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Notable events involving Gladstone include:

25 Aug 1943
Around 0700K/25, HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J. Plunkett-Cole, RAN) departed Caloundra escorting the transport Maui (American, 10261 GRT, built 1917) eastwards.

They parted company around 1800K/25 and HMAS Vendetta set course to return to Caloundra.

While en-route she was ordered to join HMAS Gladstone (T/Lt. J.W. Penney, RANR(S)) which was conducting an A/S search off Great Sandy Island where the presence of an enemy submarine was suspected.

Around 1400K/26, HMAS Vendetta had to abandon her A/S patrol due to fuel shortage and she arrived at Brisbane around 2200K/26.

(1)

26 Jun 1944
Around 1710K/26, a convoy departed Langemak Bay (Megum Island anchorage) for Humboldt Bay (Hollandia).

This convoy was made up of the (troop) transports; Abigail S. Duniway (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Ada Rehan (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Ambrose Bierce (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Don Marquis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Franklin K. Lane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George Eastman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George A. Pope (American, 7212 GRT, built 1944), Henry White (American, 7216 GRT, built 1944), Julien Dubuque (American, 7194 GRT, built 1943), Mormachawk (American, 6711 GRT, built 1942), Otis Skinner (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Robert S. Bean (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Simon Bamberger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Stephen M. White (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Van der Lijn (Dutch, 2464 GRT, built 1929), Walter Williams (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Watson C. Squire (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Wilfred Grenfell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).

On departure from Langemak Bay the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Mesley, RAN, Senior Officer of the escort), minesweepers HMAS Broome (Lt.Cdr. R.A. Denovan, RANVR), HMAS Bunbury (T/Lt. J.S. Bell, RANR(S)), HMAS Gladstone (T/Lt. J.W. Penney, RANR(S)), HMAS Kiama (T/Lt. S.J. Benson, RANR(S)), HMAS Stawell (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.J. Griffith, RANR(S)) and the patrol vessels PC-1131 (?) and SC-749 (Lt.(jg) H.W. Sadler, USNR).

At 0040K/27, the transports; Joseph P. Bradley (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943) and Francis A. Wardwell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) joined the convoy. They were escorted by the patrol vessel PC-1121 (Lt. R.D. Blocksom, USNR) which also joined the convoy.

Around 1000K/28, the Francis A. Wardwell, Joseph P. Bradley and Julien Dubuque were detached to Aitape escorted by all three American patrol vessels.

The convoy arrived at Humboldt Bay around 0800K/29. (2)

14 Jan 1945

Convoy BG 510.

This convoy departed Sorido, Biak around 1900I/14.

It was made up of the following ships; Edwin Markham (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), El Morro (American (tanker), 10448 GRT, built 1944) and Ludington (American, 8266 GRT, built 1920).

It was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt. G.S. Gordon, RAN) and the the minesweepers HMAS Gladstone (T/Lt. J.W. Penney, RANR(S)) and HMAS Lithgow (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) D. Logan, RAN , Senior Officer).

The convoy arrived at Morotai around 0800I/17. (3)

20 Jan 1945

Convoy GB 729.

This convoy departed Morotai around 1600I/20.

It was made up of the following ships; Edwin Markham (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), El Morro (American (tanker), 10448 GRT, built 1944) and Stanford Newel (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).

It was escorted by the destroyer HMAS Vendetta (Lt. G.S. Gordon, RAN) and the the minesweepers HMAS Gladstone (T/Lt. J.W. Penney, RANR(S)) and HMAS Lithgow (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) D. Logan, RAN , Senior Officer).

At 2148I/22, HMAS Vendetta was detached to search for the crew of an aircraft which had crashed into the sea near the convoy.

The convoy arrived at Biak around 2345I/22.

HMAS Vendetta arrived at Mios Woendi around 0040I/23 having abandoned her search around 2250I/22. (3)