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matching hma ships
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Waverley RSL Sub Branch
Plaque H.M.A.S. Derwent
HMAS Derwent (F22/DE 22/DE 49), named for the Derwent River, was a River class destroyer escort of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Commissioned in 1964, the ship operated during the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation, and was used for filming of the British drama series Warship. The ship was decommissioned in 1994, and was scutted as an artificial reef after use for ship survivability testsInsignia od H.M.A.S. Derwent on wooden shieldH.M.A.S. Derwenth.m.a.s. derwent -
Waverley RSL Sub Branch
Plaqque H.M.A.S. Adelaide
HMAS Adelaide (1918) was a Town-class light cruiser commissioned in 1922 and decommissioned in 1946 HMAS Adelaide (FFG 01) was an Adelaide class frigate commissioned in 1980 and decommissioned in 2008 HMAS Adelaide (LHD 01) is a Canberra class landing helicopter dock ship due to enter service in 2015Wooden plaque with insignia of H.M.A.S. AdelaideH.M.A.S. Adelaideh.m.a.s. adelaide -
Waverley RSL Sub Branch
Plaque H.M.A.S. Hobart
HMAS Hobart (D63), a Leander class light cruiser acquired from the Royal Navy in 1938, and operating until 1962. HMAS Hobart (D 39), a Perth class guided missile destroyer commissioned in 1965 and decommissioned in 2000. HMAS Hobart (DDGH 39), lead ship of the Hobart class air warfare destroyers, scheduled to enter service in March 2016Wooden plaque with insignia of H.M.A.S. Hobarth.m.a.s. hobart -
Waverley RSL Sub Branch
Print H.M.A.S. Quickmatch, H.M.A.S. Quickmatch
HMAS Quickmatch (G92/D21/D292/F04), named for the quick-match, a fast burning match used for lighting cannon, was a Q class destroyer operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Although commissioned into the RAN in 1942, the ship was initially the property of the Royal Navy. Quickmatch served with both the British Eastern Fleet and British Pacific Fleet during World War II. In the 1950s, the destroyer was converted into an anti-submarine frigate. In 1957, Quickmatch operated in support of Malaya during the Malayan Emergency. The ship remained in service until 1963, and after use as an accommodation ship, was sold for scrap in 1972Framed print of the H.M.A.S. Quickmatchhmas quickmatch, h.m.a.s. quickmatch, quickmatch -
Waverley RSL Sub Branch
Plaque Insignia of H.M.A.S. Quickmatch
HMAS Quickmatch (G92/D21/D292/F04), named for the quick-match, a fast burning match used for lighting cannon, was a Q class destroyer operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Although commissioned into the RAN in 1942, the ship was initially the property of the Royal Navy. Quickmatch served with both the British Eastern Fleet and British Pacific Fleet during World War II. In the 1950s, the destroyer was converted into an anti-submarine frigate. In 1957, Quickmatch operated in support of Malaya during the Malayan Emergency. The ship remained in service until 1963, and after use as an accommodation ship, was sold for scrap in 1972Plaster insignia crest of H.M.A.S. Quickmatch on wooden plaqueH.M.A.S. Quickmatchhmas quickmatch -
Running Rabbits Military Museum operated by the Upwey Belgrave RSL Sub Branch
Propeller from HMAS Bayonet, Walkers Ltd
Bayonet was one of 20 Attack class patrol boats built for the Royal Australian Navy between 1967 and 1969 by Walkers Ltd of Maryborough Qld . In the 1960s, Australia became more closely involved in events in the Asia-Pacific region. This led to improved surveillance and control of our enormous coastline, especially the northern approaches. Patrol boats controlled illegal fishing, smuggling and immigration, search and rescue, and occasional inshore survey work. Her hull is steel and the superstructure is aluminium. It is armed for small-scale encounters, with one 40-mm Bofors gun and two 0.5-inch Browning machine guns to fire warning shots across the bow of a suspect vessel. She was 32.6 m long and 6.1 m wide, 150 tons, powered by two paxman diesel engines and capable of about 24 knots. . A sister ship featured in the popular ABC-TV series Patrol Boat. The Bayonet conducted patrol duties around Australian waters until her scuttling by defence maritime services on 21 September 1999 in 82 m of water off Torquay in Victoria. propeller, hmas bayonet -
