabilities into the fleet. Thepurchase of new ships from the UK andGermany, together with second handvessels from Italy and the United States,have strengthened the Navy's abilities topatrol Malaysian territorial waters andreinforce Malaysia's maritime claims in thedisputed waters of the South China Seas.Malaysia is engaged in developing thecapabilities to allow it to grow from acoastal or "brown water" navy, to oneMalaysian frigate LEKIR. (John Mortimer)capable of operating in its closer littoralwaters. so-called "green water"operations.SUBMARINESThe RMN has expressed a desire toacquire submarines for at least ten years.At one time or another interest has beenshown in submarines from Germany.Sweden. France and the UK.Unfortunately for the RMN the necessaryfinancial resources have not been madeavailable to allow a purchase to proceed.In late 1990 an announcement was madethat two Swedish Kokums A19 classsubmarines would be purchased, modifiedto suit Malaysia's tropical conditions. Twodecommissioned Swedish Navy DRAKENclass boats would be acquired fortraining. However, this statement wasfollowed early the following year by anannouncement that the submarinepurchase would be deferred toconcentrate on surface ships.Realistically, a Malaysian submarinerequirement would be for a number ofsmaller boats capable of operating in theshallow, reef-cluttered waters off theMalaysian peninsular and out into theSouth China Sea. Neighbouring countrieshave opted for similar small submarines.Missile patrol boot. KAKSAMANA HANG NADIM. onginaHy ordered for the Iroqi Navy but neverdelivered (John Mortimer)as evidenced by Singapore's purchase ofthree ex-Swedish Navy SJOORMEN classboats and Indonesia's decision to acquirefive ex-German Navy Type 206 coastalsubmarines. A final decision is still somedistance off. especially with the onset ofthe Asian economic crisis.MAJOR WARSHIPSThe core of any navy is its surface combatforce of frigates and corvettes. Able tooperate far from land in adverse weatherconditions, they provide the centrepieceof a nations maritime strategy.Malaysia currently operates a singlefrigate, the 1600 tonne RAHMAT. whichcommissioned in 1971. Originally armedwith a single 4.5 inch and three Bofors40mm guns a single Limbo antisubmarinemortar and a Seacat antiaircraftmissile launcher (since removed).RAHMAT is today realistically capable ofonly limited coast guard and trainingduties.The RMN has recognised RAHMAT'slimitations and in 1992 ordered twoLEKIU class frigates from the UKshipbuilder Yarrow. The ships. LEKIU andJEBAT. are 2300 tonne frigates which bringa new level of sophistication to the RMN.With a complement of 146 and armedwith eight Exocet surface to surfacemissiles (SSM). 16 Seawolf vertical launchsurface to air missiles (SAM), six antisubmarinehoming torpedo tubes, aBofors 57 mm gun and two rapid fire 30mm cannon, they are by far the mostcapable ships in the Malaysian order ofbattle. In addition both ships are fittedwith a hangar for a single helicopter,making them the only front line warshipsin the fleet so equipped. Both shipscommissioned in August 1997. however,problems with their sophisticated combatdata systems delayed their departure andthey remain in the UK undergoing furthertrials and testing.To supplement the new frigates. Malaysiaoperates two classes of corvettes. Thetwo ships of the older German builtKASTURI class commissioned in 1984.Until the commissioning of the LEKIUclass. KASTURI and LEKIR were the mostcapable warships in the fleet.Displacing 1800 tonnes with acomplement of 124, each ship is armedwith four Exocet SSM. a single Creusot-Loire 100 mm gun. a Bofors 57 mm gun.two twin mounts for 30 mm rapid firecannons and a Bofors anti-submarinemortar. While not fitted with a hangar,both ships have a platform allowing themto operate a single Westland Wasphelicopter.Rumours began circulating in 1995 thatMalaysia may have been interested inpurchasing several ex-Iraqi missilecorvettes that had been completed byItaly's Fincanteri in the early 1990s butnot paid for or delivered. These rumourswere confirmed in 1996 when a contractwas signed for the delivery of two of theASSAD class corvettes in 1997 following ashort refit. A further two weresubsequently acquired for delivery in1998.At 62 metres in length and displacing 700tonnes, the ships are heavily armed fortheir size. They mount six OtomatTeseo 2 SSMs. a four cell mount forSelenia Aspide SAM. an Oto Melara76 mm gun. one Breda turret mountingtwo 40 mm rapid fire cannon and sixanti-submarine torpedo tubes. Capable of37 knots with a complement of 47. theships have more in common with fastmissile attack craft than normalcorvettes.The ASSAD class share almost nocommonality with ships currently inservice, introducing a completely new setof electronics, weapons, engines anddesign philosophy into the fleet. This willundoubtedly result in difficulties inmaintaining these ships, at least in theearly years. Indonesia found itself in asimilar predicament when it purchased anumber of former East German warships,bringing with them a new set of sparesrequirements, resulting in problems withreliability and interoperability withexisting systems.Despite these problems, the newcorvettes will add a potent strikecapability, and it can be expected thatefforts will be made to refit the ships toallow them to better interact with otherunits. Communication and electronicwarfare equipment will probably be thefirst items to be replaced with RMNstandard gear.PATROL FORCESThe RMN operates a large number ofsmaller patrol craft, to undertake the twinroles of ocean patrol ana sea control ofMalaysian territorial waters. The classesbroadly break down into two groups, thesmall missile and gun a-med fast attackcraft for coastal patrol amongst thenumerous small islands that litterMalaysia's coastline, and larger offshorepatrol vessels (OPVs) capable of longperiods on station, enforcing the 200nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone.The offshore patrol role has been filled bythe two MUSYTARI class OPVs.The nameship was built in Korea and commissionedin 1985. with the second. MARIKH. built inMalaysia, commissioning in 1987. Armedwith a single Creusot-Loire 100 mm gunand two twin turrets mounting 30 mmrapid fire cannon and capable of speedsup to 22 knots, they are simple butefficient long range patrol vessels. Theireffectiveness would be enhanced by anembarked helicopter however no hangarfacilities were incorporated, although theflight deck can land a single medium sizedhelicopter.The requirement to operate at greaterdistances to patrol the EEZ and enforceMalaysian claims to areas of the SouthChina Sea required more OPV class ships.The Navy issued a request for tenders in1994 oudining a requirement for 27 OPVsto be built in Malaysia. Almost every navalshipbuilder in the world offered a design,including Australia's Transfield (now Tenix).builders of the ANZAC class frigates, witha joint project to satisfy the Malaysianrequirement and to fulfill the RoyalAustralian Navy's need for a replacementfor the Fremantle class patrol boats.Following numerous delays the Blohmand Voss proposal was selected inOctober 1997. This vessel, the MEKO A-100, incorporates a number of stealthfeatures and would, when fully fitted witharmament, helicopter and sensors, be avery capable asset. Information fromwithin the RMN suggests however thatfor reasons of economy the first batch ofsix ships will be fitted "for but not with"a large proportion of the intendedweapon fit. Amongst the missingequipment will be the surface to air andsurface to surface missiles and possiblythe anti-submarine homing torpedoes.Indeed, given the depths of Malaysia'scurrent economic crisis, there must be aquestion mark over the number of shipsto be built and their final armament It ishard to imagine that all 27 OPVs will becompleted, and that they will be armedto the full specifications originallyenvisioned.One of the oldest ships in the Molaysian Novy is the former USN tank landing ship RAJA JAROM.Built in 1945 she was transferred to the Royal Molaysian Novy in 1974. (John Mortimer)The remainder of the patrol forcecomprises gun and missile armed attackcraft. The oldest are the 18 boats of theVosper designed SABAH and KRIS classes.Basically identical, these patrol boatsdisplace 110 tonnes full load and arearmed with two Bofors 40 mm cannonand two machine guns. Capable of 27knots with a complement of 22. theseships are adequate for coastal patrol,although their age. (commissionedbetween 1964 and 1967), must be a causeof concern.The next class to be commissioned werethe four fast attack craft - missile of thePERDANA class, built in France to amodified LA COMBATTANTE designbetween 1972 and l973.These are armedwith two Exocet SSMs. a Bofors 57 mmand a single Bofors 40 mm gun. Capableof 36 knots, they each have complementof 30. The PERDANA class were followedby the six strong JERONG class of fastattack craft - gun commissioned between1976 and 1977. Built in Malaysia to aGerman design, they displace 244 tonnes,have a complement of 36 and are armedwith a Bofors 57 mm gun and a singleBofors 40 mm.PAGE 6PAr.c 7

imTHE NAVYDisplaying hull number 1504 is the logistic support ship MAHAWANGSA. built in South Korea andcompleted in 1983 (John Mortimer)The most recenc class is the HANDALANclass of fast attack craft - missile, four ofwhich were built in Sweden,commissioning in 1979. Displacing 240tonnes they are armed with four ExocetSSMs. a Bofors 57 mm gun. and a singleBofors 40 mm gun. Maximum speed is 34knots, with a complement of 40.The fast attack craft squadrons are aging,with the force ranging from 20 - 30 plusyears old. In addition, experience in the1991 Persian Gulf War demonstrated thevulnerability of fast attack craft tohelicopters armed with anti-ship missiles.A point defence missile system is nowseen as a requirement for modernwarships, and incorporating just such asystem, plus the associated radars and firecontrol systems, was a major reason forthe increase in size of modern fast attackcraft, as seen in the ASSAD missilecorvettes, which weigh over 700 tonnes.The OPV competition was seen as a wayto procure a large number of larger, morecapable and more seaworthy vessels toreplace the fast attack squadrons. Thequestion will be the ability of theMalaysian defence budget to support theconstruction of all the proposed 27 OPVsand their associated weapons andequipment.N/ HONThe RMN operates 11 Westland Wasphelicopters, however, no more than fiveare in operation, the remainder providingspares to maintain the aging machines inservice. While acquired second hand in1988. the Wasp is a 1950s vintagehelicopter and is well overdue forreplacement. A decision is due to bemade between the Westland Sea Lynxand the Kaman Super Seasprite. Australia.New Zealand and Egypt selected thelatter, while several other navies havegone with the Super Lynx. A decision isexpected before the end of the year.While none of the current ships in serviceare fitted with more than a platform forhelicopters, both the new frigates andoffshore patrol vessels will be fitted withhangar facilities for embarked helicopters.MINE WARFARE ANDAMPHIBIOUS FORCESThe RMN showed an early awareness ofthe threat a mining campaign could poseto Malaysia's maritime trade andaccordingly took steps to establish adedicated mine warfare capability. Thisculminated in the commissioning of four610 tonnes Italian LERICI classminehunters in 1985. Known as theMAHAMIRU class, they are similar in manyrespects to the Royal Australian Navy'sHUON class minehunters and areequipped to locate and clear mines usingremotely piloted underwater vehicles anddivers. It was originally intended that asecond group of minehunters would beprocured in due course. However, it hasbeen determined that a larger and morecapable vessel should now be acquired.A number of amphibious vessels aremaintained to support the army, providingtransport between the mainland and thestates of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as theoutlying islands. Another requirement isto support the Malaysian Army on UnitedNations deployments. Malaysia havingparticipated in a number of major UNpeacekeeping forces worldwide.The largest vessel in the amphibious forceis the former USS SPARTANBURGCOUNTY, a NEWPORT class landing shiptank (LST). Purchased in 1994 andcommissioning the following year as theSRI INDERAPURA. she can transport some400 troops and up to 500 tonnes ofvehicles. The most striking feature ofthese ships are the protruding bowhorns, which support a ramp which canlink the ship to a beach or causeway,allowing direct landing of troops andvehicles. This unusual arrangement wasrequired to enable a maximum speed of20 knots, impossible to achieve with thetraditional bow doors of older LSTs.For situations where disembarking via thebow doors is not possible. SRIINDERAPURA carries three Landing CraftVehicle / Personnel (LCVP) and a singleLanding Craft Personnel / Logistics(LCPL), all of which can be loaded via thestern door. Displacing some 8500 tonneswith a complement of 257. SRIINDERAPURA can operate helicoptersfrom her flight deck but has no supportfacilities. A single Vulcan Phalanx 20 mmanti-missile system is fitted for defence.The RMN also operates two SecondWorld War vintage LSTs. SRI BANGGI (ex-HENRY COUNTY) and RAJA JAROM (ex-SEDGEWICK COUNTY) were transferredfrom the US Navy in 1974. Displacing4080 tonnes at full load, they cantransport up to 125 troops and 2100tonnes of stores. If they are required tobeach to deliver their cargo a maximumof 500 tonnes of stores can be embarked.The blunt bow formed by the bow doorslimits their maximum speed to 11 knotswhile their antiquated systems require acomplement of 128 each. Each is armedwith four Bofors 40 mm guns.Two small logistic support ships areoperated by the RMN. SRI INDERA SAKTIand MAHAWANGSA commissioned in1980 and 1983 respectively and areparticularly versatile assets, combiningthe capabilities of military transport,landing ship, replenishment ship and cadettraining ships. Armed with a Bofors 57mm gun (two in MAHAWANGSA) and two20 mm cannon, they are capable of 16knots and have a range of 4000 nauticalmiles. Displacing 4900 tonnes at full loadboth can embark up to 17 tanks and 600troops, and are fitted with command andcontrol facilities to control small militaryoperations To replenish army vehicles orsmall patrol craft. 1200 tons of diesel fuelis carried, with facilities fitted to allowunderway replenishment at sea.In addition to the normal complement of136. up to 65 cadets may be embarked fortraining cruises. These ships havesupported deployments by other unitsoutside Malaysian territory, withMAHAWANGSA providing logistic supportto the corvette LEKIR on their 1991deployment to south eastern Australia. Atvarious times both have acted as motherships to detachments of patrol craft andmine warfare vessels, as well asammunition transports. Given theversatility demonstrated by these shipsthey should be seen as excellent value formoney.AUXILIARIESA number of smaller auxiliaries areoperated by the RMN on a range of tasks.These include survey, general transport,salvage and cadet training.The largest auxiliary is the 1900 tonnesurvey ship MUTIARA, commissioned in1978. Built in Malaysia, she is fitted witha comprehensive range of surveyequipment and operates six smallersurvey launches. Armed with two 20 mmcannon. MUTIARA is fitted with a platformto operate helicopters. A complement of155 includes numerous survey specialists.A second survey ship of generally similarcapabilities is under construction.To supply the military in the states ofSabah and Sarawak a number of varioussmall supply ships are operated, includingdry and liquid stores carriers and fueltankers. Eleven harbour tugs of varioussizes and origins are operated to providesupport at RMN naval bases on thepeninsula and in Sabah and Sarawak.Clearance diving support is provided bythe diving tender DUYONG, a 140 tonnevessel commissioned in 1971. DUYONG isfitted with a recompression chamber andfacilities to support the operations of upto a dozen divers.Training for cadets is undertaken onboard the former frigate HANG TUAH andthe sail training ship TUNAS SAMUDERA,supplemented by training cruises onboard the small logistic ships SRI INDERASAKTI and MAHAWANGSA. 