HMAS Melbourne (R21)

HMAS Melbourne (R21) was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from 1955 until 1982, and was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier Template:NoteTag to serve in the RAN. Melbourne was the only Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisions.<ref name=Bastock313/>

Melbourne was laid down for the Royal Navy as the lead ship of the Majestic class in April 1943, and was launched as HMS Majestic (R77) in February 1945. At the end of the Second World War, work on the ship was suspended until she was purchased by the RAN in 1947. At the time of purchase, it was decided to incorporate new aircraft carrier technologies into the design, making Melbourne the third ship to be constructed with an angled flight deck. Delays in construction and integrating the enhancements meant that the carrier was not commissioned until 1955.

Melbourne never fired a shot in anger during her service career, having only peripheral, non-combat roles in relation to the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation and the Vietnam War. She was, however, involved in two major collisions with allied vessels; though Melbourne was not found to be the primary cause of either incident. The first collision occurred on the evening of 10 February 1964, in which Melbourne rammed and sank the RAN destroyer Template:HMAS, when the latter altered course across her bow. 82 of VoyagerTemplate:'s personnel were killed, and two Royal Commissions were held to investigate the incident. The second collision occurred in the early morning of 3 June 1969, when Melbourne also rammed the United States Navy (USN) destroyer Template:USS in similar circumstances. 74 American personnel died, and a joint USN–RAN Board of Inquiry was held. These incidents, along with several minor collisions, shipboard accidents and aircraft losses, led to the belief that Melbourne was jinxed.<ref name=Hall9/>

Melbourne was paid off from RAN service in 1982. A proposal to convert her for use as a floating casino failed, and a 1984 sale was cancelled, before she was sold for scrap in 1985 and towed to China for breaking. The scrapping was delayed so Melbourne could be studied by the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) as part of a secret project to develop a Chinese aircraft carrier and used to train PLAN aviators in carrier flight operations.<ref name=Storey79/>

Construction and acquisition

Melbourne was constructed by Vickers-Armstrongs at their Naval Construction Yard in Barrow-in-Furness, North West England.<ref name=Hobbs5>Hobbs, HMAS Melbourne (II) – 25 Years On, p. 5</ref> The ship was laid down as HMS Majestic on 15 April 1943, and was launched on 28 February 1945 by Lady Anderson, the wife of Sir John Anderson, the British Chancellor of the Exchequer.<ref name=Hobbs5/> Following the end of World War II, the Admiralty ordered the suspension of many British shipbuilding projects, including the fitting out of Majestic and her five sister ships.<ref name=Hobbs5/> Construction resumed in 1946, and major modifications to the design were incorporated.<ref name=Hobbs5/>

A review by the Australian Government's Defence Committee held after Template:Nowrap recommended that the post-war forces of the RAN be structured around a Task Force incorporating multiple aircraft carriers.<ref name="Donohue">Donohue, From Empire Defence to the Long Haul, p. 33</ref> Initial plans were for three carriers, with two active and a third in reserve, although funding cuts led to the purchase of only two carriers in June 1947: Majestic and sister ship HMS Terrible, for the combined cost of AU£2.75 million,Template:NoteTag plus stores, fuel, and ammunition.<ref name=Hobbs5/><ref>Donohue, From Empire Defence to the Long Haul, pp. 38, 45–7</ref> As Terrible was the closer of the two ships to completion, she was finished without modification, and was commissioned into the RAN on 16 December 1948 as Template:HMAS.<ref name=Hobbs5/> Work progressed on Majestic at a slower rate, as she was upgraded with the latest technology and equipment.<ref name=Donohue94/> The Colossus-class carrier Template:HMS was loaned to the RAN from 13 November 1952 until 12 August 1955 to cover MajesticTemplate:'s absence.<ref name=Donohue94>Donohue, From Empire Defence to the Long Haul, p. 94</ref>

The Majestic experienced delays in its construction due to labour difficulties, late delivery of equipment, additional requirements for Australian operations and the prioritisation of the construction of merchant ships.<ref>Donohue, From Empire Defence to the Long Haul, p. 149</ref><ref name=Stevens165>Stevens et al., The Royal Australian Navy, p. 165</ref> Incorporation of new systems and enhancements caused the cost of the RAN carrier acquisition program to increase to AU£8.3 million.<ref name=Stevens165/> Construction and fitting out did not finish until October 1955.<ref name=Hall72/> As the carrier neared completion, a commissioning crew was formed in Australia and first used to return Vengeance to the United Kingdom.<ref>HMAS (ex-HMS) Vengeance, Sea Power Centre</ref>

The completed carrier was commissioned into the RAN as HMAS Majestic on 26 October 1955.<ref name=Cassells84>Cassells, The Capital Ships, p. 84</ref> Two days later, the ship was renamed Melbourne by Lady White, the wife of Sir Thomas White, the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and recommissioned.<ref name="Hall72–3">Hall, HMAS Melbourne, pp. 72–3</ref>

Design

Template:Main As the lead ship of the Majestic-class of light aircraft carriers, Melbourne was conceived as a modified version of the Colossus-class carrier, incorporating improvements in flight deck design and habitability.<ref name=Hobbs5/> Majestic- and Colossus-class carriers were almost identical in hull design and both were considered subclasses of the "1942 design" light aircraft carrier program.<ref>Hobbs, in Stevens and Reeve, The Navy and the Nation, p. 211</ref> These carriers were intended as "disposable warships": to be disposed of at the end of World War II or within three years of entering service.<ref>Hobbs, in Stevens and Reeve,The Navy and the Nation, p. 217</ref>

Melbourne had a standard displacement of Template:Convert, which increased to Template:Convert at full load.<ref name=Bastock308.9>Bastock, Australia's Ships of War, pp. 308–9</ref> At launch, the carrier was Template:Convert long overall, but this was increased by Template:Convert during a refit in 1969.<ref name=Bastock308.9/> She had a beam of Template:Convert, and a draught of Template:Convert.<ref name=Bastock308.9/> MelbourneTemplate:'s two propellers were driven by two Parsons single-reduction geared turbine sets providing 40,000 shp, which were powered by four Admiralty 3-drum boilers.<ref name=Bastock308.9/> The carrier could achieve a top speed of Template:Convert, and a range of Template:Convert at Template:Convert or Template:Convert at Template:Convert.<ref name=Bastock308.9/> The size of the ship's company averaged 1,350 officers and sailors, including 350 personnel from the embarked Fleet Air Arm squadrons.<ref name=Bastock309/>

Modifications during construction

Following the recommencement of construction, modifications were made to the ship, based on wartime experience and Britain's post-war carrier warfare technology and innovations.<ref name="Hobbs5–6">Hobbs, HMAS Melbourne (II) – 25 Years On, pp. 5–6</ref> These included an angled flight deck, steam catapult and a mirror landing aid, making Melbourne the third aircraft carrier (following Template:HMS and Template:USS) to be constructed with these features, instead of having them added later.<ref name=Hobbs6>Hobbs, HMAS Melbourne (II) – 25 Years On, p. 6</ref>

The main modifications centred around the need to operate jet aircraft, which were larger and heavier than those propeller-driven aircraft that the carrier was originally designed for.<ref name="Gillett13–15">Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, pp. 13–5</ref> The flight deck was angled 5.5 degrees left of the carrier's centreline, to allow for the simultaneous launch and recovery of aircraft.<ref name=Hall72>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 72</ref> Despite an increase to approximately one acre (4,000 square metres, 4,800 square yards) in area, the deck was still significantly smaller than other Cold War era carriers; S-2 Trackers, with their Template:Convert wingspan, had less than a metre's clearance for their starboard wingtip when landing, and pilots from other navies often refused to attempt landing.<ref>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, pp. 16, 72, 83</ref> Water rationing was required in the early years of the carrier's operation, as the ship's fresh water supply was insufficient to freely provide for the steam catapult, propulsion turbines and crew.<ref name=Hobbs6/> The flight deck, hangar deck and aircraft lifts were strengthened, and reinforced arrestor cables were installed.<ref name="Donohue"/> Flight direction radar was included, making Melbourne the only military airfield in the Australasian region at the time capable of operating aircraft at night and in poor weather.<ref name="Hall72–3"/>

Refits

Template:Anchor Early in her career, Melbourne underwent a series of short annual refits, commencing in September and ending in January or February of the next year.<ref>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, pp. 26, 28, 30, 33, 37, 39, 44, 48, 53, 84</ref> As time passed, the refits increased in duration or were replaced by major upgrades or overhauls.

