MONTHLY ABOUT SHIPS" THE NAVY S^ri JANUARY, 1947 CONTENTS

Promotions in R.A.N * Naval Personalities No. I. Commodore H. B. Farncomb, C.B., M.V.O. DSO The R.A.N. Prior to the Second World War Chronology of Naval Events Overseas News. Merchant Shipping H.M.S. "Valiant" Sea Cadet News j 5

Front Cover Commodore J. A. Collins, C.B. Commodore H. B. Farncomb C.B., M.V.O., D.S.O. Relinquishing command or H. M. Royal Australian Squadron. Commodore Collina hands over 4o his successor. Commodore Farncomb. Commodore Collins has gone to the Admiralty. -

Suppose there were no police- Clipper Ships Taeping and Arid racing up ... Channel. September 6, 1866, at the finish of a 16,000 mile ocean race from Foochou-. This dramatic illustration is re- man on the corner... produced from one of the many full colour art plates in "About Ships," by Syd Nicholls. . . . Suppose he weren't there to answer ques- In 1866, one of the greatest sailing ship races took place between five famous tions, to direct the of traffic; to step up British clippers—the Ariel, Tacping, Fiery C ross, Sercia, and Taitsing. They left Foochow and solve any emergency. He's the genial host within two days of each other at the end of May, 1866. The beginning of September found the ships at the entrance of the English Channel, each of them unaware of the of the city streets: the inexhaustible source of whereabouts of the others. On the morning of September 5, the Taeping and Ariel, information; the staunch symbol of enduring and which had left Foochow with only 20 minutes dividing them, sighted each other. With dependable things. You'd be lost without him. straining braces and billow ing canvas, these ships made a never-to-be-forgotten sight as they raced up the Channel, with both crew s making desperate efforts to win this classic And, incidentally did you ever stop to think of the sea races. They docked in London on the same , to the resounding cheers of you'd be lost without the crews of the other vessels docked in the port. The Taeping won the race by only a few minutes. Later, the Sercia came along ; the remaining clippers arrived during the next two days. Thus finished the closest and most thrilling race in the history of clipper- a store like Marcus Clark's ships, three of the five ships having sailed 16,000 miles in ninety-nine days, the remain- ing two vessels taking only two days more. a store that standi by you in the smallest The foregoing is one of many exciting episodes from the text of "About Ships." matters . . . that rises to all the great occasions This book contains over 100 paintings of ships, from the Egyptian Galley to the Queen of your lives. Elizabeth. 10/6 from booksellers or the publisher. THE BIG STORE. CENTRAL SQUARE SYD. NICHOLLS PUBLICATIONS 166 Phillip St., Sydney.

1 The THE NAVY OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE NAVY LEAGUE REQUIRES •• ' Price 1/-| 1 OTEB'^J JANUARY, 1947 Vol. 10, No. 1 (New SerieB) —Hn»»ii i Editorial Promotions in R.A.N. WHITE AUSTRALIA AND DEFENCE HE following are the names of the officers EX-NAVAL MEN T who have been selected for promotion as 'JXD the vast majority of Australians the from December 31, 1946:— FOR RE-ENGAGEMENT White Australia Policy is a passion that Commander to Captain: C. C Clark, O.B.E., resents criticism from outside. Yet to those D.S.C. who do not approach the question from an Surgeon-Commander to Surgeon-Captain: L. Australian's angle it could provide the fire- Lockwood, M.V.O., D.S.C. works of polemics. Commander (Supply) to Captain (Supply): E. If you are an ex-Naval Man and find if difficult to settle H. Leitch. There is no need to traverse the oft- down in Civil Life the R.A.N, offers you re-engagement Commander to Captain, R.A.N.R. (Seagoing) : for 2 years, the period added to your previous service to repeated reasons for the adoption of such A. V. Knight, O.B.E., D.S.C., R.D. complete 12 years, or a full period of 12 years (sub|ect to a Policy by Australia, but it may not be Lieutenant-Commander to Commander: T. K. age) on re-entry. For full particulars apply to:— unprofitable to again consider how the Morrison, O.B.E., D.S.C. Policy can be maintained unchanged against Lieutenant - Commander to Commander, the pressing needs of the overflowing col- R.A.N.R. (Seagoing): D. H. Richards, R.D., and oured peoples to the north of us. Obviously B. Paul, D.S.C., R.D. the answer is by a comparatively rapid in- Lieutenant - Commander to Commander crease in population. And the means are (R.A.N.R.) : A. H. Lansdell, V.D. not less obvious, namely, natural increase Lieutenant to Lieutenant-Commander: W. A. and immigration. Any process of discrim- Wilson. inatory immigration, no matter how basic- Lieutenant (Supply) to Commander (Supply), R.A.N.V.R.: H. Stewart-Code and H. R. Gaskill. ally sound, coupled with the country's Lieutenant (Supply) to Commander (Supply), power to successfully absorb must neces- R.A.N.R.: M. T. Munro and A. E. Bolt. The Naval Recruiting Officer sarily be on the slow side. Lieutenant (Supply) to Lieutenant-Commander Many years must therefore elapse before (Supply), R.A.N.V.R.: C. F. H. Green. Australia is in a position to successfully 18 LOFTUS STREET defend herself unaided against any powerful to keep our defences in order. The people foe. Much has been written and spoken on must be taught to value highly its Navy, "war to end war" and people have become Air and Army. The Services must SYDNEY cynical; they know in their hearts that the be given the best conditions, and armed with only thing war ends permanently is much the best weapons science can devise. We human life. It is for us, then, to cultivate shall then know our country is covered bv a goodwill across the seas, to ensure that wc form of security, which knows no class dis- have real friends when the need arises, and tinctions and which is always "alive."

3 TLcwal (pSLhAonaliikA No. 1 Commodore H. B. Farncomb, C.B., M.V.O., D.S.O. (Appointed Rear-Admiral on January 8th, 1947.)

Commodore H. B. Farncomb, C.B., M.V.O., D.S.O., who became Commodore Command- ing Australian Squadron, succeeding Commodore J. A. Collins, C.B., who is in England for service with the Admiralty and to attend the Imperial Defence College, was one of the original term of Cadet-Midshipmen of the Royal Australian Naval College, from which he graduated as a Midshipman in January, 1917. When subsequently doing courses in England for the rank of Lieutenant, he obtained a first class pass in all subjects, and he is the only serving senior R.A.N. Officer who is a graduate of the Imperial Defence College. Commodore Farncomb's career has been outstanding; he was the first graduate of the Royal Australian Naval College to be promoted to Captain, and during his many terms of exchange with the , he has carried out many varied duties, including represen- ting the R.A.N, at the funeral of King George V. At the outbreak of the present war he was in command of H.M.A.S. "Perth", relin- quishing that command in June, 1940, to take command of H.M.A.S. "Canberra"; he was in command of that ship wlu-n she intercepted two German supply ships in the Indian Ocean in March, 1941. In December, 1941, he was transferred to command H.M.A.S. "Australia", holding that post until March, 1944. During this time he took part in the Battle of the Coral Sea, the landing at Guadalcanal, the Battles of the Solomons, and the landings at Arawe arid Cape Gloucester. He was awarded the D.S.O. "for skill, resolution and coolness during activities around the Solomon Islands", in 1942, and was also mentioned in Despatches during that year. During operations in the Pacific he acted on many occasions as Chief Staff Officer to the Rear-Admiral Commanding His Majesty's Australian Squadron. After relinquishing command of H.M.A.S. "Australia" he went to England, and in May, 1944, was appointed to command escort aircraft carrier H.M.S. "Attacker," taking part in the invasion of Southern France. He was Mentioned in Despatches "for distinguished service and gallantry during the in- vasion of the South of France". His third Mention in Despatches "for distinguished service, efficiency and zeal while serving in H.M.S. 'Attacker' in the clearance of the Aegean Sea and relief of in 1944." He was promoted to the rank of Commodore (First Class) while in command of H.M.S. "Attacker." He succeeded Commodore Collins as Commodore Commanding the Australian Squadron in October, 1944. At the Lingayen landing in January, 1945, his flagship H.M.A.S. "Austra- A Name of Repute in Marine Matters lia" was severely damaged. Although wounded. Commodore Farncomb transferred his broad pendant to H.M.A.S. 10 TEARS WOHLD WIDE EXPERIENCE "Shropshire", when the "Australia" withdrew. For his part in the Lingayen landing he re- ceived the C.B. Consult Us on all Your Marine Problems In July, 1945, he was appointed Commodore Superintendent of Training, Flinders

THORNYCROFT (AUST.) PTY. LTD J HEAD OFTlCKM&msm STHEET. PYHMONT, N.S.W, Naval Depot, and became responsible for the main training establishment of the Royal Aust- THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY PRIOR TO THE ralian Navy. SECOND WORLD WAR On October 21st, 1946, Commodore Farncomb received the United States Legion of Merit, Degree of Commander. The citation in respect of this award reads as follows:— CHAPTER I "Exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Foundation of the Royal Australian Navy Government of the United States as Commander of the R.A.N. Squadron in action against enemy Japanese in the South West Pacific from January 1 to July 15, 1945. Highly "T>ut for the British Navy, there would be no "It is not a mere subsidised force that will do effective in conducting operations in his squadron of and destroyers as a task group Australia. That docs not mean that Aus- what is wanted. It is not only money that is with the American Naval forces, Commodore Farncomb participated in many campaigns tralia should sit still under the shelter of the required to produce elfcctive forces, but the per- British Navy; those who say we should sit still and actions including those at Lingayen Gulf and Corregidor—Bataan in the Philippines, and sonal service of our countrymen all over the are not worthy of the name ot Briton." world." Brunei Bay and Balikpapan in Borneo. Fighting his ships with daring tactical skill he suc- That statement, made in August, 1908, by the At a conference of colonial Premiers in London ceeded in holding damage to his forces to a minimum through repeated air attacks. Al- then Prime Minister of Australia, epitomises the in the following year, an agreement was reached though his flagship was hit four times by Japanese suicide planes in Lingayen Gulf, Commo- spirit of the Royal Australian Navy, That spirit whereby Britain would provide an "auxiliary has enabled this young Service to build up a his- dore Farncomb continued to direct operations with decision and courage enabling units under squadron for the better defence of Australasian tory of its own, based upon the rich heritage of waters", the Australasian colonies paying interest his command to inflict extensive damage on the enemy and contribute to the forward pro- that Royal Navy of which it always regards itself on the cost of construction and paying the cost of gress of the Philippines and Borneo campaigns." virtually as an integral part. maintenance. The Crimean War, with its rumours of Russian This agreement was taken over by the Federal warships' threats to the Pacific, gave rise to the authorities when the Commonwealth of Australia first efforts of any Australian Government to pro- came into being in 1901, but the question of the vide for local Naval defence. The Government most suitable form of sea defence was still a mat- of the colony of New South built a 65-ton ter of contention, and in 1902 the distinction be- wooden gunboat "Spitfire," while the Victorian tween the Australian Squadron of the Royal Navy Government ordered from England the 5H0-ton and the "auxiliary squadron" of the 1887 con- steamer "Victoria," armed with six 32-pounders ference was abolished. The Admiralty undertook ToTyour PROTECTION and a 9ft. 6in. swivel gun. She reached Mel- to maintain a squadron of defined strength, based bourne in 1856. on Australian ports, but free to be used anywhere Such were the origins of the old "State Navies," on the Australian, China, and East Indies Stations. which vanished on formation of the Common- The cost was to be shared by Britain, Australia wealth of Australia with the dawn of the Twen- and New Zealand. tieth Century. The intervening years were marked In March 1909, Australia formulated a defi- by a series of proposals and counter-proposals, by nite scheme, which called, inter alia, for the con- Britain and by the Australian colonies, as to the struction of destroyers in Australia, to take over form of Naval defence best suited to the area. the responsibility of coastal defence. This stage These are dealt with in considerable detail in of the development of the Australian Navy also Volume IX of the "Official History of Australia was important because of the then Prime Minister's in the War of 1914-18"; but one extract from statement to the British Government that: the resultant correspondence is worthy of quota- "In time of war or emergency, or upon a dec- tion, as representing the basic principle from laration by the senior Naval Officer representing which the Royal Australian Navy sprang. the British Government that a condition of emer- The- British Government's decision to press the gency exists, all the vessels of the Naval Force of colonies to take over some share of the respon- the Commonwealth shall be placed by the Com- sibility for their own defence at sea was followed rr.o alth Government under the order of the by the appointment of Vice Admiral Sir George Loru. Commissioners of the Admiralty." Tryon as the first officer of that rank to command the Australian Squadron of the Royal Navy. He but the whole question of Australia's sea de- was instructed to discuss the general question of fence had not yet been settled and discussions Naval Defence with the Australian Premiers, and between the Dominion and Britain continued un- in 1886 he wrote as follows to the Premier of til, at the Imperial Conference in London, 1911, Queensland:— that final agreement was reached on the form and status of the future Royal Australian Navy.

(Contd. on Page 17) 6 j CHRONOLOGY OF NAVAL EVENTS Featuring Australia's Contribution SUtlNCrS ENERGY TOLL 1940 June 11 At war with Italy. „ 12 "MANOORA" intercepts Italian ship "ROMOLO" and subsequently rescues crew of "ADMIRAL WILEY". 13 H.M.A.S. "VOYAGER" with 10th Destroyer Flotilla while patrolling off Alexandria REPLACED sinks submarine. „ 21 H.M.A.S. "SYDNEY" and "STUART" bombard Bardia. WITH VITALISING „ 28 H.M.A.S. "SYDNEY" in action with 7th Squadron. Picks up survivors of Italian Destroyer "ESPERO". July 1 H.M.A.S. "STUART" sinks submarine between Crete and African Coast. „ 4 H.M.A.S. "AUSTRALIA" in anti-submarine action off Dakar. 9 H.M.A.S. "SYDNEY", "STUART", "VAMPIRE" and "VOYAGER" co-operate with R.N. ships in action in Gulf of Calabria. „ 16 H.M.A.S. "STUART" and "WATERHEN" assist in screening British ships in the bom- bardment of Bardia. „ 19 H.M.A.S. "SYDNEY" in cruiser action sinks Italian "BARTOLOMEO COLLEONI" and puts her sister ship "GIONVANNI DELLA BANDE NERE" to flight. Aug. 16 H.M.A.S. "STUART" acts as S.O. of screening force in further bombardment of Bardia. „ 16 H.M.A.S. "HOBART" plays prominent part in the evacuation of troops from Somali- Clemen^ land. „ 23 H.M.A.S. "SYDNEY", "STUART" and "WATERHFN" take part in bombardment of Gulf of Bomba and Bardia. Sept. 4 H.M.A.S. "SYDNEY" takes part in the bombardment of Scarpanto Is. Summer heat aod h.mldlty »ak. co-tart d«Hi-d. o. body a.d «rvo« ,,14-25 H.M.A.S. "AUSTRALIA" participates in British Action off Dakar. oooray, loavlaa yon Wrod. woory and exhaoitod. That b tl» time ^ need CUmenu Toa^.o £eyoulJm energy snd you, body end -rvous ay~m. O-nen* Ton* is „ 29 H.M.A.S. "STUART" destroys Italian submarine off Alexandria. (During this month .\ba£it drink, bST a scientific pMparation conuimng vduable and e—nu.1 mmeral H.M.A.S. "STUART" took part in the operation of reinforcement of Mediterranean ClementsTonicstdrtsli NERVES:UoT^o^d . which will ,e*owirkimmediatelylThisiswmhappens.c lo« 'and Cuild up body re«an« dujmg Fleet until 28th.) Oct. 2 H.M.A.S. "SYDNEY" bombards Port Maltesana, Stampalia. Nerve Cell, uvd the Nerve Fibres connot- ing than, form the body". "telegraph tytnmT. „ 12 H.M.A.S. "SYDNEY" in action with 3rd Cruiser Squadron against three Italian "Fiumt" CUmiii T..lc «hii, cqIm —4 ceai- Class Cruisers. Mi Mm aerve. mm* allow, tfcaa to fewe- Mm la • kaaHky aonMl amir. „ 25 H.M.A.S. "VAMPIRE" aid "VOYAGER act as screening force for aircraft carriers in raid on Stampalia. ^BLOODSTREAM: WKgjknMN- Nov. 7 H.M.A.S. "VAMPIRE", "WATERHEN" and "SYDNEY" take part in establishment of base at Suda Bay. White corpuscle* build refinance, red cor- . pusdes carry to cell defies. ClaawaH „ 11 H.M.A.S. "SYDNEY" joins Battle-fleet of 7th Cruiser Squadron in raid in the Straits Taalc sables Mm a.««M«l Iraa ea»- of Otranto. paaadi to Woorf.treoa., «Wm aaw llfa That's tfco QmiIIh mm* vl«oar to red corpatclei. Haro'i Mo aotworl „ 12 H.M.A.S. "SYDNEY" attacks coming out of Valona Bay. „ 20 H.M.A.S. "GOORANGAI" sunk in Bay. Teak ass e< lbs h ^DIGESTION: i "ST

8 23 Tobruk captured. All Australian destroyers have been prominent in the "Tobruk Ferry" Service, including H.M.A.S. WATERHEN, "STUART,' "VAMPIRE," VEN- DETTA, NAPIER. NORMAN," NESTOR,' NIZAM and PARRAMATTA." Feb. 22 H.M.A.S. STUART" and VAMPIRE join R.A. 1st Battle Squadron for operational * OvQhMOA VUiVA • sweep towards Rhodes. Mar. 4 H.M.A.S. CANBERRA with H.M.S. LEEANDER intercepts German vessels KETTY BROVIG" and "COBURG." 19 H.M.A.S. "WATERHEN" salvaged burning merchantman ' MARIF MAERSK" in the Ship-Building Mediterranean. 'TWERE is much concern over high prices for orders for steel for shipbuilding. As the Govern- „ 28 Battle of Cape Matapan (Ionian Sea) in which H M A S. ' VENDETTA" was the first -1 new merchant ships. The "Shipping World," ment now have the control of the steel and coal Australian Unit to come under lire, H.M.A.S. PERTH' and STUART" also partici- 13/11/46, mentions £270,000 with delivery 1948 industries, it is doubtful whether for the sake of pated. for a 9,000 tons d.w. open shelterdeck steamer, oil their pledges to the unions, upon whom they Apl. 13 H.M.A.S. "STUART" and H.M.S. GRIFFIN bombard Solium. fired: and continues: "As an example the Empire depend largely for support, they will allow prices Stronia, 10,150 tons d.w. 11 knots, now building „ 19 H.M.A.S. "STUART," "VOYAGER" and WATERHEN in company with R.N. and wages in these industries to slump as tadly and expected to complete early in 1947, is re- Destroyers land night raiding party at Bardia. as they did after the 1914-18 war, should the ported to be sold at over £260,000. For a ship same tendencies present themselves, so there is „ 24 Evacuation of Grccce. H.M.A.S. STUART," VOYAGER, VAMPIRE "VEN- to wartime specification, this is an extremely high little to hope for in this respect to reduce steel DETTA" and "WATERHEN" play important part. price and represents an advance of more than prices. June 24 H.M.A.S. "PARRAMATTA" in heavy raid between Alexandria and Mersa Matruh. £100,000 over the basic price quoted for a similar We have lost the high output and competi- 30 H.M.A.S. "WATERHEN" sunk by dive-bomber while on Tobruk shuttle service. ship in the 'Second Invitation to Tender'." tion prices of the German steelworks, and al- The "Journal of Commerce" gave a full sum- though there remain America and the smaller July 8 H.M.A.S. "STUART" strikes a shoal, damages propeller and suffers heavy air raids on mary of the position in its Shipbuilding and producing countries, who have increased their return to Alexandria. Engineering Edition of 28/11/46:— production during the war, the demands for steel Aug. 25 H.M.A.S. "YARRA" and "KANIMBLA take part in seizure of enemy shipping and "We hear repeatedly at launching ceremonies for constructional engineering to repair the rav- landing at Bandar Shapur. the managing directors of shipping companies ages of war, together with a more than probable „ 27 H.M.A.S. "YARRA"' captures " HILDA" in Persian Gulf. complaining of the present high cost of new increase in the price of coal, are factors to be tonnage, and suggesting that this high cost is Sep. H.M.A.S. "NORMAN" takes part in convoys to Russia. reckoned with to keep up steel prices, and it may preventing them from placing further orders, be years before our nationalised steel industry Nov. 19 H.M.A.S. "SYDNEY" sunk by German raider "KORMORAN" off the coast of Western though, for the moment, the amount of tonnage becomes fully operative and supply comes up to Australia. under construction is phenomenally high, includ- demand. 27 H.M.A.S. "PARRAMATTA"' torpedoed off Tobruk run by submarine. ing a large amount for foreign owners. It will also probably take years before supply Dec. 7 Pearl Harbour attacked by Japanese. These repeated complaints cause a certain will overtake demand in the timber market, and 7 H.M.A.S. "VAMPIRE in action in which H.M.S. "PRINCE OF WALES" and RE- amount of doubt to exist in the minds of some prices fall appreciably. Russia, herself, will for owners whether they would be better advised to PULSE" lost. years be a big consumer of timber for her own (To be continued next month.) contract for new tonnage now or wait until some- reconstruction, and so prices will remain high. thing brings prices down nearer to pre-war levels. The only item susceptible to reduction is that There are many factors to be taken into account of shipyard wages, but the Government will be when comparing conditions to-day with those behind the unions to keep these, at least, at their existing after the 1914-18 war, when we saw, present levels, as the Government will depend MUTUAL UFE & CITIZENS' ASSURANCE during the post-war crisis, prices tumbling down, appreciably on the taxation from high wages and so that at the lowest point owners who had held the small savings groups to finance nationalisation CO. LTD. back, were able to contract for tonnage at as low schemes and continue the food subsidies, without • as one-third of 1920 prices; steel fell, led by which the cost of living would rise considerably, American manufacturers, from round £28 per ton and bring about increases in wages and costs to CASTLEREAGH STREET AND MARTIN PLACE to about £8 in a few weeks and wages fell to ap- the detriment of our export trade. proximately pre-war levels. Overhead charges will be appreciably increased SYDNEY At the present moment wages are actually not bv the augmented cost of coal and power, more far short of double those of pre-war, and the particularly as it is quite possible that the workers THE M.L.C. FOR YOUR LIFE ASSURANCE present price of steel about three times its pre- will resent the extra deduction from their wages • war levels, so that the price of new tonnage for the new social services, and eithqf demand to-day is not excessive in comparison. It is more a compensating increase of wages or that the than possible, certainly, that when the bulk of whole contribution should be paid by their firms. MJ_C. urgently required tonnage has been worked off, Consequently there is not much to expect from that there will be a certain slackening off of reduced wages and costs.

