Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Wednesday 6 April 1955, page 5


Onr new

'Most modern afloat'

. Canberra, Tuesday

Australia's ; new aircraft-carrier 'i H.M.A.S.' Melbourne would be the most modern light fleet carrier afloat, Mr. Francis, Navy Minister, said today.

; About 1,000 R.A.N.

officers and men would

leave Sydney for' the United' Kingdom iii the

aircraft - carrier Vengeance on June 16 to bring the Melbourne to Australia. '

. The Melbourne will arrive in Australian waters in May next year. '

She would have an angled deck, which increases the safety factor for pilots* and lessens the damage sometimes done to aircraft landing on conventional straight

decks.

Melbournè would carry Sea Venom jet fighters and Gannet turbo-prop antisubmarine aircraft.

Mr. Francis said that when the Vengeance reached England she would revert to the Royal Navy which lent her to the R.A.N. pending Melbourne's completion.

Vengeance personnel would then go to Barrow-on-Furness tb join other officers and men who are standing by Melbourne.

Three officers and 10 ratings of the R.A.N.V.R. would be included in the complement of the Vengeance on her passage to England.

Their trip was a reward for outstanding service in the Reserve.