MelbourneTemplate:'s first major refit started in December 1967 and continued until February 1969, during which she was upgraded to operate S-2 Tracker and A-4 Skyhawk aircraft.<ref name=SPCMel2/> The modifications cost A$8.5 million, and included an overhaul of the hull and machinery, strengthening of the flight deck, improvements to the catapult and arrestor cables, modification of the aviation fuel systems and flight control arrangements, and upgrades of the navigational aids and radar.<ref name=Hall174>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 174</ref><ref name=CClark61>Coulthard-Clark, Breaking free, p. 61</ref> Air conditioning systems and a liquid oxygen generation plant were also installed.<ref name=CClark61/> Melbourne re-entered service at the conclusion of the refits on 14 February, and performed sea trials in Jervis Bay from 17 February until 5 May.<ref name=Gillett59/> This was the largest project undertaken by Garden Island Dockyard to that date.<ref name=CClark61/>

The next major refit was required in 1971 for the scheduled rebuilding of the catapult, which was only possible after components were sourced from Template:HMCS and Template:USS.<ref name=Bastock313/><ref name=Hall213>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 213</ref> The flight deck was again reinforced and strengthened, and attempts were made to increase the effectiveness of the air conditioning system installed in 1969.<ref name=Bastock313/> Melbourne had been designed to operate in North Atlantic and Arctic climates, and the original ventilation systems were inappropriate for her primary operating climate, the tropics.<ref name=Hall16>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 16</ref> The 1969 and 1971 refits did improve conditions, although there was little scope for upgrade, and the system was still inadequate: temperatures inside the ship continued to reach over Template:Convert, and on one occasion a hold reached Template:Convert.<ref name=Hall16/> The refit took seven months to complete, and cost A$2 million.<ref name=Bastock313/>

More large-scale refits occurred throughout the rest of the 1970s. Melbourne was back in dock from November 1972 until August 1973, with further work done to her catapult.<ref>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 77</ref> The next major refit ran from April 1975 to June 1976, and was intended to increase the operational lifespan of the carrier to at least 1985.<ref name=Cassells86>Cassells, The Capital Ships, p. 86</ref><ref>ANAM, Flying Stations, p. 235</ref> The refit was lengthened by industrial action at the dockyard.<ref name=Cassells86/> Melbourne underwent another refit from late 1978 until August 1979.<ref name=Gillett89.91>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, pp. 89, 91</ref> A refit scheduled to begin in late 1981 was postponed in September until a decision regarding the new carrier was made, then cancelled in January 1982, after the announcement that the RAN would be acquiring HMS Invincible.<ref name=ANAM251>ANAM, Flying Stations, p. 251</ref><ref name=Wright168>Wright, Australian Carrier Decisions, p. 168</ref>

Armament

Melbourne carried a defensive armament of anti-aircraft guns and an air group comprising both attack and anti-submarine aircraft. As the ship was never directly involved in a conflict, her weapons and embarked aircraft did not fire a shot in anger.<ref name=Hall9>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 9</ref>

Weapons and systems

MelbourneTemplate:'s initial armament included 25 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns: six twin and thirteen single mountings.<ref name=GillettANZW22>Gillett, Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946, p. 22</ref> The radar suite consisted of three Type 277Q height-finding sets, a Type 293Q surface search set, and a Type 978 navigational set.<ref name=Bishop62>Bishop and Chant, Aircraft Carriers, p. 62</ref> Between entering service and 1959, four of the single Bofors were removed.<ref name=GillettANZW22/>

During the 1967–1969 refit, thirteen Bofors were removed, leaving four twin and four single mountings.<ref name=Bishop62/> The three 277Q radars were replaced with updated American and Dutch designs: a LW-02 air search set and a SPN-35 landing aid radar.<ref name=Bishop62/> A TACAN aerial and electronic countermeasures pods were also installed during this refit.<ref name=SPCMel2/> The four Bofors twin mountings were removed in 1980.<ref name=GillettANZW22/>

Aircraft

Melbourne carried three Fleet Air Arm squadrons.<ref name=Bastock309/> Initially, she had up to 22 fixed wing and 2 rotary wing aircraft embarked at any time.<ref name=SPCMel2/> The number of aircraft gradually increased until 1972, when the air group peaked at 27 aircraft.<ref name=Bishop62/> Approximately 350 Fleet Air Arm personnel were stationed aboard the carrier.<ref name=Bastock309/>

Initially, two types of fixed-wing aircraft were operated from Melbourne. de Havilland Sea Venom FAW.53 fighter aircraft were flown by 805 Squadron RAN and 808 Squadron RAN, while Fairey Gannet anti-submarine strike aircraft were operated by 816 Squadron RAN and 817 Squadron RAN.<ref>Hobbs, HMAS Melbourne (II) – 25 Years On, pp. 6–7</ref> At the time of their arrival, the Sea Venoms were the only radar equipped and all-weather combat aircraft in the Southern Hemisphere.<ref name=Hobbs6/> At MelbourneTemplate:'s commissioning, the standard air group consisted of eight Sea Venoms and two squadrons of eight Gannets, with two Bristol Sycamore search-and-rescue helicopters added shortly after the carrier entered service.<ref name=SPCMel2/><ref name=Bishop62/>

These aircraft were due to become obsolete in the late 1950s, and the RAN considered purchasing modern aircraft of French or Italian design, which were better suited to light carrier operations than equivalent British aircraft, or replace Melbourne with a larger carrier.<ref name=Stevens187/> Instead of pursuing either alternative, the Australian government announced in 1959 that Melbourne would be reconfigured during her 1963 refit to operate as a helicopter carrier.<ref name=Stevens187>Stevens et al., The Royal Australian Navy, p. 187</ref> The fixed-wing aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm were marked for replacement by 27 Westland Wessex anti-submarine helicopters.<ref name=Stevens193>Stevens et al., The Royal Australian Navy, p. 193</ref> A reduction of embarked plane numbers to four Sea Venoms and six Gannets, along with regular rotation and careful use of the aircraft, extended their service life until the mid-1960s, while the size of the air group was maintained by carrying up to ten Wessex helicopters.<ref name=Bishop62/><ref name=Stevens193/> The decision to retire the fixed-wing component of the Fleet Air Arm was rescinded in 1963, and on 10 November 1964, a AU£212 million increase in defence spending included the purchase of new aircraft for Melbourne.<ref name=Hobbs7>Hobbs, HMAS Melbourne (II) – 25 Years On, p. 7</ref><ref name=FrameLeg88>Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 88</ref>

Template:Multiple image The RAN planned to acquire 14 Grumman S-2E Tracker anti-submarine aircraft, and modernise Melbourne to operate the aircraft.<ref name=FrameLeg88/> The acquisition of 18 Douglas A-4 Skyhawk fighter-bombers was also suggested, but these were dropped from the initial plan.<ref name=Stevens193.4/> A separate proposal to order 10 A-4G Skyhawks, a variant of the Skyhawk designed specifically for the RAN and optimised for air defence, was approved in 1965.<ref name=Stevens193.4>Stevens et al., The Royal Australian Navy, pp. 193–4</ref><ref>Forster, Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Production History</ref> Both aircraft types entered RAN service in 1968, with the Trackers operated by 816 Squadron RAN and 851 Squadron RAN, and the Skyhawks by 805 Squadron RAN and 724 Squadron RAN.<ref name=Lind293/><ref name=Stevens194>Stevens et al., The Royal Australian Navy, p. 194</ref> The aircraft did not fly from Melbourne until the conclusion of her refit in 1969.<ref name=Stevens194/> In 1969, the RAN purchased another ten A-4G Skyhawks, instead of the proposed seventh and eighth Oberon-class submarines.<ref name=Stevens194/> Melbourne operated a standard air group of four Skyhawks, six Trackers, and ten Wessex helicopters until 1972, when the Wessexes were replaced with ten Westland Sea King anti-submarine warfare helicopters and the number of Skyhawks doubled.<ref name=Bishop62/> Although replaced by the Sea King, up to three Wessex helicopters could be carried as search-and-rescue aircraft.<ref name=Bishop62/>