(Coatd. on Pace ai) 10 11 H.M.S. "VANGUARD", Britain's latest and largest battleship.

"VANGUARD" has been chosen to carry the British Royal Family to South Africa. The great ship htm been specially prepared to accommo- date the Royal Party. "Vanguard" it the eighth $hip lo bear that name in the Royal Navy. The first "Vanguard" mat launched 360 years ago, icat of 500 tons dis- placement and fought throughout the nine days engagements against the Spanish Armada. The latest "Vanguard" is of t2,000 tons and is commanded by Captain W. G. Agnetc, C.B., C.V.O., D.S.O., R.N.

10 12 Famous Leaders SEA CADET S. Hoffnung & Co. Ltd. N E W S CLARENCE STREET

SYDNEY NAVY LEAGUE SEA CADET CORPS The following cadets were successful prize- winners:—Third Officer F. Reevee; Midshipman (Voluntary) N.S.W. B. Walsh; Chief Petty Officer Colin Neilsen (2 W. L. HAMMER, S.S.D., D.S.E.O. books); Petty Officers Dwyer, Keiley, Sussel, Woolslan, Flanagan and Crocker: Leading Seamen £ Lord NaJion, K.C.B., 1758-1805. English Naval Commander. H. went "VICTORY'' DEPOT, North Sydney (V. Lloyd, prizes. to tee et 12 end wet Pott Captain CO.). et 21. Took a leading pert in the The ceremony concluded with the playing of WHO WISHES THE NAVY LEAGUE Settle of the Nil.: Battle of Copen- "WARREGO" DEPOT, Woolwich (R. Crosskill, the National Anthem. hagen and lej the Fleet et The C.O.). Bettle of Trafalgar, in which he A Church Parade of the ship's company was EVERY SUCCESS was killed. 'PERTH'' (late "Vendetta"), Manly (P. H. held on Sunday, 22nd December, 1946, at St. Tobitt, CO.). Matthew's Church. The flowers on the altar were given by N.L.T.D. "Perth" and dedicated to the "AUSTRALIA" DEPOT, Henley. memory of H.M.A.S. "Perth" and her gallant "SIRIUS" DEPOT, Connell's Point (R. Cristo- crew. fani, Act'g. C.O.). Cornish, Fehr, Riley, Plunkett; Able Seamen CANBERRA" DEPOT, Orange (J. P. Finegan, Walker (2 books), McDowell, Perry, Reeve, Leadership is the reward of honest en- O.C.). Wells, Goodman; Ordinary Seamen Abernethy, deavour and faithful service. Sinclair, Vickers, Treherne, Byron, James Oxley WILHELMSEN LINE It is these qualities which have gained for Boys between the ages of 10 and 17 years and Jamieson. us leadership in the Insurance World. wishing to join, should make application to Com- The Ship's Company spent a very enjoyable (Norwegian Australian Lin*) Honest advice to our clients, based on manding Officers any Saturday afternoon. afternoon, entertainment being provided by magi- expert knowledge of insurance, combined cians, a ventriloquist and a novelty accordionist with faithful service in their interests are (By D R.) who led the community singing. The ship's purser Regular Services maintained with fast motor factors which have brought us this reward. played the accompaniments. The Annual Xmas Party and Prizegiving Cere- vessels. Insurances Effected at mony of N.L.T.D. "Perth" was held in the Dis- Tea was served to all ship's company, their pensary Hall on Saturday afternoon, 21st Decem- parents and friends, and it was indeed very en- For further particulars, apply: LLOYDS of LONDON ber, 1946. couraging to the Commanding Officer to see the The guest of honour was Mr. Douglas Cooper parents and friends taking an interest in the of the Corso, Manly, who, accompanied by the cadets' welfare. WILH. WILHELMSEN AGENCY Commanding Officer, Mr. P. H. Tobitt and Mrs. HARVEY TRINDER NSW PTY LTD Tobitt, presented the trophies and prizes to the PTY. LTD. successful cadets. The Cooper Cup, donated every year by Mr. 63 PITT ST., SYDNEY Douglas Cooper, together with a cheque for two The Australian Navy League Council met in guineas, was won by Ian Cornish. A Silver Yacht Melbourne on 27th November last under the donated by Miss Edna Cousins for "Seamanship" 51 WILLIAM ST., MaBOURNE WE HAVE THE POLICY YOU WANT chairmanship of Captain S. A. Pidgeon. Vic- was won by Colin Flanagan, who also won the Morley Cup. Another cup also donated by Morley torian, South Australian and New South Wales Johnston was won by Bob Reeve. Branches of the League were represented

14 RAN PRIOR TO SECOND WORLD WAR One of the most important clauses was that - (From Page 7) reading:— The main points in this agreement included stipulations that, so long as they were in Austra- "When in war time Australian ships are put at METAL MANUFACTURES LTD. lian waters, the Naval services and forces of Aus- the disposal of the Imperial Government, they tralia were to be controlled exclusively by the automatically become an integral pan of the Royal Ptft KwnbU, N*S>Wi Australian Governments; in foreign ports, Austra- Navy, and remain under Admiralty control as lian warships were to take instructions from the long as the war may last." British Government, the Australian Government being kept advised. Training and discipline were This has remained a cardinal principle in the to be generally uniform with that of the Royal policy of the Royal Australian Navy It is a Navy, and officers and men were to be interchange- principle which has paid rich dividends, as shown able. Service in either Navy was to count equally by that Navy's work in both the First and the FOSTER'S in all respects for promotion, pay, retirement, etc. Second World War.

CHAPTER II The Royal Australian Navy's Part in the First LAGER World War When the first World War broke out, on 4th R.A.N. Brigade 1646 2670 2817 August, 1914, the Australian Squadron consisted Cadets training under ) KNOX KXLAP of the following vessels:— 111 V 11 II a no. compulsory service ) 3092 3790 3834 scheme. ) ES LT I. Type Name In addition, there were 254 personnel in the Battle Cruiser "Australia" R.A.N. Radio Service during the war. Light Cruisers "Melbourne" When the war began, there were 59 Cadet Destroyers "Sydney" Midshipmen in training at the Royal Australian Submarines "Brisbane" (building) Naval College. Gunboats "Encounter" (lent by Admiralty) (x) Of the Permanent Forces personnel shown above, 22 per cent, of those serving at the outbreak Torpedo "Pioneer" (gift from Admiralty) F. W. HUGHES of the war were on loan from the Royal Navy. D U G 0 N Boats "Parramatta" By 1918 that percentage had decreased to 16 per CONDENSERS "Yarra" cent., but it had risen slightly again, to 19i per cent, by June, 1919. PTY. LTD. "Warrego" On all Australian ships of (and three others building) It is interesting to compare the strength, in ships and personnel, during the First World War, war Ducon Condensers "A.E.I" with that of the Royal Australian Navy during the will be found giving ex- "A.E.2" Second World War as shown in Chapter III of cellent service in all WOOLLEN MILLS "Protector" this history. radar and transmitting "Gayundah" Britain declared war on Germany on 4th Aug- equipment. "Childers" ust, 1914, but precautions already had been taken by the Australian Naval Board, which, two days Ducon Condensers are of "Countess of Hopetoun" earlier, had established an Examination Service to sound workmanship — as BOTANY AND ALEXANDRIA The following figures show the increase in check arrivals and departures of shipping at de- Australian as th personnel from the peak of the war to June, 1919 fended ports. (by which time most of the ships serving overseas As the official record of the Australian Navy 30 GrosvMor Street had returned to Australia):— in the First World War paints out, nine-tenths of a DUCON CONDENSER LTD. At Naval war is made up of "the continuous drudgery Sydney of patrol work, and the search for enemy vessels Outbreak 1918 June, 1919 WATERLOO which are not there—but which would be there of War Telephone: B 7224 if the patrols were not." This certainly was borne N.S.W. Permanent Forces (x) 38OO 5050 5250 out during 1914-18; and history unfortunately,

17 100 cannot do justice to this vital, if usually monoto- England on ner return voyage to Australia in nous, side of the story. February, 1919. AARONS An outline of the extent of the work done by H.M.A.S. "BRISBANE" () the Royal Australian Navy is given in the follow- She was under construction at Cockatoo Dock, Three EXCHANGE HOTEL ing brief summary of the activities of its major Sydney, when the war broke out, and was com- ships:— missioned in October, 1916. Two months later she 1 GRESHAM STREET, SYDNEY H.M.A.S. "AUSTRALIA" (Battle Cruiser) left for the Mediterranean. Her presence in the Pacific in the opening After service with the East Indies Squadron, and Famous months of the war was of inestimable value in again in Australian waters, she was despatched to Only lh# ImI Brands Stodtsd the defence of Australia and in the general war England, in October, 1918. She returned to Aus- at sea, especially as she was a distinct deterrent tralia in June, 1919- Dining Room Unsurpassed to hostilities on the part of Vice-Admiral von The two older light cruisers "ENCOUNTER" Names Spee's German ships. With other Australian Ships, and "PIONEER" also saw extensive service. "Pio- AARONS EXCHANGE HOTEL the battle cruiser escorted the New Zealand forces neer" was first allotted to patrols off Western to Samoa late in August, 1914, and later shared Australia, but was sent to German East Africa in in the capture of German New Guinea. In January December, 1914, to join in the blockading of the 1915, the Admiralty decided to make her the flag- German cruiser "Konigsberg." She was back in ship of the Second Battle Cruiser Squadron—a Australia by October, 19i6. "Encounter" played a 3&S.S. new Squadron for service in British waters. She considerable part in the capture of German New took up those duties in the following month, and Guinea, patrolled the Malayan Archipelago in 1916 ELECTRIC HOME HELPS remained in that employment until the close of and 1917, and assisted in the escorting of the PAUL & GRAY LTD. the war. A detachment of her personnel shared A.I.F. convoy in the latter year. At intervals SHIP CHANDLERS in the Zeebrugge operations in April, 1918. When throughout the war she covered many miles of sea the German fleet surrendered, on 21st November, in patrols off the Australian coast. 1918, H.M.A.S. "Australia" led the port division Both the Submarines "A.E.I" and "A.E.2" of Britain's Grand Fleet. She returned to Australia were lost during the war. "A.E.I" disappeared in May, 1919. while on patrol off Rabaul, in September, 1914, A.E.2" went overseas with the second convoy H.M.A.S. "SYDNEY" (Light Cruiser) 82 Sussex Street, Sydney of A.I.F. troops in December, 1914, and served H.M.A.S. "Sydney" achieved fame for her des- in the Mediterranean with the British Squadron LAMPS truction of the German light cruiser "Emden", off detailed for the Gallipoli operations. She achieved Cocos Islands, in November, 1914. With a British the distinction of being the first submarine to pass PHONE: BW 1851 cruiser, a Japanese battle cruiser, and H.M.A.S. through the Dardanelles into the sea of Marmora. "Melbourne', she was escorting the first convoy She accomplished that feat in April, 1915, but of A.I.F. troops to go overseas, when she was de- was sunk by the Turks. Her crew were taken pris- tached to intercept the German raider, in response oner. GENALEX to an alarm from the Cocos wireless station. While this story of the war work of Australia's Electric main units is largely one of the "continuous drud- AUSTRAL BRONZE COMPANY Ordered overseas by the Admiralty, H.M.A.S. gery of patrol work" to which the Official History Clothes Washers. Refriger- "Sydney" passed through in December, PTY. LIMITED refers, it provided experiences which were invalu- 1914, for service in West Indies and South btaUblxd If 14 able to a Navy which was in its infancy when the ators and Radios. Hssd OAct e Wsf^i• American waters. After patrols in the North At- war came. Such experiences—and those of the O'Riordan Street. Alexandria, Sydnay lantic, she transferred to the Grand Fleet in June, smaller units more closely connected with the im- MANUFACTURERS OF: 1916. By the end of that year she was on North Products beering these famous names are gueren- mediate defence of Australian waters—moulded Copper Rod, and Ban: Busbars (or El.ctr.cat Work; Sea patrols, and did not rejoin the Second Light teed by I.6.E., Solo Australian representatives the New Navy into a compact body, no longer of The Generel Electric Co. Ltd., of England— Mengenese Brora. Rods; Ban and Ingots: Eitruded Cruiser Squadron until December, 1917. She re- Brass. Architectural Bronx*. Munh's Metal and Copper theorists in sea warfare. More important still was the lergest British controlled electrical organisa- turned to Australia in July, 1919, with a reputa- tion in the World. in Round, Square. Hexagon end Spociel Sections: the practical proof that Australia could make a Copper Plates end Roiled Copper Anodes, Aluminium tion which was destined to be upheld by her definite and direct contribution to the defence of Bronre Rods end Bert. Copper. Bress. Gilding Metel. namesake in the Second World War. Phosphor Bronze end Nickel Silver in Sheets end Strip the Empire as a whole, and its Allies, as part of Muntx Metel and Navel Brass Condenaer Rate. H.M.A.S. "MELBOURNE" (Light Cruiser) the scheme of defence of Australia itself. More Sheets end Sheathing After patrol and escorting duties in the Pacific than 20 years were to elapse before war came Manufacturers of (under Licence) and Indian Oceans, similar to those of H.M.A.S. again, but the new conflict was to find the Royal SYDNEY. NEWCASTLE. MELBOURNE. ADELAIDE. "Sydney", "Melbourne" was moved to North Australian Navy again ready to put into practice Branch Office' Atlantic patrols, and finally joined the Second PERTH. BRISIANE. HOIART. LAUNCESTON 101-103 KING STREET, MBJOuRNE its sure knowledge of the law that war at sea can Light Cruiser Squadron in October, 1916. She left know no boundaries. (To IK- continued) 18 19 Romance Outsails Time and Storm detail and technical correctness, yet real ships, plunging out of the page with the breath of the In an age of rockets, helicopters and jet-pro- wind in their sails. l pulsion, the ship which rides the sea, whether For the landsman, whose sea voyages are made driven by sails or engines, retains a special and only in print, Syd Nicholls has included a dia- haunting beauty which the new devices of sciencc gram showing the sail-plan of a full-rigged ship. can never destroy. Here, clearly numbered and outlined, are such Syd Nicholls has fixed and assembled some of mysteries as the mizzen topmast, staysail, the main this vanishing magic in his book, "About Ships," royal staysail, the flying jib, the outer jib, the cross which traces the development of seafaring craft jack and the spanker, according to whether the rig from the Egyptian galley to the Queen Elizabeth. is square or fore-and-aft. Mostly he does it with clever drawings, in line and Steam forms a separate section. The queer, ex- colour, of some 70 vessels, each of them typical ierimental paddle-boats, half-sail and half-steam, of a phase in the long ancestry which culminates fead in the early P. and O. liners, Precursor and in the Cunard liners. Chusan. Australia's Murray Rivet steam-boats are In addition he adds an extremely condensed contrasted with the steamboats of the Mississippi. but extraordinarily fascinating history of man's The liners come to a climax with the "ship of the eternal battle with the sea. This section is cram- future." the artist's own design for a huge stream- med with facts and figures of the kind which the lined giant. ordinary reader could get only after months of A great deal of hard work has gone into the excavation in a library. making of Nicholls' book, but obviously it has also Nicholls begins with the dug-out logs of the been a labour of love. The book will be a joy Stone Age, ranges througi. the ships of the Nile, for all boys, and for other people besides, even the Phoenicians, the Greeks and Romans and Car- for those whose adventures by sea have been con- thaginians, describes the seafaring of the Vikings fined to the smoking-saloon of the 8.15 from and Danes, and sketches the rise of the British Manly.—K.S. Navy from the days of its founder, Alfred the ("About Ships," written and illustrated by Syd Great. Nicholls; published by the author, 166 Phillip The great navigators come next, from Prince Street, Sydney.) In Empire Air Development Henry of Portugal, through Diaz, Columbus, fli'c are indebted to "The Sun" for permission Magellan, Drake, Tasman and Dampier, to Cap- to reprint this excellent revicic. a rcvirtv u hich in FIRST Aerial Service in Eestern Australia . . . FIRST Four-engined Plene used in Austrelia ... bv Charlevilla to Cloncurry. Hence "Queenslend Qantas on Brisbane- service (e DH86J tain Cook. Their ships come alive in the gaily no way exaggerates the magnificence of this won- and Northarn Territory Aariel Services" ...... 1935 coloured plates, drawn with meticulous care for derful boot.) Q.A.N.T.A^. 1922 FIRST Through Flying Boat service to Singapore by Qantas, and--in association with Imperial Air- FIRST Aircraft to ba manufactured in Australia under ways—to London 1938 and that alone would indicate an increase of about license from overseas . . a DH50A, built by FIRST Reguler Crossing of the Indian Ocean . . . OVERSEAS NEWS Qantas et Longreach 1926 the world's longest air hop by Qantas in asso- (From Page u) 15 per cent, in wage costs. ciation with B.O.A.C. with Catalinas 1943 Moreover, in addition to this it is quite possible It may be feasible to maintain output in certain FIRST Flying Doctor service established in Australia FIRST With B.O.A.C. end Tesmen Empire Airways. that the Government may, even against their mechanised mass production industries, but cer- by Qantas et Cloncurry 1928 Qantes re-affirm established policy to fully sup- port British Air Transport on Empire routes . . . better judgment, be stampeded by the Trade tainly not in such industries as shipbuilding, de- FIRST Official experimental Airmail between Australia to help meintein British Empire Air supremecy in Union Congress into legislation enacting a general pending more on human skill and effort. Even and Britain, in association with Imperial Air- the revolutionery developments in the Age of 40-hour week, with the corresponding increase with the best possible organisation, depending as ways .. 1931 Hight 1946 of hourly wages and reduction in output. Even it does on materials supplied from outside, a should the argument of the Trades Union Con- shipyard cannot be worked with the clockwork gress be true, that the 40-hour week would not regularity of a motor factory. Qatttab SmJuu^/tiuvayj reduce output—it certainly is not true as regards There is another side of the question of in- shipbuilding and repairing—there is the increase creased cost not always fully appreciated by the in hourly wages, as the reduction of working owner and affecting prices. Every shipbuilder AUSTRALIA'S INTERNATIONAL IIIIIIE hours is to be qualified by the condition that the knows from his experience after the 1914-18 war amount of weekly wages is not to be reduced, In association n4th n n m * that post-war specifications are invariably more BRITISH OVERSEAS AIRWAYS CORPORATION B'U'A'C 100 20 m elaborate than those of pre-war. Most of the It is therefore for each owner to make his owners having considerable capital after the war own decision whether the present level of freights demand better equipment, speeds, etc., making loi will last long enough to wipe out the extra cost CiOBtX greater efficiency and economy, and efficiency has of present-day tonnage. This will depend on to be paid for. early re-establishment of world trade and inter- Some owners have only a vague idea of what national credits, which at present do not seem Bi£f EXTRACT an additional knot in speed can make to the price too hopeful. per ton deadweight, by which they compare the The signs at present, however, are that owners For eppetising flavour, strength-building nourish- cost. The addition of one knot can add anything who hold off in anticipation of lower quotations moot and economy in uu . . . you can't baat up to 20 per cent, more machinery power with are likely to be disappointed, and that for a long CI.OKX. It contains th. full ttranglh and con- J centrated ewence of tho primest beef end it is about rht same increase of and cost of time quotations are rather likely to be higher than mede ia e second. machinery, reducing the deadweight accordingly, lower." ' Try it for soupa. gravies, nourishing beef lee. and if it should be found desirable to reduce To this not very encouraging review may be end it makes really delicious sendwiches . • • somewhat the block coefficient this would corres- added some words of Sir Amos Ayre, chairman but spreed it thinly. pqndingly reduce the displacement and dead- of the Shipbuilding Conference, at Sunderland, • weight, so that as the cost increases the dead- quoted by "Journal of Commerce," 20/11/46. weight diminishes, with a double effect on the cost After referring to the slump conditions in the OBTAINABLE FROM ALL CHEMISTS AND STORES per ton deadweight. industry after 1930, Sir Amos said: "The future I, 2, 4 end I ox. jars or 4 eed • ox. containers Any extra weight of equipment, such as extra must be closely watched, by looking well ahead, winches and derricks, crew's accommodation and and every endeavour must be made to avoid a — machinery auxiliaries, must also be deducted from repetition of such conditions. After the first Cockatoo Docks & the deadweight. There is also the question whe- world war there were thoughts of meeting such ther the individual output per man is, or will be, a possibility by planning to build naval vessels Engineering Co. P+v that of pre-war, in spite of all the appeals for in times of low merchant ship demand, but when output by union leaders and the Government. the time came these were forgotten. In 1933 Ltd. This tendency to "go easy" is sometimes attri- the unprecedented depression in merchant build- buted to "war weariness," but some of those who ing was accompanied by a condition of practically Contractors fo . . . had the supervision of war work in shipyards no naval vessels, and the reconstruction of the H.M. AUSTRALIAN NAVY would attribute it rather to the ingrained influ- industry, in fact, forgotten by the Government. "If this state of affairs is to be repeated we Ship-builder*, Marin* & ence of the Essential Works Order and give it another name. It will be a very long time before will have to reconcile ourselves to shipbuilding General Engineers workers are convinced that extra effort on their having become a war industry with full demand Inquiries invited part will not mean only more profit for the being reached only in time of war and immedi- employer, and it would be optimistic to expect ately thereafter, in replacement of losses. Such a COCKATOO ISLAND any reduction of costs on this score. thought is, however, most fearful. SYDNEY The greater use of electric welding and the "The nation must appreciate that the defence of these islands depends upon its Navy, and its Phone : W 1941 (10 linei) introduction of more modern methods might reduce labour costs, but our British workmen *rr merchant ships, and its real ultimate defence nothing if not conservative. It may be that when must, therefore, be recognised to lie in its ship- some of the Continental yards get into full swing yards in which the vessels are produced.' we shall see competition, at any rate for Contin- BIRT & COMPANY ental-owned tonnage, and foreign orders, in con- sequence, slacken off appreciably. Ex-servicemen of the United Kingdom, the (PTY.) LIMITED Builders may, of course, have eventually to British Empire and the Allied countries who take their discharge in Australia are eligible to apply 4 f RIDGE STREET. SYDNEY. N.S.W. cut their profits, but after their experience in the last crisis it is doubtful whether they will for various benefits such as re-employment aids, re- P.O. (OX 1441. G.P.O. cut into their overhead charges and capital re- employment allowances, reconstruction training, • serves as they did then, waiting for the turn of re-establishment loans, free transport from port of the tide, which was such a long time coming, and disembarkation to final inland destination, fares to Us si for some never came at all. employment, gifts of tools of trade, etc. They are NOT eligible under the War Service Homes Act. 44 EagW Street. Brlabenei Muafrav. CM Stores. It is also possible that, some day, American- built war-time ships will be available so cheaply They may participate in the housing programme, JISHMf etietT»i *Ji m HI.LLa IIIIIHIu i as to allow of them being modernised and adapt- but their status would be that of a civilian and ed to the requirements of other trades and still their priority would be very low. In the case of SHIPPING AND GENERAL AGENTS leave a good margin between the final cost and Allied or other Dominion servicemen, most of that of new tonnage. these benefits are limited to those who arrive in Australia before June, 1948. 100 23 STEWARTS & LLOYDS JOIN (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. THE NAVY LEAGUE THE Patron: H.M. The KING. Head Office: NAVY Grand Buildings, TUBE ALL SIZES AND QUALITIES Trafalgar Square, STEEL PLATES AND SECTIONS LONDON, W.C.2 LEAGUE Branches: GALVANISED IRON Great Britain, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, Ceylon, Rhodesia. 157-165 CITY ROAD NUGGET Affiliated Leagues: FOR YEARS SOUTH MELROURNE The Navy League of Canada SHOE POLISH The Navy League of South Africa the MX 5221 N.S.W. BRANCH MERCANTILE MUTUAL Patron: His Excellency the Governor of N.S.W. President: T. H. Silk. M.I.C.E., M.I.N.A. Insurance Coy. Ltd. Hon. Treasurers: J. L. Milson C. M. C. Shannon an Australian Institution has been Hon. Auditors: Robertson, Crane and Gibbons. providing security for the homes of Hon. Secretary: Comdr. F. W. Hixson. O.B.E., the people, its motto being S.S.D. Secretary and Editor: W. W. Beale. O.B.E. " Service to the Public " VICTORIAN BRANCH Under the protection of Insurance Policies ships sail (Incorporating Navy League Sea Cadet Corps) the oceans, land and air transport moves, men work, J. T. STAPLETON PTY. LTD. and homes and factories are built and safeguarded. Patron: His Excellency the Governor of Victoria Injuries are compensated and distress relieved. Estate Agents President: Captain S. A. Pidgeon, R.D., R.N.R. Insurance is a contract of good faith. Hon. Treasurer: C. W. Lucas, Esq. Our funds are used to assist in the development of the Country and with our properties are held in trust for Secretary: L S. Digby, Esq. the protection of our Policy Holders. 133 Pitt St.. Sydney Fire, Marine, Accident, Motor Car and PLEASE NOTE Householders', House-Owners Contributions of a suitable nature ate (Combined) Insurance cordially invited, and should be addressed Crops, Stacks. Fencing, Pluvius to rhc Editor, "Navy," Royal Exchange Building, Bridge Street, Sydney. All Classes of Agricultural Insurance Head Office: 117 PITT STREET, SYDNEY The Navy League does not necessarily endorse the opinions of contributors to SELWYN KING. Managing Director. 'Phones: B 1992, B 1737 the Journal. Agencies in all Suburban and Country Centres CAPSTAN: THE EMPIRE'S throughout the Commonwealth where all classes of Telephone BU 5808 Insurance can be arranged by any of the Company's FAVOURITE CIGARETTE 4000 Agents trained to give "Service to the Public" lUUi. STAR PRINTERY PTY. LTD. 24 ewe