2HANG TUAH is a 2500 tonne formerfrigate now used in the training role.Originally ordered by President Nkrumahof Ghana, the deal collapsed following hisunseating in a coup. Completed in 1968the ship was reluctantly commissionedinto the RN in 1973 as HMS MERAAAIDbut saw little service. Transferred toMalaysia in 1977 she was for many yearsB O O I U I E V I E ^ ^ ^ ^Worship 1997-1998Edited by David McLean and Antony PrestonPublished by Conway Maritime PressReview Copy from DLS AustraliaReviewed by Ross GillettThe Warship annual is prepared for thenaval enthusiast, featuring a diversenumber of topical and historical, technicaland historical articles.For Australia, the coverage in this editionbegins with the story of the Royal Navy'sFlying Squadron world cruise of 1869-70.its various port visits and a commentaryon the success or otherwise of the timeand effort put into the deployment.THE NAVYSurvey ship MUTIARA. (John Mortimer)the largest warship in the RMN. In 1991 adecision was made to refit her for hernew role as a training ship, a role shecontinues to fulfill. In addition to hertraining role HANG TUAH carries outcoastal patrol duties, for which herarmament of a Bofors 57 mm gun. twoBofors 40 mm and a Limbo antisubmarinemortar is more than adequate.Recently undergoing a major reengineeringwith Wartsila diesel's. she iscapable of 24 knots. Complement is 210.TUNAS SAMUDERA is a 239 tonne twomasted brig built in the United Kingdomand commissioned in 1989. Acomplement of 10 is supplemented by upto 26 trainees from the Navy, merchantmarine and maritime wing of the police.FUTUREThe Royal Malaysian Navy is at acrossroads. It is engaged in the transitionfrom a green water coastal navy to onecapable of extended operations out fromthe waters of the Malaysian peninsula intothe South China Sea. The acquisition ofnew frigates, the ex-Iraqi corvettes andIn a book such as this, Conway, hassuccessfully provided a good overallhistorical coverage of the different eras ofnaval warfare, including early kite balloonsof the US Navy between I9i5 and 1922.Another excellent article describes thefinal era of Canadian naval aviation, up tothe demise of their last carrier.BONAVENTURE in 1969.Warship1997 also includes a worldround-up of naval comings and goings, andthe most notable naval books since thelast edition. Ironically, one of the bookreviews actually describes Jane'sBattleships of the 20th Century, as a poorinvestment in funds, not really fitting thetitle of notable in any way.the offshore patrol vessels signals theemergence of the RMN as a navy withambitions to play a larger maritime rolewithin the region. While useful steps havebeen taken to upgrade the capabilities ofthe RMN, some elements remain aconcern. Block obsolescence of thepatrol boat squadrons is a real threat, onewith major implications for Malaysia'sability to patrol its substantial EEZ fromthe threat of poaching, smuggling, piracyand illegal immigration. With funds likelyto remain tight for some time, the chanceof the additional offshore patrol vesselsbeing procured to replace the olderpatrol boats seems unlikely, at least in theshort term.The potentially vast oil and natural gasresources believed to lie under theSpratley and Mischief Reefs and thenumerous claimants to those resourcessuggests that the RMN will continueto receive funding, despite Malaysia'scurrent economic difficulties. A firmfoundation has been laid for the buildingof a navy for the 21st century, now wemust wait to see what is built on thatfoundation.PAGE 8PAGE I I

THE NAVYTHE NAVYTHE FUTURE NEWZEALAND NAVYC N S (RNZN)SPEAKING(From New Zealand Naval News and theDefence Plan for the Future)When I took over as your Chief Isaid that my first aim was to delivercertainty to you.Certainty in our policies, certainty in ourprocesses, and certainty in our forcestructure. Behind this undertaking wasmy belief that you deserved a clear andunambiguous indication of the future ofthe Navy so that you could plan your ownindividual career according to yourpersonal circumstances. This briefing isdesigned to tell you directly of theoutcome of the Defence Assessment andwhat it means to the Navy and to you.Defence Assessment. They are significantitems of expenditure for any nation.Throughout the Defence Assessmentprocess it has been consistentlyrepresented by me that, based on ouranalysis, four ANZAC frigates arerequired to meet current outputrequirements and fully meet the defencepolicy objectives. Three frigates cannotguarantee that all tasks can be met andsustained.The government is committed tomaintaining a Naval Combat Force of notless than three surface combatants. It hasdecided, however, that only three shipsare appropriate to New Zealand'spresent circumstances.As a consequence, the option for twofurther ANZAC frigates will not beexercised. Additionally, the reduction tothree frigates is to be implementedimmediately to meet other NZDFfunding requirements over the next fiveyears.The new frigate TE KAHA, with HMAS DARWIN. February, 1998. (Brian Morrison)Because there has been speculation onthe issue. I will first touch briefly on thewidely reported prospect of acquiringsecond-hand FFG7 frigates from theUSN. The evaluation of this proposalshowed quite conclusively that it wouldnot be a sensible decision.Apart from theinherent difficulties of operating twodistinct classes of ship in a small navy, theanalysis of the purchase, modification andthrough-life operation- costs showed thatit would not be an affordable option.While the synergies of operating a mixedANZAC and FFG7 fleet with Australiawere considerable, so were the costs, andthe proposal will not be pursued.It will be no surprise to any of you thatthe capital cost of frigates loomed large inthe government's deliberations on theThe following will therefore occur:- WAIKATO will pay off in July 1998;- WELLINGTON will pay off whenTE MANA becomes operational; and- CANTERBURY will pay off when thethird replacement ship becomesoperational.Clearly three ships cannot meet thecommitments previously fulfilled by fourships, and there will be somereadjustment required in operatingpatterns, exercise commitments, andrepresentation and sovereignty tasks toavoid longer peacetime deployments. Thetransition to the new combat force willalso require adjustment to recruitment,training and employment patterns assteam and other old systems are phasedout. These issues, and the introduction ofthe Seasprite helicopters will requirecareful management I pledge to deliverthat careful management.The other significant change in forcestructure terms is that the long-plannedmodifications to CHARLES UPHAM will bedeferred again and the ship leased outtemporarily, probably for about threeyears.On the capital equipment front in theimmediate future. the DefenceAssessment has confirmed that theproposal to acquire a Bridge Simulatorwill proceed, and. subject to the outcomeof the Real Estate Review, therefurbishment of the Kauri Pointarmament complex will be initiated.Other issues, notably Project Wakakuraand additional New Entryaccommodation, remain subject to RealEstate Review consideration.The outcome of the Defence Assessmentfor Navy then is that uncertainties overforce structure remain. What thedecisions mean to you as individuals willundoubtedly vary, but I would encourageyou to look for the positive aspects in theblueprint that has now unfolded. Thecommitment to an ocean-going combatforce of capable vessels remains. Longoverdue modern and effective helicoptersare appearing. Service 21. as you will hearshortly, is poised to deliver real oenefits.These developments should temper thedisappointment that many will feel in thereduction in the size of the Navy and therole it will now play. Our task is to ensurethat reduced role is fulfilled positively andprofessionally with real purpose.Rear Admiral Fred WilsonCNSEXCERPTS FROM THE'DEFENCE PLAN FORTHE FUTURE'The rebuilding of New Zealand s defencecapabilities will take shape over the nextfive years. Funding increases will have tobe limited in the immediate term whileother government priorities areaddressed. The most significantinvestments in the forces in the short andlong term are outlined below.Royal New Zealand NavyThe naval combat force will move fromfour frigates to three in 1998. Thegovernment has decided that it will nottake up the current option under theANZAC Ship Treaty to purchaseadditional ANZAC frigates. A fifthSeasprite maritime helicopter will bepurchased. Other ma|or investmentsover the next ten years include upgradingthe existing torpedoes, purchasing anupgraded Seasparrow air defence missile,and acquiring a towed array sonarthat will improve protection fromsubmarines.The major investments in the navalsupport force include the acquisition of aremote sea minehunting system.Total capital investment over the next fiveyears is estimated at $355.5 million.Withthe change from a naval combat force offour Leander frigates to three ships, theaverage paid personnel strength of theNavy will decrease from 2.075 to 1.861.The annual operating budget of the Navywill increase from $283 million to aneventual steady state of about $292million.Royal New Zealand Air ForceThe current fleet of A4 Skyhawk fighters,while old. has been upgraded to providean effective platform for their key roles ofsupport for land forces and anti-shipmissions well into the next decade. Tocapitalise on this investment, the fleet'sweapon delivery capabilities will beupgraded. A new anti-ship missile willalso be acquired to permit the aircraft torelease its weapons from a safer distance.Most of these upgrades can betransferred when a decision is eventuallytaken on a replacement for the A4s.The most pressing Air Force requirementis to upgrade the capabilities of the P3Orion fleet The airframe is undergoing alife extension that will permit it to remainin service for a further twenty years, andthe sensor equipment, some of whichdates back to 1966. needs to be updatedas well. The Orion's surface-surveillancecapabilities are seriously degraded, and itssub-surface capabilities are almost gone.These deficiencies will be addressed as apriority over the next four years throughan investment programme known asProject Sirius.Maritime HelicoptersThese are an integral part of the navalcombat force. No modern frigate canoperate without a helicopter. Moving asmuch as a hundred nautical miles ahead ofa ship and with modern radar andforward-looking infrared surveillancesystems, they greatly extend the ship'sarea of control, and thus its safety whenfaced with a threat. Armed with stand-offanti-ship missiles and torpedoes, they alsoconsiderably enhance the surface vessel'sability to engage surface and sub-surfacetargets. After careful consideration NewZealand has chosen to equip its shipswith the Kaman Seasprite SH-2G. as havethe Australians. The present contract isfor four aircraft, two for outfitting thetwo ANZAC frigates currently orderedplus two more for training andmaintenance. An additional helicopterwill be acquired to outfit a third ship.Naval Support ForceOther maritime surface capabilitiesrequired include military sealift. amaritime mine counter-measures unit,naval control of shipping organisation, areplenishment-at-sea capability for longdeployments, a hydrographic service, andan oceanographic research capability.Modern armed forces have a largelogistical tail.Troops can be moved by airbut their kit and supplies must come bysea. New Zealand has not traditionallymaintained a military sealift capability.Instead, it has relied on others, mostrecently the United Nations, to providetransport for our heavy equipment. Therisks of continuing to do so are rising.Thedemands of the Gulf War taughteveryone the value of having a dedicatedsealift capability for rapid deployment andsubsequent sustainment.New Zealand has acquired HMNZSCHARLES UPHAM. a roll-on roll-offmerchant vessel which, when convertedto a military sealift ship, will provide NewZealand with adequate sealift to deployan Army force and a greatly improvedcapability to assist with disaster relief inthe South Pacific. The government willconsider whether to convert HMNZSCHARLES UPHAM in about two yearstime.The threat of sea mines is not a currentconcern, but New Zealand, with its heavydependence on shipping from a fewharbours, is especially vulnerable to thisthreat. Mining the approaches to NewZealand's harbours would be cheap,unobtrusive and deniable. A few mineslaid covertly or even the threat or claimto have laid there been would divertshipping and send up freight andinsurance rates. This is why almost everynation considers it necessary to maintaina counter-mine capability. In NewZealand's case, we do not needdeployable minehunters to clear largeareas; but rather inshore vessels withremote mine clearing systems to ensurethat the approaches to our harbours canbe kept clear of mines. This capability isthe responsibility of the Royal NewZealand Naval Volunteer Reserve (as isthe naval control of commercial shippingat a time of crisis).HMNZS ENDEAVOUR provides anexcellent replenishment-at-sea capability,and it does not need replacement fortwenty years. The diving support vesselHMNZS MANAWANUI should also meetthe mine-clearance and other divingneeds for another fifteen years.The Navycurrently has a contract from LandInformation New Zealand to undertakehydrographic survey and the productionof nautical charts. For this, the Navyhas recently acquired HMNZSRESOLUTION and also operates a numberof smaller in-shore survey craft. HMNZSRESOLUTION can also be used formilitary-related oceanographic research.Any spare capacity can be made availableto others for research work through acoordinating mechanism known as theResearch Vessel Committee.PAGE 10PAGE I I