On 5 December 1976, a fire at the Naval Air Station Template:HMAS destroyed or heavily damaged 12 of the Fleet Air Arm's 13 S-2E Trackers.<ref name=CT61276A>"12 RAN Aircraft Burnt" The Canberra Times – 6 December 1976, p.1 (National Library of Australia) Retrieved 21 October 2015</ref><ref name=CT61276>"Nowra Air Station Fire" The Canberra Times – 6 December 1976, p.1 (National Library of Australia) Retrieved 21 October 2015</ref><ref name=CT1449>"Court Martial After Nowra Base Fire" The Canberra Times – 14 April 1977, p.9 (National Library of Australia) Retrieved 21 October 2015</ref><ref name=Lind291/> The carrier was sent to the United States in 1977 to transport back 16 S-2G Tracker aircraft as replacements.<ref name=CT18377>"18 Trackers in service soon" The Canberra Times – 18 March 1977, p.3 (National Library of Australia) Retrieved 21 October 2015</ref><ref name="Gillett83"/>

Over the course of her career, over thirty aircraft were either lost or heavily damaged while operating from Melbourne.<ref name=Hall218.9>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, pp. 218–9</ref> The majority of the aircraft ditched or crashed over the side, but some losses were due to catapult or arrestor cable failures.<ref name=Hall218.9/> After Melbourne was decommissioned, the Fleet Air Arm ceased fixed-wing combat aircraft operation in 1984, with the final Tracker flight saluting the decommissioned carrier.<ref name=Lind302>Lind, The Royal Australian Navy – Historic Naval Events Year by Year, p. 302</ref>

Role

Melbourne was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier to operate with the RAN. Following the first decommissioning of sister ship Template:HMAS in 1958, Melbourne became the only aircraft carrier in Australian service.<ref name=Lind247>Lind, The Royal Australian Navy – Historic Naval Events Year by Year, p. 247</ref> Melbourne was unavailable to provide air cover for the RAN for up to four months in every year; this time was required for refits, refuelling, personnel leave, and non-carrier duties, such as the transportation of troops or aircraft.<ref name=Lind247/><ref>ANAM, Flying Stations, p. 221</ref> Although one of the largest ships to serve in the RAN, Melbourne was one of the smallest carriers to operate in the post-World War II period.<ref name=Bastock313/><ref>Frame, No Pleasure Cruise, p. 261</ref> A decision was made in 1959 to restrict MelbourneTemplate:'s role to helicopter operations only, but was reversed shortly before its planned 1963 implementation.<ref name=Stevens187/><ref name=Hobbs7/>

As well as an operational aircraft carrier, Melbourne was Flagship of the RAN, a role she received almost immediately following her 1956 arrival in Australia, and fulfilled until her decommissioning in 1982.<ref>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, pp. 74–5</ref> During her service, the carrier was deployed overseas on 35 occasions, visited over 22 countries, and was seen as the physical and psychological centrepiece of the RAN fleet.<ref>Hobbs, HMAS Melbourne (II) – 25 Years On, p. 8</ref><ref name=Stevens250>Stevens et al., The Royal Australian Navy, p. 250</ref>

As Melbourne was the only ship of her size (both in dimensions and ship's company) in the RAN, the carrier underwent a regular rotation of commanding officers to give them experience.<ref name=Hall20>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 20</ref> Commanding officers were changed on average every fifteen months, with few remaining on board for more than two years.<ref name=Hall20/> The majority of MelbourneTemplate:'s commanders later reached flag rank.<ref name=Hall20/> The carrier was also called on to perform underway replenishments and command and control functions.<ref name=Stevens250/>

Operational history

1955–1964

Following a working-up period in British waters, Melbourne departed Glasgow on 11 March 1956 on her maiden voyage to Australia via the Suez Canal.<ref name=Cassells84/><ref name=Hall73/> Aboard were the 64 aircraft of RAN squadrons 808, 816, and 817, as well as the racing yacht Samuel Pepys (named after the English naval administrator and diarist), which was a gift to the RAN Sailing Association from the Royal Navy.<ref name=SPCMel2>HMAS Melbourne (II), Sea Power Centre</ref><ref name=Lind234/> The ship visited Gibraltar, Naples, Malta, Port Said, Aden, and Colombo, before arriving in Fremantle on 24 April 1956.<ref name=Hall73/><ref name="Gillett21–22">Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, pp. 21–2</ref> Melbourne sailed east via the Great Australian Bight, meeting sister ship Template:HMAS near Kangaroo Island a week later.<ref name=Hall73>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 73</ref> After visiting Melbourne and Jervis Bay, where the aircraft were offloaded and sent to Naval Air Station Template:HMAS, the carrier concluded her maiden voyage in Sydney on 10 May.<ref name=SPCMel2/><ref name=Hall74>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 74</ref> The role of flagship was transferred from Sydney to Melbourne three days later.<ref name=Hall74/> The carrier immediately underwent a two and a half-month refit, allowing for the inspection of machinery and repair of defects detected during the maiden voyage.<ref>ANAM, Flying Stations, p. 128</ref> Melbourne spent from September to November in Southeast Asian waters, during which she participated in Exercise Albatross and received an official visit by Philippines president Ramon Magsaysay.<ref name=Gillett22>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 22</ref> On return to Australia in mid-November, the carrier visited Melbourne for the 1956 Olympics, where 200 of MelbourneTemplate:'s complement were provided to work as signallers, event marshals, carpenters, and medical workers.<ref name=Lind234>Lind, The Royal Australian Navy – Historic Naval Events Year by Year, p. 234</ref>

In February 1957, Melbourne was sent to the Royal Hobart Regatta.<ref name=Bastock309>Bastock, Australia's Ships of War, p. 309</ref> Following this, she travelled to New Zealand, where she participated in exercises with HMNZS Royalist and visited several New Zealand ports.<ref name=SPCMel2/> The first of several annual three-month deployments to Southeast Asia as part of the Far East Strategic Reserve began in April, with Melbourne returning to Darwin at the end of June.<ref name=Gillett25>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 25</ref><ref>Frame, No Pleasure Cruise, p. 215</ref> The carrier spent the rest of the year visiting Australian ports for open inspections by the public.<ref name=Gillett26>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 26</ref> During the visit to Port Adelaide, on 28 October 1957, Melbourne was slightly damaged when she was struck by MV Straat Lanka—the first of several minor collisions the carrier would experience throughout her career.<ref name=Hall217>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 217</ref> Operations for the year concluded with participation in Exercise Astrolabe off Lord Howe Island, with ships from the RAN, Royal Navy, and Royal New Zealand Navy, before returning to Sydney on 13 December.<ref name=Bastock309/><ref name=Gillett26/>

From February until July 1958, Melbourne was deployed on a Template:Convert flag-showing cruise.<ref name=Bastock309/> During this cruise the carrier participated in four inter-fleet exercises and visited Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Pearl Harbor and Fiji.<ref name=Bastock309/><ref name=Gillett27>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 27</ref> On return to Sydney, Melbourne entered a short refit, which concluded on 13 October and was immediately followed by a visit to Port Phillip, where the carrier was displayed to Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force officer cadets before the carrier returned to Sydney.<ref name=Gillett27/> At the start of 1959, Melbourne spent four days in her namesake city, where she was used for the filming of On The Beach, based on Nevil Shute's post-apocalyptic novel of the same name.<ref name=Lind237>Lind, The Royal Australian Navy – Historic Naval Events Year by Year, p. 237</ref><ref name=Gillett29/> After filming concluded, the carrier participated in a demonstration exercise off the coast of Sydney before embarking on a Far East Strategic Reserve deployment from March until May.<ref name=Gillett29>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 29</ref> The rest of the year was spent visiting Australian and New Zealand ports.<ref name=Gillett29/>