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SLAZENGERS themost.w^„,u",d.""M,s BALLS THE NAVY SavX£ FEBRUARY, 1947 CONTENTS Editorial 27 The March of Fashion 28 Troops Boarding Manoora: Illustration 31 Naval Personalities No. 2. Rear- Admiral George Dunbar Moore, C.B.E 33 Why Sea Cadet Training At All? 35 The R.A.N, in the Second World War 39 111th Anniversary Regatta: Illustration 41 Overseas News 43 Chronology of Naval Events 45 Book Review 48 Front Cover Rear Admiral (I. I). Mosre, C.H.E., on tour of inspection at Captain Cook Graving Dock.

Clipper Ships Taeping and Ariel racing up the Channel. September 6, 1866, at the FOTyour PROTECTION finish of a 16,ooo mile ocean race from Fo ochou-. This dramatic illustration is re- produced from one of the many full colour art plates in "About Ships," by Syd Nicholls. In 1866, one of the greatest sailing ship races took place between five famous MARINE British clippers—the Ariel, Taeping, Fiery C ross, Sercia, and Taitsing. They left Foochow within two days of each other at the end of May, 1866. The beginning of September INSURANCE found the ships at the entrance of the English Channel, each of them unaware of the Lloyds whereabouts of the others. On the morning of September the Taeping and Ariel, which had left Foochow with only 20 minu tes dividing them, sighted each other. With straining braces and billowing canvas, these ships made a never-to-be-forgotten sight as FOR nearly 250 years the name "Lloyd's" has been synonymous with marine |1 insurance. they raced up the Channel, with both crew s making desperate efforts to win this classic of the sea races. They docked in London on the same tide, to the resounding cheers of We are proud of our long: association with this tradition and would like to point out the crews of the other vessels docked in the port. The Taeping won the race by orly that we were the first Brokers making Lloyd's Insurances directly available to the Australian public. a few minutes. Later, the Sercia came along ; the remaining clippers arrived during the next two days. Thus finished the closest and most thrilling race in the history of clipper- For many years now we have had an entirely separate and specialised department handling all classes of marine insurance. This department is entirely at your service, ships, three of the five ships having sailed 16,000 miles in ninety-nine days, the remain- free and without obligation, to advise you upon any marine insurance problems. ing two vessels taking only two days mote. For all marine business covering— The foregoing is one of many exciting episodes from the text of "About Ships." YACHTS — LAUNCHES — TRAWLERS — FISHING BOATS This book contains over 100 paintings of ships, from the Egyptian Galley to the Queen and other craft and all classes of cargo, consult Elizabeth. 10/6 from booksellers or the publisher. EDWARD LUMLEY & SONS Pty. Ltd. SYD. NICHOLLS PUBLICATIONS (Formrrly Btnnl. S. Cobrn A Son TiJ. Ltd.) 166 Phillip St., Sydney. 263 G.oiq. Sir..t and 9-11 Martin Flaca. Sydn.y, and 31 Walt 3tr««t. N.wcaatla

2* Suppo e there were no police- man on the corner... NAVY . . . Suppose he weren't there to answer ques- tions, to direct the tides of traffic; to step up OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE NAVY LEAGUE and solve any emergency. He's the genial host of the city streets: the inexhaustible source of Price 1/- FEBRUARY, 1947 Vol. 10, No. 2 (New Series) information; the staunch symbol of enduring and • -r ' Ml , CHfcl L LlUHAHY dependable tilings. You'd be lost without him. 1 it mAK '117 And, incidentally did you ever stop to think Editorial SvONCY you'd be lost without r| 'HE first issue in its new form of our official A navy, then, whether it consists chiefly of air- organ "The Navy" last month had a most craft carriers or any other type of surface or a store like Marcus Clark's favourable reception by readers. In the war years, under-water craft is as essential to our safety and due to causes outside the League's control it was for the protection of our commerce as hitherto. a store that stands by you in the smallest not possible to maintain the early standard we had KEEP WATCH and HANDS OFF THE matters . . . that rises to all the great occasions set ourselves. Paper became scarce and was of NAVY must be our slogan. inferior quality. The League expected no favours # * * of your lives. and received none. That it published its maga- Royal Australian Navy personalities are being THE BIS STORE, CENTRAL SQUARE zine despite a multitude of adverse war-time circumstances is the post-war reason why it still featured in "The Navy.' Rear-Admiral H. B. appears monthly. The support of old and new Farncomb and Rear-Admiral J. A. Collins were advertisers, without which the newly dressed shown on the front cover of the January issue. monthly could not appear in public, and the co- This month Rear-Admiral G. D. Moore appears. operation of publishers and printers with the * * * League augurs well for the future stability and success of this new venture "The Navy." A fine picture of Britain's new battleship WINNS.. • BOYS' "Vanguard" is seen in the January "Navy." The King and Queen and the Royal Princesses jour- MERCERY VALUES neyed to South Africa in this great ship. For upwards of twenty-six years in New South Supplementary to her crew are twelve specially Wales the Navy League has done all in its power selected Navy League Sea Cadets from Great BOYS' TWILL WINCEYETTE PYJAMAS, good quality to keep the public informed of the paramount Britain. These lads owe their marvellous good medium weight, bright striped designs in Blue or Pint. importance of the Royal Navy and the Royal fortune to the King himself, His Majesty re- Chest sizes 24 to 32. Australian Navy. Air power and air transport are questing that the Sea Cadet Corps be represented of vast and ever increasing signification; the un- on board. KEEN PRICE loosing of atomic energy may imply changes at 9 Coupons present undreamed of by man; but there is no fundamental change as yet regarding the Navy's Two officers and twenty-five English Sea Cadets BOYS' ALL WOOL NAVY FLANNEL BLAZERS with 2-tone position as chief protector of a maritime Empire have recently returned home after a fascinating corded edges, sleeves and pockets. Strongly sewn and with its vital life-line of sea-borne trade. and most enlightening tour of Canada. They were the guests of the Navy League of Canada. good fitting. Sizes 4 to 13. Despite every innovation the Navy remains the * * * SPECIAL VALUE guardian of the seas, and it is mainlv to the seas an island nation must turn in war if it is not to Overseas news comes to us by special arrange- 6 Coupons be beaten to its knees by overwhelming force. ment with the Navy League, London.

WINNS OXFORD STREET. SYDNEY REDFERN — ASHFIELD — HURSTVILLE 27

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shore cocked hats were still de riguer though sub- short, round jacket at sea, while in 1879 wai ordinate and warrant officers wore a sort of low- introduced a single-breasted tunic. This was re- The March crowned top-hat with cockade. Caps with a gold- placed ten years later by the familiar double- laced band and crown, came in at some period breasted "monkey" jacket worn to-day. The before 1846 for wear at sea, though ten years specific rank of Lieutenant-Commander for of Fashion later, after the Crimean War, mohair braid was executive "half-stripers" was introduced in 1914, By "TAFFRAIL" substituted for the gold lace and the familiar while a little later the curl was authorised for cap badge of the crown and anchor surrounded rfficers of the engineering branch who also I.—THE OFFICERS by laurel leaves was made uniform. At that time adopted executive titles prefixed by the name of the peak was usually horizontal. The sloping their branch. Officers of the new engineering peak as worn to-day was not brought in until later. entry established in 1903 used the executive title NIFORM for naval officers of executive rank silver. Naval officers visiting France during peace The year 1856, too, saw the abolition of the special alone followed by "(E)," and until 1925 appeared Uwas authorised in 1748, the first patterns con- found that the French sentries did not carry arms button for engineer officers. in the same list as executive officers. forming closely to the costume of the period to them, as they did to Marine officers. Later, worn on shore; but of distinctive colours, with when one of the naval officers became a Lord In 1863 officers of the military branch were The curl above the top row of lace was made special buttons and embtoidery. Blue with red of the Admiralty epaulettes were introduced. given another row of gold lace with a curl on uniform for all commissioned naval officers in facings, or red with blue, had been suggested for Admirals wore one on each shoulder with stars top, thus conforming to the practice of to-day. 1918, after the First World War, while officers the full-diess coat. However, this was vetoed by to indicate rank; Captains over three years plain Other officers had no curl; but were ordered to of all branches were ordered to use executive George II who had seen the Duchess of Bedford, gold epaulettes; those under three years one wear distinctive colours between the stripes—red titles preceded, as the case might be, by "Instruc- wife of the First Lord of the Admiralty, riding epaulette on the right shoulder; and Masters and for the Medical branch, white for Paymasters and tor," "Surgeon," "Paymaster," etc., to indicate in the park in a habit of blue with white facings, Commanders, an intermediate rank between purple for Engineers. Pale blue, previously worn their branch. Within the past year or two there and had fancied these colours. Lieutenants and Captains not to be confused with by the Navigating branch, was given to Naval has been another change, officers of the account- Masters, who were Warrant Officers, one on the The blue, coilarless tail coat, with pockets and Instructors in 1879. In 1867 sashes were author- ant branch being ordered to use executive titles left shoulder. In 1812, however, all Captains ised for naval aides-de-camp to the Queen; but with the suffix "(S)," for "Supply and Secretariat." wide lapels heavily embroidered with gold lace and Commanders were given two epaulettes, and in the case of Flag Officers and Captains, was were replaced in '74 by aiguillettes worn on the ii Lieutenants one on the right shoulder. It was right shoulder. These latter, of course, are now worn over a long white waistcoat with white In conclusion, the important matter of beards. not until the Crimean War that all commissioned also worn on the left shoulder by officers on the knee-breeches, stockings and buckled shoes. Until the end of the Napoleonic Wats the Navy officers of or above the rank of Lieutenant were personal staff of any Flag Officer. went virtually clean-shaven. Then came a period Ruffles of elegant white lace appeared at the given two epaulettes, with scales, or epaulettes when the sailors wore enormous whiskers, and neck and round the wrists. without bullion, for Mates, or what we should The year 1874 also brought the introduction of the officers side-whiskers of the "mutton chop" now call Sub-Lieutenants. The insignia on the The uniform varied from time to time in cut the "half stripe" for Lieutenants and officers of variety. The habit was to have a clear patch, epaulette strap varied according to rank. and the arrangement of embroidery and buttons, equivalent rank of over eight years' seniority. In about three fingers wide, from the nose, over the and it was not until 1787 that stereotyped gar- 1825 all officers had been permitted to wear a mouth, and under the chin, presumably so that ments were established for Warrant Officers, which Fashions were constantly changing. In 1805 at that time comprised Masters and Masters' some officers were wearing Hessian boots with Mates, who were the navigating officers, together white pantaloons. Twenty years later, though with Surgeons, Pursers, Gunners, Boatswains and white knee-breeches were still uniform, officers Carpenters. It was now that Captains over three were permitted to wear blue or white pantaloons. years' seniority wore two rows of gold lace round In 1827 knee-breeches were ordered to be worn the cuffs and pockets of their full dress, and at Court only. junior Captains one. Lieutenants had no gold The year 183' saw the introduction of a uni- lace. form for Engineers, who at first were Warrant The white facings disappeared in 1795 and were Officers. In 1843 all executive officers were not reintroduced until 1812, while in 1833 Wil- ordered to wear double-breasted full-dress coats. Those for other officers were single-breasted; liam IV changed them to red and they so re- Masters having their buttons regularly spaced, mained for ten years. The familiar white collar Paymasters in twos, and Doctors in threes. patches of the midshipmen, however, persisted Engineers, who had a special device on their throughout, and those seen to-day originated in buttons of a steam engine surmounted by a 1748. Incidentally, the midshipman's dirk in place crown instead of the usual crown and anchor, of a sword or a hanger worn from a broad wore them in fours. leather belt over the shoulder, did not receive official recognition until 1856, though they had Headgear varied. At the time of Trafalgar all been worn unofficially at least 30 years before. officers wore cocked hats athwartships in full dress Epaulettes for full dress became uniform in and undress, though by 1825 they were being 1795, and originated in a curious way. They had worn fore and aft. A blue cloth cap with peak been worn for some time in the French and Spanish or round black hat embellished with a black silk Navies, and by officers of the Royal Marines in band and cockade might be worn at sea. On

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•ski. Admiral IM LUut*na*t-C*mman4«r l«IS a barrage of hair should not interfere with plain and is to establish, so far as practicable, uniform- speaking. Heavy beards and moustaches were a ity as to the length of the hair, beard, moustachcs, product of the Crimean war, and the fashion or whiskers of the men—." is supposed to have been set by Commander Lord John Hay, of the "Wasp," who was later The Navy is nothing if not meticulous, and an Admiral of the Fleet. The habit caught on, one wonders who wrote that regulation, and when and the first officer wearing the new adornment it first appeared. Judging from some of the to enter the sacred precincts of the Admiralty was truly terrifying face fungus that appeared during Commander C. R. Moorsom, lately returned from the late war in destroyers, submarines, trawlers, the Black Sea. He entered the room of the First M.T.B.'s and other small craft, it seems to have Naval Lord, Rear Admiral Maurice Fitzhardinge passed into the limbo of forgotten things. Berkeley, and the latter, pallid with rage and astonishment, waved the daring intruder to the door with the incisive remark—"Horse Guards, next door " S-.5 £ o 3 rk -e It was not until the late '70 s or early '80 s of last century, at the instigation of Queen Victoria's second son, Admiral of the Fleet the Duke of AARONS Edinburgh, later Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, that 3v* officers and men of the Royal Navy were per- EXCHANGE HOTEL mitted to wear beards. The King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions of to-day lay down 1 GRESHAM STREET, SYDNEY that—"The Captain is to permit all officers and 5 e-s men of the ship, including the Royal Marines, to wear beards and moustaches if they so desire. When the permission is taken advantage of, the Only the Bast Brands Stocked use of the razor is to be discontinued entirely, as Dining Room Unsurpassed moustaches are not to be worn without the beard, nor the beard without moustaches . . . The hair of the beard is to be kept well cut AARONS EXCHANGE HOTEL and trimmed. The Captain is to give such direc- tions as may seem to him desirable on these points,

30 POOLE & STEEL LTD. Yltwal fijiAAonalituiA~ 43 STEPHEN STREET BALMAIN Rear-Admiral George Dunbar Moore, C.B.E. N.S.W. Flag Officer in Charge, New South Wales

Rear-Admiral Moore was born in Queensland nearly 54 years ago. He is the son of GENERAL ENGINEERS the late Dr. John Irwin Moore, and received his education at Southport High School, Bris- BOILERMAKERS bane Grammar School and in the famous Cadet Training Ship, H.M.S. "Conway," where SHIPBUILDERS he became a King's Gold Medallist in 1912. DREDGE BUILDERS

Joining the Royal Australian Navy in 1913, he served throughout the 1914/18 World Plans. Specifications and Estimates prepared War, first in H.M.S. "Defence," in the Mediterranean, South Atlantic and North Sea, for Mining Dredges and Plant of all kinds. 1914-16, H.M.A.S. "Melbourne," West Indies and North Sea, 1916-19; during present war Electric Welding and Oxy-Acetylene Work. served in command of H.M.S. "Dauntless," July, 1939-July, 1941; H.M.A.S. "Australia," August, 1941-December, 1941; H.M.A.S. "Canberra," December, 1941-June, 1942. Sub- Telegrams: Lieutenant, July, 1914; Lieutenant, March, 1916; Commander, December, 1928; Captain, CAPSTAN: THE EMPIRE'S "POOLSTEEL," BALMAIN, N.S.W. December, 1935; Commodore, 2nd class, June, 1942; Acting Rear-Admiral, September, 1944; FAVOURITE CIGARETTE Second Naval Member of Naval Board, June, 1942, to October, 1944; Acting First Naval Member of the Commonwealth Naval Board, August, 1945, while Admiral Sir Louis Hamil- ton was indisposed, during which time he was present in Tokio Bay at the Official Signing of Surrender of Japanese Forces.

Rear-Admiral Moore, since September, 1944 has been Flag Officer-in-Charge of New WILHELMSEN LINE South Wales Command, including:— If it's from . . . (Norwegian Australian Line) H.M.A. Naval Dockyard; H.M.A.S. "Penguin" (Balmoral Naval Depot); H.M.A.S. "Watson"; H.M.A.S. "Rushcutter"; H.M.A. Reserve Ships; and a miscellaneous assort- ment of smaller Naval Establishments, Stores, etc., now in the process of closing down. MORAN & CATO'S Regular Services maintained with fast motor vessels. The Rear-Admiral's official residence is "Tresco," Elizabeth Bay, Sydney, where r.e and It MUST be Good Mrs. Moore find relaxation when duty is done. For further particulars, apply:

WILH. WILHELMSEN AGENCY PTY. LTD.