Running Rabbits Military Museum operated by the Upwey Belgrave RSL Sub Branch
Oil Painting HMAS Australia (1), HMAS Australia (1), 26/06/1910
HMAS Australia (1) The largest war ship in the Australian fleet was the first flagship of the Australian fleet in WW1. She was Commissiond and paid for by the Australian Goverment to ensure sdequate protection for the Australasion Pacific Region. She had a crew of 900 "Officers and Crew" and was equipted with four sets of 12 inch breech loading guns,side firing torpedos and fourteen 4 inch guns for surface and air contacts. On the 12 of April 1924 HMAS Australia (1) was with "Full Military Honours" Scuttled 50 km east of Sydney. Only 14 Years old.Framed Oil Paintinghmas australia oil painting pictures -
Running Rabbits Military Museum operated by the Upwey Belgrave RSL Sub Branch
Honour Roll, HMAS Sydney Honour Roll 1939-1945
Wooden Plaque with the names of the ship and crew written in gold leaf. The ships crest is shown on the top of the boardThe names of the ship and crew written in gold leaf. The ships crest is made from plaster is shown on the top of the board -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Framed Print, Original photo 28/2/1915
The 11th Battalion, Australian Infantry was raised at Blackboy Hill Camp Bellevue in Western Australia on the 17th of August 1914. Following a period of training of just 2 weeks the Battalion embarked at Fremantle on the HMAS Ascantius on the 11th of November 1918. The Ascantius formed part of a convoy 38 troop ships carrying approximately 35,000 Australians and New Zealanders and reached the port of Alexandria Egypt on the 3rd of December 1914. After arriving in Egypt, the Battalion camped and trained at Mena, ten miles from Cairo at the foot of the great pyramid Cheops. On the 10th of January 1915 prior to leaving Egypt, a photograph of more than 800 original officers and men of the battalion was undertaken at the great pyramid of Cheops on the 28th of February 1915Historical photograph of the 11th Infantry Btn taken on the Cheops Pyramid Mena Egypt on the 28/2/1914Plastic framed print behind glass with plaque medals and two rising sun badgesAnzac and plaque describing the historical significance.11 battalion aif cheop pyramid egypt photo pegan anzac mena hmas ascantius -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Book, HMAS Mk11 The RANS second book, 1951
HMAS Mk11 endeavours to give something of a picture of this world wide fabric of sea power and the threads therein woven by the Royal Australian Navy. These threads are coloured by experience and tradition of the centuries of the Naval history.Personal recounts from NAVY service personnel by way of stories, poems, cartoons, illustrations and portraitsHMAS - Printed 1951. Inside front and back hardcover is a green background and illustrations of ships and words of places of Navy service. Photographs, illustrations, cartoons, portraits.hmas mk11, naval history -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Plaques for Australian Navy 4 off, Australian Navy plaques - 1. Royal Australian Navy, 2. W.R.A.N.S.,3.HMAS Vampire, 4.HMAS Perth
Registered plaques representing R.A.N. , W.R.A.N.S. , H.M.A.S. Vampire, and H.M.A.S. Perth.Rare collection of Royal Australian Navy plaquesPine-board backing with 4 plaques mounted 1. Royal Australian Navy, 2. W.R.A.N.S.,3.HMAS Vampire, 4.HMAS Perth, The plaques are mounted on a wooden shields. 1. Royal Australian Navy plaque consists of an oval shape topped by a regal crown and bottom an anchor and chain, The center of the plaque is Black in color embossed in a ring of "Royal Australian Navy" the center of the plaque is a symbol of an anchor and chain. 