The following year, 1960, was a bad year for the carrier's air group, with four Sea Venoms and two Gannets damaged in separate incidents aboard Melbourne.<ref>Lind, The Royal Australian Navy – Historic Naval Events Year by Year, p. 239</ref> All four Sea Venom incidents occurred in March, with three attributed to aircrew error and one to brake failure.<ref name=Gillett35>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 35</ref> The year began with exercises en route to Adelaide, followed by a visit to the Royal Hobart Regatta.<ref name=Gillett33>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 33</ref> The carrier's Strategic Reserve deployment ran from April to June, and was followed by manoeuvres along the east coast of Australia until September.<ref name=Gillett33/> In the lead up to MelbourneTemplate:'s 1961 deployment to the Strategic Reserve, the carrier visited Bombay, Karachi, and Trincomalee.<ref name=Bastock310>Bastock, Australia's Ships of War, p. 310</ref><ref name=Gillett37>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 37</ref> It was the first time a flagship of the RAN had entered Indian waters.<ref name=Bastock310/> Melbourne returned to Australia in June, and on 15 June led several ships in a ceremonial entry to Sydney Harbour to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the RAN.<ref name=Bastock310/> In August, Melbourne was called upon to lead Exercise Tuckerbox, in the Coral Sea.<ref name=Bastock310/> Following the conclusion of Tuckerbox, the carrier visited several New Zealand ports before returning to Sydney for demonstration exercises and public relations activities.<ref name=Gillett37/>

In 1962, Melbourne began the year's activities at the Royal Hobart Regatta, before sailing to her Strategic Reserve deployment, by way of Adelaide and Fremantle.<ref name=Gillett39>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 39</ref> After Strategic Reserve duties were completed, the carrier visited Japan, Guam, and Manus Island before returning to Sydney in late July.<ref name=Gillett39/> In September, Melbourne reprised her role as the leader of Exercise Tuckerbox II.<ref name=Bastock310/> The 10,000th catapult launch from Melbourne occurred in late 1962.<ref name=Bastock310/> The carrier's annual refit began in Sydney on 1 October.<ref name=Gillett39/> At the beginning of 1963, Melbourne again visited to the Royal Hobart Regatta, which was immediately followed by a deployment to the Strategic Reserve, including involvement in SEATO Exercise Sea Serpent.<ref>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 43</ref> The 20,000th landing on Melbourne was performed in April by a Gannet, and in September, Melbourne participated in Exercise Carbine near Hervey Bay, Queensland.<ref name=Bastock310/><ref>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 76</ref>

Voyager collision

Template:Main On 10 February 1964, Melbourne was performing trials in Jervis Bay under the command of Captain John Robertson, following the annual refit.<ref name=FrameLeg8>Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 8</ref> The Daring-class destroyer Template:HMAS was also present, undergoing her own trials following refit, under the command of Captain Duncan Stevens.<ref name=FrameLeg8/> The trials involved interactions between both ships, and when Melbourne performed night-flying exercises that evening, Voyager acted as the carrier's plane guard escort.<ref name=FrameLeg8/> This required Voyager to maintain a position 20° off MelbourneTemplate:'s port quarter at a distance from the carrier of Template:Convert.<ref name=FrameLeg11>Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 11</ref>

Early in the evening, Voyager had no difficulties maintaining her position during the manoeuvres both ships performed.<ref name=FrameLeg11/> Following a series of turns intended to reverse the courses of both ships beginning at 8:40 pm, Voyager ended up to starboard of Melbourne.<ref name=FrameLeg11/> At 8:52 pm, Voyager was ordered to resume the plane guard station.<ref name=FrameLeg12>Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 12</ref> The procedure to accomplish this required Voyager to turn away from Melbourne in a large circle, cross behind the carrier, then take position off MelbourneTemplate:'s port side.<ref name=FrameLeg12/> Instead, Voyager first turned to starboard, away from Melbourne, then turned to port without warning.<ref name=FrameLeg12/> It was initially assumed by MelbourneTemplate:'s bridge crew that Voyager was conducting a series of tight turns to lose speed before swinging behind Melbourne, but Voyager did not alter course again.<ref name=FrameLeg13>Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 13</ref> At 8:55 pm, with Voyager approaching, MelbourneTemplate:'s navigator ordered the carrier's engines to half astern speed, with Robertson ordering an increase to full astern a few seconds later.<ref name=FrameLeg13/> At the same time, Stevens, having just become aware of the situation, gave the order "Full ahead both engines. Hard-a starboard.", before instructing the destroyer's Quartermaster to announce that a collision was imminent.<ref name=FrameLeg13/> Both ships' measures were too late to avoid a collision; Melbourne hit Voyager at 8:56 pm.<ref>Frame, The Cruel Legacy, pp. 14–5</ref>

Melbourne struck Voyager just aft of the destroyer's bridge, rolling the destroyer to starboard before cutting her in half.<ref name=FrameLeg1>Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 1</ref> VoyagerTemplate:'s forward boiler exploded, briefly setting fire to the bow of the carrier before it was extinguished by seawater.<ref name=FrameLeg1/> The destroyer's forward section sank quickly, under the weight of the two Template:Convert gun turrets.<ref>Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 2</ref> The aft section did not begin sinking until half an hour after the collision, completely submerging just after midnight.<ref>Frame, The Cruel Legacy, pp. 3, 7</ref> Messages were immediately sent to the Fleet Headquarters in Sydney, although staff in Sydney initially underestimated the extent of the damage to Voyager.<ref name=FrameLeg5>Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 5</ref> Melbourne launched her boats to recover survivors, and the carrier's wardroom and C Hangar were prepared for casualties.<ref>Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 4</ref> At 9:58 pm, Melbourne was informed that search-and-rescue boats from Template:HMAS, helicopters from Template:HMAS, and five Ton-class minesweepers had been despatched to assist in the search.<ref>Frame, The Cruel Legacy, pp. 5–6</ref>

An aircraft carrier underway at sea. The bow of the aircraft carrier has been torn off, and the surrounding area is damaged and scorched.

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

Melbourne arrived in Sydney with the survivors on 14 February, and after spending time alongside at Garden Island, was moved to Cockatoo Island Dockyard on 25 March, where repairs were undertaken; the damaged section of the bow was cut away and repairs to the ship's internal structure were undertaken in drydock, while a 40-ton prefabricated bow was constructed. Once this was completed, Melbourne was removed while the new bow was put in place in the drydock. The work was completed on 27 April, with the shipyard receiving a commendation.<ref name=Bastock311>Bastock, Australia's Ships of War, p. 311</ref><ref name=cockatoo>Jeremy, Cockatoo Island, p. 135</ref>

Of the 314 personnel aboard Voyager at the time of the collision, 14 officers, 67 sailors, and 1 civilian dockyard worker were killed, including Stevens and all but two of the bridge team.<ref name=FrameWFC72>Frame, Where Fate Calls, p. 72</ref> A Royal Commission into the events of the collision was held in 1964, and found that while Voyager's crew was primarily at fault for neglecting to maintain an effective lookout and awareness of the larger ship's location, MelbourneTemplate:'s bridge crew was also at fault, for failing to alert Voyager and not taking measures to avoid the collision.<ref>Frame, The Cruel Legacy, pp. 27, 67–9</ref> Robertson was posted to the training base Template:HMAS—a move that he and the Australian media saw as tantamount to a demotion—but resigned instead.<ref>Frame, The Cruel Legacy, pp. 78–9, 82</ref> The Royal Commission and its aftermath were poorly handled, and following pressure from the public, media, and politicians, combined with revelations by VoyagerTemplate:'s former executive officer that Stevens may have been unfit for command, a second Royal Commission was opened in 1967.<ref>Frame, The Cruel Legacy, pp. 88, 114–5</ref><ref>Stevens et al., The Royal Australian Navy, p. 202</ref> This is the only time in Australian history two Royal Commissions have been held for a single incident.<ref>Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 117</ref> The second commission found that Stevens was medically unfit for command and that some of the findings of the first Royal Commission were therefore based on incorrect assumptions.<ref>Frame, The Cruel Legacy, pp. 159–60</ref> Robertson and the other officers of Melbourne were absolved of blame for the incident.<ref>Frame, The Cruel Legacy, p. 160</ref>

1964–1969

Melbourne spent ten weeks at Cockatoo Island Dockyard, having her new bow fitted.<ref>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 132</ref> Following the repairs, Melbourne was involved in Strategic Reserve deployments and exercises in Southeast Asia from June until September 1964.<ref name=Bastock311/> During this deployment, the carrier visited Subic Bay, where the RAN performed flight deck trials with S-2 Tracker anti-submarine aircraft and A-4 Skyhawk attack fighters.<ref name=Stevens193/> The success of the trials, along with the discovery that Melbourne was able to operate both aircraft with relatively minor modification, led the Australian Government to approve the purchase of these aircraft.<ref name=Stevens193/>