THE NAVYTHE NAVYTHREE NAVIES PACKGARDEN ISLANDFleet Base East (FBE) recentlyplayed host to one of the largestconcentrations of warships seensince the 1988 Bicentennial NavalSalute as ships from three naviespacked the Woolloomooloowharves.Joining the RAN alongside at FBE overthe weekend of 7 - 8 February were twoRoyal New Zealand Navy ships and threeUnited States warships, to bring the totalnumber of ships alongside to thirteen.HMA Ships PERTH. HOBART. BRISBANE.CANBERRA. DARWIN and NEWCASTLEhad gathered to take part in the FleetConcentration Period (FCP). where theywere pined by HMNZ Ships TE KAHAand WE11INGTON.Already at FBE were HMA Ships SYDNEYand SUCCESS with three USN shipsarriving on 6 February.USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN. USS KINKAID andUSS FORD were visiting Sydney en routehome to San Diego in California after fivemonths in the Persian Gulf. Altogethermore than 60.000 tonnes of grey metalpacked the wharves of FBE and GardenIsland, prompting some to suggesthanging out a "Full House" sign.The start of the FCP witnessed a massexodus with a total of eight shipsdeparting on Monday. 9 February f ocommence several weeks of gruelingexercises in the waters off southernNSWPOWER FOR THENEW FRIGATESThe diesel engine builder MTU hasrecently completed the cruisingengines for the sixth Anzac classfrigate STUART.To date, the engines of eight ANZAC classfrigates have been assembled at thecompany's King Park headquarters inwestern Sydney. The Series 1163 enginesare triple-turbocharged V-I2s of 139.56litres ... or about 90 times the size of theaverage household car.Each frigate is driven by two cruisingdiesels. developing a combined 9600horsepower, to take the ships to about 12knots. The main gas turbines are requiredfor high-speed work.The engines, nearly two storeys tall, areimported from Germany in a "partialknockdown" form with their crankcases,crankshafts and pistons in place. Theassembly, plumbing and electrical wiringare completed at the Kings Park plant bya two-man team, brothers Tony and ScottNewport.The completed engines are fitted intomodules for transport to Williamstowndockyard where they are positionedready for fine tuning when the ship islaunched, about two years down the track.HMAS"CANBERRA" -THE NAVY'S TOP SHIPThe Royal Australian Navy's guidedmissile frigate HMAS "CANBERRA''was awarded the Navy's top awardfor efficiency, the Duke ofGloucester Cup, on 6 February 1998.HMAS CANBERRA. (RAN)His Excellency Sir William Deane ACKBE. Governor General of theCommonwealth of Australia presentedthe RAN's most coveted prize in aceremony on board CANBERRA.The Gloucester Cup is presentedannually to the most efficient ship in theRAN. and is fiercely contested amongstall ships in the fleet. Selected as the bestship overall in the areas of operationalefficiency, seamanship, administration,training. morale. reliability andresourcefulness, the winning ship has theprivilege of displaying large gold stars,representing the Gloucester Cup. on theships bridge wings for the next 12months.CANBERRA emerged as the winner of ahard fought contest, her crew alsowinning the fleet award for excellence inmarine engineering. CANBERRA alsoperformed well in a number of othercategories, including sharing top honoursin damage control and combat operationsand taking second place in electronicwarfare.FINAL FRIGATE REFITThe Royal New Zealand Navy frigateWELLINGTON has completed her lastrefit, a 15 month update to keep the shipin service until the commissioning of thesecond ANZAC class TE MANA. at theturn of the century. The main machinerywas overhauled, galley refurbished,helicopter hanger enlarged for theSeasprite and a Phalanx CIWS installed asa replacement for the old Seacat missilelauncher.HMAS "PLATYPUS"IN SPOT-LIGHTThe Sydney establishment HMAS"PLATYPUS" was the focus ofmedia interest recently due to there-release of the 1982 AcademyAward winning film "DAS BOOT"(The Boat).As a lead up to the film's premier inSydney on 16 January at the Open AirCinema at the Royal Botanic Gardens, themedia was keen to see what real livesubmarine life was all about.The film, originally shown in the UnitedStates in 1982 was the most successfulforeign film ever released there. Ithad recently undergone extensiveenhancement by the director, includingnew 8 track digital sound and neverbefore seen footage.Following its original release, some criticssaid it would forever change audiences'daodBngMEni ®oBECOMETHE HUNTEDWitt NEW IHCU: SB*« CNEM1S • tBfKNEO 1 C-XWh Kftl SOwfCexpectations of an action film. Accordingto them it set a new standard for highwiresuspense and broke freshtechnological ground.The promoters of the new film believethat a new generation of moviegoers willbe stunned by the added footage and redesigneddigital sound which bring thisaction classic to state-of-the-artstandards for today's audiences.WWII VETERANFOR SALEThe former patrol boat MIRIMAR, whichserved with the RAN in the SecondWorld War. is reported up for sale for$494,000. Built as a ferry in 1934 andoperated as a passenger and charter boatin recent years, the MIRIMAR spent mostof its working life on the Brisbane River.During her RAN career she operated asa patrol boat and examination vessel.GOLF COURSE WITHA DIFFERENCEGolfers, both professional andamateurs, played on a course withplenty of water hazards earlier thismonth.The tee off was the helicopter deck ofHMAS SYDNEY, the fairway was thewaters of Woolloomooloo Bay and thepin was a flagged buoy several hundredTeeing off aboard the guided missile frigateHMAS SYDNEY on 16 February. (LSPH SteveGurnett)metres from the stern. There wereeven "ball boys" - three safety-helmetedsailors aboard a RIB and armed withscoops, who retrieved the re-surfacinggolf balls once they were hit into theharbour.In an unusual competition, players had toget as close to the pin (flagged buoy) asthey could. Participating in the event wereprofessionals Peter Senior and JohnSendon as well as HMAS SYDNEY crewmembers. Leuts Peter Keay and BobWalker and seamen John Carter andMark Ottaway.For the two professionals it was an idealopportunity to practice for the CanonGolf Challenge which started onThursday. 19 February at the Terrey HillsGolf and Country Club. Sydney.To everyone's surprise, seaman JohnCarterwon the nearest to the pincompetition, the prize, two VIP passes tothe golf tournament.FORTY YEARSOn February. HMAS CRESWELLcelebrated its 40th anniversary sincecommissioning on 20 January. 1958. Aspart of the ceremony, staff and traineesfrom the first intake were on hand forcelebrations. Recently, the Jervis Bay sitebecame the home of the Navy'sLeadership and Management Trainingbranch.FOURTH LAUNCHINGThe fourth COLLINS class submarine.DECHAINEUX. was launched at Adelaideon 12 March. She is scheduled tocommence sea trials later in the year,prior to commissioning at the close of1999KIWI HELICOPTERSThe RNZN has received the first of itsinterim Kaman SH-2F Seaspritehelicopters. Four of the aircraft will be onstrength by late 1998. prior to thedelivery of the four SH-2G models in2000. Both models will be flown from theLeander and Anzac class frigates."OTAMA" DAMAGEDThe submarine OTAMA was damaged at7.50 am on Friday. 13 February during theFleet Concentration Period (FCP). Theboat struck the seabed off Botany Bay.After surfacing. OTAMA returned toSydney under tow from a civilian tug forrepairs to her rudder. No injuries weresustained aboard OTAMA. which wascarrying 81 crew, trainees and instructors.SOUTH AFRICANTON CLASSMINESWEEPERSThe South African Navy is to examine thelife extension of its four Ton classminesweepers, for a further 15 yearsservice. All built in the mid to late 1950s,the vessels would be retired in 2015. Sixof the class were once operated by theRAN from 1961. the last survivor.CURLEW paid off in 1990.SINGAPORE NAVYBREAKS NEW GROUNDOn 10 January 1998, Singapore'sMinister for Education and SecondMinister for Defence, Rear Admiral(RADM) (NS)Teo Chee Hean, drovethe first pile into the sea tosymbolise the breaking of groundfor the Republic of Singapore Navy's(RSN) new Changi Naval Base(CNB) project.Situated on newly-reclaimed land east ofChangi. CNB has a total land area of 86hectares, comprising 79 hectares ofoperational base and 7 hectares oftraining base. The new naval base wasconceptualised to replace the RSN's navalbase at Pulau Brani, in view of theexpanding operational and supportrequirements of the RSN. At the sametime, the re-location of Brani Naval Baseis in line with Ministry of Defence's(MINDEF) policy of releasingMINDEF/SAF land identified to havehigher economic potential.The extensive use of informationtechnology and automation is animportant feature of CNB. A modern andextensive Office Automation System willenable faster and more effective workand administrative processes with lowermanpower overheads. In the area oflogistics, Automated Storage andRetrieval Warehouses will provideautomatic sorting, storage and retrieval ofall the RSN's equipment and spares,resulting in more efficient and responsivelogistics support while optimisingavailable manpower.CNB will also be environmentally friendlywith efficient water and energy savingsystems.These systems include the use ofrainwater collected in ponds and rooftopcontainers for the washing of basecompounds, the use of sea water forcooling systems and the use of energysaving lighting facilities.PAGE 12PAHF n

THE NAVYInteresting vww of the submarine OTWAY. now preserved ashore at Holhrook in southern New South Wales IA g. R SirtetlAn old WWII Harbour Defence Motor Launch, now named BIBEL TARIK. IT.C. HoWwm)The CNB project is planned to be carriedout in two phases. The first phase, to becompleted by year 2000. is theconstruction of the base's mainoperational and maintenance facilities.These include a wharfage space of 6.2 km.automated storage and retrieval logisticwarehouses, and a base automationsystem allowing round-the-clock remotemonitoring of all the base's mechanical,electrical, lighting, fire alarm, and securitysystems. The second phase will see thedevelopment of a training base, andsports and recreational facilities, and isscheduled to be completed by 2003.When fully completed. CNB will beequipped with the fuli range of modernoperational, training and support facilitiesto meet the RSN's needs into the 21stcentury.LAUNCH OFHMS "PEMBROKE"On 15 December, 1997 the RoyalNavy's new HMS "PEMBROKE" waslaunched by Mrs Stephanie Gretton,wife of Vice Admiral Gretton, atthe Vosper Thornycroft Shipyard,Woolston, Southampton.The ship is the second vessel of a batchof seven single role mine hunters orderedin July 1994 and will enter service in1999.The Hunts are designed for hunting anddestroying mines and are able to operatein deep and exposed waters. They areconstructed from Fibre ReinforcedPlastic (FRP) and mainly non-magneticmaterials.This batch of seven ships is being adaptedto incorporate female accommodationfor one officer and five ratings.Rear Admiral Peter Spencer. DirectorGeneral Surface Ships and Controller ofthe Navy, who was present at theceremony said: "This launch is a veryhappy occasion which marks anothermilestone in the progress of theprogramme to enhance the Royal Navy'smine-hunting capabilities."He added: "I am also delighted that theMoD and Vosper Thornycroft have beenable to adapt the design of this secondbatch of ships in order to incorporate anumber of enhancements includingaccommodation for female officers andratings. The flexibility shown by thecompany in order to adapt to the MoD'srevised requirement is an excellentexample of the co-operations betweenthe two organisations."THE NAVYUSS "COMSTOCK"VISITS PORT BLAIR,INDIAThe American dock landng shipUSS "COMSTOCK" (LSD 45)visited Port Blair, India, Jan. 19 toenhance relations between theUnited States and the Indianmilitary.COMSTOCK is the first U.S. Navy ship tovisit Port Blair, located in the Eastern Bayof Bengal.Vice Adm. Harinder Singh, fortresscommander of the Andaman and NicobarIslands of the Indian Armed Forces andother Indian officers toured the ship.They visited the well deck area,engineering spaces, combat informationCenter, medical/dental facilities and thebridge.Many of the officers that toured our shipwere very impressed with the bridge.COMSTOCK crew members also gavetours to more than 1.000 Indian natives.For some Indians, this was the first timethey had ever seen Americans.All were very interested in how the USNintegrated Marine personnel andequipment aboard amphibious ships and.once deployed, with the ability to sustainthe employment of combined armsassets."The visit to Port Blair was a thrill for theship." said COMSTOCK's commandingofficer. CDR Gregg S. Jackson. "Not onlywas it a unique cultural experience, but itwas an opportunity to show off theUnited States Navy-Marine Corps teamand increase understanding between theIndian and United States militaries.It was a visit that none of us will soonforget."AIRBORNE EARLYWARNING ANDCONTROLThe Minister for Defence IanMcLachlan MP, announced on 28January, the signing of threecontracts each valued at $8.5million, for initial design work onthe Airborne Early Warning andControl Project (AEW&C).Under the contracts, companies willprovide detailed designs and plans of theAEW&C system they are proposing forthe Australian Defence Force. Theproject, approved by the Minister inDecember 1997. is for the purchaseof six or seven aircraft, the numberdepending on the supplier, simulatorsincluded, overall support and otherfacilities."Major Australian aerospace andelectronics companies are taking leadingroles in the work, which will result inthree advanced designs for new. costeffective AEW&C types." the Ministersaid."A large number of small to mediumenterprises in the defence industrysector across Australia am involved, withthe number set to increase as the projectdevelops."The three contracting teams are headedby large US defence companies - Boeing.Lockheed Martin and Raytheon."The teaming approach to the project willensure Australia has the technology andindustry ability to develop and supportthe AEW&C system here." Mr McLachlansaid.The final decision on the type of AEW&Cwill be made in 1999. after initial designwork is completed and assessed.NEW HYDROGRAPHICSHIPS FOR CAIRNSThe Minister for Defence, Ian McLachlan,announced on 12 February that Cairnswould be the home port for the two newHyrographic Ships. LEEUWIN andMELVILLE, now being built for the RoyalAustralian Navy."These ships will significandy increase thecapabilities of the Hydrographic SurveyForce that currently operates fromCairns." said the Minister."The basing decision involves deployingan estimated additional 115 Defencepersonnel to Cairns to crew and supportthe new vessels. It also means that localindustry will benefit through providingfollow on support to the vessels. A fiveyear contract for this support will beundertaken by NQEA. the builder of thevessels. This contract is worth $34.4million, of which Defence estimates some$27.4 million will be spent in the localarea.""A further $8.8 million is planned to bespent on HMAS CAIRNS, the basesupporting the vessels, to establishadditional office and accommodationfacilities used by the ships' crews, supportstaff and their dependants."ADI ACOUSTICMINESWEEPA state-of-the-art acousticminesweep recently developed byADI Limited, Australia's majordefence, systems and engineeringPAGE 14PAGE I I