2. W.R.A.N.S. Triangle shape with a Crown made-up from a sailing ship and the bottom a bow of blue ribbon. The lower half of the triangle is a wreath of leaves. the center of the triangle is painted light blue and has small stars one in each corner. In the center there is a ships anchor and chain. The bottom of the plaque is the initials "W.R.N.S." 3.HMAS Vampire A circular plaque a crown on the top a sailing ship in a crown format. Over a name of Vampire in gold on a black back ground the middle is a circle painted blue with a black Bat in the center. The bottom of the plaque is emblazoned with a boomerang, stone axe and aboriginal waddy followed by a banner "Audamus" meaning "we dare, we venture, we risk" 4.HMAS Perth, A circular plaque a crown on the top a sailing ship in a crown format. Over a name of Perth in gold on a black back ground. The middle is a circle painted gold with a black Griffen in the center. The bottom of the plaque is emblazoned with a boomerang, stone axe and aboriginal waddy followed by a banner "Fight and Flourish". motto.plaques, r.a.n., w.r.a.n., h.m.a.s. vampire -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Coloured Print of HMAS SYDNEY 1918
... ships, light cruisers. HMAS SYDNEY 1918,launching a Sopwith ...HMAS Sydney was a Chatham-class light cruiser of the Royal Australian Navy. Laid down in 1911 and launched in 1912, the cruiser was commissioned into the RAN in 1913. During the early stages of World War I, Sydney was involved in supporting the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, and escorting the first ANZAC convoy. On 9 November 1914, the cruiser defeated the German cruiser SMS Emden at the Battle of Cocos. During 1915 and 1916, Sydney operated on the North America and West Indies Station, before joining the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron at Greenock, Scotland in November 1916. On 4 May 1917, the cruiser was involved in an inconclusive action against the German zeppelin L43; neither was damaged. During late 1917, Sydney became the first Australian warship to launch an aircraft, and the first warship to do so from a rotatable platform.Rectangular shaped mounted Print of HMAS SYDNEY 1918HMAS SYDNEY 1918,launching a Sopwith aeroplane from a flying-off platform atop her 6 inch gun turret. ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY 75TH ANNIVERSARYww1, hmas sydney,lara r.s.l. australian naval ships, light cruisers. -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Round Woode Life Saving Ring 2 off, 1. Wooden Life Saving Ring with Temprature Gauge H.M.A.S. Napier 1940 -1941 2. Wooden Life Saving Ring with Temprature Gauge H.M.A.S. Doomba 1940 -1941
Souvenirs of service in RAN Naval Vessels.Souvenirs of service in RAN Naval Vessels.HMAS Napier and HMAS Doomba1. Wooden Life Saving Ring with Temperature Gauge H.M.A.S. Napier 1940 -194. Signed by ship mates on reverse. 2. Wooden Life Saving Ring with Temperature Gauge H.M.A.S. Doomba 1940 -1941 Round Wooden life Saving Rings 1. H.M.A.S. Napier 1940 - 1941 white with Blue color ribbon painted Top, Bottom, Left and right Temperature Gauge in Fahrenheit 20 to 120 Degrees. 2. H.M.A.S.Doomba white with Blue color ribbon painted Top, Bottom, Left and right, Temperature Gauge in Fahrenheit 20 to 120 Degrees.hmas napier souvenir, hmas dooma souvenir -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Booklet, HMAS SYDNEY (3) A214
... 1975 and left Sydney in tow on 23 December 1975. HMAS ships ...HMAS Sydney was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier operated by the Royal Australian Navy. She was built for the Royal Navy and was launched as HMS Terrible in 1944, but was not completed before the end of World War II. The carrier was sold to Australia in 1947, completed, and commissioned into the RAN as Sydney in 1948. She completed two tours of duty in Korean waters. She was relieved in January 1952, after taking the Australian contingent to the U.K. for the Coronation, returning home on 16 N0vember 1952. she finished in Korean waters on 4 May 1953.HMAS Sydney was paid off into reserve in January 1958 and was recommissioned in 1962 as a troop transport. She completed more than 20 trips to Vietnam and was known by the nickname of 'Vung Tau Ferry'. HMAS Sydneys last trip to Vietnam was completed on 12 March 1972 and was paid off for disposal on 12 November 1973. She was sold for breaking up in Korea on 30 October 1975 and left Sydney in tow on 23 December 1975. Rectangular shaped booklet with blue plastic spine and clear cover.hmas ships, aircraft carrier, troop transport ships, lara r.s.l. -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Australian Navy Vietnam, Australian Naval Ships Vietnam