63 Pin ST., SYDNEY

SI WILLIAM ST., MELBOURNE

32 33 Why Sea Cadet Training At All ? (J B.)

HERMETICALLY ASK. that question purposely, not because it ships new avenues of commerce could be opened Iis customary to introduce the subject in that up. manner, but, as I say, strictly on principle. It FOSTER'S GLASS-SEALED may have been sufficient that the immortal Light Unfortunately, the dominating powers of that Brigade knew not the reason why but an officer time, Spain and Portugal, were of a monopolistic te0 must know it, see it, and appreciate it. Only character and by the famous Papal Bull appor- tioned the world between them with the inten- thus can best results be obtained. Muddleheaded %** - tion of debarring all later entrants on the path good intentions lead only to personal frustration, of discovery and trade. This was a state of affairs and irremediable damage to the Service to which English monarchs were quite understandably loath we have consecrated ourselves. On alt considera- to dispute, England of that time being one of tions, then, it's imperative that we know what the lesser European powers, but the seamen of LAGER we are doing, and why. Somerset, Devon and Cornwall together with the In exploring this question of Sea Cadet Train- merchants of Bristol held different views on that ing we find that while remaining an indivisible subject. Compelled by Papal Bull and deference IIEIil IT whole it may be viewed from three different to Royal authority they attempted to discover a northwest passage to Cathay. They failed, CARLTON £ UNITED BREWERIES LTO. aspects, national, social and educational. But let us not lose sight of the fact these divisions gloriously, but discovered our oldest Dominion, are purely a matter of convenience, that they are Newfoundland, the finny wealth of the Grand but ASPECTS of a whole. To view our subject Banks, Canada, Labrador, and not least, in that from any one angle to the exclusion of the others, testing ground of seamen that is the North At- is to betray to all and sundry refractive defects lantic, tempered the steel of their seamanship. AUSTRALIAN JOCKEY CLUB in our mental vision. As our work proceeds we The ice, cold, fog, and unrelenting gales ol those (Randwlck Racecourse) shall see how closely these three aspects are inter- high latitudes were ruthless masters but they woven, how interdependent they are. Bearing formed the character of the British seaman. AUTUMN MEETING, 1947 • NO ESCAPE ®APS this in mind we can now safely proceed to 5th, 7th, 9th and 12th APRIL • NO LOSS OF POWER examine each of them. Finding a northwest passage to Cathay could PRINCIPAL EVENTS The "Corundite" Insulated Auto- not be made, seamen such as Drake and his many First Day: Saturday, 5th April motive Plug incorporates exclusive Firstly, the national. This brings us face to contemporaries, decided that Spain or no Spain features previously associated only with face with the cardinal factor in the development they would trade where they willed. They did, The A.J.C. Sires' Produce Stakes. £4,000 added. KX.G. Aircraft Plugs. By hermeti- of the British Commonwealth of Free Nations, leaving behind them the smell of burning Royal Seven Furlongs. cally sealing the plug with a glass powder vitrified into position, gas- seapower. We may read in many learned tomes hair. Inevitably this brought England and Spain The Doncaster Handicap, £3,500 added. One Mile. tightness is secured, and faultless per- much that wiil lead us, rightly, to see that these into conflict. In that conflict the power of Spain The A.J.C. St. Leger. £2,000 added. IJ Miles. formance ensured, because there is no British peoples have created a political institution was shattered. The splendid ships of Henry VII escape of power. Second Day: Monday, 7th April unique in the history of man and empires. Yet, and the all big -gun battleships ol the much- The Sydney Cup, £6,000 added and a gold cup one lays aside these learned works with some maligned Henry VIII, backed by the unsurpassable valued at £250. Two Miles. dissatisfaction. These brilliant scholars have noted seamanship of the West Country, gave England Third Day: Wednesday, 9th April and annoted each factor in the growth of this a sea weapon second to none. It was English broadsides, not the English weather, that shattered The All-Aged Stakes.'£ 1,500 added. One Mile. great institution, but have failed, for the most part, to ask themselves what one factor made all the Armada. Henry's all big gun battleships The Champagne Stakes, £2.000 added. 6 Furlongs. CORUNDITE (FUSED ALUMINA) this possible. That factor was seapower. British rendered the fleets of the world as obsolete as did Fourth Day: Saturday, 12th April history read without reference to seapower is but Lord Fisher's "Dreadnought," in 1906. Coupled The Adrian Knox Stakes. £2.000 added. Miles. SPARK a quotation divorced from its context. with this was the fact that the Elizabethan seamen The A.J.C. Plate, £1,500 added. 2J Miles. fought seawarfare as seamen, while the fleets of Spain were but soldiers deployed afloat. Admission tickets for the Saddling Paddock only The discoveries of the late 16th century awoke may be purchased in the City on the afternoon be- the British peoples to the fact that they were not, fore and on the days of the races at the Hotel AVAILABLE FROM ALL LEADING MOTOR AND as they had believed, on the edge of the world, Following upon this the ships of the English Australia, Castlereagh Street, Sydney. MOTOR TYRE ACCESSORY HOUSES I GARAGES but, in fact, almost at its centre. This was, at merchants expanded their trade and we must T. Nicholson, W. N. Parry-Okeden. the time, an astonishing discovery. Previously always bear in mind that it is upon trading ships Racing Secretary, Secretary. ships had only been used for local defence and and commerce that true seapower is based. Un- 6 Bligh Street, Sydney. trading, but now it was seen that by means of fortunately, the British people have the lamentable

7-4 35 1

habit of neglecting in timet of peace the fighting And now to the Australia of to-day. ship* tinder whose shield the trading ships are Since the beginning of the present century, enabled to voyage unmolested. Holland saw this Australia has made her own contribution toward and while nominally a friendly power committed the maintenance of that seapower upon which Three some very warlike acts upon the goods and her very exittence depends. With admirable chattels of His Majesty's subjects in all parts strategical foresight Australia has designed her of the world. Navy to fit into the general framework of the British Fleet and Australian officers are thus able Famous Britain was, for a time, powerless to interfere. to obtain a much wider experience of Fleet work- It has always seemed to me a great pity that the ing and advanced naval matters than the material Dutch nation with which we had so much in size of the Royal Australian Navy permits. I common should also view the exercise of seapower need only mention that in the two recent world Names from a monopolistic angle. This was regrettable, wars His Majesty's Australian ships have gi'ven but even more regrettable was the disappearance abundant proof that the highest traditions of of the British flag from the seaways of the world. British seamanship are nobly upheld. It is well From this resulted the Dutch wars wherein we that this is so. Australia's sea communications met, and thanks largely to Blake, defeated the are among the longest in the world. Australia most doughty sea warriors we have yet encoun- needs the outside world and the world needs Aus- 3SS.S. tered. tralia. On exports and imports is based the ELECTRIC HOME HELPS But wars were only incidents in the growth whole fabric of Australian life. Should any power of British seapower. Exploration, trading and ever succeed in severing those communications, colonising were its keynote. So valuable to the Australia as we know her would cease to exist, world in general were the voyages of Cook it is a tragedy for this young nation and the civilisation on record that the French gave orders to their of which she forms an integral part. warships that if encountered he was to be allowed It follows from this then, that Australians, in to proceed unmolested. It would be impertinence their own interests, national and international, on my part to recommend Cook to the notice of cannot afford to neglect matters relating to the Australian seamen, but in Cook we see merging sea and shipping. Australia demands a public in- for the first time the scientific seaman. While telligently informed in sea affairs, a steady flow LAMPS the work of the marine surveyor is never at an of human material of good type into her Royal end, it is worthwhile recalling to ourselves that and Merchant Navies, and a strong seafaring most modern charts of the St. Lawrence, New- reserve among her population. The Sea Cadet foundland, Labrador, New South Wales and many Corps, can, if its officers are well-informed, well- Pacific islands are based upon the original sur- instructed, and so determined, make a large con- veys of James Cook. We are further indebted to tribution toward meeting the nation's demands. GENALEX this splendid seaman for the earliest scientific Let me, however, emphasise the fact again that the observation of Antarctic conditions. value of that contribution is directly proportional Electric to the skill, imagination, and initiative of the Sea Clothes Washers, Refriger- It is tempting to linger among memories of Cadet Officer. It is not enough that he be a Cook, Anson, Jervis, Blake, Duncan, Frobisher, competent seaman. He must be, too, an instructor A typically ators and Radios. Boscawen, Nelson and his captains but we must of the type that brings out as well as instills, English blend go on to the work they established. who shows how the particular is related to the of imported and general and the general to the particular. Nor Prodoctt boorlnf IImm (uimi nam ml an 9iMr.1t- In the century following Trafalgar, British does the matter end there. To these qualities •elected quality tood By 16.E., Sol* Awtr.li.il r.pr.t.M.tiv.1 seamen charted the coasts of the world, suppressed we must add something of the advocate and not Virginia tobaccos* of TK. 6...r.l Electric Co. lid., til EmlimJ— piracy, slavery, and brought a freedom the oceans the largest British controlled electrical Offiirfn- a little of the devotee. Hon In the World. had never known before. Unlike its predecessors British seapower was not monopolistic. The seas All this may seem a rather tall order. It is, indeed, but it must be met. Australia demands were now open to ALL that passed upon their Csrk Tipped it. lawful occasions. Under that guarantee the British Colonies, the United States, and South American As we proceed now to consider the Sea Cadet k»\sioc»a7 0f republics grew to nationhood. When our Ameri-. Training in its social aspect we shall see that this , SYDNEY. NEWCASTLE. MELBOURNE. ADELAIDE. can friends speak of the Monroe Doctrine, it training is not an end in itself nor merely an ^ PERTH. MIStANE. HOIART. LAUNCESTON should be remembered that at the time of its interesting, instructive hobby; it is a way of formulation there was only one agency capable life. of implementing it—The Royal Navy. (To be continued.) —

17 PART II The Royal Australian Navy in the 5HINID Second World War CHAPTER 1 The ONE Perfect Polish for Silver and Brass OPERATIONAL (A) PRIOR TO JAPAN'S ENTRY INTO THE in the Second World War, as in the First, one WAR of the earliest actions taken by the Australian While the organisation of Australia's local de- Government was to place the Australian Naval fences and the patrolling of coastal waters was Forces at the disposal of Great Britain.. Since a primary necessity, dealt with as soon as the state then, the Royal Australian Navy has been repre- of emergency arose, the story of most H.M.A. MAKES TWO POLISHES sented by ships or men, or both, on all the world's Ships from September, 1939, to the beginning of UNNECESSARY seaways—, The United Kingdom, Libya, what has come to be known as the "" Somaliland, the Persian Gulf, West Africa, Greece, is largely one of co-operation with the Royal Crete, , Syria, Malta convoys, North Navy in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and Africa, Russia, the , the in- other zones remote from Australia. vasion of Normandy, , Italy, the Aegean, Malaya, Singapore, Sumatra, Java, Timor, Mada- It is interesting to note that all but one of the gascar, the Bay of Bengal, Papua, the Solomon major war vessels of the R.A.N. Squadron as at Islands, New Guinea, the Philippine Islands, the outbreak of war havt served with the Royal Borneo, the China Sea, and the Japanese Home- Navy in widely separated parts of the world. The "SHINIO" will PROTECT and impart the moll 01- land. percentage of time thus served by these ships quiiito luitre to your SILVER and PLATE, and will add in their total period afloat up to December, 1941, a now boauty to your BRASS. For purposes oI convenience, the operational was 66.4 per cent. story may be dealt with from two aspects: Before and subsequent to, the commencement of hos- Below is a general outline of the more import- tilities by the Japanese (7th December, 1941). ant operations in which H.M.A. Ships participated in areas remote from their home waters:— Nevertheless—like the Royal Navy and the other Dominion Navies—the Royal Australian Middle East Navy was careful to base its activities on the By Christmas, 1939, H.M.A. Destroyers fact that it was one war, not two; and that PITTWATER MARINE "Stuart," "Vampire," "Vendetta," "Voyager," and the war at sea could know no boundaries. An "Waterhen ' had reached the Middle East, and illustration of this attitude was provided by the the last of them did not leave there until October, S. Hoffnung * Co. Ltd. SERVICE STATION fact that, although the outbreak of war with 1941. (H.M.A.S. "Waterhen" was sunk in June, Japan had called for the of most of 1941.) H.M.A. Cruiser "Sydney" was in that Australia's ships and men in the Pacific, there area from May, 1940, to January, 1941; H.M.A. CHURCH POINT still remained several hundred Australian Navy Cruiser "Hobart," from May, 1940, to December, CLARENCE STREET personnel serving on loan to the Royal Navy, 1941; H.M.A. Cruiser "Perth" from December, PITTWATER apart from those in ships attached to the Eastern 1940, to July, 1941; H.M.A. Sloop "Yarra" from Fleet. The work of these loan personnel is dealt SYDNEY September, 1940, to December, 1941; and H.M.A. with in Section (C) of this history. Sloop "Parramatta" from August, 1940, until she Marin* Engineers The summaries given below outline the opera- was sunk in November, 1941. tional history of the Royal Australian Navy in Slipping, Painting, Moorings, etc. The following are the major actions and some- the war, under the following headings:— other activities in which those ships participated (A) Prior to Japan's entry into the war; (B) during that period. In most cases the work was since 7th December, 1941; (C) the story of Aus- done in collaboration with R.N. Ships. tralian Naval personnel serving in ships of the WHO WISHES THE NAVY LEAGUS For all enquiries, 'phone Royal Navy,, and of Australian-manned ships Sinking of Italian Destroyer "Espero" by "Syd- ney" (June, 1940). XW 9007 which served in the Mediterranean, with the EVERY SUCCESS Eastern Fleet and with the British Pacific Fleet Battle of Calabria (July, 1940); "Sydney," after Japan entered the war. "Stuart," "Vampire," and "Voyager" participated.

VJ 38 Sinking of Italian Cruiser "Bartolomeo Col- Atlantic was the scene of H.M.A.S. "Australia's" leoni" (July, 1940); she was put out of action work from June, 1940, to February, 1941. by "Sydney'' and sunk by totpedoes from R.N. During that period she did much valuable patrol Destroyers "Ilex" and "Hyperion." work, but the most interesting incidents in which Evacuation of Berbera (August, 1940); "Ho- she was involved were the operations off Dakar barr" covered the evacuation and then bombarded (July and September, 1940). In the second phase the town. of that undertaking she put out of action a Vichy Bombardment of Rhodes (September, 1940); French Fantasquc Class Destroyer. Before leav- "Sydney." ing Dakar, "Australia" heiself was slightly dam- In -October, 1940, "Vampire," "Voyager" and aged. "Watcrhen" were among the first arrivals at the Indian Ocean advanced base at Suda Bay, Crete. In March, 1941, H.M.A.S. "Canberra," on patrol In November, 1940, "Sydney" was one of the with H.M.S. "Learder" intercepted the German striking force in the Straits of Otranto, and in the raider supply ship "Coburg" and the tanker bombardment of Valona. "Ketty Brovig," whos» crews scuttled their ships Battle of Matapan (March, 1941); "Perth," to prevent capture. "Stuart," and "Vendetta" participated. In November of the same year, H.M.A.S. "Syd- Bombardment of Solum /(April, 1941); ney " sank, and was sunk by, the German surface "Stuart." raider, "Steierinark" (often called "Kormoran"). As there has been no trace of "Sydney's" 645 The majority of the R.A.N. Ships then in the officers and men, the story of the action had to Middle East participated in the evacuations of be reconstructed from accounts given by the Greece and Crete. raider's suivivors, 317 of whom reached Australia. An outstanding contribution of H.M.A. Ships Apparently the action was fought about 300 miles to the work in the Mediterranean was their off the West Australian coast. Darkness came pioneering of the "Tobruk Ferry Service," which with both ships on fire. The enemy abandoned H.M.A. Destroyers inaugurated, carrying supplies their vessel, which subsequently blew up and from Mersa Matruh and Alexandria to the be- sank. From their bolts the ^Germans saw "Syd- seiged troops at Tobruk. It was on this service ney" disappear over the horizon. She was then that H.M.A.S. "Waterhen" and H.M.A.S. "Parra- on fire amidships, and that was the last seen of matta" were lost. her. In the Persian Gulf, in August, 1941, H.M.S. "Kanimbla" (Australian-manned) and H.M.A.S. (B) SINCE JAPAN'S ENTRY INTO THE WAR "Yarra" helped to immobilise Iranian warships in the Karun River and captured several Axis When Japan commenced hostilities, the Royal merchant ships at Bandar Shapur. Australian Navy was already represented in the Singapore area by H.M.A. Destroyer "Vampire" After such contributions to the campaign dur- and four Australian Mine-sweeping Vessels. ing the darkest days of the fighting in the Middle Three days later, "Vampire" was on the destroyer East, it is appropriate that the R.A.N, was again screen of H.M.S. "Prince of Wales' and "Repulse" represented in the t.iumphant landings in North when they were sunk by Japanese torpedo bombers Africa, Sicily and Italy. Those phases arc touched off Malaya. "Vampire" picked up 225 survivors. upon later in this operational outline. On the night of 26th January, 1942, "Vampire," Far East with H.M. Destroyer "Thanet" engaged an enemy In addition to H.M.S. "Kanimbla," H.M.S. cruiser and three destroyers off the eastern coast "Moreton Bay" and "Arawe" (commissioned in of Malaya. One Japanese Destroyer was sunk, Australia late in 1939 and principally manned by and another driven ashore. H.M.S. "Thanet" was Australians) were for some months under the lost in this action. operational control of the Commander-in-Chief, China. Subsequently, H.M.S. "Moreton Bay" and "Vampire" herself was sunk by Japanese air- "Arawe" proceeded to the Atlantic, where they craft in the Bay of Bengal in April, 1942. were engaged in convoy work between Freetown Meanwhile, during January, the R.A.N, forces and the United Kingdom. in the Singapore-Malaya area had been strength- Atlantic ened by the arrival of H.M.A. Ciuiser "Hobart," Apart from the work done by individual Aus- H.M.A. Sloop "Yarra," and three more Australian tralian personnel on loan to the Royal Navy, the Mine-sweeping Vessels. (Continued on pagt 47.) METAL MANUFACTURES LTD. Port Kembla, N.S.W. • Ovcamoa TUwa •

ATOMIC ENERGY by the fission of lighter ones, and it is indicated Wc quote without comment the following that hydrogen may be the cheap atomic fuel of excerpt Irom "Fairplay," London, 12.12.46. the future. A problem which arises is that of a suitable coolant for the atomic pile, which should " No one can predict what a Navy will look be fluid from room to 1,500 or 2,000 like ten years from now, but we shall make dcg. Fah., which in turn will involve the design every attempt to produce as rapidly as possible of the necessary heat exchangers. For offensive armament there is the choice of a guided missile, ««•'""" Win and BlruM MaM, ntai. a Navy in which full consideration has been given to the possibilities of atomic energy, gas ranging from simple gravity-powered, steerable "»>••• Cakta., Braid* win ul CM., Ma. bombs (a form which, in the opinion of Admiral turbines, guided missiles and pilotlcss aircraft. Bowen, is clearly obsolete for any conflict not in SELLING AGENTS We are neither pro-battleship nor anti-battle- the immediate future) to the ocean-crossing jet- (with Distributor. la >11 IUMI ship, we arc only interested in cold-blooded powered supersonic velocity atomic bomb-carrier,' Win, CaMM. itl NUGGET TabM A Ira. win evolution." the development of which, involving as it does SHOE POLISH •IITin INSULATED KNOT acuLArr problems of aerodynamics, propulsion, guiding, CABLES LTD. a no. This statement, taken from a speech delivered control and launching obviously presents some st-as William St.. Malt. Collin. Inn. Ml, before the American Association for Advancement difficulties. »•"• BHi.. IllMT Eradla Bias., IjImj of Science by Rear-Admiral H. G. Bowen, U.S.N., Chief of the Office of Research and Inventions, , and reported in my contem- "The range of such a warship, which may well porary, "Marine News," seems to sum up the be of the submersible type, will be limited only position of naval design at the present time ade- by the amount of food which can be carried; quately. As to the lines along which develop- periodical dry-docking will not be necessary, in ment may be guided, Admiral Bowen advances view of the advances which have been made in anti-fouling compositions. So much for offence; EDWARD ARNOLD PTY. LTD. some very interesting suggestions. In his opinion, the prospect of harnessing atomic energy for the for defence, Admiral Bowen thinks that unless With the Compliments of the purpose of driving ships in the near future is some countermeasure is produced short of des- a very attractive proposition, for in the first place truction at the source—and I cannot imagine a Manufacturers of . . . the elimination of boilers and associated auxiliaries really effective one—the main defence lies in dis- You cannot do better as well as thousands of tons of fuel oil, offers the persion'. Let us be clear about this mattet of possibility of more advantageously disposing of the atomic bomb. Admiral Bowen puts the matter than weight, and this applies to merchant as well as very succinctly by pointing out that, while a rifle naval ships. So far as naval ships are concerned, bullet exceeds the speed of an arrow by a factor the bottoms can be materially strengthened by of three or four, our best organic explosive is SILVER using thicker plating, the hull can be made more almost twice as powerful as T.N.T., and aero- robust, and the area covered by armour increased, planes are almost 25 times fastet than horses, the so that the ship may be made less vulnerable to new weapon is many thousand times more des- ARNOLD'S attack by "atomic or other forms of bombing." tructive than anything hitherto known. Without doubt, naval architects and engineers will produce STAR of Oxford St. the atomic-driven ship, and that probably in a • * "Furthermore, speeds will be increased, with measurable time, and here we have a welcome the same end in view. With the elements used and legitimate advance. But, concurrently, with * at present for the production of atomic energy, new equal certainty, the difficulties in the way of uranium and plutonium, it appears that an atomic STARCH t producing the new weapons, and those even more pile may not weigh less than 100 tons, but this powerful in their results than the atomic bomb, is trivial compared with the weight of the mach- will be surmounted. It is well that this aspect EDWARD ARNOLD PTY. LTD. inery and fuel which it will replace, and there of the business should be realised, otherwise the are other elements which may be used with a time may come when Hersey's 'Hiroshima' may reduction in the size of the pile. Ultimately at be read as something not much more significant the other end of the scale, energy may be ob- than the account of a cricket match." tained not by the fission of heavy elements, but