THE NAVYTHE NAVYcompany, has been exhibited for thefirst time at the UDT '98 (UnderseaDefence Technology).The ADT Acoustic Generator is a waterdriven, turbine, powered sweep which canbe programmed to emulate the acousticsignatures of specific classes of ships. Itwill be incorporated into ADI'sminesweeping and support system(AMASS).Recent evaluation by the Royal AustralianNavy and the Australian Defence Scienceand Technology Organisation (DSTO).including shock trials, has proved verysuccessful.The generator has been developed tocomplement the ADI Dyad influencesweep which is based on a series of largepermanent magnets that can beconfigured to emulate the magneticsignatures of specific vessel classes. Ti ecombined magnetic and acoustic sweepbecomes an acceptable target to themost sophisticated mines.Seven countries including the US. UK andDenmark have purchased Dyads and thegenerator has attracted strong interestfrom many of these customers.UDT Pacific, a major undersea defencetechnology exhibition was held at theSydney convention Centre at DarlingHarbour from 24-26 February.FISHBUSTERSFisheries poachers in the GreatSouthern Ocean have been put onnotice by the RAN that their illegalactivities in Australian waters willnot go unpunished.The guided missile frigate NEWCASTLEdelivered the message when a boardingparty arrested the Seychelles owned butHonduran registered trawler BIG STARinside Australia's 200 km ExclusiveEconomic Zone surrounding HeardIsland on Saturday, 21 February.NEWCASTLE kept the 60 metre longfishing trawler under surveillance duringthe night and moved in at first light. AsNEWCASTLE'S Seahawk helicopter closedin crewmen on board the BIG STAR werevideotaped throwing illegally caught fishover the side.Once aboard the boarding partydiscovered 90 tonnes of the protectedPatagonian Toothfish aboard packed in theships freezers. Estimates of the size of theillegal catch of the Toothfish range up tomore than 100.000 tonnes per year,attracted by high prices in the world's fishmarkets.The arrest, which took place some 4300km south west of Perth, was the third inthe area in the last five months withANZAC arresting two foreign fishing boatsin the first anti-poaching operation inOctober last year. In that instance ANZACarrested the Panamanian registered ALIZAGLACIAL and the Belize registeredSALVORA less than 50 km from HeardIsland.The French Navy has also been active incountering poachers in the GreatSouthern Ocean with several illegalfishing boats being arrested in the FrenchExclusive Economic Zone waters offKergulan Island, which lies north east ofHeard Island.BIG STAR and her crew of 38 wereescorted to Australia where the shipsowners faced court on several counts ofviolating Australian fishing regulations.NAVY RESCUESMERCHANTMANFor HMAS "WOLLONGONG" theyear 1998 started the way 1997ended for her, with the hard workedpatrol boat once again in theheadlines.WOLLONGONG was called in to provideassistance to a stricken merchant shipsome 200 km north of Nhulunbuy in theNorthern Territory early on the morningof 25 February. MV LAURA, bound fromJakarta to Port Vila, suffered enginetrouble in rough weather. While driftingthe freighter's cargo of concrete andbitumen shifted, causing LAURA todevelop a dangerous list to port and takeon water.WOLLONGONG was requested to go tothe stricken vessel's assistance by theRescue Coordination Centre in Canberraafter LAURA's crew were forced to take tolife rafts and activate rescue beacons.The11 crew members, three from Malaysiaand eight from New Caledonia, werereported to be in good health whenrescued.WOLLONGONG's crew then attempted totow the 1283 tonne merchant ship to theport of Gove, however conditionsworsened and the ship sank some 60 kmnorth east of Cape Wessels.The survivorswere transported back to Darwin.This latest emergency for WOLLONGONGcomes on top of her winning the 1997Kelly Shield for Minor War VesselEfficiency.A WATERY FAREWELLThe former Royal Australian Navydestroyer escort "SWAN" wasscuttled in Geographe Bay onWestern Australia's southern coaston 14 December, 1997. Resting in 30metres of water, "SWAN" is sittingupright 1.3 nautical miles off PointPiquet, Dunsborough.Stripped of all fittings, the old SWAN is mooredin position to await her final 'resting' place.(ABPH Stuart Farrow)Decommissioned at HMAS STIRLING.Fleet Base West, on 13 September. 1996,SWAN was gifted to the WA StateGovernment as a dive wreck by theCommonwealth Government.After close examination of a number ofsubmissions, the steering committee,consisting of environmental, industry andmarine safety and transportrepresentatives, unanimously agreed theGeographe Bay Artificial Reef Society'sproposal best addressed the criteria.SWAN spent 12 months in BunburyHarbour where it was cleaned to meetstrict Commonwealth and StateAfter the explosions, SWAN slipped below in lessthan three minutes. (ABPH Stuart Farrow)environmental standards. During thattime its 44 tonne twin 4.5-inch gun turretwas removed and transferred by road tothe south coast town of Albany. There itwas re-located at the historic PrincessRoyal forts complex located on theslopes of Mount Clarence overlookingpicturesque King George Sound fromwhere the Anzac convoy sailed in 1914.Fittingly it was Navy divers fromAustralian Clearance Diving Team Fourwho laid the charges which sent the oldwarhorse to the bottom. SWAN steamed775,850 nautical miles during her 26 yearnaval career.Divers 'eye' view of the now fish breedingreef SWAN. (RAN)AUSTRALIA'SSTJAreGI^OUCI^^RADM A J Robertson AO DSC RAN (Rtd)Federal Vice-President Navy League ofAustraliaThe latest publication on Australia'sStrategic Policy, released early in December1997. contains a fairly comprehensiveoutline of the present government'sdefence policy and priorities. It is the firstsuch review by a Liberal-National PartyGovernment since 1979, in a world whichhas been subject to great political,economic and technological changeThe policy, which takes into account therecent white paper on foreign and tradepolicy In the National Interest, attemptsto reflect the full extent of our securityinterests and. while still placing muchemphasis on the defence of continentalAustralia itself, acknowledges that ourstrategic interests do not begin and endat our shoreline. It is much concernedwith the security of our region as a whole(though this is not fully reflected in theproposed priorities).Notwithstanding their present economicproblems, as the economies of East Asiarecover and grow, the paper opines thatAustralia's relative economic standing inthe region will decline, and with it ourstrategic weight and ultimately our abilityto defend ourselves in the future.Australia's strategic policy is not directedtowards meeting any particular threat orcontingency but rather to addressing theenduring fundamentals of our strategicsituation. The focus of our strategicattention is now more than ever the AsiaPacific region comprising the countries ofEast Asia, Southeast Asia, the SouthPacific, the United States and perhapsincreasingly in the future. South Asia.The paper postulates the specialimportance for the security of the wholeregion of the relationships betweenChina. Japan and the United States.Strangely neither Russia nor India arementioned in this context, though(despite Russia's present economictroubles) both can be major players, andboth can be expected to gathereconomic and military strength in thefuture. Russia has retained much of itsmilitary power and it seems unwise toneglect its probable future increasinginfluence in the power balance of the vitalNW Pacific area.The unique place Indonesia, which couldbe one of Asia's 4 great powers in the21 st century, has in shaping our strategicenvironment is especially recognised.Within the wider region focus Australia'smost direct strategic interests continueto include the stability, safety and friendlydisposition of the countries closest to us— the inner arc of islands from Indonesiain the West through to Papua NewGuinea, the Solomon Islands and theSouth West Pacific. Any substantialmilitary attack on Australia could mosteasily be mounted from or through theseislands.The paper asserts that by any measureour most important strategic relationshipremains with the United States. Relationswith New Zealand are also covered, withsome disappointment that NZ is notplanning a higher level of naval capability.Relations with Britain too are canvassed,including our close historic relationshipand our co-operation under the FivePower Defence arrangements withMalaysia.We aim to maintain our role as PapuaNew Guinea's key defence partner and asthe key strategic power and primarydefence partner of the island countries ofthe South Pacific. We also aim to supportand develop a sense of shared strategicobjectives with as many of the countriesof SE Asia as possible.So far as Indonesia is concerned, thefocus of our defence relationship will beon a high-level strategic dialogue. Otherissues include practical co-operation indeveloping capabilities — especially in themaritime area, 'where our key interestslie' — and the development of a degreeof interoperability.The paper examines the tasks for whichwe need military forces, stating that wemust have the military capability toprevent an enemy from attacking ussuccessfully in our maritime approaches,gaining a foothold on our territory orextracting political concessions from usthrough the use of military force.So far as the Region is concerned, whileAustralia would have a range of nonmilitaryoptions in any major crisis, ourdefence planning recognises that thegovernment may decide that a militarycommitment was warranted. Such acommitment would be undertaken withregional friends and allies.The ADF will be developed to defeatattacks against Australia, and providesubstantial capabilities to defend ourregional interests. Priority will be given tothe first of these tasks, but decisions willbe influenced by the ability of forces tocontribute to both tasks.In examining the type of forces Australianeeds for its defence the paper supportsa maritime concept — concentrating ondefeating any aggressors in our maritimeapproaches, before they reach ourterritory. This concept would rely heavilyon air and naval forces. Land forces wouldalso have an important role including thecrucial one of the defence of command,communications and intelligence facilitiesand air and naval bases.Combat aircraft, submarines and surfacecombatants with their overall supportfacilities would be our first line of defenceand our highest priority. Naval and AirForces will be capable of both defensiveand offensive actions. Based on themilitary capabilities likely to exist in theregion over the next 15 years, thebenchmarks which the government aimsto ensure are that;- we have the capability to deny our airand sea approaches to any credibleregional force, and- we maintain a strong regional presenceas a maritime power.The paper outlines measures being takenover the last few years to maximise thecapability we get from the DefenceBudget and states that with carefulmanagement and rigorous prioritisation,the necessary capabilities can be achievedwithout major increases in defencefunding in the shorter term. But risingcosts and requirements will placepressure on defence funding. The currentbudget does not make it possible tocontemplate developing major newcapabilities in the form of new fighteraircraft or new surface combatants.In conclusion, the paper comes out withfour priorities for Force StructureDevelopment:Priority IThe highest priority is 'the knowledgeedge'- effective exploitation ofinformation technologies to allow us touse oi«r relatively small force tomaximum effectiveness (by integration ofsurveillance, command and targeting,intelligence and communications).Priority 2Defeating threats in our MaritimeApproaches. Priorities will be to ensureour air superiority aircraft have a clearadvantage over systems they are likely toencounter increase the maritimeinterdiction capability of our combataircraft, submarines and major surfacecombatants by upgrading our Air toSurface Missilesexpand our submarine capabilities makecost-effective investments in thedefensive and offensive capabilities of ourPAGE 16PAGE I I

THE NAVYTHE NAVYpresent fleet of major surfacecombatants.Priority 3. StrikeLonger-range stand-off strike weaponsfor the P— III and perhaps otherplatforms will be acquired, but not verylong-range weapons such as theTOMAHAWK land-attack cruise missile.Priority 4. Land ForcesDefending air bases in northern Australiawould require a significant effort from thedefence force. Protection of key facilitieswould require regional force surveillanceunits, fixed-wing aircraft, unattendedground sensors and possibly unmannedaerial vehicles (UAVs).The army will maintain a brigade group ata high level of readiness for short-noticeoperations, including overseas. At leastpart of the land force will be capable ofconducting amphibious operations andgarrisoning to support the defence ofoffshore territories. The Army will relyheavily on air transport with a mix ofhelicopters and light transport aircraftPriorities would be:- the development of highly mobile jointtask forces.- the development of a limitedamphibious capability.- the development of a land surveillancesystem to cover key targets innorthern Australia and- acquisition or improvement of aerialfire support, reconnaissance and trooplift capability.The Strategic Policy document is welllaid-out and readable to the layman withfew of the tedious and offputtingacronyms and jargon so common inofficial documents.It takes the nation a step further towardsa rational defence policy but still has whatmany observers would consider someserious omissions and a failure to carryforward the sound strategic overviewinto logical conclusions.The pillars of our past defence policyremain but with it a willingness undersome circumstances to go forward andplay a role in regional defence. Theexamination of this possibility howeverseems limited and seems to lead toa distortion of Australia's defencepriorities.In World War II our first action in thePacific was to send some forces forwardto assist allies, to buy time, and to usedefence in depth to the full.In today's world there is usually a rapidinternational reaction to any aggressionby middle or small powers and UN, US orNATO led forces have been rapidlyorganised on a number of recentoccasions. It seems inconceivable that anyexternal assault on say. Indonesia.PNG or Malaysia/Singapore would not befollowed by an immediate call forAustralian military assistance and majorinternational pressure on Australia toprovide such aid. Similarly it would seemin our own long-term self-interest (andwe should not forget our membership ofthe 5 Power Defence arrangements) toassist neighbouring friendly countries toresist aggression. There is a strongargument that this scenario is much morelikely to occur, even as a precursor, than isa direct assault on continental Australia.In army priorities the paper includes acapability for short notice operationsoverseas and a limited amphibiouscapability but the paper contains noconsideration of what might be requiredfor the support and protection of suchdeployments. One question which mustbe asked is how the naval and groundforces will obtain air support fordeployments into the region. There arefew airfields in the island chain to ournorth capable of operating FA-18 aircraftand support from airfields in Australiaeven with in-flight refuelling could bedesultory at best. Major army resourceswould have to be devoted to the grounddefence of any available overseas airfieldand resupply with fuel munitions andstores would be a major task. But thealternative of providing air support fromsmall aircraft carriers carrying V-STOLaircraft does not appear to have beenexamined, though it has been adopted bya number of maritime nations and is amajor strength of the US Marines.Nor has this alternative been examinedfor the defence of offshore territories orfor the defence of essential shipping andnaval forces when outside effective rangeof Australian air bases. It would beexpensive, yes, but there is a trade-off infrigates and other air platforms, and in anyserious war situation without local airsuperiority any deployment of naval andarmy forces overseas could be fraughtwith danger.While the paper predicates that aMaritime Concept should be adopted asthe most appropriate concept for theDefence of Australia and that we shouldmaintain a strong regional presence as amaritime power, it does not then proceedto examine the most appropriate size andcomposition of naval forces required forthe task.Indeed it is astonishing that there is nomention, for instance, of the vital role ofthe defence of essential merchantshipping in both continental and regionaldefence situations. If we are facing seriousattacks in the north then any enemy mustpossess significant maritime power, inwhich case he would consider launchingattacks elsewhere against our importantcentres and shipping, as happened in bothworld wars.While there is some welcomerecognition of the need to enhance oursmall submarine capabilities, there is noconsideration of the great advantagespossessed by appropriately armedsubmarines in precision strike warfareagainst land targets, as demonstrated inthe recent Gulf War. There may well bean argument to base much of our strikecapability in submarines as well as inF-llls.Overall, despite acknowledgment of thenecessity for a Maritime Concept thepaper gives scant attention to theresulting needs and priorities. While theland-based air element of MaritimeWarfare seems to be at reasonablestrength, the naval side of the balanceseems inadequate. Given the hugedistances involved. a surfacedestroyer/frigate force of a mere 14vessels often without air cover andspread between 2 major coasts, will behard-pressed to escort essential shippingwhile supporting, resupplying anddefending an overseas deployment andundertaking offensive and defensiveaction against even a modest maritimepower.Adequate forces for the effective defenceof Australia even against a modest level ofthreat clearly cannot be provided withthe present level of spending, and risksmust be taken, but at least therequirement should be known anddecisions taken, with