... helicopter gun ships hmas sydney jeparit boonaroo vendetta hobart ...Description of Australian Naval Ships used during Vietnam war 1963 - 1973. Royal Australian Navy Clearance Team 3 1967 - 1971. Australian Naval Helicopter Ship Crews 1965 to 1973Description of Australian Naval Ships used during Vietnam war 1963 - 1973. Royal Australian Navy Clearance Team 3 1967 - 1971. Australian Naval Helicopter Ship Crews 1965 to 1973A3 Laminated PosterAustralian Naval Ships of Vietnam waraustralian navy vietnam clearance diving helicopter gun ships hmas sydney jeparit boonaroo vendetta hobart perth brisbane helicpter gun ships -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Framed Photo of H.M.A.S. VENDETTA Daring Class Destroyer
... as a parts hulk for sister ship HMAS Vampire. Vendetta was sold ...HMAS Vendetta was one of three Daring-class destroyers built for and operated by the Royal Australian Navy. The destroyer was built by Williamstown Naval Dockyard and entered service in 1958. During her early career, Vendetta was deployed to the Far East Strategic Reserve on multiple occasions. In 1965 and 1966, the destroyer undertook deterrence patrols during the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation. Along with several runs escorting the troop transport HMAS Sydney to South Vietnam, from late 1969 to early 1970 Vendetta was assigned to combat operations and became the only Australian-built warship to serve in a shore bombardment role during the Vietnam War. he ship underwent a two-year modernisation from 1971 to 1973, and in December 1974 was one of thirteen RAN warships involved in Operation Navy Help Darwin after Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin. Several more deployments were made to the Far East, up until 1978. In October 1979, the destroyer was decommissioned, and served as a parts hulk for sister ship HMAS Vampire. Vendetta was sold for ship breaking in January 1987. 1002 Rectangular Shaped Glass Covered Photo Frame, 1002.1 H.M.A.S, VENDETTA FIRST COMMISSION MAP. H.M.A.S. VENDETTA Daring Class Destroyer. -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Newspaper - The Australian - The Battle of the Coral Sea and reserse HMAS Australia Under attack in the Coral Sea. May 1942 AWM 44238, Australian Newspaper insert
The Australian - The Battle of the Coral Sea and reserse HMAS Australia Under attack in the Coral Sea. May 1942 AWM 44238,The Australian Newspaper insert with details of the movement of ships and Battle on the reverse is a photograph of HMAS Australia Under air attack by Japanese aircraft. -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Photograph, H.M.A.S.QUIBERON photograph. (.1 H,M.A,S, QUIBERON certificate.) (.2 H.M.A.S. VENDETTA certificate,) (.3 Photograph of the crew on the ship, 2 OF.) (.4 Photograph of the crew on the ship,)
HMAS Quiberon was a Q-class destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy. Although built for the Royal Navy and remaining British property until 1950, Quiberon was one of two Q-class destroyers commissioned into the RAN during World War II. -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - PHOTOGRAPH, HMAS KANIMBLA
HMAS KANIMBLA was a converted passenger ship to an armed Merchant Cruiser during WW2 and later converted to an Infantry Landing Ship. Image taken of ship docked at Draeger Harbour.Black and white photo of HMAS Kanimbla at Draeger Harbour in Pacific during WW2. Shows dock workers inspecting the ship at the dock.Written on back "HMAS KANIMBLA - AT DRAEGER HARBOUR" "WW2". hmas kanimbla, draeger, ww2 -
Bendigo Military Museum
Programme, RAN, "BOOBY ISLAND BLUES" 8 Nov 1970 HMAS SYDNEY, 8 Nov 1970
HMAS SYDNEY was used as a troopship between Australia and South Vietnam.This is a single sheet of foolscap paper, folded once to become a 4 page program. Printing is in black ink.troop ship, vietnam war -
Bendigo Military Museum
Headwear - CAPS , BASEBALL
... of an anchor. 2. "HMAS BRISBANE/DDG-41" with ship "DICKO" on back..." on back. 3. "HMAS SUCCESS/OR 304" with ship "DAVID" ON BACK ...Items in collection re David Dixon RAN R112262, refer Cat No 5215.5 for his service details. Four Baseball caps - with peak, navy blue cotton fabric. 2. With red peak and strap. 3. Corduroy cotton fabric.Embroidered gold thread, grey thread on illustrations. 1. "HMAS SYDNEY/VUNG TAU/FERRY" below red and gold emblem of an anchor. 2. "HMAS BRISBANE/DDG-41" with ship "DICKO" on back and "THE STEEL CAT" on back. 3. "HMAS SUCCESS/OR 304" with ship "DAVID" ON BACK. Handwritten inside "1997/LSMM DIXON/R112262" in black ink. 4. "HMAS YARRA/DE45" with ship on a fabric badge.uniform, headwear, navy -