42 43

Httliidl,.^: ^v.., . .. AUSTRAL BRONZE COMPANY CHRONOLOGY OF NAVAL EVENTS PTY. LIMITED Esteblished HI4 Featuring Australia's Contribution Hud Office and Work: O'Riordan Street, Alexandria, Sydney MEHIES (Continued from lasr issue.) MANUFACTURERS Of: Coppar Rodi and Bart: Busoers for Electrical Work; The Hotel of Distinction Manganaie Bronza Rods; Bart and Ingots; Extruded Bran. Architectural Bronze, Muntz's Metal and Copper To-day, as for several generations, Menzies is Jan. 27 H.M.A.S. "VAMPIRE" and H.M.S. "THANET" attack Japanese Force off Endau. In' Round, Square, Hexegon end Speclel Sections: Melbourne's best-known hotel. As a guest at Copper Plates end Rolled Coppei Anodes, Aluminium Feb. 5 H.M.A.S. "YARRA" rescues 1,800 troops from burning ship "EMPRESS OF ASIA" at Menzies you can be sure of every comfort— Bronze Rods and Bars. Copper, 8rass. Gilding Metal. Singapore. Phosphor Bronze and Nickel Silver in Sheets and Strip every needed service and facility. In these Munti Metel end Nevel Brass Condenser Pletes days of war-time activity there is definite value Feb. 15 Surrender of Singapore. Sheets end Sheathing in the efficiency of Menzies' service. Menufecturers of (under Licence) 17 H.M.A.S. "SWAN", "WARREGO", " VOYAGER", "ARMIDALE", and "CASTLE Stone's Menganese Bronzes tor Marine Cre<* Propellers Telegraphic Address: Menzotel, Melbourne MAINE" escorting convoy to Koepang heavily attacked by aircraft. Branch Office: „ 18-19 Air Raid at Darwin, ships there included H.M.A.S. "SWAN", "PLATYPUS" "GUNBAR" 101-103 KING STREET. MELBOURNE "CONGOOLA" and "MANUNDA". „ 20 Evacuation of Sumatra, H.M.A. Ships assisting included "GOULBURN", 'BURNIE" "WOLLONGONG", "BALLARAT" and "BENDIGO". „ 27-28 Java Sea Battle. H.M.A.S. "PERTH" in action with British and U.S. Ships. LL C\ U/ DIE BUTTER, CHEESE, BACON, 27 H.M.A.S. "HOBART" slightly damaged and casualties caused by bomb attack in West ALLUNKIE HAMS AND HONEY Java Sea. Mar. 1 Products of . . . H.M.A.S. "PERTH" sunk in Java Sea during night attack in Sunda Strait. 2 Evacuation of Java, H.M.A. , "BALLARAT" and "BURNIE" assist. PRODUCERS' CO-OPERATIVE DISTRIBUTING SOCIETY LTD. 4 H.M.A.S. "YARRA" lost off Tjilatjap. Attacked by vastly superior enemy force while SYDNEY escorting convoy trom Java to Australia. Dec., 1941, H.M.A.S. "VENDETTA", "BENDIGO", "BURNIE", "GOULBURN", "MARY- Wholesale Grocers till BOROUGH", BALLARAT", 'TOOWOOMBA ', "WOLLONGONG", "NAPIER", Sole Agents for: "TUMUT" all-millett Brooms Mar., 1942 "NESTOR" and "NIZAM" were used for A.A. Defence of Malaya Area. Country Orders for Fresh Fruit promptly despatched. Apl. 10 H.M.A.S. " VAMPIRE" sunk in Bay of Bengal. All Fruit Case requirements at Bedrock Rates May 4-8 Battle of Coral Sea. H.M.A.S. "AUSTRALIA" and "HOBART" take part in first big "Carrier Battle". 24 H.M.A.S. "NESTOR" takes part in the hunting down of German battleship "BISMARCK". June 1 Midget Submarine attack by Japanese on Sydney Harbour, H.M.A.S. "KUTTABUL", depot ship, sunk in Harbour. Cockatoo Docks & „ 3-6 . (U.S. Action.) BIRT & COMPANY Engineering Co. Pty. 16 H.M.A.S. "NFSTOR" sunk by dive-bomber attack in Mediterranean. Aug. 7 Landings at Guadalcanal. H.M.A.S. "AUSTRALIA", "CANBERRA" and "HOBART" (PTY.) LIMITED Ltd. assist U.S. Force. 4 BRIDGE STREET, SYDNEY, N.S.W. Contractors to . . . • „ 9 H.M.A.S. "CANBERRA" sunk by torpedo during night action off Guadalcanal. P.O. BOX SMI. G.P.O. H.M. AUSTRALIAN NAVY Sept. H.M A.S. "NORMAN", "NAPIER" and "NIZAM" take part in convoys to Madagascar. Nov. 8 H.M.A.S. "QUIBERON" takes part in North African Landings. Ship-buildart, Marin* A „ 12 H.M.A.S. "FAURO CHIEF" (Ketch) shelled at Misima Harbour. General Engineers „ 28 H.M.A.S. "ADELAIDE ' intercepts German supply ship "RAMSES". Eefle Strut. Irlafcone; Muafrav. Oeld Inquiries invited Nov. 30 H.M.A.S. "ARMIDALE" sunk by aircraft attack South of Timor. Stanley Street, South Brisbane. COCKATOO ISLAND Dec. 13 Landings at Buna. H.M.A.S. "COLAC ", "BROOME ", "BALLARAT" and "WHYALLA"

SHIPPING AND GENERAL AGENTS SYDNEY assist in troop movements in New Guinea Area. Phone: W 1941 (10 lines) „ 15 H.M.A.S. "CASTLEMA1NE" attacked by aircraft in convoy off Cape Wessel, N.T.

45 am 1943 THE R.A.N IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR U.S.S. "Houston," engaged a superior enemy force. (From page 40.) At 12.20 a.m. on 1st March "Perth" was sunk in J»n. 22 H.M.A.S. "PATRICIA CAM" bombed and sunk, Wessel Island. In the weeks which followed, the Australian Sunda Strait by enemy action. Feb. 2 H.M.A.S. "WHYALLA" attacked McLaren Harbour. Mine-sweeping Vessels, in particular, did valuable work. Their duties ranged from the rescuing On 4th March, H.M.A. Sloop "Yarra" was sunk Mar. 2-5 Battle of Bismarck Sea. U.S. Action 18 out of 22 ships in Japanese Convoy sunk. of shipwrecked crews to anti-submarine patrols after a brief, but heroic, action against three Japanese heavy cruisers and four destroyers. A Apl. 15 Air attack on Naval Installations at Darwin. and the escorting of fleeing merchant ships. Throughout the evacuation of Sumatra and Java small motor mine-sweeper and two merchant ships .11 H.M.A.S. "PIRIE" defends convoy against heavy air attack. they carried out similar tasks and did valuable in company with "Yarra" also were destroyed. demolition work. „ 14 H.M.A.S. "KAPUNDA", "WAGGA" and "WHYALLA" defend convoy heavily attacked Two days earlier, the last R.A.N, personnel by aircraft. The was fought on 27th were evacuated from Java. The seven Australian February; after taking on stores and ammunition Mine-sweepers were the last Australian ships to May 9 Air Attack on H.M.A.S. " LATROBE". at Batavia next day, H.M.A. Cruiser "Perth," with leave, and they reached their home waters safely. „ 14 Sinking of Hospital Ship "CENTAUR" off coast of Queensland. CHAPTER III June 10 H.M.A.S. "WALLAROO" sunk in collision. „ 25 H.M.S. "SHROPSHIRE" transferred to R.A.N. The Royal Australian Navy Between „ 30 Landing at Nassau. Two Wars July 10 Sicily landings and subsequent operations, included H.M.A.S. "CAIRNS", "CESSNOCK", "GAWLER", GERALDTON", "IPSWICH", "LISMORE", MARYBOROUGH" and As with the Navies of other nations, the Royal The first of these moves had its outcome in "WOLLONGONG". Australian Navy was considerably affected .by 1928 with the commissioning of H.M.A.S. "Aus- two major factors during the period which sep- Aug. 4 H.M.A.S. "COOTAMUNDRA" escorting S.S. "MACUMBA" attacked by aircraft off tralia" and "Canberra"—the heavy cruisers which arated the First and Second World Wars; the were to do such outstanding work in the coming Thursday Island. Washington Conference of 1921, and the world war. Early in 1929 the submarines "Oxley" and Sept. 4 Landing at Lae, H.M.A.S. "SHEPPARTON" and "BENALLA" take part in Naval Bom economic depression of the 1930 s. The first of "Otway" reached Australia. But, as these were bardment and H.M.A.S. "STELLA" and "POLARIS" assist in preliminary surveys of area. these set a limit to Naval strengths and pro only portion of the number originally intended, grammes by agreement; the second set almost as their maintenance in the highest state of efficiency Nov. 29 H.M.A.S. "WARRAMUNGA ' and "ARUNTA" bombard Gasmata Area. rigid restrictions through the demands of was difficult in Australia, where they were a small Dec. 15 Landing at Arawe, New Britain, H.M.A.S. "SHROPSHIRE", "AUSTRALIA", "WARRA economy. specialised unit, and the British Government MUNGA", "ARUNTA" and "WESTRALIA" participate in operations. agreed to take them over as a gift, maintaining Consequent upon the Washington Conference, them at its own expense. They reverted to the „ 26 U.S. Landing at Cape Gloucester. H.M.A.S. "AUSTRALIA", "ARUNTA", "WARRA- all warship and Naval base construction was, for Royal Navy in April, 1931. MUNGA" and "SHROPSHIRE" take part in operations. a time, suspended. The personnel of the Royal Australian Navy, which totalled 5,250 in June, Meanwhile, the seaplane carrier, H.M.A.S. "Al- 1919, was 4,843 in 1921; by 1923 it had been batross," built at Cockatoo Dock, Sydney, commis- reduced to 3,500. The Commonwealth's only sioned in January, 1929. Ultimately she was battle cruiser, H.M.A.S. "Australia," was dis- handed over to the Royal Navy, in part considera- mantled and sunk off Sydney Heads on 12th April, tion for the cruiser, "Hobart." 1924, in accordance with the terms of the Wash- MUTUAL LIFE & CITIZENS' ASSURANCE ington Naval Treaty. The Official Year Book of In 1930, for reasons of economy, the Royal Aus- the Commonwealth of Australia shows that, from tralian Naval College (for training of Cadet Mid- CO. LTD. shipmen) was transferred from Jervis Bay to the • 1921 to 1923, the number of R.A.N, ships in com- mission was reduced from 25 to 13. Work on the Flinders Naval Depot area. The College had first light cruiser "Adelaide," under construction in opened at Geelong, 1913, transferring to Jervis CASTLEREAGH STREET AND MARTIN PLACE Sydney, was continued, and she was commissioned Bay two years later. in August, 1922. SYDNEY By February, 1932, the Permanent Forces per- In 1925, however, the Australian Naval Board, sonnel of the Royal Australian Navy stood at 3,117; plus 131 members of the Auxiliary Service, THE M.L.C. FOR YOUR LIFE ASSURANCE faced with the obsolescence of most of its cruisers, • decided to acquire from Britain two new cruisers and 5,446 in all sections of the Reserves. of 10,000 tons each (the maximum size for new But further expansion was at hand. In 1933, construction under the Washington Treaty). In the British Government made a gift to Australia addiiton, submarines were to be obtained from of the destroyers "Stuart" (Flotilla Leader), M.LC. Britain, and a seaplane carrier to be built in "Vampire," "Vendetta," "Voyager," and "Water- Australia. (Continued on next page.) 46 47 hen." When they commissioned in Britain as addition of three new 6-inch units. The name- H.M.A. Ships, in October, lj>33, they were far sake of H.M.A.S. "Sydney,'* commissioned in from new. But they were destined to form the Britain in September, 1935, and H.M.A.S. scrap iron flotilla" (in Germany's contemptuous "Hobart," in September, 1938. "Perth" did not phrase) which did such yeoman service in the commission as a H.M.A. Ship until June, 1939, JOIN Mediterranean in the early stages of the war and the war broke out when she was on her against the Axis. way to Australia. THE Within six years of receiving these destroyers, Australia increased her cruiser strength by the (To be continued.) THE NAVY LEAGUE Patron: H.M. The KING. NAVY Head Office: Grand Buildings, Trafalgar Square, LEAGUE LONDON, W.C.2 Branches: Great Britain, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, Ceylon, Rhodesia. Australia For Others Affiliated Leagues: FOR YEARS The Navy League of Canada "This is Australia," produced by Oswald L. moves in the shape of disguised advertising, and The Navy League of South Africa Ziegler in collaboration with the Commonwealth there are no traces of taxes, strikes, or shortages. the and States' Governments; published by Oswald L. However, the book, as a production, has much N.S.W. BRANCH MERCANTILE MUTUAL Ziegler in association with Gotham (A asia) Pty. to commend it and can be counted upon to create Insurance Coy. Ltd. Ltd. Patron: His Excellency the Governor of N.S.W. a favourable impression overseas. It is printed President: T. H. Silk, M.I.C.E., M.I.N.A. an Australian Institution has been That "This is Australia" is to assume too much. on art paper made in Australia, the letterpress Hon. Treasurer: C. M. C. Shannon is informative (without, of course, giving all the providing security for the homes of It is a revelation of Australia, as we would like it Hon. Auditors: Robertson, Crane and Gibbons. facts), and the arrangement of the pictures, both the peopie, its motto being to be, and as the official mind, with immigration Hon. Secretary: Comdr. F. W. Hixson, O.B.E., in view, hopes people abroad will think it is. in colour and photography, is beyond criticism. S.S.D. " Service to the Public " Ostensibly, the purpose of this magnificently The cost must have been enormous, and one Secretary and Editor: W. W. Beale. O.B.E. cannot help wondering how it could ever be re- Under the protection of Insurance Policies ships sail designed book is to present a "clear picture" of VICTORIAN BRANCH the oceans, land and air transport moves, men work, the Commonwealth after a century and a half of covered without Governmental "co- operation." (Incorporating Navy League Sea Cadet Corps) and homes and factories are built end safeguarded. white settlement. Actually it presents a picture of -J.T. Injuries are compensated and distress relieved. Patron: His Excellency the Governor of Victoria a paradise in which, here and there, a serpent (By Courtesy "Sydney Morning Herald") Insurance is a contract of good faith. President: Captain S. A. Pidgeon, R.D., R.N.R. Our funds are used to assist in the d'evelopment of the Hon. Treasurer: C. W. Lucas, Esq. Country and with our properties are held in trust for Secretary: L S. Digby, Esq. the protection of our Policy Holders. Fire, Marine, Accident, Motor Car CiOBiX and PLEASE NOTE Householders', House-Owners (Combined) Insurance Bfff EXTRACT Contributions of a suitable nature are Crops, Stacks, Fencing, Pluvius For appetising flavour, strength-building nourish- cordially invited, and should be addressed ment and economy in us* . . . you can't beat to the Editor, "Navy," Royal Exchange All Classes of Agricultural Insurance GL06EX. It contains the full strength and con- Building, Bridge Street, Sydney. centrated essence of the primest beef and it is Head Office: 117 PITT STREET, SYDNEY made ir. a second. The Navy League does not necessarily SELWYN KING. Managing Director. Try it for soups, gravies, nourishing beaf tea, endorse the opinions of contributors to and it makes really delicious sandwiches . . the Journal. Agencies in all Suburban and Country Centres but spread it thinly. throughout the Commonwealth where all classes of • Insurance can be arranged by any of the Company's BETTER BUTTER . . . 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STAR PRINTERY PTY. LTD. 48 Good-bye for ever to dull, uninteresting sweets. The trend is towards dishes gay and colourful— light, yet nourishingl Naturally the accent is on Peters. Peters—because there's nothing so well designed to delight both guests and family. Peters, too: because it's an authentic dairy food —equally important for children and adults alike. - MONTHLY MARCH, 1947 Vol. 10, No. 3 (New Series) THE NAVY r'C^I MARCH, 1947

THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY CONTENTS

Editorial jj Wants The March of Fashion 52 Australian Navy Still on the Job: Illustration 55 Naval Personalities No. 3. Commodore G. M. Armstrong, D.S.0 57 YOUNG MEN Overseas News 59 Chronology of Naval Events 63 The R.A.N. Between Two Wars 67 To enlist for 2 YEARS (with possibility of extension to 12 Why Sea Cadet Training At All? 75 YEARS as Vacancies permit) in the ratings of Seamen, Signal- Radar 73 men, Telegraphists, Stokers, Writers (Clerks), Stores Assistants, Book Reviews 79 Sick Berth Attendants, Cooks, Stewards, Shipwrights (approved Carpenters, Bridge Carpenters and Boat Builders acceptable), Plumbers, Apprentice Shipwrights and Apprentice Joiners, zOattRT= -GLEA'NfNC— aWB== Ex-Naval Men also required for Re-entry EEfiE«SHK£=

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32 ducon Better and British . . . CONDENSERS "HOFFMANN" On all Australian thifn of Ball and Roller NAVY war Ducon Condensers OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE NAVY LEAGUE will bo found giving ex- cellent service in all "TIMKEN" radar and transmitting Price 1/- MAKC H, 194? Voir 10, No. 3 (New Seriee) equipment. Tapered Roller Bearings

Ducon Condensers are of ; b "APR 1917 sound workmanship — as Editorial . . . Svoktv Australian as the crews. BEARING SERVICE CO. OF AUST. JT is understood that the Australian Gov- Peoples do not make war. War-makers PTY. LTD. ernment has not yet formulated its Policy usually were a small minority, but their influence and power, acquisitiveness, ambi- DUCON CONDENSER LTD. on post'war defence. The reason for this 38 WENTWORTH AVENUE, SYDNEY "wait and see" attitude is understandable in tion, and their control and manipulation of WATERLOO the instruments of propaganda, and of the 'Phones: M 6038, MA 6411 view of the advent of atomic bombs and the N.S.W. development of guided projectiles. But if sources of materials necessary for the waging the Government is content to wait till of war was such that Government could not scientists are able to provide effective resist their and so plunged the checkmates to these • terrible weapons of country into war. destruction, the "seeing" part of the good intention may never be witnessed by large Let us hope that such minorities will never numbers of persons. The next war, if war again impose their will on the majority. W. G. PICKRELL is inevitable, will burst upon the world with Wars have, of course, resulted from the JAMES SANDY PTY. LTD. the rapidity of a tropic electric storm. It pressure of other factors, but the machina- PTY. LTD. surely is the duty of the people's representa- tions of a powerful and unscrupulous 268-70 George St.. Sydney tives—the Government particularly, to see minority have contributed more than their 42 King St., Newtown to it that this country's defences do not share to the horrors and tribulations that become inadequate. The fighting Services have befallen mankind. SANDY'S . . . must have at their command the highest technical skill available, and the Government For Painti, Glass, Wallpaper, ENGINEERS should be ever ready to invite and consider r" --— etc. ELECTRIC WELDERS the advice of the most authoritative experts OUR ADVEKTI8EK8! inside and outside Australia, on the subject SHEET METAL WORKERS WV> uk you to keep In mind the Orma of defence and its latest developments. adverttatng tii.tr product* In th« Journal. Ttaaeo are the people whoa. cooperation haa mad* the production of year magazine JAMES SANDY PTY. LTD. Overseas news appearing in these pages poaalbl., and you will do both the Journal and the Navy League a aervice by oonault- SYDNEY NEWCASTLE has been made possible through the agency lof them for your various requirement* "Phone: LA 5084 of the Navy League, London. It is hoped And, In doing ee pi MM mention— Newcastle address . . . P.O. Box 44, Newtown that our readers will find it both informative "THE NAVY" 123 SCOTT ST., NEWCASTLE and interesting. ..J