resources graduallybeing allocated, to work towards therequirementAs the nation moves steadily towardsself-reliance and independence in foreignpolicy, and as the countries in the AsiaPacific region recover and increase theireconomic and particularly maritimestrengths. Australia's possession ofsignificant maritime and air power backedby a small but highly mobile army willbecome of increasing importance for ourdefence, for the stability of the region andfor our national standing and influence,including as an ally.While the need for strong air power hasbeen acknowledged for many years, it istime now to look more closely at the roleand relevance to Australia of naval powerin all its forms."THE RAAFS FLEET"by Jim AllenNot many people are aware that theRoyal Australian Air Force ('HAAF)ever had its own fleet. In fact mostpublications on the subject do noteven acknowledge the existence ofthe maritime force. This isastounding when one considers thatduring the peak of Second WorldWar the marine section had no lessthan 600 powered craft and 700unpowered boats.The history of the RAAF marine sectiongoes back as far as the days of theAustralian Flying Corps (AFC). On 21August 1914 the Chief of the GeneralStaff wrote a minute to the Secretary ofDefence requesting authority to purchasea small boat for the establishment of theCentral Flying School at Point Cook.Victoria.This craft was required to rescueofficers undergoing flying training whomay be blown off course over the bay.From this humble beginning, the marinesection grew to the impressive force ofthe Second World War.On the 7 November 1921, after a periodof seven years of evolution from the AFCvia the Australian Air Corp (AAC) andAustralian Air Force (AAF). the RoyalAustralian Air Force (RAAF) decided thatwith the arrival of the Fairy HID seaplane,marine craft were required for dutiesother than rescuing pilots from the bay.Boats were essential at Point Cook toassist in the mooring and removing ofplanes from the water each night in orderto store them in the hangers.As the flights of seaplanes expandedaround Australia, so did the requirementsfor further boats and marine sectionpersonnel. Marine Section coxswains andmotor boat crews found themselvesbeing posted all over Australia to servicethe seaplanes. Examples of some of theduties that marine section personnelundertook included supporting the FairyHID and the Supermarine Seagull Mark IIIon a mapping survey of the Great BarrierReef and also at the RAAF experimentalsection, La Perouse, NSW. whereSquadron Leader Wackett and his staffdeveloped and trialled the Widgeonseaplane.During the years between the two worldwars, marine craft were purchased andthen disposed of as they, in turn werereplaced. At the end of 1934 theGovernment announced a three yearprogram of increased spending to makeup for the neglect that had occurredwithin Defence during the depression.This amount was again increased in 1938when the threat from the north wasrecognised.In 1939 further bases were built includingtwo that would require marine craft.These establishments were situated atRathmines on Lake Macquarie in NSWand at Darwin in the Northern Territory.Prior to this, only Point Cook hadrequired marine craft. When war wasdeclared against Japan by the allies on the8 December 1941. the RAAF found itselfunprepared, having not yet completed itsexpansion program.The outbreak of the Second World Warcaused the expansion of the marinesection, for not only did the RAAFrequire marine craft to rescue downedaircrew, but also needed boats totransport stores, fuel and personnel,along with many other specialist tasks. Tomeet these demands, the United StatesAir Sea Rescue Service and RoyalAustralian Navy assumed many of theserequirements, while the RAAF underwenta program of seconding and requisitioningcivilian craft Requisitioned naval craftsuch as SEEKA, TONGA BOONOOROO.KAZEMBE and AMOHINE undertooksome of the air sea rescue tasks, with justone boat lost during the war years. On 16May 1945, FAURO CHIEF was sunk whenthe jetty she was moored alongside atMilne Bay collapsed.Meanwhile. RAAF was undergoing a largeboat building/buying program to obtaincraft specific to satisfy specialist tasks.One of the first of these specialist typeswas the Armoured Target boat, obtainedfrom the Royal Air Force and delivered inAustralia in February 1939.As the RAAF did not operate manymarine craft in the early stages, theauthorities saw little need to numberthem. However, as the number and typesof boats grew a simple numerical systemwas instituted, running from the first craftto the last. In late 1942/eariy 1943. a classof craft system came into being whichremained in use until the disbandment ofthe Marine Section in 1993.This article describes the craft in thatsystem. There were however, occasionswhere class numbers were used twiceduring the war, and post war, an exampleof this being the 02 type.Former members of the section mayquestion the titles I have given differentthe various classes of craft. However, itshould be remembered craft wereretitled, from era to era. as their specifictasking changed. What follows is a list ofthe craft employed during Second WorldWar.01 Chss Armoured Target Lounch, Point Cook.OCoy)01 CLASS ARMOUREDTARGET LAUNCHLength: 40'BeamDraught: 3'Speed:8'9"20 knotsEngine: 3 x power meadows -100 horsepowerManufactured by: British Power BoatNumber inCompany UKRAAF Service: 7 (01-1 to 01-7)The superstructure on 01-03 was rebuiltat a later date so she could perform AirSea Rescue duties.02 Class Lounch Rescue 481. Darwin. 1957.02 CLASSLength:BeamDraught:Speed:Engine:Manufactured by:Number inRAAF Service:LAUNCHESRESCUECame in t>vo lengths46 I* and 48.1'13'7'17 knots2 x Chrysler RoyalMarine 8 petrolenginesBotterill and FraserMelbourne VIC 7 x461 craft and Springand Denard BrisbaneQLD 8 x 48' craft15 (02-1 to 02-15)PAGE 18PAGE I I

03 Class Torpedo Recovery Launch. (K Kerle)03 CLASS TORPEDORECOVERYLAUNCHLength: 60'Beam: 14*3"Draught: 3*9"Speed:12 knotsEngine3 x Chrysler RoyalMarine 8 petrolenginesManufactured by: Crowley and Sons ofBrisbane QLDNumber inRAAF Service: 13 (03-1 to 03-13)These craft were also used for air searescue duties but were not as fast as the02 and 08 classes. There is also evidenceto suggest that 60' Torpedo RecoveryLaunches from the UK were used inAustralia during the Second World War.04 Class Launch Refuelling, 04-05. 45'. (K Kerle)04 CLASS LAUNCHREFUELLING(2,600 GAL)Length: 45' and 46'Beam: 11'Draught:T for craft of 45'. 3'6"for craft of 46'Engine:2 x Chrysler RoyalMarine 8 PetrolenginesOrigin/Manufacture:RAF UK and theDepartment ofMunitionsNumber inRAAF Service: 14 (04-1 to 04-10were 46 footersand 04-11 to 04-14were 45').Note 04-15 and 04-19 were notlaunched or completed prior to the endof the war.THE NAVY05 Class Refuelling Launch. 05-22. Maggie, exShell Co Melbourne. 5 January. 1944(K. Kerle)05 CLASSLength:Beam:Draught:Engine:REFUELLINGLAUNCHES (1,500GAL)38'4*9"2 x Chrysler AceMarine 6Manufactured by: Norman WrightBrisbane and Springand Denaro BrisbaneNumber inRAAF Service: 22 (05-1 to 05-22)MAGGIE (05-22) a refuelling launch with acapacity of 1.000 gallons of fuel/40 gallonsof oil was powered by a cletrac tractorengin She was impressed from the ShellOil Company of Melbourne,Victoria.06 Class Motor Lighter Steel. 06-13.(K Kerle)06 CLASSDisplacement:Length:Beam:Draught:Range:Speed:Engine:Crew:Manufactured by:Number inRAAF Service:MOTORLIGHTERS(STEEL)350 tons122.3'24.6'8'3.000 miles at 8 knots9.5 knots2 x 180 horsepowerFairbanks MorseDiesel's12Purpose built craft.Johnson's TyneFoundry. Melbourne19 in classPAGE 20The first 11 being seconded boats. Thenext 5 were purpose built and theirspecifications are shown above. The final2 craft were the refuelling launchesRENOWN and PENRITH, on hire to theRAAF from Shell for the duration of thewar. Interestingly all similar type purposebuilt boats held by the Army Class hadnames starting with E. for exampleELSPETH and EUNICE.07 Class Marine Tender. 07-02 of PortMacquane. NSW. (R Pitt)07 CLASS MARINE TENDERLength: 26'Engine:Single Chrysler RoyalMarine 8Manufactured by: Lars Halvorsen andSons SydneyNumber inRAAF Service: 11 (07-1 to 07-11)07-4 was known as GAYLESS JNR. Fourcraft had their classes changed as follows07-4 to 011 -87.07-05 to 011 -92.07-6 to011-88. and 07-7 to 011-93.Class Crash Boat. 08-34. Jervis Bay(J Romain)08 CLASSLength:Beam:Draught:Speed:Engine:CRASH BOAT38'103"3'6"'20 knots2 x Chrysler RoyalMarine 8Manufactured by: Lars Halvorsen andSons of Sydney NSWNumber inRAAF Service: 45 (08-1 to 08-45)08-8 was used as a fire tender. 08-15,08-16, 08-17. 08-18. 08-19. 08-20. and08-21 were used as seaplane tenders.09 CLASS AIRCRAFTMAINTENANCESCOWSLength: 33'Beam:8'9"Draught: 2'4"Engine:2 x Meadows ChryslerAce Marine 6Manufactured by: Impressed by Ministryof Munitions fromprivate ownersNumber inRAAF Service: 6 (09-1 to 09-6)09-1. 09-4. 09-5. and 09-6 were AircraftMaintenance Scows. 09-2 and 09-3 werebomb scows.010 Cass Bomb Scow. 0IO-O7.(K Kerle)010 CLASS BOMB SCOWSLength: 32'Beam:8'9"Draught: 2'4"Engine: Chapman 10horsepower and GraySea ScoutManufactured by: Botterill and Fraser.Spring and DenaroBrisbaneNumber inRAAF Service: 34 (010-1 to 010-34)All of this class were 32 foot bomb scowswith the exception of 010-35 which wasa 30' re-arming scow.011 CLASS WORKBOATLength:16-26'Beam:9'.Draught.2' 9"-'Oil Class Work boat. 011-29.Engine: Chapman Super Pup 4I /2horsepower.Chapman Grey.Chrysler Ace Marine6. Rover, Thornycroft,Continental. Rugby.Penta. Gray 4 cylinder.Ford V8. Chryslermarine 8. Universal45 horsepower.Chevrolet. Dodge, andPower Meadows 100horsepower.Origins:THE NAVYPritchard BrothersSydney. Botterill andFraser Brisbane. QantasEmpire Airways.Robinson Invincible.US Small Ships. Springand Denaro Brisbane.Lees Sydney. BritishPower Boat CompanyUK. 2 Flying BoatRepair Base Rathmines.Number inRAAF Service: 124

THE NAVYTHE NAVYNumber inRAAF Service:RAAF 71 (015-01 to015-60.015-66 to 015-75 and 015-91).Impressment of privatecraft 015-61 to 015-65cancelled. Purpose builtcraft 015-76 to 015-90.015-92 and 015-93not completed priorto the end of the warThe majority of this class were secondedcraft However, from 015-72 onwards theywere purpose built craft as describedabove. Two of these vessels TORTOISE(015-75) and TURTLE (015-72) werereturned to the Navy in 1962 for use asdiving tenders.016 Oass General Purpose Launch - Large016-01 ENDEAVOUR at Port Moresby, laterreclassified as 0/5-70. {R Pitts)016 CLASS GENERALPURPOSE LAUNCH(LARGE)Number inRAAF Service 12 (016-1 to 016-12)This class comprised craft impressedfrom private owners. Their sizes rangedfrom 60' - 85 .MYRTLE BURGESS (016-06)and SAPPHIRE (016-08) were reclassifiedto the 016 class from the 015.ENDEAVOUR (016-01) was reclassifiedfrom the 016 class to the 015 class.0/7 Oass General Purpose Launch - Small.017-29. (K Kerle)017 CLASS GENERALPURPOSE LAUNCH(SMALL)Length 40'Beam:I2'6"Draught: 5'6"Speed:9 knotsEngines:Varying engines bothdiesel and petrolManufactured by: Built by variouscompaniesNumber inRAAF Service:32 (from 017-1 to017-32)017-01 to 017-28 were seconded craft ofvarying sizes and dimensions. Some of thelaunches were transferred from the 015class. From 017-29 to 017-32. the craftwere purpose built and their dimensionsare shown above. Several craft werereclassified from the 011 and 015 classesto the 017 class.018 Oass Barge Powered. RAAF DepotMelbourne near TMO and Duke and Orrs Dock.(R Pitts)CLASS 018Length:Beam:Draught-Engine:Manufactured by:Number inRAAF Service:BARGESPOWERED54'14'6' 6"Ford V8 Mercuryconverted by FordFord CompanyGeelong59This class comprised a mixture of ALCM- MK2 (54') LCM. ACL. MK 5 and LCMMK3 (50') under the classification ofBarges powered 40' - 60'. 018-45 was asalvaged Japanese landing barge.Specifications for ALCM - Mk2 shownabove.0/9 Class Barges Towed Work Barge at Brisbane(R Pitts)CLASS 019 BARGES TOWEDManufactured by: Spring and Denare. ExForces and transferredfrom RANNumber inRAAF Service: 33 (019-1 to 019-33)This class comprised an assortment ofbarge dumb, flat topped lighters withderricks, and barge pontoons of varyingsizes and dimensions.020-1 designed for fire fighting duties. IRAN)CLASS 020 FIRE FLOATLength: 38'Beam: 10'Draught: 6'Manning: 3-4Engine:Chrysler RoyalMarine 8Manufactured by: Seconded Departmentof MunitionsNumber inRAAF Service: 7 (020-1 to 020-7)These craft were based on the 08 classhull.CLASS 021 BARGEREFRIGERATORFREEZERDisplacement: 300 tonsLength: 100'Beam: 27'Draught: 6'6"The RAAF operated only one of theseformer Army craft. AB 2043. namedSNOW DRIFT026 Oass Work Boat - Small. (K Kerle)CLASS 026 WORK BOATSMALLLength: 15 - 20'Beam: 6'Draught: 2'Engine:Chapman 5-10 horsepower. Morris Vedette.Gray, and Simplex.Manufactured by: US forces. Chapmanand Sharack.Halverson. Kopson andSons (the last threelocated in Sydney).Number inRAAF Service: 73 (026-1 to 026-73)This class comprised a variety of craft,some being impressed. Additionally, thisclass had a number of craft transferredfrom the 011 class.UNCLASSEDCRAFTLength:Beam:Draught:Engine:AUXILIARYLAUNCH25'6*9"I "6"Thornycroft RA 4 StarThornycroft Sydney.Marine by CockatooDock SydneyNumber inRAAF Service: 2 VCA 23 and CA 24)These craft were on loan ex departmentof Civil Aviation KARUMBA (CA 23) andGROOTE ISLAND (CA 24) They bothretained their Departments numbers.Mine Yawl. IK Kerle)CLASSLength:Beam:Draught:Engine:Origin/MINE YAWL26'8'6"3*4"Continental 6Manufacture:Number in Ex US Small ShipsRAAF Service:2 (MY 12 and MY 13)These craft were received from USSmall Ships. All retained their formernumbers.WANAKAAlthough the large WANAKA did not fitinto the class system, she should be dulyrecognised in this article.Built as a motor vessel. WANAKA wasemployed by the RAAF as a storescarrier, flying the RAAF ensign during thewar. She was requisitioned from theUnion Steamship Company of NewZealand, her crew including MerchantNavy Officers and Seaman. RANGunners, and RAAF medical attendants,wireless operators, storekeepers andmess stewards. She is possibly bestremembered for having survived acyclone and having been recovered intime to return for the war effort.On 16 December 1943 whilst returningto Australia from New Guinea. WANAKA'sMaster Captain J. Dawson decided thatdue to bad weather and reefs in the area,the ship would anchor in the vicinity ofWharton Island off the Queenslandcoast At the time of making this decisionthere had been no advice of cyclonicweather, the master treating the weatheras a bad storm. As the night progressedthe weather became worse. By 12.00 amon 17 December the wind had reachedan estimated 120 miles an hour. The shipwas swept upon a reef and by dawn it wasdiscovered that ten members of the crewhad been lost. Help reached the scenethat evening at 8.00 pm with the arrival ofan American tanker.Whilst initially it was thought thatWANAKA may not be recovered, she wastowed to Sydney two months later andrepaired in time to resume her duties justprior to the end of the war.SummaryMany RAAF craft experienced a hard lifeduring the war. Often maintenancesections were not available and crews hadto make do with whatever was availableto keep their craft in action.Such was the case with ALMA, a workboat numbered 011-25. On the 8 May1945 a report stated she was completelyunserviceable. Her hull had opened upbadly, she was nail sick with the coamingdeck, rubbing strake, and seats needingreplacement ALMA's motor was also inpoor condition. Sadly the ALMA endedup being written off. considered notpracticable or economical to ship hersouth for repairs.A number of vessels were also lost due toenemy action. One of the better knownincidents was the loss of 08-05. On 29August 1942 the Battle for Milne Bay wasimminent. The crash boat had beenordered to proceed from Milne Bay toMullins Harbour to observe and reporton possible enemy shipping.As the launchwas making its way across the harbour itwas observed by the Japanese destroyerURAKAZE which turned her spotlights onthe launch and sunk the craft with thefourth shell. Two of the crew were killedoutright and of the other three, only twomade ashore. On this occasion the crewof 08-05 were a mixture of RAAF andArmy personnel.At the conclusion of the war the RAAF.like the Navy and the Army, found itselfwith a large surplus of unwanted craft.Accordingly, a massive disposal operationwas undertaken by the CommonwealthDisposal commission with the assistanceof the Navy. As well, orders for craft tobe built and drafts of new vessels on thedrawing boards were cancelled.During the period up to their ultimatedisposal, some craft some sank at theirmoorings. This was due in part to wearand tear that had occurred during thewar and the fact that maintenancecould not be kept up to them beforethey were transferred to their newowners.A plan formulated on the 25 November1 948 listed the craft required to beretained post war. These included;02 • 10 013 - 4304-12 014 -606 - 3 015 - 1208 - 11 020 -3010 - 16 026 - 3011-21This provided the RAAF with a total of140 vessels. 91 powered and 49unpowered craft.Classes Introduced PostWar02 Oass Air Sea Rescue Launch. 02-/09 1983(H Irwin)CLASS 02 AIR SEA RESCUELAUNCHESLength: 63'Beam: 15*3"Draught: 4'Engine:2 x Hall ScottDefender VI2 petrolengines 1260horsepowerManufactured by: Miami ShipbuildingCompany with theexception of 02-113which was built by LarsHalvorsen and SonsNumber inRAAF Service: 13 (02-100 to 02-113)The Air boats were initially commissionedfor the RAN and served during the SecondWorld War. Twelve were transferred tothe RAAF postwar, and of these, threewere returned to the RAN in the 1960s.Whilst most were sold to the public afterbeing decommissioned, several werestripped and sunk as targets by the Navy.07 Class Immediate Response Craft (Sharkcat).(H Irwin)CLASS 07 IMMEDIATERESPONSE CRAFT(SHARKCAT)Length: 23'Beam: 18'PAGE 23PAGE I I