Bendigo Military Museum
Souvenir - SOUVENIR - RAN SCUTTLE
... Brass Ships Scuttle from HMAS Brisbane 11 - Decommissioned...Brass Ships scuttle from HMAS BRISBANE 11. 1. Circular... goldfields Brass Ships Scuttle from HMAS Brisbane 11 - Decommissioned ...Brass Ships Scuttle from HMAS Brisbane 11 - Decommissioned 2001. Bridge and Mount 51 is at AWM. Items in collection re David Dixon RAN R112262, refer Cat No 5215.5 for his service details.Brass Ships scuttle from HMAS BRISBANE 11. 1. Circular window with brass frame and glass similar to a porthole, with white painted metal cover secured to frame with hinge and four sadjustable bolts. 2. Circular black plastic decorative insert to cover glass with etching.1. Metal label on scuttle cover - "2" 2. Etching of ships profile with No. "41" on bow (No. 41 - HMAS BRISBANE 11).souvenir, navy, ran -
Bendigo Military Museum
Booklet - PROGRAM for HMAS MELBOURNE COMMISSIONING, C 1955
Naming and commissioning of the HMAS Melbourne Friday 29th October 1955Fold out programme- cream colour with photograph of ship and timing of the ceremony. Rectangular shape.Photograph of HMAS Melbourne “Form of Ceremony For Naming and Commisioning HMAS Melbourne On Friday, 28TH October 1955 Naval Construction works Vicker- Armstrongs (shipbuilder) Ltd Barrow-in- Furnesshmas melbourne, naming and commissioning hmas melbourne -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - PHOTOGRAPH, HMAS MELBOURNE
Photo of the HMAS Melbourne at sea in reference to James Leslie Pell RAN No 35213 Stoker mechanic who served on the ship in the mid 1950’s. Previously had served in Korea 1951-1952 on HMAS Bathan Black and white photograph of HMAS Melbourne. RAN stamp on the back and some black inkStamp on the back “Royal Australian Navy” Copyright reserved. Not to be communicated to te press without Naval Board approval hmas melbourne, royal australian navy -
Bendigo Military Museum
Postcard - POSTCARDS OF HMAS AUSTRALIA IN 1920, Royal Australian Navy, c1920's
1. B & W postcard shows scene of foredeck taken from the bridge. One twin gun turret can be observed. The ship is tied up at a wharf. 2. Side view of HMAS AUSTRALIA. The photo shows one gun turret, two funnels and wireless mast.1. On front bottom is handwritten "View from bridge of HMAS AUSTRALIA". 2. On front bottom is written "HMAS AUSTRALIA during Navy days in the 1920's" .photographs, ran, hmas australia -
Bendigo Military Museum
Banner - BANNER, HMAS BENDIGO, RAN
... for RSL Museum and one for Training Ship. RAN HMAS BENDIGO ...Gangway banner from the Fremantle class Patrol boat HMAS Bendigo (11) P211. Decommissioned at Cairns on 9 September 2006. Two banners presented to Training Ship Bendigo staff - one for RSL Museum and one for Training Ship.This is a heavy duty vinyl banner used on the ships gangway. Background colour is blue with the words HMAS BENDIGO printed in yellow paint along the banner. At each end of the banner is the crest of HMAS BENDIGO. The crest shows a rope circle and in the centre is the top of a battlement with the flag of the Southern Cross. Above the rope circle is a stylised crown with parts of a sailing ship on the crown. Under the rope circle are a stone axe, a nulla nulla and a boomerang. Under the weapons on a banner are the words in English "Advance with Purpose". The banner has numerous brass eyelets around the borders.ran, hmas bendigo -
Bendigo Military Museum
Banner - BANNER, HMAS LABUAN, RAN
... goldfields Ships Banner HMAS LABUAN This is a long blue gangway ...This is a long blue gangway banner. It has numerous eyelets around the border. In the centre are the words in yellow paint, HMAS LABUAN. On the right end is an image of a stylised green and gold frog with the words "Amphibious Forces" . On the left end is the ships crest. It has a rope circle. In the center is a five pointed crown. Above the rope is the word "LABUAN" , above that is a crown with parts of a sailing ship, under the rope are a Nulla Nulla, a stone axe and a Boomerang. Under the weapons is the phase in English " Fail Not". ships banner, hmas labuan -