50 51 at the port oars their left eyes, and the coxswain tape, the black silk kerchief, and the flowing both. What the Portuguese thought when this trousers, which have been closely copied by all extraordinary boatload reached the shore was not the Navies of the world. O The March translated. It is sometimes supposed that the three rows It was not until 1857, as the result of an of tape on the collar were put there to com- of Fashion Admiralty committee, that uniform clothing for memorate Nelson's victories of the Nile, Copen- seamen, which probably followed the fashions hagen and "Trafalgar. One hates to explode a By "TAFFRAIL" afloat already existing, was finally laid down by popular belief; but the fact is that the members regulation. It was basically the same as to-day, of the Admiralty Committee of 1857 thought that with the jumper, the blue jean collar with its three stripes looked better than two. The col- 2—THE SEAMEN three rows of white tape, black silk kerchief, and lar is said to be a survival of the old collar or bell-bottomed trousers. The short blue "Eton" kerchief worn to prevent the grease and flour It is strange to think that no standardised jacket established in 1857 was not done away with with which the old pigtail was anointed from uniform was laid down for the seamen of the until 1891, though the blue cloth trousers, worn soiling the back of the jacket. Royal Navy until 1857, though three centuries outside the "frock" or jumper for full dress, did before that there might be a certain uniformity not disappear until just before the First World The black silk neckerchief, too, is not worn in in some ships or squadrons. In 1553 the men of War on the score of expense. In 1939, however, perpetual mourning for Nelson. Neckerchiefs, one squadron sailing to the Arctic on a voyage the blue cloth trousers were still being worn by black or coloured, were worn long before Trafal- of exploration, all wore clothing of "Watchet," the seamen of the Royal Yacht "Victoria and Al- gar. In the heat of action on the crowded gun- or sky-coloured cloth, so-called from the place bert," who also had their badges in silver and decks men knotted them round their foreheads in Somersetshire where it was made. About the ilM^ white for what may be called "full dress" and to prevent perspiration running down into their same time, when two ships met in the then "undress" respectively, instead of the gold and eyes. At ordinary times they were worn knotted lonely Pacific one knew the other as English red used by the rest of the Navy. loosely round the neck. 1 can, however, remem- because the sailors wore breeches. Short tarpaulin A smart seaman of the "Royal Sovereign," in ber the time when sailors wore their spare black or canvas petticoats, useful for boatwork or lean- 1805, the year of Trafalgar, was depicted as The white straw hat, the use of which had silk handkerchiefs tied in a bow round the left ing over the yards to furl or make sail in bad wearing white duck trousers, long in the legs, begun in the West Indies late in the eighteenth arm at official funerals on shore. weather, were far more common. They were in loose over the ankles and taut over the hips; century, finally vanished after the First World use in the fourteenth century and continued until check shirt; a short blue jacket with bright but- War because of the difficulty of stowage in modern The present-day flowing trousers originated the early nineteenth. tons; black tie; white stockings; buckled shoes; ships. partly from the desire of the men to use the a low-crowned tarpaulin hat with the ship's name full width of the cloth or serge they bought from Anyhow, in 1623, to "avoid nastie beastilyness on the ribbon, and "a pigtail down to his stern- But the blue and white jumpers remain, and so the ship's stores to be made up into nether gar- by diseases and unwholesome ill smells in every post." does the square collar with its three rows of ments Dy the ship's tailors; partly to facilitate ship," slop clothing was first issued by the Crown rolling their trousers up to the knees in the days and ordered to be carried in all men-of-war, a In 1840 we hear of the captain of the "Ver- they habitually went barefooted, which I can well practice which has continued ever since. The non" on commissioning ordering his men to wear recollect. Boots were an anathema to the sea- slops issued in 1706 consisted of grey jackets, red red serge jumpers and red woollen comforters. men in the old days of masted ships. Men of a waistcoats, red and striped breeches, and grey After a time the supply of red garments tan Naval Brigade landed in the Sudan in the stockings, while in 1740 the sailors could buy short, whereupon one watch was dressed in the 'eighties were so unused to footgear and became green and blue baize frocks and trousers, worn as blue obtainable from the purser and the other so footsore while trudging through miles of desert a rule with a garment not unlike a kilt. A in what >ed clothing remained, with a colour sand that they preferred to wear their boots slung certain amount of uniformity thus prevailed in scheme that can be imagined when both watches round their necks! the same ship, though much depended upon the were aloft furling sail. Again, in the "Blazer," whim of the Captain and the individual fancies in 1845, the men wore blue and white striped Admiralty Committees have sat from time to of the men. jerseys and short blue jackets, while the captain time to consider the uniform of the seamen. Utilitarian innovations have been made from Towards the end of the eighteenth century the of the brig "Harlequin" dressed his boat's crew time to time, such as the institution of tropical sailor's dress often consisted of a short blue jacket, as harlequins, which at any rate, was distinctive. white shorts and open-necked shirts, and, more lined with white and decorated with many but- Another captain of the same period had his recently still, a new working dress consisting of tons, and with narrow strips of white tape ot sailors in red shirts and fancy caps. None of a lightish blue shirt and trousers of darker blue canvas outside the seams to reinforce the sewing. these whimsicalities, however, was quite so note- denim to replace the unsightly overalls. But in The waistcoat might be scarlet or buff, and the worthy as that of Captain Hon. William Mon- its main essentials the uniform of our sailors, check shirt beneath it red and blue, or blue and tague, well known for eccentricity, who in a unlike that of the soldiers, has not changed for white. The neckerchief was black or brightly night affray at Lisbon in the middle of the v i — about a century, and is the direct outcome of coloured, while the trousers might be white, blue eighteenth century received a black eye. Before / y I \ \ \ garmcn's gradually evolved by the sailors them- or striped. The rig was completed by buckled going ashore the next day he caused his boat's / I \ \ \ selves long before hard-and-fast regulations on the black shoes, and a hat of tarred canvas or straw crew to blacken their eyes with burnt cork—those subject came into being. with the name of the ship painted on the ribbon. pulling the starboard oars their right eyes, those I 52 53 FOSTERJS,

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54 Yltwal p&/LdjmaUiisL& H. STOREY ENGINEERING CO. No. S MARINE AND GENERAL REPAIRS Commodore John Malet Armstrong, D.S.O. V^A • BOILERMAKERS :: BLACKSMITHS Commodore Armstrong was born in Sydney, N.S.W. on 5th January, 1900. He was OXY-ACETYLENE AND ELECTRIC WELDING IN ALL BRANCHES educated at All Saints College, Bathurst, and Sydney Grammar School. Entered the Royal Australian Naval College at Geelong in 1914 with the second term of cadet midshipmen ahd saw service in World War One, with the Grand Fleet. SUSSEX LANE. SYDNEY Promotions: Midshipman 1/1/1918 Lieutenant-Commander 15/3/1929 Sub -Lieutenant 1/9/1919 Commander 30/6/1935 PHONE: B 5866 Lieutenant .. ,. 15/3/1021 Captain 31/12/1942 The Commodore specialised in gunnery as a Lieutenant and did 2 courses with the Royal Navy during the years 1922 to 1925. From 1925 to 1927 Commodore Armstrong (then Lieutenant) was instructor in Gunnery at Flinders Naval Depot, Victoria. From 1928 to 1930 on Exchange duty with the Royal Navy. 1930 to 1932 was spent in H.M.A.S. "AUSTRALIA" as Squadron Gunnery Officer, and his next appointment until 1935 was in charge of the Gunnery School at Flinders. From 1937 to 1938 he was in command of the Destroyer H.M.S. "BROKE." DRY CLEANING CO. PTY. LTD. When war broke out in 1939 he was serving in H.M.A.S. "AUSTRALIA" and remained in this cruiser until March 1942. During this period "AUSTRALIA" saw consideradle ac- LYKE-NU tion with enemy ships and aircraft, whilst during the blitzes in Christmas 1940 on Liverpool the 575-77 PARRAMATTA ROAD, "AUSTRALIA" had several narrow escapes, when in dock. LEICHHARDT. - - "Phon* LM4724 In 1942 "AUSTRALIA" was part of the heavy cruiser escort which took the first big 70 Snbnrban Branch** convoy of troops to Port Moresby. In the Commodore (then Commander) left "AUSTRALIA" and assumed and Depots AND command of H.M.A.S. "MANOORA" which then was operating as an armed merchant cruiser, and in October of the same year left "MANOORA" for H.M.A.S. "WESTRALIA" a MENTMORE AVENUE, ROSEBERY Landing Ship (Infantry). At the end of 1942, with the rank of Captain, he was appointed Naval Officer- in- 'Ption* MU 2471 Charge, New Guinea, an appointment he held until October, 1944. when he was appointed Commanding Officer of H.M.A.S. "AUSTRALIA" and Chief Staff Officer to the Commodore Commanding the Australian Squadron. In January, 1945, "AUSTRALIA" was again the victim of suicide attacks in Lingayen Gulf and for his gallantry Captain Armstrong was awarded the D.S.O and the U.S. Navy Cross. As a result of this action "AUSTRALIA" was sent to Eneland for repairs, and Captain Armstrong was appointed to command the escort carrier "RULER" and later H.M.S. "VINDEX," another carrier. MAYFAIR DISTRIBUTING PTY. LTD. He returned to Australia in April, 1946. He was appointed as Second Naval Member to the Naval Board, with the rank of Commodore (Second Class), an appointment he still • Distributors of the famous ... holds. He was mentioned in Despatches, Tune, 1941, whilst in "AUSTRALIA" "for outstand- MAYFAIR CANNED HAMS. PICNIC HAMS. CANNED ing zeal, patience and cheerfulness, and for never failing to set an example of whole hearted devotion to duty." LOAF, and other Pork Delicacies. Awarded D.S.O. in April, 1945 "for gallantrv. skill and devotion to duty whilst serving Manufactured by . . . in H.M.A.S. "AUSTRALIA" in the successful assault operations in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon Island." INTECOLONIAL PACKERS PTY. LTD. Awarded the United States Navy Cross "for distinguishing himself conspicuously bv callmtry and intrepidity in action as Commanding Officer of H.M.A.S. "AUSTRALIA" Stat* Abattoir*, Homebuch during the capture of Lingayen Gulf and the landing of Luzon, Philippine Islands in Janu- and B*ndigo, Victoria ary, 1945." Commodore Armstrong is a family man, and is keenly interested in sport.

56 57 • OvQJlMOA Tl&WA '

The Future of the Battleship

With the Service Hstimates (England) coming respective Admiralties. They would have provided on, some interest has been roused by an article more bombers instead, land-based ot carrier-borne in the "Daily Telegraph", 21/1/47, from Lieuten- —or monitors perhaps—which would have done ant-General H. G. Martin. Foreseeing that the the job much more cheaply." Services would be faced with the necessity to cut their estimates, he wrote: "From time immemorial, General Martin was answered two days later, in this matter of estimates, the Services have fol- on 23/1/47, by Captain E. Altham, R.N., Sec- lowed what has been well called the balloon prin- retary of the R.U.S.I., in a letter to the Editor of ciple'. For example, the Royal Navy to-day has, the "Daily Telegraph": let us say, X battleships, Y cruisers, Z destroyers "Your Military Correspondent, Lt.-Gen. H. G. in commission. It has been told to reduce. After Martin, in his article forecasting big changes in the process it will find itself with x battle ships, y Service estimates, suggests that the Navy's bal- cruisers, and so on. Nothing could be fairer. Or loon' might be appreciably deflated by the elim- could it? ination of battleships. In support of this con- tention he asserts that the BISMARCK' wis "When did a British battle-line of capital ships crippled by air power, and that the United States last engage? Not since Jutland—and then the en- Navy won all its fleet engagements over the Jap- gagement happened by the purest chance. In the anese by means of air power alone.' late war it was by air-power that the BISMARCK' was crippled; the TIRPITZ' was sunk by it. "The experience of the last war is not necessarily Similarly, the United States Navy won all its fleet a sound guide for insurance against the next, but LET engagements over the Japanese by means of air- if it is to be invoked the facts should be stated power alone. fully and correctly. "So long as the Japanese had a fleet in being, so "It is true that the "BISMARCK was severely LLOYD'S long, no doubt, had the Allies good reason to sup- damaged by aircraft, but they were flown from port their carriers by fast battleships. Now, how- carriers operating under cover of battleships. TAKE THE ever, that justification has gone. Now there is no Despite her injuries, she was able to put up a opposing battle-line left on the Seven Seas—for the stiff fight in a gunnery duel with the RODNEY' Royal Navy cannot propose to engage that of the and KING GEORGE V' the next day until she United States Navy. Yet, in face of these facts, was so battered by the battleships' guns that she RISK... has the Royal Navy ever asked itself the question: could be torpedoed at close range to avoid further Is the battleship really necessary? It does not seem expenditure of ammunition. There ia always the risk of mishap. to. "General Martin omits to note that aircraft played no part when the SCHARNHORST' was Bat yon can aave yourself the ex- "True, apart from fleet engagements, battleships reduced to a sinking condition by the guns of the proved immensely useful in the late war when used DUKE OF YORK'. Yet this was another ex- pense of coatly repairs and replace- as mobile gun platforms for bombardment pur- ample of the vital part played by the Home Fleet poses. I suggest, however, that the Allies were ments by taking out a LLOYD'S battleships in countering German capital ships try- glad to use them thus because they already had ing to run amok In the Atlantic and Arctic. With- them. They would not have spent millions on Marine Policy, through— out them the whole system of convoys would have building these battleships and locked up untold collapsed, and our sea-borne supplies been at the manpower in them for bombardment purposes mercy of those powerful raiders. alone. "The aircraft which operated so successfully EDWARD LUMLEY & SONS PTY. LTD. "At least, they would not have done so if they against the Japanese fleet were mainly carrier- (Formerly BENNIE S. COHEN & SON PTY. LTD.) had had a 'unifying influence' at work on their borne, and we have it on no less authority than (MS George s«r~. and 9-11 Martin PIa«, SYDNEY, and SS Wat. Street, NEWCASTLE The oldest and largest Broken in Australasia effecting insurances at 59 L L O Y D'S OF LONDON 58 the second day of our strike, at a time, unfortun- ately, when she had planes on deck ready to take that of Admiral Spruance, the United States Com- off. She lay there disabled and we could see fires mander-in-Chief, who fought the most successful and explosions until about four o'clock in the Do you see Little Betty ? IT MUST BE GOOD of these naval air anions, that the carriers could afternoon when they managed to get the fires under not have done without the fast battleships in sup- control. A cruiser took her in tow and, although No ... / see a talented port. 'Battleships and carriers are complementary we were only sixty miles from the Japanese coast, young Musician IF ITS PACKED IN . . . to each other,' he said in his lecture to the Royal because we had plenty of battleships with their big United Service Institution as recently as October. guns, nobody came out to bother us.

"But it was battleships, and not air power' in "Again, this war was fought in the tropics where any form, which saved the situation at a vital you get good flying weather except for the ty- moment in the Pacific campaign. A Japanese battle phoons; but if you get fighting farther North, squadron, in the course of the , where there is a lot of thick weather, your carrier penetrated the Surigao Straits, and on the night of is not going to be effective unless we get some Oct. 25-26, 1944, was almost within striking dis- method of operating the take-off and landing in tance of the thousands of troops disembarking in the fog. That is where the battleship plays an the Philippines and of the tankers with practically extremely important role, because a big gun with all the fuel the Americans had concentrated in the radar control is an effective weapon in poor visi- whole Central and South Pacific. It was the United bility. I think battleships and carriers are com- States battleships in support of other surface craft plementary to each other." which routed the enemy and prevented dire dis- aster. Aircraft were unable to take any part in —(R.U.S.I. Journal, November, 1946.) that night engagement. Perhaps the last word may be left to another "The battleship of to-day may not be the battle- American, Admiral Nimitz, U.S. Chief of Naval ship of to-morrow; indeed, the Americans have Operations, writing in the November, 1946, issue made known that they are already adapting two of "SEA POWER", the magazine published by the She thrills with Hit ma«ic of theit uncompleted capital ships to mount rocket Navy League of the United States. of her music... thousands acclaim her tubes firing guided missiles instead of their "To think of the Navy only in terms of battle- equally lor her lovely smile...a smile original heavy gun armament. Four British battle- ships is not the weakness of admirals. It is the that owes much to the IHolong us* ships of the 1938-9 programme were cancelled be- ignorance of people who know nothing of sea of fore the end of the war. There are now only power. The Navy is not battleships, submarines, Alreedy they're taying Betty it a born musician... two battleships in full commission, one of which is PT boats, or airplanes. The Navy is an organiza- forever humming little melodies . . . flashing white the VANGUARD'. tion of men and women, using whatever instru- teeth in a quiet smile at Mother's praise ... a ments are most adaptable to the solving of smile that teds of adequate dental care and the "It is safe to say that no more will be built problems. That's all." until there has been full investigation of the func- regular use of I pane. tions and design of the capital ship of the future. This childhood care will spare Betty the embarrail- Meanwhile, we are not at a stage when we can ment of ugly tooth in years to come, for itatiftics say, 'Scrap the lot,' for in this, as in other vital Panama as a Sea Power reveal that only one person in five receives proper matters affecting our sure shield, it is well to re- tooth attention. The position of Panama as a shipowning country verse the old adage and be quite certain that we You, too, can have white, mora healthy tooth. Start are well on with the new love before we are off is beginning to cause a certain amount of disquiet. the habit to^Jay. Gat a tube of Ipana. with the old." On the 15/1/47 the "Shipping World", in its quality which nltdi no concoainiont. Rtmtinbff. Annual Review, published several short apprecia- According to a National Survey three too, that glast-pacled good* offer extra value, The remark of Admiral Spruance quoted by Cap- tions of the shipping outlook, some signed and oat of four dentists personally use because every glass container it re usable . . . others unsigned, from a number of shipowners. tain Altham was made in reply to a question: Do Let their choice be year guide. gUu doa* not end at garbage, it goes on giving you think there is any future for the battleship? One of the unsigned contributions referred to the service. Sao what you buy and bo sure you are His answer was as follows: "I most certainly do. existing licence restrictions on shipping and the buying the best by always asking for goods in I am not one of those people who believe that the refusal from time to time of licences to British glaaa—the one form of pedung which it TRANS* battleship is obsolete. They can be used very ef- vessels. The writer continued: "This has also en- PAWENTLY honoitl fectively in my opinion. The old battleships were abled some vessels, chiefly under the Panamanian used for the purpose of bombardment because they Flag, which are not subject to licence and therefore free to trade anywhere, to take advantage of the AUSTRALIAN GLASS MPRS. CO. did not have the speed to operate with the fast TOOTH PASTE carriers. The carrier people were very glad to market, thus obtaining better rates to the detri- PTY. LTD. have with them the new fast battleships. ment of British owners." In commenting on this the author was echoing anxiety already expressed 41MIB SKNCSR SI, MELBOURNE. Ph.: FtlOl "I remember when the 'FRANKLIN' was hit off Japan at about seven o'clock in the morning of 100