Draught: 8'Speed:SS knotsEngine:Twin EvinrudeOutboard's 175 HorsePowerManufactured by: SharkCat Pty Ltd ofLabrador QLDNumber inRAAF Service 1(07-001)07-001 came into service in 1981 and wasbroken up on a reef at Point Cook.08 Class Immediate Response Craft (Sharkcat),AIR SWIFT 08-001. off Nobbys. Newcastle.NSW. (H Irwm)CLASS 08 IMMEDIATERESPONSE CRAFT(SHARKCAT)Length: 27.21Speed:42 knotsEngine:Twin EvinrudeOutboards 235 HorsePowerManufactured by: SharkCat Pty Ltd ofLabrador QLDNumber inRAAF Service: Air Swift 08-001. AirEagle 08-002. AirCondor 08-003Named AIR SWIFT. AIR EAGLE and AIRCONDOR. AIR SWIFT was destroyed in astorm at Point Cook on I December 87and written off.Oil Class Search and Rescue Vessel. 011-001.AIR HAWK. (H Irwin)CLASS 011Length:Crew:Range:Speed:Engine:SEARCH ANDRESCUE VESSEL11 meter5350 nautical miles30 knotsTwin 375 horsepowerdiesel Caterpillarturbocharged withafter coolingTHE NAVYManufactured by. Steber CraftNumber inRAAF Service: 1(011-001)Accepted by the RAAF in October 1989AIR HAWK became redundant and waspaid off with the closure of the MarineSection in 1993.CLASS 011 SEARCH ANDRESCUE LAUNCHLength: 20'Beam:7.8'Draught: 2.2'Speed:35 knotsEngine:Twin MercuryOutboards 155 HorsePowerManufactured by: J.J. Savage and Co ofWilliamstown Merlinstyle hull.Number inRAAF Service: 1(011-201)This craft was nicknamed "Little Toot"CLASS 013Length:DINGHYS-PULLINGVarying sizes 9'. 10'.I0'6" and 15'Manufactured by: J.J. Savage.Thornycroft,Number inService:BBC Fiberglass. J. Roweand BrookerPost war. there isevidence of at least 10Dinghies pulling havingbeen purchased.Due to incomplete records it is hard todetermine what is Second World War orpost war.CLASS 014 WHERRY SAILINGDINGHYConstruction: Cavel planked .014-107 Bondwood.Length: 15*Beam:Draught: 18"5' (some variationcraft to craft)Manufactured by: Service PersonnelNumber inService:15 (014-100 to014-115)Carried on board correspondingnumbered post war 02 class craft Ai!were disposed of in 1960s.PAGE 24016 Class. Search and Rescue Craft 016-100WARANACLASS 016 SEARCH ANDRESCUE CRAFTLength: 76'Beam: 16*6"Draught: 5'Speed:22 knots, cruisingspeed 16 knotsEngine:Twin General MotorsVI6 DieselManufactured by: Millcraft of BrisbaneNumber inRAAF Service: 1(016-100)WARANA was originally operated by theDepartment of Civil Aviation at theCocos Islands. She was purchased by theRAAF and moved to Townsville in 1975for search and rescue duties.ConclusionAnother two types of craft without classnumbers should also be mentioned. Thefirst was the long range rescue craft MAXELSE II. This vessel was not a RAAF craftbut was hired from the National SafetyCouncil for use by the RAAF MarineSection at Newcastle in 1985. With alength of 15 metres she was powered bytwin 570 horse power diesel's which gaveher a top speed of 21 knots. With hersophisticated radio, and radar. MAX ELS2was capable of providing a rescue capacityin all weather.In 1981 the Newcastle section obtainedtwo rubber duckies. Designed byBeaufort, these inflatable craft were 14foot in length and powered by 25horsepower outboard motors. Theirpurpose was for use in close to shorework around bays and islands. In 1983one was used in an attempt to quell a firethat occurred aboard the police launchMACKAY after it caught fire in NewcastleHarbour.Post war there was not the requirementfor air sea rescue. Sections and units thathad played a prominent part during thewar at locations such as Rathmines. EastArm (Darwin), and Sale were no longerrequired, disestablished, then closeddown. By the 3 November I960 themarine section had shrunk to 45 craft and99 personnel. By 1989 Marine Sectionswere only retained at Point Cook.Newcastle, and Townsville.On 17 February. 1992 the final blow camewhen the Chief of the Air Staff directedthe disbanding of the Marine Sections atBase Squadron William and OperationalSupport Squadron Townsville . Anadministrative instruction followed in Julygiving details for the disposal of the finalthree craft, 08-002 AIR EAGLE, 08-003 AIRCONDOR, and 011 -001 AIR HAWK. Whilstthe RAAF marine section was disbursedin 1993 many of its former craft can stillbe found around Australia's coastline.Boats such as the OOMOOBAH (015-03)at Port Macquarie and BATAAN (02-08) atSurfers Paradise are still giving stirringservice in their capacity as civilianpleasure craft. Personnel who were in theMarine Section have either changedmustering or taken their discharge.BibliographyDocuments and Pamphlets:1. RAAF Historical Section Documenttitled "Particulars of Marine Craft inservice during World War Two and theimmediate post-war period."2. Various RAAF administrativedocuments.3. Magazine 'The Navy'4. RAAF News5. Australian Archives Series MP 472/1,Item 16/14/64976. RAAF Air Board Agenda7. Register of Australian Army Small Craftdated 15 July 1944Books:1. The Third Brother (The RoyalAustralian Air Force 1921-39).by CD. Coulthard-Oark.2. Australian and New Zealand Warships1914-1945 by Ross Gillett.3. Australian and New Zealand WarshipsSince 1946 by Ross GillettUSS V1NCENNES arriving in Sydney. 18 March.1998. (LSPH S. Gumetx)THE NAVYNAVY GETS THE DRILLON NEW SAFETYDEVICEBy Graham DavisA device which bores through thesteel deck of a ship in seconds theninjects a fire suppressant at thethrow of a lever, has beendemonstrated to armed service fireofficers, senior naval personnel andcivilian fire chiefs, at the RAN's shipsafety and survivability centre atJervis Bay.Called the FireDrill-2. the device wasdeveloped by RJE International in theUnited States of America. Chubb Fire, theAustralian agents for the equipment areseeking to sell it to the armed servicesand fire brigades across Australia.r *I•'.titvi * ®/v> \Driven by regulated compressed airsupplied from a cylinder or fixed system,a motor rotates a tubular rod tippedwith a hardened steel bit Along the tubeare a number of holes. A 38 mm firehose with an easy-to-operate "on/off"lever, is attached to the base of thedevice."The FireDrill is aimed at use insuppressing fires in confined spaces, suchas aboard ship, aircraft passengercompartments or sealed shippingcontainers." Mr Ken Whyte, the defencemanager of Chubb Fire. said."They are already used widely in theUnited States."At the Jervis Bay demonstration anoperator was able to bore through thesteel deck of one of the mock ships at thefire training facility in just 33 seconds.Once through the metal, the operatorWith AB Tony Scormis of Nowra standing ready with his tanker. RAAF SgtTony Hastings bores a hole inthe aircraft cobin whUe WO Tom Kinnear supports him with tne oir cylinder and hasekne (LSPH SteveGumett)With water supplied by a Navy FireService fire appliance and air for thepneumatic motor supplied from a handheldcylinder, service firefighters wereable to bore through the metal inWO Tom Kinnear, a Navy firefighter from HMAS just seconds and inject the fireALBATROSS and SGTTony Hastings an airforce suppressant.firefighter from RAAF Richmond, move in with theFireDrill 2 to bore into an aircraft cabin andsuppress a fire at SSS Jervis Bay. (LSPH SteveGumett)PAGE I Iopened the valve allowing high pressurewater to cascade from the holes in thebore tube and extinguish the fire burningbelow. Suppression took seconds. Themanufacturers say foam, dry powder orinert gas can be used instead of water.The demonstration on the mock warshipwas followed by an exercise using aircrafttype metal attached to the centre's mockhelicopter.FireDrill 2 comes with varying sizedshafts and drill bits and sells for $15,500in the shipboard mode.

THE NAVYTHE NAVYNNMiaHIB^^HHFrom Geoffrey EvansForeign Affairs - Trade and DefenceTwo important policy documents wereissued in the second half of 1997 - aWhite Paper on Foreign and Trade Policytitled "In the National Interest" ( issuedby the Foreign Affairs and TradeDepartment in August) and a "StrategicPolicy paper" ( issued by the DefenceDepartment in December). The tradepaper looks forward some 15 years whileDefence's paper understandably covers anindeterminate period but certainly no less.Although issued separately thedocuments are complementary, in factthe strategic paper is admittedly based onassumptions canvassed in the trade paper.The latter document is extremelydetailed and examines tradeopportunities - and possible pitfalls - invirtually every significant country andregion in the world; one must assume thepicture that emerges reflects the oudookof both the Coalition Government andthe Opposition - the Strategic Policyappears to be in many respects a naturaldevelopment of Labor's 1994 DefenceWhite Paper.The trade paper said to be the first of itskind, is particularly interesting not leastfor its scope and summary of conditionsin various parts of the world. If the writerhas reservations they concern the overalloptimism of the forecasts which do notappear to have taken into account the asyet unknown extent of fall-out fromfinancial instability in major Asiancountries. The fall-out could includeresentment in countries receivingfnancial aid with severe conditionsattached; they may well feel their hardwonstruggle for independence fromEuropean Powers after World War 2 wasunder threat, (the Prime Minister ofMalaysia has already expressed similarmisgivings).Also, while it is always risky quotingselectively, the following passage causedthe writer some concern. "For Australia,security also means preserving itscapacity for independent decisionmaking.thereby ensuring it can pursuenational objectives without externalcoercion."How does this square with reports (inFebruary) that Australia is among anumber of countries negotiating amultinational agreement that wouldpreclude national governments fromregulating foreign investment in theircountries?The White paper canvasses variousaspects of increasing globalisation andconcludes "The power of nationalgovernments may become morecircumscribed in the future but the nationstate is far from dead, and sovereignty isstill cherished. This is unlikely to changesignificantly over the next fifteen years."Australia's Strategic PolicyThe policy is presented in an easily-readthree parts; dealing with:-* Strategic objects and environment.* Factors determining capabilitypriorities for the ADF.* Force structure priorities.Like its Trade counterpart the Defencedocument attaches priority to concludingbilateral agreements, especially with S EAsian neighbours, but not neglectingwider regional and multilateral alliancesand relationships such as the Five PowerDefence Arrangements, APEC and theASEAN Regional Forum.\Although the "Fortress Australia"concept of defence never really took offand was comparatively short-lived, arefreshing element of the latest strategypaper is the frankness with whichforward defence is discussed - not in thesense of raising and deploying sizeableforces for service abroad but rather bycontributing limited forces to UnitedNations tasks and military operationssuch as those in the Middle East etc."Strike" forces (air and sea) are alsodiscussed as a possible option.Given the great importance givento Australia's world-wide tradingrelationships in the Trade departments -White Paper, it is rather surprising thatmerchant shipping - without which therecan be no trade - is scarcely mentionedin either of the government papers.The Navy league has for yearsmaintained that a major weakness inAustralia's well-being is virtually completedependence on overseas-owned shippingto transport goods in and out of thecountry. The present government is noexception in its failure to recogniseAustralia's vulnerability in this regard.With the foregoing qualifications, theStrategic Policy objectives and prioritiesappear to be reasonable and capabie ofachievement - the latter provided thatgovernment and the community acceptthat the world abounds with armedforces, a fact recognised in both policypapers, and provide the necessaryfundsLetting off Steam OverseasThe writer is invariably left with a sourtaste in his mouth whenever he reads ofsome organisation or group ofAustralians airing grievances overseas.Surely there are enough courts, tribunals,commissions, ombudsmen and people ofgoodwill in Australia, capable ofpreventing injustice without dissatisfiedpeople seeking foreign intervention?Quite apart from the slight to nationalpride, most foreigners have enoughproblems of their ov/n to worry aboutwithout adding those of Australians.Recognition for ServiceDuring the last two years this column hascontained reports on efforts by formernaval personnel to obtain recognition andconsequential benefits for service inAustralian ships involved in the MalayanEmergency in the nineteen-fifties.Despite the seemingly irrefutableevidence put forward by the formersailors to support their ease, both Laborand Coalition governments have refusedto accede to the request.Angered by official insensitivity, a group ofthe Navy's former most senior officers -including no less than 14 admirals - hassent a letter of protest to the PrimeMinister, a move which must surely beunprecedented in our military history.This matter seems unlikely to 'go away'Launch PostponedThe HMAS WARRAMUNGA Associationhas been advised by Tenix (formerTransfield Defence Systems) that thelaunch of WARRAMUNGA MK2. scheduledfor 18 April 1998, has been postponeduntil 23 May due to industrial problems -not a new experience for theWilliamstown dockyard!The Association's office bearers have abusy time re-scheduling arrangementsfor the various functions planned forthe event, not least re-bookingaccommodation for interstate visitors.