Bendigo Military Museum
Plaque - PLAQUE, HMAS BENDIGO
Wooden wall hanging plaque, HMAS BENDIGO emblem, stylized crown, ships emblem with southern cross flag, boomerang, black scroll with inscription."BENDIGO" "ADVANCE WITH PURPOSE" hmas bendigo, navy, memorabilia -
Bendigo Military Museum
Flag - FLAG, WHITE ENSIGN HMAS BENDIGO, C. 1939 - 45
The HMAS BENDIGO (1) was a Bathurst type Minelayer/Corvette. It was made in Australia. Launched 1 MAR 1941 and paid off 27 SEP 1946. The ship had a normal complement of 85 hands. The ENSIGN is the standard pattern Royal Navy ensign in use at the time by The Royal Australian Navy. The Ensign has five written names including the Captain and has 85 autographs. All but two have been identified. Referring to the sailor's service cards, the signing probably occurred between OCT 1945 to FEB 1946. Post WW2, the Ensign was presented in gratitude to the City of Bendigo where it was on display in the Old Town Hall for decades. The City then gifted the Ensign to the Bendigo and District R.S.L. After some time the RSL lodged the Ensign with the Soldier's Memorial Institute Military museum for safe keeping.The main part is of a strong open weave white cotton. The flag is divided by a bright red cross vertically and horizontally. In the top left quadrant is the Union flag of the U.K. The left side has a strong canvas spine in which is mounted the sisal rope. The rope has a small length with loop at the top and a longer length with loop at the bottomThe bottom right quadrant, has these words stencilled on it..."In Appreciation from HMAS BENDIGO". The other two quadrants have a large quantity of signatures.corvettes ww2, hmas bendigo -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Book, Nautical Press, HMAS Melbourne 25 Years
HMAS Melbourne (R21) was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Operating from 1955 until 1982, she was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier to serve in the RAN. Melbourne was the only British Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisions. The ship was laid down for the British 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 World War II, 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 career, having only peripheral, non-combat roles in relation to the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation and the Vietnam War. However, she was involved in two major collisions with allied vessels. On the evening of 10 February 1964, Melbourne collided with and sank HMAS Voyager when the Daring class destroyer altered course across her bow. Eighty-two of Voyager's crew 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 collided with and sank the Allen M. Sumner class destroyer USS Frank E. Evans in similar circumstances. Seventy-four United States Navy (USN) personnel died, and a joint USN–RAN Board of Inquiry was held. These incidents, along with several minor collisions, shipboard accidents, and aircraft losses, led to the reputation that Melbourne was jinxed. Melbourne was paid off from RAN service in 1982. A proposal to convert her for use as a floating casino failed, and a 1984 sale was cancelled, before she was sold in 1985 and towed to China for breaking. 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. HMAS Melbourne was decommissioned on 30 June 1982, having spent 62,036 hours underway and having steamed 868,893 nautical miles. 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.The pictorial history of HMAS Melbourne with rare photos. Now a scarce title and highly desirable title that is now long out of print. Has provenance history of all ships movements from 1955 till decommissioned.HMAS Melbourne 25 YearsOn the front page is a picture of HMAS Melbourne with the words at top "H.M.A.S. Melbourne. At bottom are the words in orange, '25 Years'. In white, are the words 'by Ross Gillett' then 'Forward by Rear Admiral G.G.O. Gatacre C.B.E. DSO. DSC & Bar, RAN'. On the rear page is a list of all the Captains that served on the HMAS Melbourne between 1955-1980.hmas melbourne, aircraft carrier, royal australian navy, australian navy, westland whirlwind, sea venom, fairy gannet, bristol sycamore, westland wessex, douglas skyhawk, grumman tracker, westland sea king, fleet air arm, hmas albatross, nowra