A small aircraft carrier is sailing towards the frame, with five helicopters in a line on the carrier's deck. A sixth helicopter hovers in the foreground

Melbourne with five Wessex helicopters on her flight deck and another flying overheard

From March 1965 until mid-1967, Melbourne underwent a regular pattern of deployments to Southeast Asia, exercises, and flag-showing visits to nations in the Asia-Pacific region.<ref name=Bastock311/> Several of the Southeast Asian deployments were related to the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, and involved participation in show of force exercises off the coast of Malaysia.<ref>Stevens et al., The Royal Australian Navy, p. 198</ref> During 1965 and 1966, Melbourne escorted sister ship Template:HMAS, which had been recommissioned as a troop transport, for short periods during the latter's first, third, and fourth transport voyages to Vietnam.<ref name=NottPayne169.71>Nott and Payne, The Vung Tau Ferry, pp. 169–71</ref> Despite the carrier being the centrepiece of several plans to involve Australian forces in the Vietnam War, the escort runs were the extent of MelbourneTemplate:'s participation in the conflict, and the carrier remained outside the Market Time area while Sydney and her other escorts proceeded to Vũng Tàu.<ref name=NottPayne169.71/><ref>Stevens et al., The Royal Australian Navy, pp. 204, 208</ref> As the carrier was optimised for anti-submarine warfare, there was little need for her at the start of the war.<ref>Grey, Up Top, p. 77</ref> Utilising the carrier was suggested again by RAN officials in March 1966, when the United States Seventh Fleet was having difficulties maintaining anti-submarine patrols around Yankee Station, but Melbourne could only remain on station for a single, ten-day period, a third of the time that US carriers were operational for on rotating deployments.<ref name=Grey86>Grey, Up Top, p. 86</ref> Seventh Fleet staff suggested in April 1967 that Melbourne deploy in the anti-submarine role, but nothing came of these talks.<ref>Grey, Up Top, p. 88</ref> Consideration was also given to using Melbourne as a floating helicopter base, but only ten Wessex helicopters could be provided, and modifications were required for them to operate as troop carriers.<ref name=Grey80.1>Grey, Up Top, pp. 80–1</ref> Both options were made more prohibitive by the need to supply at least two escorts for the carrier at a time when the RAN was having difficulty meeting deployment commitments with the available destroyers and destroyer escorts.<ref name=Grey80.1/>

In September 1967, Melbourne travelled to the United States to collect new aircraft: 14 Trackers and 10 Skyhawks.<ref name=SPCMel2/> To operate the new aircraft, the carrier received a major refit on her return to Sydney, which began in December 1967.<ref name=SPCMel2/> In May 1967, it was proposed that while Melbourne was out of service, A-4 Skyhawk pilots and maintenance personnel could be attached to a United States Marine Corps Skyhawk squadron in South Vietnam.<ref name="Grey88-92">Grey, Up Top, pp. 88–92</ref> Australian aircraft were not to be provided, as the A-4G Skyhawks used by the RAN were optimised for air defence, not the fighter-bomber role performed by the Marines, and would have suffered heavy losses from North Vietnam's heavy anti-aircraft defences.<ref>Grey, Up Top, p. 89</ref> This deployment did not occur; the Skyhawk pilot training program was experiencing delays because US squadrons were being shipped training equipment and replacement parts in priority to the RAN, and sending qualified pilots overseas would have caused further holdups with the program, while also disrupting MelbourneTemplate:'s post-refit reactivation.<ref>Grey, Up Top, pp. 91–2</ref> Melbourne re-entered service at the conclusion of the refit on 14 February 1969. She performed sea trials in Jervis Bay from 17 February until 5 May, then sailed for Subic Bay, Philippines, to participate in SEATO Exercise Sea Spirit.<ref name=Gillett59>Gillett, p. 59</ref><ref name=FramePP126>Frame, Pacific Partners, p. 126</ref>

Frank E. Evans collision

Template:Main MelbourneTemplate:'s commanding officer during the SEATO exercise was Captain John Phillip Stevenson.<ref name=FramePP126/> Rear Admiral John Crabb, the Flag Officer Commanding Australian Fleet, was also embarked on the carrier.<ref name=FramePP126/> During Sea Spirit, Melbourne was assigned five escorts: US Ships Template:USS, Template:USS, and Template:USS, HMNZS Blackpool, and Template:HMS.<ref name=FramePP126/> Stevenson held a dinner for the five escort captains at the start of the exercise, during which he recounted the events of the Melbourne–Voyager collision, emphasised the need for caution when operating near the carrier, and provided written instructions on how to avoid such a situation developing again.<ref name=Hall175>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 175</ref><ref name=Hills/> Additionally, during the lead up to the exercise, Admiral Crabb had strongly warned that all repositioning manoeuvres performed by the escorts had to commence with a turn away from Melbourne.<ref name=FramePP126/> Despite these warnings, a near-miss occurred in the early hours of 31 May when Larson turned towards the carrier after being ordered to the plane guard station.<ref name=Hall176>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 176</ref> Subsequent action narrowly prevented a collision.<ref name=Hall176/> The escorts were again warned about the dangers of operating near the carrier and informed of Stevenson's expectations, while the minimum distance between carrier and escorts was increased from Template:Convert.<ref name=Hall176/>

Animation of a carrier and a destroyer. The carrier is travelling in a straight, downward-sloped line across the frame. The destroyer starts near the bottom of the frame, turns in a clockwise arc to travel up the frame past the oncoming carrier, then turns sharply back into the carrier's path.

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

On the night of 2–3 June 1969, Melbourne and her escorts were involved in anti-submarine training exercises in the South China Sea.<ref name=Hills>Hills, Muddied Waters</ref> In preparation for launching a Tracker, Stevenson ordered Evans to the plane guard station, reminded the destroyer of MelbourneTemplate:'s course, and instructed the carrier's navigational lights to be brought to full brilliance.<ref name=FramePP126/><ref name=SmithLan1>Smith and Lancaster, USS Frank E. Evans: Disaster in the South China Sea, p. 1</ref> Evans had performed the manoeuvre four times over the course of the night.<ref name=FramePP126/> Evans was positioned on MelbourneTemplate:'s port bow, but began the manoeuvre by turning starboard, towards the carrier.<ref name=FramePP126/> A radio message was sent from Melbourne to EvansTemplate:' bridge and Combat Information Centre, warning the destroyer that she was on a collision course, which Evans acknowledged.<ref name=FramePP126/><ref name=Hall178>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 178</ref> Seeing the destroyer take no action and on a course to place herself under MelbourneTemplate:'s bow, Stevenson ordered the carrier hard to port, signalling the turn by both radio and siren blasts.<ref name=FramePP126/><ref name=Sherbo/> At approximately the same time, Evans turned hard to starboard to avoid the approaching carrier.<ref name=Sherbo>Sherbo, Death of a Destroyer</ref> It is uncertain which ship began to manoeuvre first, but each ship's bridge crew claimed that they were informed of the other ship's turn after they commenced their own.<ref name=Sherbo/> After having narrowly passed in front of Melbourne, the turns quickly placed Evans back in the carrier's path.<ref name=FramePP127/> Melbourne hit Evans amidships at 3:15 am, cutting the destroyer in two.<ref name=FramePP127>Frame, Pacific Partners, p. 127</ref>

Seventy-four of the 273 personnel from Evans were killed in the collision, with the majority of these believed to have been asleep or trapped inside the bow section, which sank within minutes.<ref name=FramePP127/> Melbourne deployed her boats, life rafts, and lifebuoys, before carefully manoeuvring alongside the stern section of Evans, where both ships' crews used mooring lines to lash the ships together.<ref>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, pp. 178, 184</ref> Sailors from Melbourne dived from the flight deck into the water to rescue overboard survivors close to the carrier, while the carrier's boats and helicopters collected those farther out.<ref>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, pp. 183–4</ref> All of the survivors were located within 12 minutes of the collision and rescued before half an hour had passed, although the search continued for fifteen more hours.<ref>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, pp. 182, 184</ref> After EvansTemplate:' stern was evacuated, it was cast off, while the carrier moved away to avoid damage.<ref name=Hall185>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 185</ref> The stern did not sink, and was later recovered, stripped of parts, and sunk for target practice.<ref name=FramePP127/>

The stern of a destroyer, floating in calm water. The bow has been removed completely. Two intact warships are close by, one to the right of frame, the other behind and partially obscured by the floating stern, and two helicopters are flying overhead.