(The writer joined the firstWARRAMUNGA prior to commissioningon 22 November 1942 and spenr almost2 years in what was regarded as a "happyship", most of the period under thecommand of her gready admired Captain.E.F.V. Dechaineux, who shortly afterleaving VVARRAMUNGA was killed inHMAS AUSTRALIA while taking part in thelandings in The Philippines).THE NORTHERNSPECIALISTOn the recent patrol to bolstersurveillance strength in NorthernAustralia HMAS "TOWNSVILLE",commanded by LCDR PSNDChatterton, RAN, apprehended thelargest illegal fishing vessel evertaken in Australian waters.TOWNSVILLE, a Cairns based patrol boatsailed early December for the Gulf ofCarpentaria apprehending a pair of TypeIII traditional Indonesian fishing boats.These were given to HMAS WHYALLA totow back to Darwin. After a weekend inGove, and the traditional naval transit ofHole in the Wall (Gugari Rip).TOWNSVILLE headed towards theAustralian Fishing Zone (AFZ) line. Thisproved to be a frustrating few daysinvestigating suspect contacts, eventuallyfeeling that they were chasing their ownwake.VANINDA No. 18 under escort to Darwin inDecember.Ending this monotony was the eyes in thesky of Coastwatch. spotting a fleet ofabout 14 stern trawlers, all working nearthe AFZ line. TOWNSVILLE proceeded toinvestigate, and radar plotted one of thecontacts 4 miles inside the line, as it triedto escape northwards. Once about 2miles past the line, the boat slowed inVANINDA No. 18.Mid section of trawler's main freezer.speed, feeling they had escaped tofreedom. Litde did they know that thesmall grey shadow on the horizon wasthe long arm of the 'aw reaping justice.The unlucky boat which had been trackedwas the 'VANINDA No. 18', a 53 metre.750 tonne member of the Handoo FishCo. After firing rifle volleys across theirbow the ship stopped, and was boarded.The Korean mastered, Indonesianregistered vessel had 2 GPSS, 2 radars.2 colour digital display echo sounders.DF and autopilot, making the patrolboat's navigational fit look somewhatinferior.The live fish on the deck and on theprocessing table below made for arelatively easy apprehension, and the longtrip to back to Darwin commenced. Thesteaming party welcomed the changeof maintaining watches on an airconditioned bridge, instead of with sharkfin on the roof of a Type III in the middaysun. The arrival into the port of Darwinsaw TOWNSVILLE conduct a lead through.250 yards ahead of the VANINDA, whilemedia crews ducked in and out of thewakes to "capture the moment". Theseimages would be in the papers thefollowing day, and beamed nationally thatnight, which ironically may have beenwatched by the crew of the VANINDAitself on the TVs scattered throughoutthe ship.The fishing boat was subsequently handedover to the Fisheries Representatives,allowing TOWNSVIILLE to proceedalongside Darwin Naval Base for a welldeserved weekend of rest.ALL COMPASS POINTSSpotlight on the United States NavyAircraft CarriersThe decommissioned carrier AMERICA(CV 66) was moved from the NorfolkNaval Shipyard on 22 September to thePhiladelphia Inactive Ships MaintenanceFacility. AMERICA had been laid up atNorfolk since her August 1996decommissioning.Associated Press reported on 23November that a "senior military official"revealed that a Russian "OSCAR //"-classnuclear-powered missile submarinemaneuvered close to the super-carrierCONSTELLATION (CV 64) off the coast ofWashington State in late September. TheAP quoted the official as saying. "TheUnited States knew about it, it wastracked. There was no danger" to thecarrier. "If we'd been at war. we wouldn'thave let it get even close." TheWashington Times also reported that thesame boat had cruised off the WashingtonState coast, practiced "attack operations"against the CARL VINSON (CVN 70). andshadowed the NIMITZ (CVN 68) beforereturning to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskyyon I November.The keel of the new RONALD REAGAN(CVN 76) was laid at Newport NewsShipbuilding & Drydock Company.Newport News,Virginia on 9 February.Museum ShipsMISSOURI (BB 63) was opened for publictours at Navai Shipyard Puget Sound,Washington, during January, after whichpreparations began for the ship's plannedtow to Pearl Harbor. Hawaii, in April. TheSecretary of the Navy was expected tosign a formal contract during January totransfer custody of the ship to the USSMissouri Memorial Association.In early November the USN hasproposed berthing WISCONSIN (BB 64)at the Nauticus sea exhibit in downtownNorfolk, Virginia. The battleship iscurrendy lying mothballed at the NorfolkNaval Shipyard, where she is occupyingvaluable space. The proposal, backed byCINCLANT. would open WISCONSIN'Stopsides and selected interior spaces tothe public, much in the same manner asthe MISSOURI was open during thesummer of 1995. The Navy would retainownership of the batdeship and pay forpreparing a berth at Nauticus, moving theship, and the $200,000 in annualmaintenance costs. The source of theNavy funding was not identified; the NavyPAGE 26PAGE I I

THE NAVYTHE NAVYproposal to berth "WHISKEY" atNauticus is unique, and may not fit intocurrent guidelines Initial reaction fromthe city was favorable. Groups in Norfolkhave been seeking to acquire the IOWA(BB 61). but the WISCONSIN proposalmay put an end to those efforts.The last surviving Independence classlight carrier, the long-stricken CABOT(CVL 28). ex-Spanish DEDALO. was takenin from New Orleans to Port Isabel.Texas, arriving on 18 October The sadand confused state of the ship, whichfailed to open in New Orleans as atourist attraction, saw the Coast Guarddeclaring her a menace to navigation, andher arrival at Port Isabel likely presagesher eventual scrapping. In late 1997. theCommandant of the Coast Guard madepublic an appeal by former PresidentGerald Ford to save the ship, and theAmerican Academy of Industry inChicago is continuing its efforts toacquire CABOT and tow her to Chicagofor eventual display.The Governor of Minnesota announcedon 26 November that the State and theCity of Duluth had agreed on a locationfor the stricken OES MOINES (CA 134),now lying at the Naval Inactive ShipsMaintenance Facility at Philadelphia PA.The announcement included theprediction that the ship would arrive atDuluth during mid 1998. Navy approval ofa preservation group s application for theship, and Minnesota state legislativeapproval for the project, have yet to besecured.One of the last examples of a WWIIdestroyer escort, the SLATER (DE 766)was towed from New York City to Albany.New York on 26 October, endingattempts to establish the ship as amuseum/memorial in Manhattan. TheDestroyer Escort Association acquiredthe ship in 1991 from Greece, where sheserved as HIERAX from 1951 to i 991. Anew non-profit organization has beenformed to operate the ship at Albany.SLATER was first commissioned on I May1944.CruisersARKANSAS (CCN 41), the last ofthe "VIRGINIA"-class nuclear-poweredcruisers, was deactivated 18 October atPuget Sound Naval Shipyard. Afterentering drydock for stripping, she will befully "re-cycled" (scrapped), unlike hersisterships. which have all been stripped,but are still awaiting final scrapping.FrigatesThe United States has approved the saleof three additional Knox class frigates tothe Taiwanese Navy. Total cost of the saleis S300US for the former USS AYLWIN.PHARRIS and VALDEZ. Six of the typecurrently serve with the fleet. The last ofsix French built La Fayette class frigates.CHENG DU. has also been delivered, on16 January.Amphibious ShipsFollowing successful tests aboardASHLAND (LSD 48). the Ship Self DefenseSystem (SSDS) was recommended byCommander. Operational Test andEvaluation Force in mid-October for fleetintroduction. SSDS is a distributed, openarchitecture combat system for pointdefense that links RAM missile launchsystems. Phalanx gun mounts and decoychaff launchers to detect, track anddestroy incoming targets. According tothe USN Navy. SSDS destroyed all of the200+ targets it engaged during thesummer tests. The system will initially beinstalled aboard LSD-41 and LPD-17 classamphibious ships, and selected aircraftcarriers.BONHOMME RICHARD (LHD 6) isplanned to be commissioned on 15 July1998. while /WO JIMA (LHD 7) had herkeel laid on 3 November at IngallsShipbuilding. Pascagoula. Mississippi. Hercommissioning is scheduled for February2001.GUAM (LPH-9) is scheduled to return toNorfolk on 3 April, then decommission inUSS AMERICASeptember 1998. Previously. NEWORLEANS (LPH 11) was decommissionedat San Diego on 31 October 1997.CLEVELAND (LPD-7) recently installedthe Pioneer Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV) system and tested it off the coastof Southern California. A UAV can crossinto hostile areas for surveillance,targeting and battle damage assessment.A full UAV detachment and civilianengineers from the Naval Air WarfareCenter Aircraft Division. Lakehurst, N.J..embarked in the LPD to test the system.The UAV detachment and CLEVELAND'SAir Department conducted numerousbriefs, walk-throughs, rigging andunrigging practices and aerial vehicleengine system checks. "I think we arestepping into the 21 st century here" saidAirman Wesley S. Knowles. of Taft. Calif."This UAV provides for safer acquisitionof vital information in a potentially hostileenvironment."USCGHEALY (WAGB 20) launched 15November at Avondale Shipyards. NewOrleans. Louisiana. The sideways-deliverylaunch created a wave that inundated anumber of people on a viewing stand,causing several minor injuries and sendingeleven people to a hospital for treatment.Meanwhile, i dispute over the characterof the ship's namesake, who served in thei 9th century as the captain of the cutterBEAR, is unlikely to result in a namechange. The icebreaker is scheduled fordelivery in February 1999.Department of Defense Budget forFY 1999Secretary of Defense William S. Cohenrecently released details of PresidentClinton's Fiscal Year (FY) 1999 defensebudget. It requested $257.3 billion inbudget authority and $252.6 billion inoutlays for the Department of Defense(DoD).Release of this budget is the culminationof intense scrutiny of the U.S. defenseposture carried out during SecretaryCohen's first year in office. The newbudget begins full implementation ofthe Department's comprehensiveQuadrennial Defense Review (QDR).TheQDR examined the security threats andopportunities facing the U.S. anddeveloped far-reaching recommendationsfor the post-Cold War era.The budget includes $48.7 billion forprocurement of more modern weapons.Procurement is projected to reach $61.3billion in FY 2001, achieving the $60billion goal previously set by the ClintonAdministration. DoD leaders considerthis higher modernization spending to beessential to the future readiness andbattlefield superiority of U.S. forces.While highlighting the importance ofweapons modernization. SecretaryCohen stressed that the long-termreadiness of U.S. forces was threatenedby the budgetary drain of excessinfrastructure. The Department ofDefense is burdened with facilities andbases that it neither needs nor can afford.To remedy this. Secretary Cohen againurged Congress to approve two morebase closure and realignment (BRAC)rounds.Transforming the U.S. DefensePostureThe FY 1999 budget beginsimplementation of the QDR's plan fortransforming U.S. defense strategy andmilitary forces.Shorthand for the new defense strategyis: Shape. Respond, Prepare. It calls for theU.S. to work to shape the internationalsecurity environment in ways favorable toAmerican interests, be willing and able torespond to the full spectrum of crises asneeded, and prepare now for an uncertainfuture. The FY 1999 budget supports thisstrategy primarily by ensuring continuedAmerican military superiority, highreadiness, and extensive overseasdeployment of U.S. forces. It alsoadvances the transformation of U.S.forces and the organizations and activitiessupporting them so that together theycan best guarantee America's long-termsecurity.• The transformation of U.S. militaryforces seeks to maximize theireffectiveness across the full spectrum offuture crises and conflict scenarios. Whilewe will transition to forces that aredifferent in character, the hallmarks ofAmerica's military will continue to be topquality people, high readiness, andsuperior doctrine and technology. The FY1999 budget includes strong funding forall these.• Transforming U.S. forces also requiresimplementation of Joint Vision 2010. theDepartment's new conceptual frameworkfor how future U.S. forces will fight andachieve "full spectrum dominance. " At theheart of Joint Vision 2010 is the ability tocollect, process, and disseminate essentialinformation to U.S. forces, while denyingthe enemy the ability to gain and usebattle-relevant intelligence. Support ofJoint Vision 2010 in the FY 1999 budget isprimarily for funding relevant newtechnologies.The QDR recommended end strengthsand force levels that are only slightlybelow those already planned as a result ofthe Department's earlier post-Cold Waradjustments. It called for additional cutsof about 60.000 active military personnel;55,000 in Selected Reserves; and 80.000DoD civilians. End strength trends andgoals are shown below:Modernization of U.S. Forces•One of the QDR's most importantcontributions was to detail a plan toensure that the Department could fulfillits ambitious and essential plans tomodernize U.S. weapons. The QDRendorsed the importance of increasedprocurement funding both to prepare forfuture challenges and to upgrade agingsystems. It also recommended numerouschanges to specific major modernizationprograms and proposed ways to reduceUSS MISSOURI (NPU)the future likelihood that the Departmentwould need to shift funds out ofinvestment accounts to cover must-paycosts like unbudgeted operatingexpenses.• To supportimplementation of theQDR. procurement is funded as follows:Department of Defense Procurement• Among its major modernizationinitiatives, the new budget emphasizesthe advanced information-technologiesneeded to fulfill Joint Vision 2010. Itaccelerates acquisition of new command,control, communications, computers,intelligence. surveillance. andreconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities.For example, funding was added toaccelerate by two years the fielding of theArmy's first digitized division and corps.Numerous such advances will enablemilitary commanders to more effectivelydirect forces, transfer informationbetween them, and dominate futureadversaries. Also funded are keysurveillance assets such as unmannedaerial vehicles and critical navigation aidslike the Global Positioning System.• Modernization of ground forces willstress upgrades of primary combatplatforms like the Army's Abrams tank.Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and ApacheLongbow helicopter. Major developmentefforts include the Comanche helicopterand Crusader artillery system. MarineCorps modernization features the V-22tilt-rotor aircraft. the AdvancedAmphibious Assault Vehicle, and the4BN/4BW helicopter upgrade.• Modernization of naval forces includesprocurement of the DDG-51 Destroyer.LPD-17 amphibious transport dock ship,and New Attack Submarine (NSSN).Thetenth and final Nimitz-class carrier(CVN-77) is fully funded in FY 2001. acost-saving acceleration of one year. Thebudget also supports development of thenext generation aircraft carrier and thedestroyer.• The QDR confirmed the need for. butmade major adjustments to DoD's threemajor programs for modernizing U.S.tactical aircraft. New budget plans reflectDoD's decision to reduce and delay someplanned procurement of the Joint StrikeFighter (JSF). F-22. and F/A-18E7F. The JSFwill continue in its conceptdemonstration phase into FY 2001. inpreparation for procurement tocommence in FY 2005. Funds for the firsttwo production F-22s are requested forFY 1999, leading to a gradual buildup toprocurement of 36 aircraft per year by FY2004 Production should soon increasefor the F/A-I8E/F. which has greatersurvivability and weapons payloads thanearlier F/A-18 models. For the longerterm the Navy plans to transition fromF/A-I8E/F to JSF procurement at a timebased on the pace of JSF development.• The new budget supports the QDR'semphasis on munitions of superiorprecision. Substantial funding is providedfor ATACMS/BAT. Longbow Hellfire.SADARM. and Javelin for the Army;Sensor Fuzed Weapon for the Air Force;and JSOW.JDAM. and AMRAAM for boththe Air Force and Navy. The Navy willcontinue to improve its inventory ofTomahawk missiles and convert anti-shipHarpoon missiles to SLAM-ER land attackmissiles.• The QDR stressed America's ability toproject military power to distant regions,and the new budget continues theDepartment's airlift and sealiftinvestments. Some 120 C-17 aircraft willbe procured by FY 2003. All KC-135tankers will receive major avionicsupgrades. To improve sealift, FY 1999procurement includes the last LMSRtransport vessel, needed to move earlydeployingArmy divisions.FY 1999-2003 Major Defense (navy)Modernization Programs (Procurement$ in billions);F/A-I8E/F Aircraft 15.0, DDG-51Destroyer 14.1, New Attack Submarine7.5. LPD-17 Amphibious Transport DockShip 6.5.V-22 Tiltrotor Aircraft 5.8.PAHF 1Ri PAGE 29