60 in the United States. On 1/1/47 the "Shipping The point made by the American writer quoted World" quoted "an American writer" as saying above, regarding international agreements, is of that Panama "may yet be a Sea Power to be reck- importance when it is remembered that the conven- CHRONOLOGY OF NAVAL EVENTS oned with" since the shipping policy of the United tions negotiated at the Maritime Conference at States Government may lead to further transfers to Seattle were intended by their authors to lay down Featuring Australia's Contribution that flag. He recalled that this stratagem "dates standards for the merchant navies of the world. from the days of the Neutrality ACT, when Ameri- Mr. Jarman, general secretary of the National (Continued from last issue.) can ships were forbidden to enter the war zones. Union of Seamen, wrote of them in this sense in Today the red and blue stars of Panama free the a contribution to the same Annual Review of the 1944 shipowner from the exacting navigation and safety "Shipping World" and added: "The Conventions Jan. 2 Landing at Saidor, H.M.A.S. "ARUNTA" and "WARRAMUNGA" in covering force. requirements of other countries and from the neces- now must be considered for ratification by the Brit- Feb. 29 Landing at Admiralty Islands, H.M.A.S. "SHROPSHIRE" and "WARRAMUNGA" included sity of bargaining with any union. In shipping, ish and other Gcvernments. . . . Countries are not in these operations. Panama provides a foreign replica of Delaware, under an obligation to ratify—no country has yet that small state which, by virtue of the leniency expressed a willingness to allow an international Mar. 4-7 Bombardment of Hauwei Island, Admiralty Group included H.M.A.S. "SHROPSHIRE " and of its corporation law, became the home of many of authority to write its legislation. But if a country WARRAMUNGA". the mightiest business enterprises in the United freely ratified a Convention, it is then obliged to 14 H.M.A.S. "SHEPPARTON" assists at landing at Talasea. States." According to the latest figures of ships implement its provisions and to advise the I.L.O. Apl. 19 Attack on Sabang, H.M.A.S. "NAPIER ", "NEPAL", " NIZAM ", "QUIBERON" and of 1,000 tons gross and over issued by the U.S. how this has been done." The "Shipping World" "QUICKMATCH" participate. Maritime Commission, 164 vessels totalling commented on this the following week (22/1/47) 868,855 tons gross were on the register of Panama that "the immediate question is: Will these new 22 U.S. Landings at Tanamerah Bay, Humboldt Bay, Aitape Area. H.M.A.S. "AUSTRALIA", on June 30 last, as compared with 130 of 719,041 standards be accepted by all the nations interested "SHROPSHIRE", ARUNTA", "WARRAMUNGA", "WESTRALIA", "MANOORA" tons gross before the war. Consequently, this Re- in shipping and will such acceptance be loyally and "KANIMBLA" take part with preliminary surveys by H.M.A.S. "MORESBY", " BEN- public, which is represented at no international translated into action?' " ALLA", "SHEPPARTON", "CAPE LEEUWIN" and " POLARIS". maritime conferences, now ranks above Denmark 25 Australians capture Madang. H.M.A.S. "VENDETTA" and "BUNDAlJERG" present. and Greece as a Sea Power. The current practice While the question is obviously of importance May 17 Australian Landing at Wakde included H.M.A.S. "AUSTRALIA ", " ARUNTA", "SHROP- of ignoring Panama as an expanding Sea Power to British shipowners, it should be noted that Mr. suggests possible trouble in the future." SHIRE", WARRAMUNGA" and "MANOORA". Basil Sanderson, Chairman of the Shipping Fed- „ 17 Allied carrier attack on Soutabaya. H.M.A.S. "NAPIER ", "NEPAL , QUIBERON", It is perhaps worth bearing in mind that the eration, wrote in his contribution to the "Shipping "QUICKMATCH" present. "DROTTNINGHOLM", now transferred to a World" Annual Review: "It should also be stated ,,13-28 Bombardment of Karkar Island Area by Allied Forcc including H.M.A.S. "STAWELL", joint Swedish-Italian company, is to be registered quite clearly that when it comes to securing sea- in Panama; and on 29/1/47 the "Shipping World" BARCOO", "KAPUNDA" and "FAIRMILES". going personnel for their ships, British shipowners announced that a Swedish Trans subsidiary, formed ,. 27 Landings at Biak. H.M.A.S. SHROPSHIRE , AUSTRALIA , " WARRAMUNGA" and are necessarily much more concerned with British to run a regular service between North American ARUNTA" assisted. Pacific ports and Ecuador and Colombia, had its shore industries than with conditions of employ- 28 H.M.A.S. "GOULBURN" and "GYMPIE" assist cover Army occupation of Bunabun Har- headquarters at Panama. ment on ships flying foreign flags." bour. June 8 Running action between Allied ships ana Japanese destroyers. H.M.A.S. "AUSTRALIA", "ARUNTA" and "WARRAMUNGA" included in action. July 2 U.S. Landings at Noemfoor Is. Preliminary bombardment Force included H.M.A.S. "AUS- TRALIA", "ARUNTA" and "WARRAMUNGA". „ 30 Landing Cape Sansafor area included H.M.A.S. "SHROPSHIRE" and "ARUNTA". Aug. 12 Bombardment southerly end of Wide Bay, New Britain by H.M.A.S. "SWAN". PORT LINE Sept. 15 Assault Landing by Allied troops Morotai. Force included H.M.A.S. "AUSTRALIA", "SHROPSHIRE", "WARRAMUNGA", "ARUNTA", "KANIMBLA" and "MANOORA". Oct. 18 H.M.A.S. "GEELONG" lost in collision. LTD. „ 20 Allied assault landing and bombardment of Leyte. H.M.A. Ships included were "AUS- TRALIA", "SHROPSHIRE", "WARRAMUNGA", "MANOORA", "ARUNTA", "KAN- IMBLA". H.M.A.S. "AUSTRALIA" suffered damage and casualties. • „ 25 Bombardment of Suriago Strait by H.M.A.S. "SHROPSHIRE" and "ARUNTA". Nov. 4 A.I.F. Landing at Jacquinot Bay assisted by H.M.A.S. "SWAN", "BARCOO" and "VEN- 1 BENT STREET, SYDNEY DETTA". 6 Bombardment Wide Bay Area by H.M.A.S. "SWAN", "BARCOO" and "VENDETTA". 19 Bombardment Halmahera Island by H.M.A.S. "BURDEKIN". Dec. 14 H.M.A.S. "NAPIER" and "NEPAL" bombard Burma Coast to cover Troop movements. 62 6} „ 30 Bombardment Galela Bay Area by H.M.A.S. "COOTAMUNDRA ". Cockatoo Docks & 1945. CiOB£X Engineering Co. Pty. Jan. 3 Occupation of Akyab Island. H.M.A.S. "NAPIER" and "NEPAL" present. „ 3-6 Bombardment of Lingayen Gulf. H.M.A.S. "SHROPSHIRE", "ARUNTA", "WARRA- Biif EXTRACT Ltd. MUNGA", "AUSTRALIA", "MANOORA", "KANIMBLA", "WESTRALIA", survey Contractors to . . . ships, and of R.A.N, take part. H.M.A.S. "AUSTRALIA" damaged by air- For appetising flavour, strength-building nourish- craft, 5th Jan., 1945. H.M. AUSTRALIAN NAVY ment and economy in usa . . . you can't beat 9 H.M.A.S. "VENDETTA" bombards Danmap River (Aitape Area). GLOBEX. It contains the full strength and con- cantrated essence of the primast baaf and it is Ship-builders, Marino & Engineers 21 H.M.A.S. "NAPIER" with 7th Destroyer. Flotilla takes part in engagement off Burma Coast. mad a in a second. General Feb. 16 Corregidor Landing in which H.M.A.S. "SHROPSHIRE", "ARUNTA", and "WARRA- Try it for soups, gravias, nourishing baaf tea, MUNGA" assist U.S. Forces. and it makes raally delicious sandwiches . . . Inquiries invited but spread it thinly. COCKATOO ISLAND „ 25 Bombardment of Wewak-Aitape Area by H.M.A.S. "SWAN". Mar. 9-17 Bombardment of Open Bay Area, H.M.A.S. "SWAN". SYDNEY OBTAINABLE PROM ALL CHEMISTS AND STORES „ 26 Bombardment of Cebu Island. H.M.A.S. "HOBART" and "WARRAMUNGA". Phone : W 1941 (10 linet) I, 2, 4 and t ol jars or 4 aad I ox. containers May 1 Landing on Tarakan. H.M.A.S. "WARRAMUNGA", "WESTRALIA", "LACHLAN", "BARCOO", "HAWKESBURY", "BURDEKIN", "MANOORA assist U.S. Forces. 1 Landing on Ryukuy Islands, H.M.A. Ships present included— QUIBERON", QUICKMATCH", "NEPAL", "NORMAN", "NIZAM". 2 Bombardment of Wewak Area by H.M.A.S. "SWAN", COLAC", "DUBBO". 4ARONS BIRT & COMPANY 10 Landing at Wewak assisted by H.M.A.S. "HOBART", "ARUNTA", "WARRAMUNGA", "SWAN", "COLAC", "DUBBO". EXCHANGE HOTEL (PTY.) LIMITED 15 Bombardment of Cape Boram, N. of Wewak Point, by H.M.A.S. "SWAN", "BUNBURY" 4 BRIDGE STREET. SYDNEY. N.S.W and 3 M.L's. i 1 GRESHAM STREET, SYDNEY P.O. SOX SMB.. 6.P.O. 20 Bombardment East Coast of Buka by H.M.A.S. "KIAMA". „ 26 H.M.A.S. "SWAN" bombards Banahitan and Passam villages from Boram Harbour. June 10 Landing at Brunei Bay. H.M.A.S. "HOBART", "ARUNTA", "MANOORA", "WES- Only the Best Brandt Stocked TRALIA", "KANIMBLA", "LACHLAN", "BARCOO", "HAWKESBURY" take part in operation. Dining Room Unsurpassed 44 EifU StrMt. Brisbane; Musgr.r. C.ld S*.rM, 20 H.M.A.S. "ARUNTA" helps land troops in Miri-Lutong Area. Stanley StrMt. South Bri.b.n. AARONS EXCHANGE HOTEL 20 Bombardment Bougainville Area by H.M.A.S. "DUBBO", "LITHGOW" and "KIAMA". SHIPPING AND GENERAL AGENTS July 1 Balikpapan Landing. H.M.A.S. "SHROPSHIRE", "HOBART", "ARUNTA", "MANOORA", "WESTRALIA", "KANIMBLA", "GASCOYNE" and "WARREGO" present. 7 H.M.A.S. "DIAMANTINA" bombards Sohana Islands, Torokina Area. „ 17 H.M.A.S. "QUIBERON" and "QUICKMATCH" in action with B.P.F. in air strikes against Japan. H.M.A.S. "NAPIER", "NIZAM", "NORMAN" and "NEPAL" assist in fuelling and AUSTRAL RRONZE COMPANY general service. PTY. LIMITED Aug. 15 Japanese Surrender. ErtabRahed 1914 18 Surrender at Bougainville signed in H.M.A,S. "LITHGOW". Hud OOe. and Wort.: O'Riordan Street, Alexandria, Sydney „ 28 Ships enter Tokyo Bay. H.M.A.S. "NAPIER" and "NIZAM" join U.S. Task Force 38.4. MANUFACTURERS OF: „ 30 Ships enter Hong Kong Harbour, H.M.A.S. "BATHURST", "WAGGA", "CASTLEMAINE", Coppar Rods and Ban; Busbars tor Electrical Wort: "MILDURA", "FREMANTLE" and "BROOME" present. M.ng.n.s. Bronx. Rodi: Bart and Ingots: Extrude Bran. Architectural Bronx., Muntx's Matal and Coppor Sept. 1 H.M.A.S. "SHROPSHIRE", "HOBART", "BATAAN" and "WARRAMUNGA" move into in Round. Square, Haxagon and Special Section,: Tokyo Bay. Copper Plat., and Rolled Copper Anode*. Aluminium Bronxe Rods and Bart. Coppar. Brass, Gilding Metal. 2 Japanese sign surrender in U.S.S. MISSOURI", H.M.A.S. "SHROPSHIRE", "HOBART", Phosphor Bronxe and Nickel Silver In Sheets end Strip. "WARRAMUNGA", "BATAAN", "IPSWICH", "CESSNOCK" and "BALLARAT" among Meats Metel aad Naval Brau Condenser Mate. ships present. Sheets end SheatWeg 6 Surrender at Rabaul signed in H.M.S. "GLORY". H.M.A.S. ships in that area included "VEN- Manufacturers of (under Licence) Stone's Manganese Broases for MeHae Cr.M Prop.ll.rs DETTA", "TOWNSVILLE", "KIAMA", "DUBBO" and "LITHGOW". Branch Office: 9 Surrender at Balikpapan. H.M.A.S. "GASCOYNE", "BURDEKIN" and "INVERELL" 101-103 KING STREET, MELBOURNE present. (To be continued) 100 65 CHAPTER III ^=AGINIANS= The Royal Australian Navy Between —; MM aft MMM L GIFT SHOP Two Wars \W\am (Continued from last issue.) 1 1SUPERFin E I CONVOY DUTIES. dustrial centres with the battle front. The fact 85 Castltrtaqk St. The development, first of Japan's and later of that there were no enemy submarine attacks in Aus- BtfTTEB J the ' offensive in the South West tralian coastal waters between June 1943 and Sydney Pacific placed a dual task upon Australia's Navy. December 1944 is an illustration of the develop- On the one hand, Australian ships, with those of ment of the Australian Navy's anti-submarine Britain and America, had to play their part in work, and of the collaboration of the Royal Aus- e BETTER BUTTER . . . tralian Air Force. BETTER BUY IT maintaining the long lines of communication be- tween Australia and her Allies, and in the Task Just as Japan's failure to maintain her sea com- AGIN1ANS Force operations for the recapture of strategic munications was a strong factor in the turn of the islands. On the other hand, Australia's own tide of war in the Pacific, so the maintenance of 12,000 mile coastline and the sea supply lines to the sea lanes from Australia to the scene of the Darwin, Torres Straits, New Guinea and Papua fighting was a vital contribution to the achievement had to be patrolled. When ships of die of the Australian and American land and air forces. If the first of these tasks had been the more spec- It was a task which did not diminish as the spear* tacular, the second was none the less vital; and, heads of the Allied attack continued to advance. Navy "heave to" at least in its earlier stages, equally as difficult. Before United States surface units reached the New TASK FORCE WORK: this rope MENZIES Guinea area, the R.A.N, carried on surface escort The Hotel of Distinction work in these waters unaided. While this work was in progress, larger units of the Royal Australian Navy had been assigned to holds fast! That deep sense of comfort which you In January 1942, H.M.A. Ships escorted the first the Task Forces operating under the general con- experience with the really good things of large-scale reinforcements, with supplies, to Papua. trol of the (U.S.) Commander of Allied Naval life is always found at Menzies. You could They also escorted A.I.F. transports to such points Forces, South West Pacific Area. wish for nothing more in hotel service, as Dutch Timor and Ambon. facilities, and really personal attention. . . . Menzies. Melbourne's best-known hotel, The establishment of an advanced operational Apart from the unending duty of policing the gives continuously of its best. base at Milne Bay was the key-stone of the move- trans-ocean routes within the area, these ships took Telegraphic Address: Menzotel, Melbourne ment to drive the Japanese from the northern part in practically every one of the series of am- shores of New Guinea. From Milne Bay the phibious operations which marked the steady driv- smaller units of the R.A.N., particularly the Aus- ing back of the Japanese in the South-West Pacific tralian Minesweeping Vessels, carried the Allied and the re-occupation of strategic pointf by the advance to Forlock Harbour, Oro Bay and Buna— Allies. In many instances, the Task Force was frequently in the face of enemy air attacks. under the command of a Royal Navy Flag Officer, on loan to the Royal Australian Navy, and flying The tanks and artillery which set the seal of suc- his flag in the Australian flagship. Until June 1942, H. PEEL & SONS cess on that phase of the Allied campaign were the officer concerned was Rear-Admiral J. G. Crace, PAUL & GRAY LTD. carried in Australian and Dutch merchant ships, C.B., who was then succeeded by Rear-Admira! Purveyors of Fresh and Smolred fish escorted by A.M.S. Vessels. The small warships V. A. C. Crutchley, V.C., D.S.C. In June 1944 SHIP CHANDLERS themselves carried from Milne Bay the troops who Rear-Admiral Crutchley was succeeded by Commo- made the flank attack at Cape Endaiadere. Shipping Providores dore J. A. Collins, C.B. Commodore Collins is the Much of the success of that north coast drive was first graduate of the Royal Australian Naval Col- due to the work of the R.A.N, survey ships, which, lege to become a Commodore First Class, and the working ahead of the advancing forces, charted first graduate of the College to command H.M.A. their way through -studded waters. 82 Seisex Street, Sydaey 239 HARRIS STREET PYRMONT Squadron. Commodore Collins was seriously in- Meanwhile, the wisdom of convoying on the jured during October 1944 in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, when his Flagship, H.M.A.S. "Australia", "PHONE: BX 2121 Phones: MW 1603, FX 5011 eastern coast of the Australian mainland itself had been emphasised by sporadic visits by Japanese sub- was repeatedly attacked by Japanese suicide marines to the route linking Australia s main in- bombers. During the six months of his convales-

66 67 cence his place as Commodore Commanding the The following is a brief summary of the actions Australian Squadron was taken by Commodore, in which R.A.N. Ships shared as units of South Ships of the Task Force supported the three Borneo landings (Tarakan, Brunei and Balikpapan) First Class H. B. Farncomb, C.B., D.S.O., M.V.O., West Pacific Task Forces. It does not include of the A.I.F. also a graduate of the R.A.N. College. operations other than U.S.-R.A.N. Task Forces:— H.M.A. Ships of all types supported Australian Army operations in the New Guinea, New Britain and Solomons areas. Date Action R.A.N. Ships Involved. 4-8/5/43 Coral Sea Battle. "Australia" and "Hobart". THE R.A.N. IN THE JAPANESE SURRENDER. 7-9/8/43 First Solomons campaign (landings "Australia", "Canberra" and "Hobart". Guadalcanal and ). 29/11/43 Gasmata bombardment. "Arunta" and 'Warramunga'. H.M.A. Ships were represented at the various Japanese surrender points as follows:— 15/12/43 Atawe. "Australia", "Shropshire", "Warramunga",. "Ar- Sept. 2 Tokyo. "Shropshire", "Hobart", "Bataan". "Warramunga", unta" and "Westralia". "Nizam", "Napier", "Ipswich", "Cessnock". "Bal- 29/12/43 Cape Gloucester. "Australia", "Shropshire", "Warramunga" and larat", "Pirie". "Arunta". Sept. 8 S. Bougainville. "Diamantina". Saidor. "Arunta" and "Warramunga". 2/1/44 Sept. 8 S. Borneo (Balikpapan). "Burdekin", "Gascoyne", "Inverell", M L. 1359. 29/2-12/3/44 Admiralty Islands. "Shropshire", "Warramunga", and "Arunta". Sept. 11 Timor. "Moresby", "Benalla", "Echuca", "Horsham", "Ka- 22/4/44 Hollandia and Tanamerah Bay. "Australia", "Shropshire", "Arunta", "Warra- toomba", "Parkes", "Kangaroo", "Bombo", M.L's munga", "Kanimbla", "Manoora" and "Wes- 1322, 1324, 1329. tralia". Sept. 14 Nauru. April 1944 Reinforcements to Madang and "Vendetta" and "Bundaberg". "Diamantina". Alexishafen. Sept. 6 Rabaul. "Vendetta", "Townsville", "Kiama", "Dubbo", "Lith- gow". Sept. 9 Kuching, Jesselton, Sandakan "Bundaberg", "Kapunda", M.L. 1343, "Black Snake", NOTE: In the general operations in Northern New Guinea during April, 1944 (above), approxi- "River Snake". A.Ms. 1629, 1499, 1983, 1985. mately 4,000 R.A.N, personnel took part. Six H.M.A. Survey Ships were prominent in the preliminary Sept. 10 Muschu Is. and Kairiru Is. M L. 805. work for the entire operations. Sept. 13 Wewak. M.L. 805. 26/5/44 and Sept. 19. Namatanai (New Ireland). "Swan". 4-9/6/44 Biak Island and Schouten Group H.M.A. Cruisers and Destroyers. Islands. "Australia", "Arunta" and ' Warramunga". 1/7/44 Noemfor Island. "Australia", "Shropshire", "Warramunga", "Ar- 100 12-25/7/44 Aitape. Support for military op- (C) SERVICE WITH THE ROYAL NAVY. erations. Bombardments, and unta". From its earliest days, the R.A.N, has re- anti-barge activity. This system was carried a step further as soon garded itself virtually as an integral part of the 30/7/44 Sansapor. "Shropshire", "Arunta". as the 1939-1945 war broke out, when the Ad- Royal Navy, seeking to build its own history on 15/9/44 Morotai. "Australia", "Shropshire", "Warramunga", "Ar- miralty accepted the Australian Naval Board's offer unta". the rich traditions and heritage of the Mother Ser- to contribute personnel on "outright loan" to the 20/10/44 Leyte Gulf. "Australia", "Shropshire", "Warramunga", "Ar- vice. A country with a population as small as Royal Navy, for service outside Australia. Under unta", "Manoora", "Westralia", "Kanimbla". Australia's could not, of itself, maintain a Navy what was termed the "Yachtsman's Scheme", volun- 25/10/44 Surigao Strait action. "Shropshire" and "Arunta". large enough completely to defend herself. Yet teers were divided into two age groups. Those the defence of the Empire in general is a direct 5-9/1/45 Lingayen Gulf, Luzon. "Australia", "Shropshire". "Warramunga", "Ar- over 30 were required to pass the navigation tests contribution to the defence of Australia's own et seq. unta", "Manoora", "Kanimbla", "Westralia" for the Yachtmaster's Certificate, and were granted and Survey group. shores; and, no matter who the enemy may be, commissions before leaving Australia. Those under those shores cannot always be most logically de- 26/2/45 Fire support and bombardment "Shropshire", "Warramunga", "Arunta". 30 reached the United Kingdom as ratings, were fended in Australian waters. Hence Australian supporting U.S. troops. trained in craft ranging from destroyers down- ships and sailors must be able to work in close "Manoora", "Kanimbla", "Westralia". wards, and then sent to a shore establishment Reinforcements for Lingayen Gulf collaboration with others. What better storehouse area. (H.M.S. "King Alfred") to complete courses foi of knowledge and experience could there be than their commissions. 10/3/45 Surveying and 'installing naviga- the Royal Navy? Sound reasoning and filial senti- "Lachlan". tional aids during landing on ment alike dictate that course. The first batch of volunteers under the "Yachts- Mindanao Island, Philippines. man's Scheme" left Australia for Britain in January 22/3/45-2/5/45 Philippines area, covering opera- "Hobart", "Warramunga", "Manoora". Thus, for many years, the Royal Australian Navy 1940, and the last group enlisted under that system tions. has followed a system whereby its permanent offi- sailed in February 1942. March 1945 Surveying and establishing naviga- "Warrego", "Lachlan", H.D.M.L. 1074 "Cape cers gain experience in the Royal Navy's big fleets, In June 1944 there were approximately 510 Aus- tional aids in Philippines at all Leeuwin". while, in exchange, a proportionate number of tralians on loan with the Royal Navy, of whom landings. Royal Navy officers bring their experience and more than 400 were members of the Royal Aus- training to units of Australia's fleet. tralian Naval Volunteer Reserve. 68 in the sinking of three German destroyers in the While every courageous man cannot be awarded Bay of Biscay. There were Australians in many a decoration, and every capable officer cannot be of the most outstanding phases of the Battle of the given command of a ship, decorations and com- Atlantic, and in many of the forays staged by You'll get that Glow from mands do form one gauge of the success of any Britain's light coastal forces against enemy convoys group of individuals. In this connection it is and E-boats. worthy of note that, of a total of 1107 decorations THE HAPPINESS SHOWI The A.C.A. These are some—but by no means all—of their and awards won by Australian Naval personnel, outstanding actions. A substantial proportion of in all theatres of war, up to 30th April, 1946, 164 the first arrivals from Australia were engaged in went to Reservists serving on loan to the Royal WALT DISNEY'S ; anti-submarine duties; but, by early 1941, training AUSTRALALASUN CATHOLIC Navy. At the head of that list stands Australia's in the use of landing craft was under way, and most highly-decorated Naval officer of this war— Australians were early on the scene. In this field, "SONG OF THE a Lieutenant-Commander, R.A.N.V.R holding the ASSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED quite a number of them gained accelerated promo- George Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross and tions, became Senior Officers of Flotillas, com- the George Medal. SOUTH" manders of individual craft, or instructors of Brit- In June 1944 the following commands were held ish, Dominion and United States personnel. Hit Greatest and by R.A.N.V.R. Officers serving with the Royal Australians commanded the first wave of tank Navy:— landing craft in the raid on Dieppe in August, Happiest Hit I One destroyer; one frigate; two corvettes; one 1942. Out in the Mediterranean, in the landings • ASSETS EXCEED £2.500.000 submarine; one fleet ; four flotillas of at Sicily, Messina, and Salerno, most of the British tank landing craft. tanks were taken to the beach-heads by Australians. So a wealth of experience, in a wide variety of This list does not take into account the con- duties, prepared the Australians for their parts in siderable number of Australians commanding indi- the Navy'- vital role in the invasion of Europe. COMING SOON vidual "little ships", such as motor torpedo boats History has shown that the most difficult phases of and various types of landing craft. any invasion movement are the passage of troops SYDNEY "MAYFAIR" THE A.C.A. The responsibilities o the commander of a and material across the water, and their transfer- flotilla or tank landing craft are much more ence from ship to hostile shore. For the Austra- for onerous than is realised outside the Service. He lians— as for all men of all Services — D-Day wave of landing craft to reach the Normandy frequently has additional officers and ratings at- represented the climax of years of arduous train- beaches, and in the subsequent waves which poured ing and still more arduous anions. SECURITY tached for trainiag; and, in addition to running in reinforcements of men and material. Australia his flotilla, he lias to maintain the closest co-opera- The fact that the Australians were serving, not was strongly represented in the flotillas of motor • tion with Army units. in groups, but as individuals scattered throughout torpedo boats and other fast craft which helped to the vast armada, means that they had representa- The four George Crosses, nine George Medals screen the convoys and to fight the long battle tives in practically every phase of the Navy's in- and three Bars to the George Medal awarded to which thwarted the attempts of enemy surface ves- vasion duties. There were Australians in the mine- R.A.N.V.R. personnel serving with the Royal Navy sels to penetrate the .'nvasion area. sweepers whose long task commenced nearly 24 Those who were in United Kingdom waters, and A.C.A. POLICIES were won by officers engaged in rendering safe the hours before the first landings; in the cruisers and bombs and mines which were dropped by the others who earlier returned to Australia, gained destroyers which bombarded the enemy shores or wide experience in the implementing of that Sea or* enemy on the crowded cities and busy waterways escorted convoys across the Channel; in the first of Britain. Power which paved the way to final victory. (Continued on next page) GOOD POLICIES Their compatriots afloat were scattered through- out the fleets, their work extending from patrols • in United Kingdom waters to the blockade of the European coast, from the Murmansk convoy run and the Battle of the Atlantic to the Allied land- DA VIES COOP & CO. LTD. ings in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. Many of them went to motor torpedo boats and similar light 625 SWANSTON ST. D. J. MOOMEY, Managing Director craft, while others were drafted to battleships, air- craft carriers, cruisers and destroyers. Some volun- MELBOURNE Call, wrff* or ring: 1X21*5 teered for the Submarine Service; two R.A.N.V.R. officers held submarine commands. Manufacturers of . . , A.C.A. BUILDING There were few naval engagements, great or Drills for Uniforms for Naval Services, Tenting, Rax Canvas small, in which Australians did not participate. for the Navy, Fire Hose for the Navy, "EXACTO" Underwear 66 KING ST. SYDNEY For instance, they were represented in the cam- for Naval Services. paigns in Norway, Greece, and Crete; in the two attacks on the German battle cruiser "Scharnhorst",

