HMAS #55: CAIRNS Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Smittengranny: This series has come to the end of its life. With pine plantations being cleared and new suburbs encroaching on the area, it needs to be archived. Thanks to all who helped with the CITO this morning and to all who have supported the series. Special thanks to Cankid for the research and original placement of the series.

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Hidden : 3/10/2014
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Information about this Series

The HMAS cache series has been created by Cankid and Delta Response Team to celebrate the 2013 fleet review and this is 55 of 101 caches. The series features 53 ships, 11 bases, 20 knighted seamen, 5 engagements and 1 cache about the RAN. There are also 9 puzzles for each section of the series, with one final cache. There is also one extra for the enthusiasts out there. The series can be done in a day and is best done in order. The best mode of transport in doing this series is bike.

The Location

The series is located just off Coppins Crossing road and continues through an area quite close to the arboretum. Park at the parking coordinates as provided in the first cache and continue from there. Please show caution and do not obscure the gate. This series will take almost all day so plan ahead, take water and snacks for the trip. As said previously, it is best done by bike. Most of the caches are on fire trails but there are some where you will have to go off track to find them.

This cache



HMAS Cairns was named after an Australian World War II Bathurst Class Corvette of the same name which began its sea service in 1942, serving in the Indian Ocean, Eastern Africa, the Mediterranean and in Australian waters.

The Royal Australian Navy has been a regular visitor to the port of Cairns for many decades stretching well back before the Second World War. Many ships, both military and merchant, made Cairns their principal port of call when travelling up the east coast of Australia during World War Two for re-supply and refit prior to heading to New Guinea, Java, the Solomon Islands and many other destinations throughout the Pacific.

A permanent Navy presence in Cairns did not begin however, until the new Patrol Boat Facility opened up at Grafton Street on the 29 January 1971 under the Command of LEUT H.P Shaw RAN. Starting with a complement of only one officer and fifteen sailors, the facility was to provide general repair and maintenance facilities for the newly formed Second Australian Patrol Boat Squadron. From mid 1971 the first Patrol Boats commenced refitting in Cairns with the work being carried out by private contractors.

On the 1 February 1974, the Grafton Street Establishment was then given the title HMAS Cairns and Commissioned under the command of CMDR J.M Yates RAN. By then the complement had grown to four officers and 30 sailors.

At this time HMAS Cairns also became the home port for the 3 Attack Class Patrol Boats HMA Ships Barbette, Barricade and Bayonet as well as a single Hydrographic Survey Ship HMAS Flinders.

HMAS Cairns now sits on the site of a former Navy ship repair facility originally built by Navy at the Outbreak of World War II. Re-construction of the new Establishment began in 1979 and the base was relocated and formally Re-Commissioned here at Draper Street on the 28 May 1982 under the command of CMDR A.H Brecht RAN, along with an expanded complement of 13 Officers and 100 sailors. The base expanded until a major redevelopment was undertaken in 2008-9 which transformed it into the modern complex that exists today.

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