THE NAVYTHE NAVY'THE OLD NAVY'? WHAT ISA. ..SBA?The 'What is a ...' navy people series wasoriginally written in the late 1950s. The setwill be re-produced in 'The Navy' during1998A Sick Berth Attendant is a sort of a maleFlorence Nightingale who uses an electrictorch instead of a lamp when searchingfor the dreaded mechanised dandruff.Sick Berth Attendants are an exclusive set- they wear white dresses back to frontand are usually sterilised. They are oftenreferred to as "untouchables" but it ispointed out however, that many of therepatients are more untouchable(particularly following a visit to somemystic port). During this latter period itrequires an experienced sick BerthAttendant to be able to put his finger onthe trouble.At Childers.the SBA. is fully trained in theuse of the APC. This is known as theAPCD School (Aspirin PhenacetinCaffeine Dispensing School). Contrary topopular opinion the technique ofAPCDing is involved.For example:-a. Ascertain patient's troubleb. Disregard itc. Approach APC bottle andwithdraw cork.d. Pause (for full medical effect wait30 seconds)e. Remove three tabletsf. (Remembering naval economymeasures) replace one tabletg. Search for measure glass and fillwith waterh. Dispense - with/of patient.At Flinders where the SBA is trained, heundergoes an extensive course in the artof needle fencing. This course comes intwo parts or methods ... "the dart" and"the direct". The latter however has littleto recommend it and has little glamourabout it. It is designed purely to reveal tothe patient that that he did after all have amuscle there! However, "the dart"method smacks of the theatre with itsdramatic unexpectancy (real AlfredHitchcock stuff) - slap! slap! dart - you gotit pal!There is a method in an SBA's madness.For you see. the SBA has the game sewnup.so if they appear distant and not quitewidi you. remember that they are reallythinking about their patients (patience)and are not just in the ether.BOOKREVIEWSAUSTRALIAN MARITIMEPATROL AIRCRAFTPublished by:TopmillReviewed by Joe StraczekCoscf 12.95Maritime Patrol Aircraft is a detailedexamination of the seaplanes, flying boatsand land based patrol aircraft of theRAAF since 1922, as well as the carrierborne anti-submarine aircraft of the FleetAir Arm from 1948.Twenty-five aircraft types are discussed,including eighteen RAAF and seven navalmodels, with 130 black and white and 30colour illustrations. The story of themaritime aircraft is related through wellresearched narrative and data, plus someinteresting large format (full page) tableswhich describe through figures, dates anddata, the chronological history of theseunusual aircraft As well as the betterknown types, the book also features thesmall batch of land planes convertedquickly by the RAAF to serve in themaritime role, mostly in the mid warperiod from 1919 to 1939. Each aircraftentry is presented via an introductorysquadron table. an historicalbackground (design origin, overseasdevelopment/orders and RAAF or RANacquisition/career history), technical data,armament notes, special facts and finaldisposal.For the naval enthusiast, the seaplanesand flying boats operated by the 'seniorservice" from »ts seaplane carrier, cruisersand survey ships are included in the RANchapter, along with the Fairey Fireflies.Fairy Gannets arid Grumman Trackersflown by the light fleet carriers between1948 and 1980All of the photographs have reproducedwell, with an colour section mainlydevoted to the RAAF's Neptunes andOrions and the Navy's Gannets andTrackers. This 100 page book is right upto date, with the AP-3C Orion sectioncorrect to March, 1998. AustralianMaritime Patrol Aircraft comes highlyrecommended and at only $12.95. willnot set back the finances too much.THE BRITISH BATTLEFLEET:ITS INCEPTION ANDGROWTH THROUGHTHE CENTURIESBy Fred T JanePublished by Conway Maritime PressReview Copy from DLSReviewed by Joe Straczekllir 11 nihiliwill!iidill- I|M • |HllMI .Hilll.m»ih IIIIMII.IHHII 1III. 1. limn. .f: I I-.-.I I I n..i f i "Ill I'l • -I..Md 1Within the area of naval history a numberof names are instantly recognisable ashaving made a contribution to the widerknowledge of national or internationalnaval affairs. This publication bringstogether two such names. One AntonyPreston is such name, a renownedauthority on naval affairs and contributorto a number of international Journals.Thesecond name virtually needs nointroduction. Fred T Jane, perhaps one ofthe most famous navalists of the late 19thand early 20th centuries. His namecontinues to be associated with theinternational naval scene through JanesFighting Ships, which he founded and theseries of journals published by the Janesgroup.The publication which has bought thesetwo names together is the re-print ofJanes The British Battle Fleet Its Inceptionand Growth through the Centuries.JPublished in 1912 this book was one ofthe first to analysis the development ofthe British warship.Though this book maynot by today's standards be considered asan academic work it is none the less animportant work and one which willcontinue to be sought out and referredto by students of the period.In The British Battle Fleet Its Inception andGrowth through the Centuries, Jane tracesthe development of British warships andtheir associated technologies. The booksuccinctly describes the development ofthe ships as well as some of the socialchanged which occurred during theperiod. One of the more revealing pointsis how during the 1680s the lot of theseamen began to deteriorate after thesupply of provisions and clothing waspassed into contractors hands, somethingakin to today's Commercial SupportProgram. Hopefully after 310 years thingshave improved.Jane is possibly one of the few authorswho places the design and constructionof CERBERUS into its true historicalcontext The vessel designed by Sir EJReed was the basis of modern warshipsup to and beyond the famousDREADNOUGHT. In essence, everythingthat DREADNOUGHT had. CERBERUS had.in smaller scale, some 40 years earlier.The British Battle Fleet Its Inception andGrowth through the Centuries is a timelessbook and one which will provide thoseinterested in naval affairs and warshipdevelopment with a wealth ofcontemporary information. This book isstrongly recommended for inclusion innaval libraries.THE MARITIMEDEFENCE OF CANADABy Roger SartyPublished by The Canadian Institute ofStrategic StudiesReviewed by Joe StraczekUnlike Australia. Canadian defenceconcerns have historically been linkedwith its land border with the UnitedStates. The maritime elements havetended to take a back seat However, thisdoes not mean that they wereunimportant. The Maritime Defence OfCanada by Roger Sarty provides a brief,but informative, overview of the maritimedimension to the Canadian securityproblem.The author. Roger Sarty. is the seniorhistorian at the Canadian NationalDefence Headquarters and is currentlyworking on a new three volume officialhistory of the Royal Canadian Navy in theSecond World War. This publicationshould be available in about two years.The Maritime Defence Of Canada is acollection of essays dealing with a varietyof aspects of Canada's maritime defencesand makes for an interesting comparisonto similar issues in Australia. The essayscover such topics as rearmament,mobilisation and coastal fortificationsthrough to anti-submarine warfare in theAtlantic and help place into context theCanadian maritime experience.In common with Australia, Canada was anintegral part of the British Empire andmany of the decisions which impactedheavily on Canadian security were takenin London. As Australia has found out notall of these decisions were made with thebest interests of Canada in mind. This isthe disadvantage of a nation being part ofa collective security regime where it hasvery little say and no control overexternal elements. In this context thebook adds to the available literature onImperial Defence and helps to provide aninsight to various local issues andopinions.There is much in The Maritime Defence OfCanada which would be of interest toAustralian readers. Not only is the bookinformative but it is also a good read andhighly recommended.(The Maritime Defence Of Canada may bepurchased from the publishers. TheCanadian Institute of Strategic Studies,Suite 402. 2300 Yonge St, Toronto. M4PIE4 Canada, for $CAN20.00)ISLAND NATIONA HISTORY OFAUSTRALIANS AND THESEABy Frank BroezePublished by Allen & UnwinReviewed by Vic jefferyThis is the tenth book in the series "TheAustralian Experience" examining aspectsof Australia's history and heritage. Itexplores the important role of the sea inAustralia's history and shows how it actsas a highway, spanning those vastdistances between ourselves andoverseas neighbours, rather than acting asa barrier.Every aspect of our maritime historyfrom national security, trade and maritimeunions through to surfing, boating andfishing is included in this well thought outbook. The book is divided into threesections.They are: Part One - ControllingSea Space: Geopolitics. War and NavalPolicy; Part Two - Overcoming Distance;Shipping Settlement and Ports; and PartThree - Living with Seas: Work. Cultureand Lifestyle.I do not subscribe to all of Mr Broeze'sviews, but overall feel he has achieved anenjoyable and thought provoking book intrying to cover all aspects of ourmaritime history, past and present.Broeze's comments describing Collinsclasssubmarines as "controversialbecause of their cost and dubiousstrategic value" and describing theformer aircraft carrier HMASMELBOURNE as "bought second-handfrom Britain" shows a degree ofignorance and naivety on naval matters. Inthe author's defence it must be pointedout that he cannot be expected toproduce a book of this magnitude and bean expert on every topic.Just released, this well researched 291page soft cover book is supported by 48photographs and illustrations plus sixmaps. Retailing at $24.95, it is a worthyread for anyone with an interest inAustralia's maritime history.BATTLECRUISERSBy John RcbertsPublished ijy ChathamReview? j by Ross Gil ettStemming at high a peed through a NorthSei swell ir. 1917 Fisher's 'Splendid Cats'were indeed a splendid sightSo reads the first narrative In the newChatham publication Battlecruisers,describing HM Ships TIGER. PRINCESSROYAL and UON steaming in companyduring the later stages of the First WorldWar.Designed with the speed of a cruiser andwith the firepower of a battleship, theBritish Battlecruisers spanned an erafrom 1908 to the late 1940b, this newwork concentrating on their origin,design, the ship's early years in serviceand the all-important technical side of thevarious classes, from INVINCIBLE (1908)to HOOD (1920). Also included in thistimeframe are the large light cruisersCOURAGEOUS. GLORIOUS and FURIOUS.Each ship's development is welldocumented, with superb perspective andcutaway drawings of each class.Battlecruisers is the second in the newShipshape series (after The FirstDestroyers) from Chatham Publishing. Awonderful book which is highlyrecommended.PAGE 30PAGE I I

JANES WAR AT SEA1897-1997100 YEARS OF JANESFIGHTING SHIPSBy B. Ireland and Eric GrovePublished by Harper CollinsReviewed by Ross GillettThe name Janes is synonymous with manythings naval and has now been so for overone hundred years.To mark the centenary of Jar.es FightingShips, the Harper Collins group hasreleased the impressive Janes War at Sea1897-1997. The book is written aroundthe development of the warship duringthe past 100 years, centred upon themajor eras and warship types, frombattleships and aircraft carriers, throughto torpedo boats and amphibious ships.The book features hundreds of highquality photographs and numerouscolour profiles, all printed on glossypaper. Unfortunately, for this reviewer, thenarrative was found to be too small forany period of long reading.The compilation of a book such as this isa daunting task, thousands of ships,numerous developments and alterationsto the warships. To their credit theauthors have presented the generalreader with a well balanced, by ship typeand national navy, overview of the 100years covered by the book's sub-title.AUSTRALIANSEAP0WERPH0T0FILE NO. 6 -FRIGATESPublished by TopmillReviewed by Mike JamesCost $9.95The Australian Seapower Photofile series,published by Sydney's Topmill Books, hasprovided a convenient and economicalresource for the maritime enthusiast andlayman alike.FRIGATES continues this worthy tradition,covering the many and various classes ofescorts that have operated in Australianand New Zealand waters. From the firstsloops of the pre-World War One era URto today's technologically sophisticatedAnzac class frigates, all are covered indetail.Each class is broken down into individualships and the highlights of each ship'scareer is detailed, in peace and wartime.THE NAVYAUSTMAUAM UATOWUFRIGATESw y *Bit ****supported by a wealth of photographs.Many of the;e photographs have neverbeen published before, a boon to theserious student of naval history and themodel maker.The book is laid out in three sections.Thefirst covers the Royal Australian Navywhile the second examines the ships ofthe Royal New Zealand Navy. The thirdsection is made up of 16 pages of colourphotos, including a rare 1950s colourview of HMAS QUEENBOROUGHfollowing her modification to an antisubmarinefrigateFRIGATES would be a welcome additionto the bookshelf of any ship lover andcontinues this excellent series. The nextbook is planned to cover the corvettes,anti-submarine and mine warfare ships.FRIGATES is available through betternewsagents for a recommended retailprice of $9.85.SHIPMATESILLUSTRATED TALES OFTHE MASCOTS CARRIEDIN RAN SHIPS ANDESTABLISHMENTSBy Vic CassellsThis book tells of the trials andtribulations of the mascots carried in theships and establishments of the RoyalAustralian Navy - and a few RN caseswhere their story is pertinent in someway to this country.The most eye-opening thing found by theauthor during his research was the extentto which these mascots contributed tothe morale of the men. In the hundreds ofconversations conducted by Vic Cassells.the strong affection they'd had forDigger". Smoky'. Wheels', 'Tiddles'.Durbo' and all the other remarkablecreatures in this book, comes throughjust as clearly 50-odd years on.Some of the stories are funny - evenbawdy, and others are sad. A bit like life,really. But. at least, to the best of theauthor's knowledge, they are all true.Nevertheless, it is understandable thatthere may be differences of opinion aboutexactly what did happen all those yearsago. Most of the contributors wererecalling events which took place in theirteenage years, with all now in their 70s.some in their 80s. and even a few in their90s. It would be surprising, indeed, if theyall still retained perfect, uncloudedmemories of events.A paperback, laminated. 205 page book.Shipmates is illustrated throughout withmore than 280 black and whitephotographs, with a bibliography andindex. The book will be available In April.1998. direct from the author.ORDERFORMPlease send mecopy/copies ofShipmates at $25.00 plus $5.00 postageand handling for one book and $2.50 foreach additional book. Total $NameAddress...Phone/FaxSignaturePost CodePayment: Cheque or Money Order onlyTo: Vic Cassells, PO Box 229Paradise Point, Qld 4216Telephone or Fax (07) 55773305PAGE 32