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

Following the collision, Melbourne travelled to Singapore for temporary repairs to her bow, arriving on 6 June.<ref name=Bastock312>Bastock, Australia's Ships of War, p. 312</ref> Melbourne departed Singapore on 27 June and arrived in Sydney on 9 July, where the carrier underwent almost identical repairs at Cockatoo Island Dockyard as in 1964 (primarily the installation of a new bow section).<ref name=Bastock312/> However, an industrial dispute amongst the shipyard workers meant that, although the work was completed in early September, the ship remained in the drydock until 11 October.<ref name="cockatoo" />

A Joint RAN-USN board of inquiry was established to investigate the incident, and was in session over June and July 1969.<ref name=FramePP127/> The board found Evans partially at fault for the collision, but also faulted Melbourne for not taking evasive action sooner, even though international sea regulations dictated that in the lead-up to a collision, the larger ship was required to maintain course and speed.<ref>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 204</ref> It was learned during the inquiry that EvansTemplate:' commanding officer was asleep in his quarters at the time of the incident, and charge of the vessel was held by Lieutenants Ronald Ramsey and James Hopson; the former had failed the qualification exam to stand watch, while the latter was at sea for the first time.<ref name=FramePP126/><ref name=Hall200>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 200</ref> Subsequent to the inquiry, the three USN officers and Stevenson were court-martialled by their respective navies on charges of negligence, with the three USN officers found guilty and Stevenson 'Honourably Acquitted'.<ref name=FramePP129>Frame, Pacific Partners, p. 129</ref> Despite the findings, Stevenson's next posting was as a minor flag officer's chief of staff, seen by him as a demotion in all but name.<ref name=FramePP129/> In a repetition of the aftermath of the Voyager collision, MelbourneTemplate:'s captain resigned amid accusations of scapegoating.<ref name="FramePP130–1">Frame, Pacific Partners, pp. 130–1</ref> In December 2012, Stevenson announced that he had received a letter from the Minister for Defence, apologising for his treatment by the RAN and the government of the day.<ref>Lloyd, Official apology for HMAS Melbourne captain</ref>

1970–1976

Warships sailing in a line on the open ocean. A small warship leads the line, followed by two aircraft carriers and a replenishment vessel. Other warships sailing in the same direction are in the background.

Warships underway near Hawaii during the RIMPAC 72 exercise. Identifiable ships are the Canadian destroyer Template:HMCS, followed by Melbourne and the United States aircraft carrier Template:USS.

During the 1970s and early 1980s, replacing parts became an increasing problem.<ref name=Hall12>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 12</ref> Components were failing due to wear and age, but the companies responsible for manufacturing the parts had gone out of business during the previous twenty years, sometimes immediately after World War II ended.<ref name=Hall12/> The carrier's engineers often resorted to making replacements from scratch.<ref name=Hall12/> The ship's catapult was replaced with parts from the decommissioned HMCS Bonaventure in 1970.

In 1970, Melbourne participated in three major inter-navy exercises: Sea Rover with SEATO forces in the South China Sea, Bersatu Padu with British Commonwealth forces off Malaysia, and Swan Lake with the Royal Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy off Western Australia.<ref name=Bastock312/><ref>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 61</ref> During this year, the carrier also visited Japan to participate in Expo '70, and was hit by Manly ferry South Steyne while alongside at Garden Island, causing minor damage to both vessels.<ref name=Hall213/><ref name=Bastock312/> Melbourne was out of service for most of 1971 while she underwent refits, which concluded in early August.<ref name=Bastock313>Bastock, Australia's Ships of War, p. 313</ref> In mid-1971, the Australian military's Joint Planning Committee considered using Melbourne as a transport to help complete the withdrawal of the Australian Task Force from Vietnam before the end of 1971.<ref name=Grey96.8>Grey, Up Top, pp. 96–8</ref> While the Army supported this proposal, the Navy successfully argued against its implementation, claiming that transporting troops and cargo would be misusing Australia's only active aircraft carrier, and would prevent Melbourne from participating in several major multi-national exercises.<ref name=Grey96.8/> The refit concluded in late 1971, with the carrier participating in the first RIMPAC exercise, RIMPAC 71, before the end of the year.<ref name=Bastock313/>

Operations in 1972 commenced with a three-month deployment to Southeast Asia.<ref name=Bastock313/> During this deployment, Melbourne led a fleet of 17 ships from the RAN, Royal Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, US Navy, Philippine Navy, and Royal Thai Navy in Exercise Sea Hawk.<ref name=Bastock313/> This was followed by goodwill visits to numerous Southeast Asian ports, including Hong Kong, Jakarta, Manila, Singapore, and Surabaya, before Melbourne returned to Sydney at the end of April.<ref name=Bastock313/><ref name=SPCMel2/> The carrier spent May performing exercises off the New South Wales coast, during which she was called on to rescue three fisherman who had been stranded at sea for the previous two days.<ref name=Bastock313/> In August, Melbourne sailed for Hawaii to participate in RIMPAC 72.<ref name=Bastock313/> At the conclusion of this exercise, Melbourne proceeded to Japan on a diplomatic visit, then sailed to the Philippines to exercise with SEATO ships.<ref name=SPCMel2/> During this deployment, a fire ignited inside the ship's main switchboard.<ref name=Hall217/> The carrier returned to Australia on 27 November after 101 days at sea, and underwent a seven-month refit.<ref name=SPCMel2/> On 24 August 1973, Melbourne returned to Hawaii to participate in RIMPAC 73.<ref name=SPCMel2/> She returned to Australia on 12 October, but sailed out ten days later to participate in Exercise Leadline off Malaysia, before reaching Sydney again in December.<ref name=Bastock313/>

Photograph of the interior of an aircraft cockpit, taken from behind the pilot, who is sitting on the left hand side. An aircraft carrier is visible through the left-hand pane of the cockpit windows.

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

Melbourne began 1974 by transporting 120 Australian soldiers to a temporary assignment with an American infantry battalion based in Hawaii.<ref name=Cassells86/> She then sailed to San Francisco to collect 12 new Chinook and five UH-1 Iroquois helicopters for the Royal Australian Air Force, arriving in Australia with her cargo in April.<ref name=Cassells86/> In June, the carrier took part in Exercise Kangaroo in the Coral Sea, before returning to Sydney in July.<ref name=Cassells86/> On 11 July, the passenger liner SS Australis hit and damaged Melbourne in Sydney Harbour.<ref name=Hall217/> In November, the carrier took part in disaster relief exercises.<ref name=Cassells86/> These were prophetic, as on the night of 24–25 December 1974, Cyclone Tracy destroyed the city of Darwin. MelbourneTemplate:'s ship's company was recalled immediately from leave, the ship was loaded with supplies, and the carrier departed Sydney on 26 December in the company of Template:HMAS.<ref name=LindHobbs>Lind, The Royal Australian Navy – Historic Naval Events Year by Year, p. 289; Hobbs, HMAS Melbourne (II) – 25 Years On, pp. 8–9</ref> Melbourne, Brisbane, and eleven other ships were deployed as part of the largest peacetime rescue effort ever organised by the RAN: Operation Navy Help Darwin.<ref name=LindHobbs/> Melbourne remained off Darwin until 18 January 1975, acting as operational headquarters and a helicopter base.<ref name=Hall213/><ref name=LindHobbs/> During this operation, the seven Wessex helicopters embarked on Melbourne performed 2,493 flights, carrying 7,824 passengers and 107 tons of cargo.<ref name=Cassells86/>

Following Navy Help Darwin, Melbourne participated in RIMPAC 75, then returned to Sydney for a fourteen-month refit, which was delayed by industrial action at the dockyard.<ref name=Cassells86/> While moored in Sydney Harbour, on 24 July, Melbourne was struck by Japanese cargo ship Blue Andromeda.<ref name=Hall218>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 218</ref> While working up following the refit, Melbourne and Template:HMAS provided assistance to MV Miss Chief off the coast of Bundaberg, Queensland on 16 August 1976.<ref name=Lind291>Lind, The Royal Australian Navy – Historic Naval Events Year by Year, p. 291</ref> In October, Melbourne participated in Exercise Kangaroo II, before sailing to her namesake city for the carrier's 21st birthday celebrations, then returning to Sydney on 5 November.<ref name=Cassells86/><ref>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 79</ref>

1976–1983

Colour photo of an aircraft carrier underway. Black-uniformed personnel line the perimeter of the flight deck, and a large number of aircraft with wings folded over sit on the deck.

