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

Photograph of the Australian Aircraft Carrier HMAS MelbourneHigh. Australia does not have an aircraft carrierGray coloured presentation folder with a photo of HMAS Melbourne and map inside Coloured photo of HMAS Melbourne

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

HMAS Melbourne was a light cruiser launched in 1912 & commissioned in 1913. At the start of WWI it saw action in the Pacific & was involved in the capture of the German colonies. From 1916 it saw action in the North Sea. It was scrapped in 1923.Black & white photo of HMAS Melbourne, 1914. Glass front, brown frame with a veneered timber mount.Bottom of mount in faded gold: HMAS Melbourne 1914photography-photographs, frame accessories, ran, hmas

HMAS Melbourne (R21) was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier of the Royal Australian Navy. Operating from 1955 until 1982, she was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier to serve in the RAN. Melbourne was the only Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisions.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.Rectangular in shape Fibreboard mounted print of HMAS Melbourne.australian aircraft carrier, hmas, lara r.s.l., hmas melbourne

Artist Peter Blenkinsopp, 1936 to 2010, Limited edition print of HMAS Perth Escorting HMAS MelourneAustralian Navy color print of HMAS Perth and HMAS MelbourneColor print of HMAS Perth escorting HMAS Melbourne at sea - framed print.Front : "Plane Guard" - HMAS Perth escorting HMAS Melbourne, from an originial oil painting by Peter Blenkinsopp. Rear : small sign from Geelong Pictture framers and Ryrie ST Art Galleryhmas perth, hmas melbourne, artist peter blenkinsopp

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 Battan 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

James Leslie Pell RAN No 35213 Stoker mechanic, served on HMAS Bataan, (D9/I91/D191) a Tribal-class destroyer during the Korean War 1951-52. He later served on HMAS Melbourne, a Majestic-class light fleet aircraft carrier later in the 1950's. These photographs are from his personal album, and portray events and place to which he would have been witness. Refer to catalogue item 5455 for his service details. These photographs depict flight operations on HMAS Melbourne in the 1950's. They are part of a collection of over 200 photographs housed within an archive folder.hmas melbourne, hmas bataan, korean war, royal australian navy, james leslie pell

Black plastic framed black and white print of HMAS Melbourne at sea.print, hmas melbourne

In a black frame there is a coloured photograph of an aerial shot of HMAS Melbourne to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of The Royal Australian NavyR21r.a.n., photograph, hmas melbourne

In a black frame is a coloured photograph of a Navy Helicopter being re-armed on HMAS Melbourne. Bottom left side under the photograph reads Voyages to Vietnam Collection. Bottom right hand side under the photograph reads Copyright Grant Jesserphotograph, hmas melbourne, voyages to vietnam collection, cerberus collection

HMAS 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. She was, however, involved in two major collisions with allied vessels; though Melbourne was found not to be the primary cause of either incident. The first occurred on the evening of 10 February 1964, in which Melbourne rammed and sank the RAN destroyer HMAS Voyager when the latter altered course across her bow. Eighty-two of Voyager'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 USS Frank E. Evans in similar circumstances. Seventy-four 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 reputation that Melbourne was jinxed. HMAS Melbourne was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Operating from 1955 until 1982, she was the third and final conventional aircraft carrier to serve in the RAN. Melbourne was the only Commonwealth naval vessel to sink two friendly warships in peacetime collisionsMoulded patterned black plastic frame and mount containing black and white print of hand drawn ship at seaThe Majestic Melbourne Dedicated to those who servedhmas melbourne, ran, aircraft carrier

Brass plate from HMAS Melbourne (Aircraft Carrier) decommissioned 1980Australia only had two Aircraft carriers, HMAS Melbourne and HMAS SydneyBrass plateMain Broadcast wiring group box / Group, From, To, Location

This item commemorates the involvement of the Royal Australian Navy in the war in Vietnam. HMAS Melbourne was an escort ship during the war in Vietnam.An original oil painting of HMAS Melbourne at sea by Roger Knowles. Grey ship against bright blue sky with purplish clouds. hmas melbourne, roger knowles, oil painting

aircraft carrier Melbournephoto, ran

Aircraft carrier Melbourne at garden islandphoto, ran

A group of ships including Aircraft Carrier Melbourneposter, ran

Wooden plaque with plastic emblem.Sailing ships over circular embossing containing effigy of a kangaroo . The wording Melbourne over circle. Scroll below circle reads : vires acquirit eundo: meaning :( It gathers strength as it goes:)

uniforms, ballarat rsl, ballarat

The certificate is, A proclamation given at our Court on the Equator, this 28th day of February 1928”Framed Certificate, timber with decorative edge, brown colour, glass front, certificate, red and black print with ornate pillars each side topped with globes of the world, framing label on backAt bottom of certificate in scroll, “AB Alfred J Carter”documents - certificates, military history - navy, frames

A tragedy this day stunned our nation - Australia's worst peace-time military disaster - the sinking of the destroyer HMAS VOYAGER.voyager (destroyer 1952-1964), sailors - australia - biography, marine accidents - australian capital territory - jervis bay

Storyboard on Doug Rasmussen - Aircraft Electrician on HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Sydney - 1965 - 1968. Bear Cat, Dong Tam September 1969 - October 1970. Service Number R94105, RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnamstoryboard, behind the wire, hmas melbourne, hmas sydney, doug rasmussen, bear cat, dong tam, ran

A coloured photograph of Doug Rasmussen - Aircraft Electrician on HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Sydney - 1965 - 1968. Bear Cat, Dong Tam September 1969 - October 1970. Service Number R94105, RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnamphotograph, behind the wire, doug rasmussen, hmas melbourne, hmas sydney, bear cat, dong tam, ran

Storyboard of Winston James DSC (Distinguished Service Cross), Pilot, HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Sydney - 1965 and 1967, Dong Tam, September 1970 - June 1971. Service Number 01901, RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnamstoryboard, behind the wire, hmas melbourne, hmas sydney, dong tam, winston james dsc, ran

James Leslie Pell RAN No 35213 Stoker mechanic, served on HMAS Bataan, (D9/I91/D191) a Tribal-class destroyer during the Korean War 1951-52. He later served on HMAS Melbourne, a Majestic-class light fleet aircraft carrier later in the 1950's. These photographs are from his personal album, and portray events and place to which he would have been witness. Refer to catalogue item 5455 for his service details. These photographs depict informal photographs of shipmates aboard HMAS Bataan and Melbourne. They are part of a collection of over 200 photographs housed within an archive folder.hmas melbourne, hmas bataan, korean war, royal australian navy, james leslie pell

A glass commerative plaque presented by The Vietnamese Veterans Association of Victoria Inc in Commeration of the 50th Annisversary of Australian Military Commitment in the Vietnam War by HMAS Melbourneglass plaque, hmas melbourne, cerberus collection