HMAS Air Sprite (Y 256/SAR 6301) was an air-sea rescue vessel operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). She was an Australian-built version of the 63-foot (19 m) air-sea rescue vessels which the RAN operated during World War II, with the only difference being that she was fitted with a lattice mast instead of the tripod masts in the older ships.[1]Air Sprite was ordered in 1958 and was built by Lars Halvorsen and Sons in Sydney.[1] She was commissioned into the RAN on 15 June 1960 and was based at HMAS Creswell at Jervis Bay near the RAN Fleet Air Arm's base, HMAS Albatross.[1]
On the night of 10 February 1964 Air Sprite was one of two air-sea rescue vessels which responded to the collision between HMAS Melbourne and Voyager in Jervis Bay. Air Sprite rescued 36 Voyager crewmen and HMAS Air Nymph saved a further 34.[2]
In 1976 Air Sprite was laid up at HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney for a major refit, which was scheduled for mid-1977, prior to being used as a general purpose vessel in Western Australia.[1] This refit did not go ahead, and instead the ship was marked for disposal.[1]Air Sprite was sunk as a target by a Tartar missile fired by HMAS Brisbane on 17 May 1979.[1]
^ abcdefgGillett, Ross (1988). Australian and New Zealand Warships Since 1946. Sydney: Child & Associates. p. 40. ISBN 0-86777-219-0.
^McNicoll, D.D. (11 February 2009). "Forgotten saviours". The Australian. Retrieved 13 February 2009.
between HMAS Melbourne and Voyager in Jervis Bay. AirSprite rescued 36 Voyager crewmen and HMASAir Nymph saved a further 34. In 1976 AirSprite was laid...
particularly during the Tanker War, where it was the primary missile used by Iraqi Air Force. In addition to nations, anti-ship missiles are also used by non-state...
conducting survey work for a segment about surveying the ocean scheduled to air on an episode of the BBC series Horizon in October 2010. Rear Admiral Jonathan...
avail. On 6 November, civilian tugboat Carlock and Australian destroyer HMAS Vendetta came to the rescue, arriving on the scene and commencing salvage...
deck by heavy seas. They were finally rescued by helicopters of the Fleet Air Arm after spending over five hours holding on to cargo hatch boards from...
shipwrecks: 17 May 1979 Ship State Description HMASAirSprite Royal Australian Navy The decommissioned air-sea rescue vessel was sunk as a target by a...
corvettes were armed with one QF 4-inch Mk XIX gun mounted forward. Anti-air armament varied from 4 to 10 Oerlikon 20 mm cannons. For ASW purposes, the...
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Australia (RAN)