Melbourne departing San Diego in 1977 after collecting the RAN's replacement S-2 Trackers.

On 5 December 1976, a fire deliberately lit at Template:HMAS by a member of the Fleet Air Arm damaged or destroyed all but one of Australia's S-2 Trackers.<ref name=Lind291/><ref name=Hall19>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 19</ref> Following participation in RIMPAC 77, Melbourne was sent to San Diego to collect replacement aircraft.<ref name=Gillett83>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 83</ref><ref name=Lind247/> Arriving back in Sydney on 5 April, the carrier was sent on a five-month deployment to the United Kingdom on 28 April, accompanied by Template:HMAS and Template:HMNZS.<ref name=Gillett83/><ref name=Stevens231>Stevens et al., The Royal Australian Navy, p. 231</ref> En route, Melbourne lost a Sea King in the Indian Ocean on 9 May, with the aircrew recovered by Brisbane.<ref>Lind, The Royal Australian Navy – Historic Naval Events Year by Year, p. 292</ref> A Tracker from Melbourne located the disabled Dutch vessel Impala Princess in the Gulf of Aden on 25 May and directed a French destroyer to assist.<ref name=Lind293>Lind, The Royal Australian Navy – Historic Naval Events Year by Year, p. 293</ref> Two Bofors naval guns were deposited by Melbourne at Souda Bay, Crete on 2 June, marking the first visit of an Australian warship to Crete since June 1941.<ref name=Lind293/> These weapons were donated to the Australian War Memorial at Stavromenos, in Crete's Rethymno regional unit.<ref name=Lind293/> The highlight of the deployment saw the three ships represent Australia and New Zealand at the Silver Jubilee Naval Review on 28 June 1977.<ref name=Stevens231/> A two-seat Harrier jump jet demonstrator undertook a series of trial takeoffs and landings aboard Melbourne on 30 June: a trial organised as part of the project overseeing the ship's potential replacement.<ref name=Lind293/><ref>Mison, Sea Harrier Down Under</ref> Following the Jubilee Review and participation in Exercise Highwood in July, Melbourne and her escorts returned to Australia, arriving in Fremantle on 19 September and Sydney on 4 October.<ref>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, pp. 83–4</ref> Melbourne was docked in Garden Island's drydock on arrival, where she remained until January 1978.<ref name=SPCMel2/>

Colour photo of a small aircraft carrier, taken from an elevated position. The carrier is sitting bow on, with one of her anchor chains deployed.

Melbourne at Spithead for the Jubilee Naval Review

At the end of March 1978, Melbourne left Sydney for RIMPAC 78.<ref name=Gillett89>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 89</ref> During this exercise, Melbourne acquired the nickname 'Little M' after working with 'Big E' Template:USS—the smallest and largest aircraft carriers (respectively) in operation at the time.<ref name=Gillett89/> On return in July, the carrier entered a major refit, which continued until 3 August 1979.<ref name=Gillett89.91/> During this refit, on 3 March, a boiler explosion caused minor damage to the carrier.<ref name=Hall218/> The remainder of the year involved participation in three exercises, Tasmanex off Wellington, New Zealand, Sea Eagle I in the Tasman Sea, and Kangaroo III in the Coral Sea.<ref>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, pp. 91–2</ref> During Tasmanex, Melbourne lost her LW-02 radar aerial and a Skyhawk (N13-154907), both of which fell overboard during heavy seas.<ref>ANAM, Flying Stations, p. 245</ref>

During February and March 1980, Melbourne participated in RIMPAC 80, as the flagship of Battle Group Two.<ref name=Cassells86/> This was immediately followed by a visit to the Solomon Islands in early April.<ref name=Gillett95>Gillett, HMAS Melbourne – 25 Years, p. 95</ref> The carrier was in Sydney from mid-April until mid-August, during which the 25th anniversary of MelbourneTemplate:'s service in the RAN was celebrated on 15 August with a cocktail party aboard the carrier, popularly referred to as 'The Night of the Admirals'.<ref name=Cassells86/><ref name=Gillett95/> On 18 August, Melbourne sailed for Fremantle to participate in Exercise Sandgroper 80.<ref name=Gillett95/> On 8 September, Melbourne, accompanied by Template:HMAS, Template:HMAS, Template:HMAS, Template:HMAS, and Template:HMAS deployed to the Indian Ocean as the Australian Squadron for a flag-showing cruise.<ref name=Lind297>Lind, The Royal Australian Navy – Historic Naval Events Year by Year, p. 297</ref> During this cruise two Skyhawks were lost: on 2 and 21 October.<ref name=Lind297/> On 24 October, a Tracker from Melbourne observed Soviet warships Storozhevoy and Ivan Rogov shadowing the squadron.<ref name=Lind297/> The squadron's return in November 1980 concluded the largest and longest RAN deployment since World War II.<ref name=SPCMel2/>

Following her return, the carrier spent six months in Australian waters, before a two-month deployment to Southeast Asia.<ref name=SPCMel2/> During this deployment, on 21 June 1981, Melbourne rescued 99 Vietnamese refugees from a disabled fishing vessel in the South China Sea.<ref>Lind, The Royal Australian Navy – Historic Naval Events Year by Year, p. 299</ref> The carrier's deployments for the second half of the year consisted of two exercises, Sea Hawk and Kangaroo 81.<ref name=SPCMel2/> A major refit scheduled to begin in late 1981 was postponed pending the decision on a replacement carrier.<ref name=ANAM251/> After docking at Garden Island in December, the carrier was accidentally flooded by an officer who was impatient to commence leave.<ref name=Hall15>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 15</ref> In his haste to shut down the carrier, he failed to deactivate the water pumps, and over 180 tons of fresh water were pumped in before a maintenance party discovered the flooding the next day.<ref name=Hall15/> Melbourne remained in dock at the start of 1982, and did not leave before the decision regarding her replacement was made.

Replacement

Template:Anchor Template:Multiple image

Side view of a small aircraft carrier with a ski-jump ramp underway

An agreement was reached for Australia to purchase Template:HMS, with delivery planned for 1983, until the Falklands War led to the deal being terminated.

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

Between 1956 and 1959, the RAN considered acquiring a larger carrier to replace Melbourne, as the Fleet Air Arm was becoming obsolete and the RAN did not believe the ship could be modified to operate newer, heavier aircraft.<ref name=Stevens187/> Under consideration were British carrier Template:HMS and a ship of the United States' Essex class.<ref name=Stevens187/> Both options were turned down, and it was instead proposed to operate Melbourne as a helicopter carrier.

In 1960, the United States Navy offered an Essex-class carrier to the Australian government, in the interest of improving relations between the two nations and their navies.<ref name=FramePP101>Frame, Pacific Partners, p. 101</ref> The only cost to the RAN would have been the modifications required to make the carrier operationally compatible with the RAN's primarily British-designed fleet.<ref name=FramePP101/> In the late 1960s, the British made a similar offer, following a 1966 review indicating that Template:HMS was a superfluous naval unit.<ref name=Hobbs9>Hobbs, HMAS Melbourne (II) – 25 Years On, p. 9</ref> In 1968, Hermes took part in a combined exercise with the RAN, during which the carrier was visited by RAN and Australian government officials, while RAN Skyhawks and Trackers practised landings on the larger carrier.<ref name=Hobbs9/> Both offers were turned down due to operating and manpower costs.

The need to secure a replacement for Melbourne grew as the carrier's age caused the operating costs to increase to over A$25 million per year.<ref>Hall, HMAS Melbourne, p. 11</ref> In June 1977, the Defence Force Development Committee approved an investigation into acquiring a STOVL/helicopter carrier.<ref>Stevens et al., The Royal Australian Navy, p. 225</ref> By August 1979, the decision was limited to three ships: a modified American Iwo Jima-class amphibious assault ship, an Italian Giuseppe Garibaldi-class carrier, and a Sea Control Ship design that later became the Spanish Navy's Principe de Asturias.<ref name=Stevens226>Stevens et al., The Royal Australian Navy, p. 226</ref> By February 1981, the Iwo Jima class was the preferred option.<ref name=Stevens227>Stevens et al., The Royal Australian Navy, p. 227</ref>

HMS Invincible

Template:Anchor Plans to replace Melbourne changed in July 1981; the British 1981 Defence White Paper had marked the recently commissioned Template:HMS as surplus to requirements, and she was offered to the RAN for the 'bargain' price of GB£175 million (A$285 million).<ref>Wright, Australian Carrier Decisions, p. 167</ref> The Invincible class had been considered and discarded during the investigation, but the decreased price and the fact the already-constructed carrier would be ready for RAN service in 1983 prompted the Australian government to announce its intention to purchase Invincible on 25 February 1982 and close the carrier acquisition program.<ref name=Stevens227/> The government also announced that the ship would be renamed Template:HMAS and operated as a helicopter carrier, and that a decision on the purchase of fixed wing aircraft would be made after acquisition.<ref name=Hobbs9/>

The deal was put on hold in April 1982, following the outbreak of the Falklands War.<ref name=Hobbs9/> The performance of Invincible and other Royal Navy aircraft carriers during the conflict showed that the report which suggested reductions in the size of Britain's carrier fleet—with the follow-on effect of making Invincible available for sale—was flawed, and both sides withdrew from the deal in July.<ref name=Stevens227/> The RAN was again offered HMS Hermes, and again declined due to the carrier's age and manpower requirements.<ref>Stevens et al., The Royal Australian Navy, p. 228</ref> The Australian government began to reconsider the previous contenders for replacement, as well as considering requesting the United Kingdom or United States to build a simple carrier capable of operating F/A-18 Hornet strike fighters, but the issue was suspended at the commencement of the 1983 Australian Federal Election.<ref name=Wright173>Wright, Australian Carrier Decisions, p. 173</ref> On 14 March, following the election of Bob Hawke's Labor Government, the announcement was made that Melbourne would not be replaced.<ref name=Wright173/>

Decommissioning and fate

Following the decision to replace Melbourne with HMS Invincible, the postponed refit was cancelled outright.<ref name=Stevens227/> The Australian carrier was prepared for disposal, and was decommissioned and placed in reserve on 30 June 1982.<ref name=Stevens227/> She was towed to the mooring dolphins near Bradley's Head, where she remained until 1985.<ref name=SPCMel2/> Melbourne was capable of being reactivated as a helicopter-equipped anti-submarine warfare carrier within 26 weeks, but was never required to do so.<ref>ANAM, Flying Stations, p. 253</ref> A Sydney-based group proposed in 1984 to purchase Melbourne and operate her as a floating casino moored in international waters off Eden, New South Wales, but nothing came of this.<ref name=Lind301>Lind, The Royal Australian Navy – Historic Naval Events Year by Year, p. 301</ref> MelbourneTemplate:'s air wing was disbanded at HMAS Albatross on 2 July 1982, with the transfer of 805 Squadron's Skyhawks to 724 Squadron and 816 Squadron being absorbed into 851 Squadron.<ref name=SPC851sqd>851 Squadron, Sea Power Centre</ref><ref name=Wilson>Wilson, Phantom, Hornet and Skyhawk in Australian Service, pp. 171–2</ref> The Skyhawks remained in service as fleet support aircraft until 30 June 1984, while the Trackers were withdrawn from service on 31 August 1984 after being used as land-based maritime patrol aircraft.<ref name=SPC851sqd/><ref name=Wilson/>

The carrier was initially sold for breaking up as scrap metal for A$1.7 million, although the sale fell through in June 1984.<ref name=SPCMel2/>Template:NoteTag She was sold again in February 1985 to the China United Shipbuilding Company for A$1.4 million, with the intention that she be towed to China and broken up for scrap.<ref name=Hobbs9/> Prior to the ship's departure for China, the RAN stripped Melbourne of all electronic equipment and weapons, and welded her rudders into a fixed position so that she could not be reactivated. Her steam catapult, arresting gear and optical landing system were not removed.<ref name="Hemmingsen15">Hemmingsen, PLAN for action, p. 15</ref> At this time, few western experts expected that the Chinese government would attempt to develop aircraft carriers in the future.<ref name="Hemmingsen14">Hemmingsen, PLAN for action, p. 14</ref> The carrier departed Sydney on 27 April 1985, heading for Guangzhou, under the tow of tug De Ping.<ref name=Lind304/> The journey was delayed when the towing line began to part, requiring the carrier and tug to shelter in Queensland's Moreton Bay, on 30 April.<ref name=Lind304>Lind, The Royal Australian Navy – Historic Naval Events Year by Year, p. 304</ref> The towing gear broke a day later, requiring a second tug to secure the carrier while repairs were made to De Ping.<ref name=Cassells87/> Three days later, Melbourne ran aground while still in Moreton Bay.<ref>Cassells, The Capital Ships, p. 88</ref> Melbourne arrived in China on 13 June.<ref name=Lind304/> The Australian government received a Telex on this day, reading:Template:NoteTag Template:Blockquote

Two tall stained glass windows. The left window shows an aircraft carrier about to launch an aircraft, while the right depicts two cruisers and an aircraft carrier at sea. A memorial plaque sits between the windows.

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

The ship was not scrapped immediately; instead she was studied by Chinese naval architects and engineers as part of the nation's top-secret carrier development program.<ref name=Storey79>Storey and Ji, China's aircraft carrier ambitions, p. 79</ref> It is unclear whether the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) orchestrated the acquisition of Melbourne or simply took advantage of the situation; Rear Admiral Zhang Zhaozhong, a staff member at the National Defence College, has stated that the Navy was unaware of the purchase until Melbourne first arrived at Guangzhou.<ref>Hemmingsen, PLAN for action, pp. 14–15</ref> Melbourne was the largest warship any of the Chinese experts had seen, and they were surprised by the amount of equipment which was still in place. The PLAN subsequently arranged for the ship's flight deck and all the equipment associated with flying operations to be removed so that they could be studied in depth.<ref name=Hemmingsen15/> Reports have circulated that either a replica of the flight deck, or the deck itself, was used for clandestine training of PLANAF pilots in carrier flight operations.<ref name=Storey79/> It has also been claimed that the Royal Australian Navy received and "politely rejected" a request from the PLAN for blueprints of the ship's steam catapult.<ref name=Hemmingsen15 /> The carrier was not dismantled for many years; according to some rumours she was not completely broken up until 2002.<ref name=Hobbs9/> A 2012 article in Jane's Navy International stated that the large quantity of equipment recovered from Melbourne "undoubtedly helped" Admiral Liu Huaqing secure the Chinese government's support for his proposal to initiate an aircraft carrier development programme.<ref name=Hemmingsen15 />

MelbourneTemplate:'s service is commemorated with a stained-glass window at the Garden Island Naval Chapel. One of the ship's anchors is incorporated into a memorial to naval aviation at Nowra, New South Wales.<ref>Cassells, The Capital Ships, p. 91</ref> Another anchor and the starboard side ship's bell are on display at the RAN Heritage Centre at Garden Island. Memorabilia from Melbourne's voyages with the Fleet Air Arm embarked, and examples of all the types of aircraft deployed on Melbourne, are on permanent static display in the Fleet Air Arm Museum at HMAS Albatross.

Following an overhaul of the RAN battle honours system completed in 2010, Melbourne was retroactively awarded the honour "Malaysia 1965–66" for her service during the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation.<ref name=newhonours>Royal Australian Navy, Navy Marks 109th Birthday With Historic Changes To Battle Honours</ref><ref name=honourslist>Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Navy Ship/Unit Battle Honours</ref>

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HMAS Melbourne (R21)

Contents

Construction and acquisition