100 70 With Eastern Fleet and C.-in-C. Levant. of these were in the cosmopolitan force which, on Meanwhile, another section of the Royal Aus- 17th May, appeared off the southern coast of Java tralian Navy was doing sterling work far from to screen aircraft carriers for the successful bomber Australian waters. The Australian ship-building attack on the Japanese-held Naval base at Soura- programme (dealt with in Chapter II below) in- baya. cluded twenty Australian minesweeping vessels built for the Royal Navy. H.M.A. Ships with the British Pacific Fleet. During the last year of the war, six destroyers Eight of these, manned by Australians, were (H.M.A.S. "NAPIER", "NIZAM", "NORMAN ", temporarily attached to the Commander-in-Chief "NEPAL", QUICKMATCH" and "QUI- of the Levant during that phase of the Mediter- BERON") and 18 Corvettes (the 21st and 22nd ranean campaign which culminated in the Allied Minesweeping Flotillas) were attached to the occupation of Sicily. British Pacific Fleet; these ships, and the 3,000 The ships involved were: H.M.A.S. 'CAIRNS', personnel involved, were additional to the Aus- "CESSNOCK", 'GAWLER , GERALDTON , tralian warships and men serving under American " IPSWICH ", "LISMORE", 'MARYBOROUGH , operational tontrol in the South-West Pacific area. and "WOLLONGONG". They served in close All the shins formed part of the Task Units, British collaboration with the Royal Navy in convoying Pacific Fleet, and were engaged in the Fleet Train transports and landing craft, and in general patrol or on screening duties for carrier-borne operations duties, as well as in providing anti-submarine against the Japanese mainland. After the sur- screens for the Sicilian campaign. render of Japan the 21st and 22nd Minesweeping In April 1944, although the Royal Australian Flotillas, together with the Corvettes H.M.A.S. Navy was heavily involved in the fighting in the "BATHURST", "MILDURA ", CASTLE- South West Pacific, it also was well represented in MAINE", "BROOME", "STAWELL", "FRE the Royal Navy's Eastern Fleet, which included 19 MANTLE", "STRAHAN" and "WAGGA", were ships—modern destroyers and Australian mine- engaged in minesweeping activities at Hong Kong sweeping vessels—manned by Australians. Some and elsewhere off the China Coast. (To be continued)

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72 Why Sea Cadet Training At All ? F. W. HUGHES (JB.) (Continued from last Issue) PTY. LTD. Social affairs relate to society, the organised should, rather let me quote Joseph Conrad, the il- groupings of mankind, the relations, inter-rela- lustrious Pole who himself served as an officer in tions and activities of men within this framework. a British merchant ship when the age of hemp and WOOLLEN MILLS Societies of the highest type demand from the indi- canvas was at its last glorious height: viduals comprising them a degree of character de- "The British Navy may well ha\e ceased to count velopment of an equally high order. That much its victories. It is rich beyond the wildest dreams is axiomatic. What is equally axiomatic, but tends of success and fame. It may well, rather, on a to be overlooked today, is the fact that the highly culminating day of its history, cast about for the BOTANY AND ALEXANDRIA complex Western society in which we live is not memory of some reverses to appease the jealous altogether self-sustaining. It can only proceed but • fates which attend the prosperity and triumphs of a short way from its own inertia. To maintain a nation. It holds, indeed, the heaviest inheritance way on this vessel it must receive a constant intake that has ever been entrusted to the courage and of men and women of the correct type. A less fidelity of armed men. 30 Grosvenor Street highly developed type would bring about a less highly developed form of society. "It is too great for mere pride. It should make the seamen of today humble in the secret of their Sydney And what is the value of Sea Cadet Training as hearts and indomitable in their unspoken resolu- a character-building agency? Well, once more we tion. In all the records of history there has never Telephone: 8 7224 are brought to the conclusion that it is as good as been a time when a victorious fortune has been so the officers make it. If, as we must endeavour to faithful to men making war upon the sea. And bring about, all the training possible is conducted it must be confessed that on their part they knew afloat, the sea herself is an excellent if sometimes how to be faithful to their victorious fortune. They ruthless mistress. The everchanging face of the were exalted. They were always watching for her sea is no mere figure of speech. From the character smile; night or day, fair weather or foul, they of the sea arise the many qualities we look for in waited her slightest sign with the offering of their the seaman. These qualities are alertness, foresight stout hearts in their hands."' and courage, from which arise initiative and the Finally, we come to Sea Cadet Training as a ability to think for oneself. The good seaman factor in education. Education, as we know, is N.S.W. TROTTING never stands passively about waiting for orders. preparation for life, but the word is, unfortunately, ANGUS & ROBERTSON He sees the seamanlike thing to do and does it. being increasingly employed to denote education in It is not the first time prompt individual action has CLUB its narrower sense, that of academic scholarship. It saved situations or averted disaster. The seaman is no exaggeration to say that this tendency is must always be alert, especially when at sea in a LTD. dangerous and is to be deplored. It is unfair to small vessel. When he is caught off his guard the the schoolmaster, the country, the boy. Happily sea does not scruple to take advantage of his Greyhound Racing at this is another situation wherein the far-sighted weakness. e BOOKSELLERS Sea Cadet Officer can render commendable service HAROLD PARK As has been said, these admirable qualities the to the community. The wise parent, broadminded e PUBLISHERS (GLEBE) sea develops in a man are particularly called for schoolmaster, and the farseeing sailor are not a in the handling of small craft which must remain triangle of opposing forces but three complemen- the finest school of seamanship. But, you may ask, tary and, let us hope, co-operating agencies in giv- what is the value of such training to society? It ing to the world a wholly developed man. How is this. An active robust form of society can only then is this highly desirable condition to be brought remain so as long as it breeds citizens possessed about ? of those qualities. In an age wherein the tendency First the parent. The parent, insofar as his son O. N. HOLLIER, toward pre-fabricated thought is strong any form is concerned, is the final authority. There has been of training aimed at the production of alert men of a tendency for some years now in educational and Castlereagh St., Sydney Secretary. independent mind deserves our warmest encourage- youth movement literature to picture the parent N.S.W. ment. as a creature not far removed from congenital I have not mentioned the loyalty of the British idiocy. Comparisons are odious b"t if it is wrong seaman, as one of them it is hardly fitting that 1 to as'ume that the average paient his the wist'om

100 75 of Solomon he would be an exceedingly rash man GEOGRAPHY: Most embracing and interlinked who would stand up on his hind legs and declare with history. A Sea Cadet should have a that all teachers and youth leaders were highly clear picture in his mind of the geographical competent individuals. When the patent urges or allows his son to join a school or youth movement relationship of the principal countries of the Famous Leaders it should be kept well in mind that he does not world, their trade, commerce, and communica- surrender his authority, he but delegates part of it. tions, elementary oceanography and climat- He is interested in whatsoever is calculated to make a better man of his son and most generally be- ology. comes a loyal, kindly supporter of the persons and agencies contributing toward that end. He may PHYSICS: In rowing, sailing, motorboating and not have the technical training of the schoolmaster or Sea Cadet Officer, but he has an observant eye steering the Sea Cadet gains practical know- and no mean fund of commonsense. Having dele- ledge of the application of forces and even an gated part of his responsibility to the specialist in elementary theory of the subject will give him a particular field he judges the quality of that work a clearer picture of what he is about, further- by the results it produces. In that regard he is more fortunate thin the hardworking officer ot more he must have some knowledge of mag- schoolmaster because as a spectator he sees the netism, electricity, and the principles of steam Lord Nelson, K.C.B.. 1758-1805. changes being produced in his boy much sooner English Naval Commander. H. want and internal combustion marine propelling to soa at 12 and was Pott Captain than the instructor does. In his relations with the You can be assured of a Good Drinlt by plant. at 21. Took a leading part in the officer you will find as a rule that the parent is Battle of the Nile: Battle of Copen- visiting— hagen and le

76 77 RADAR (K. Adams, Navy League Sea Cadet Corps.)

HISTORY OF DEVELOPMENT: The actual unit consists of: (1) A modulator which produces the pulsations. Before World War II some countries had a From the outbreak of war the Empire's little No more thrilling actions have been fought in little knowledge of the location of bodies by radio (2) Transmitter consisting of 1 or more high ships have been waging a constant battle, but this war than those in the Mediterranean and waves but it was not until the War had started frequency valves. much of their work has, up till now, been on Far East, and in these savage tussles five over- that Great Britain and U.S.A. developed and in- (3) Aerial which rotates and emits the pulsa- the Navy's secret list. aged Australian destroyers played a glorious part. tensified research into radio waves. Radar de- tions in all directions, i.e., 360° circle and In the immediate aftermath of battle, security veloped as high frequency valves developed, as it "Scrap-Iron Flotilla" is the story of these five up and down to a radius of between 50° overrides the desire to record stirring events, is on these valves that Radar depends. and 60°. The pulsations are emitted at ships. Scouring Italy's "Mare Nostrum" from and so very often with the little ships the silence south to north and from east to west, they fought At the commencement of hostilities Germany various intervals, 500 pulse rates being had to be complete. had good Radar equipment but as the German emitted per second, the length of the pulse countless fiery anions with surface craft, sub- However, as time passes, the need for tight- marines and the 's deadliest planes. militarists regarded Radar as a defensive rather rate being between l/20th and 1 micro- lipped silence departs and the exploits of the than offensive weapon, very little equipment was second in length. That is, the time a pulsa- "Waterhen" was sunk, but the remaining four midgets and their daring crews may be told. steamed back to do battle with the Japanese. produced. It is of interest to note that the guns tion lasts is between one twentieth of a In "Miighty Midgets," Lieutenant Moyes, author which fired the shells that sank H.M.A.S. "Hood'' millionth of a second and one millionth of of "Scarp- Iron Flotilla" tells, for the first time, The story of the "Scrap-Iron Flotilla" is the from the German battleship "Bismarck" were con- a second. the story of small ships in action. It is a dramatic story of Matapan and Calabria, of evacuations trolled by Radar. (4) Receiver. On most ships the aerial acts as account of some of the world's most dating en- from Greece and Crete, and of tre immortal "Tobruk Ferry Service." It is the story, too, of Up to the time of the , the home receiver also. gagements. Vivid in portrayal, authentic in every country had been carrying out extensive research detail, "Mighty Midgets" takes the reader through war against Japan, and of the loss of "Prince into the possibilities of Radar, so that when the (5) An indicator unit which is in reality a thrilling anions ranging from the Japanese at- of Wales" and "Repulse." Battle of Britain commenced in earnest, the whole cathode ray tube which reflects on a trreen tack on Sydney Harbour to the "shores of Tripoli," Sub-Lieutenant Moyes, a former journalist, east coast of England was covered in Radar equip- which is covered by an orange filter. This from the North Sea to Singapore and the Dutch paints a vivid, authentic picture. He knows the ment mainly in chain stations. It was officially re- unit is called a P.P.I. (Plane Position Indi- East Indies, from the Mediterranean to Leyte, ships and the men who served in them, and, in ported that the equipment was so sensitive that cator). Luzon and the China Sea. "Scrap-Iron Flotilla," tells a stirring tale of these German aircraft could be detected leaving the Radar units as used on ships are known as "Mighty Midgets," like "Scrap-Iron Flotilla," is ground from their 'drome. In this way, the ships and men in anion. There are brilliant, A.S.V. units, i.e., Air-Surface vessel units, and those a tale of the Royai Australian Navy, in anion first hand accounts of some of the war's most enemies' position was plotted and Spitfire and used by the army as H2S units, the symbols H2S and at play. Australians should be proud to read other Fighter Squadrons were sent to intercept the fiery encounters, but there is humour, too, even having no meaning and not connected to the unit it. in the midst of battle. raiders. It was found with the type of equipment in any way. The Order of Accuracy in the latest "Mighty Midgets" — Lieut. John F. Moyes, being used at that time that enemy aircraft could Radar units is within 10 yards at 100 miles. R.A.N.V.R., author of "Scrap-Iron Flotilla." "Scrap-Iron Flotilla" — John F. Moyes, Sub- not be detected coming in to attack at ground level, Price, 7/6; postage, 4jd. Lieut. R.A.N.V.R. Price, 9/6; postage, 4Jd. however the enemy found this failing in the equip- It Is recorded that a Super-Fortress (B.29) N.S.W. Bookstall Co. Pty. Ltd., 112 Castle- ment just before a new type of equipment was carries over one ton of Radar equipment and that N.S.W. Bookstall Co. Pty. Ltd., 112 Castle- reagh Street, Sydney. developed and by the time they put their discovery the majority of enemy ships sunk in the later part reagh Street, Sydney. into practice, the new equipment was installed and of the war by warships were sunk without the tar- thus the enemy's new offensive action was smashed. get ever being sighted under the guidance of Radar, wreckage and survivors being the only traces re- These first types of equipment were massive in maining. structure but new types were developed which had small aerials and transmitters, etc. This type of To-day Radar is being used in Peace and some HOTEL PLAZA equipment emitted short micro waves and was examples of its use are to be found in Civil Avia- WYNYARD STATION called Micro Wave Equipment. tion, a unit being installed at Mascot Aerodrome Australia too made vast development in Radar, for the detection of 'planes within a 20 mile radius GEORGE ST.. SYDNEY a new branch of The Council for Scientific and of the 'drome, for the detection of rain clouds, for • Industrial Research being set up, namely the Radio the detection of forest fires in uninhabited parts Physics Division. The bulk of Radar equipment and in the navigation of ships around dangerous used in New Guinea was of Australian origin, as coasts and through thick fogs. EXCELLENT BAR AND DINING ROOM SERVICE it was found that American equipment could not k is certain that in the future Radar will de- tolerate the climatic conditions experienced in the velop tremendously and its practical peace-time DRINKS AVAILABLE WITH MEALS tropical regions. uses will increase an hundredfold and it will take Radar could be defined as: "The detection of its place in the rehabilitation of our civilisation A. F. PARER, Licensee bodies by reflection of radio waves, the waves used which has just emerged from the World's greatest being micro waves." struggle for existence. *

78 79 ifcu /it the ieayue JOIN THE

THE NAVY LEAGUE NAVY Wklf HCt? Patron: H.M. The KING. Head Office: Grand Buildings, LEAGUE) Trafalgar Square, LONDON, W.C.2 Branches: THE NAVY LEAGUE IS... Great Britain, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, Ceylon, Rhodesia. FOR YEARS a WATCHDOG of National and Imperial Affiliated Leagues: The Navy League of Canada the security, The Navy League of South Africa MERCANTILE MUTUAL N.S.W. BRANCH Insurance Coy. Ltd. Patron: His Excellency the Governor of N.S.W. an Australian Institution has bean President: T. H. Silk, M.I.C.E., M.I.N.A. an ENEMY of apathy in all matters providing security for the homes of Hon. Treasurer: C. M. C. Shannon the people, its motto being naval and maritime, Hon. Auditors: Robertson, Crane and Gibbons. Hon. Secretary: Comdr. F. W. Hixson, O.B.E., S.S.D. " Service to the Public " Secretary and Editor: W. W. Beale. O.B.E. Under the protection of Insurance Policies ships sail the oceans, land and air transport moves, men work, a TRAINER of the citizens of to-morrow, VICTORIAN BRANCH and homes and factories are built and safeguarded. Injuries are compensated and distress relieved. (Incorporating Navy League Sea Cadet Corps) Insurance is a contract of good faith. Patron: His Excellency the Governor of Victoria Our funds are used to assist in the development of the President: Captain S. A. Pidgeon, R.D., R.N.R. Country and with our properties are held in trust for a PRESERVER of our glorious sea Hon. Treasurer: C. W. Lucas, Esq. the protection of our Policy Holders. Secretary: L S. Digby, Esq. heritage. Fire, Marine, Accident, Motor Car and PLEASE NOTE Householders', House-Owners (Combined) Insurance Contributions of a suitable nature are 0 If you subscribe to these ideals you should subscribe te cordially invited, and should be addressed Crops, Stacks, Fencing, Pluvius the League's funds for their more perfect attainment. to the Editor, "Navy," Royal Exchange All Classes of Agricultural Insurance Building, Bridge Street, Sydney. Head Office: 117 PITT STREET, SYDNEY The Navy League does not necessarily SELWYN KING. Managing Director. THE LEAGUE NEEDS NEW MEMBERS endorse the opinions of contributors to the Journal. Agencies in all Suburban and Country Centres WHY NOT JOIN NOW I throughout the Commonwealth where all classes of Insurance can be arranged by any of the Company's Telephone BU 5808 4000 Agents trained to give "Service to the Public"

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83 THE NAVY APRIL, 1947 Three Famous Leaders CONTENTS Famous Editorial 87 Sea Power—or Impotence? 89 Navy Quiz 91 Names Naval Personalities No. 4. Commodore H. A. Showers, C.B.E., A.D.C 93 Short History of the R.A.N. (Concluded) 94 Overseas News 97 American Decoration for Commander K. E. Oom, O.B.E., R.A.N 98 Lord Nelson. K.C.B.. 1758-1805. ffi.S.S. English Nevel Commander. He went Gas Turbines for Naval Purposes 99 to see el 12 end was Post Ceptain Sea Cadet News 100 et 21. Took a leading pert in the ELECTRIC HOME HELPS Battle of the Nile: Battle of Copen- The Navy as a Career 100 hagen end led the Fleet et The R.S.S. & A.I.L.A., R.A.N. Sub-Branch: Monthly Notes 102 Battle of Trafalgar, in which he was killed. . R.A.N Officers Return to Australia 103 The Navy in War and Peace 105

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84 85 OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE NAVY .LEAGUE

Pricc 1/- APRIL, 1947 Vol. lO—No. 4 (New Series)

Editorial . i Defend or Bend

Wars seem to recur like fell diseases that sweep the earth periodically. Civilisation has been in world office for a perceptible period of time, but its component parts, the nations, have never been brought under effectual control. The League of Nations was a near approach to an attempt to harmonise the needs of the world's people, but even the League, in part at least, was the prey of various national interests; other nations held aloof and refused to countenance a League which was not always sincere, not always free from the gerrymanderings of politicians backed by powerful trade interests and pressure groups completely alien to the real needs of common men and women. The Geneva League was born in good faith, the child of a terrible war and incredible human suffering, but its growth was warped and stunted by human forgetfulness, human cupidity, utter selfishness and cyni- cism, and by the time it reached adolescence the ordinary man knew that its condition presaged its death. The League died amid the best wishes of its opponents and the laments of the idealists. A second world war, wider in its devastation and more lurid in its horrors, shook the very foundations of civilization. Then, Charters calmed men's minds and radiated hope; later, assemblages of people representing nations present at the "kill" of democracy's opponent, talked and wrote and compiled agreements on mankind's needs and on the methods requisite to ensure a warless world. Whether U.N.O. will be able to obtain genuine guarantees that its findings will be applied in all necessary cases and effectively policed remains to be seen. Meanwhile, minor wars disturb the peace of countries; people still deny the right of free speech to those who hold from themselves different conceptions of "freedom"; scientists work untiringly .vith keen brains, seeing eyes and steady hands to perfect new instruments of war, to improve the deadlines:, of exis- ting weapons and generally to be ready to unleash agents to destroy property on a wholesale scale, all with the purpose of bringing opposite thinking peoples to death or to accepting a cult of thought or a system of life which they do not want. Australia is a worth-while land in which the whites have entrenched themselves and which is barred to coloured folk. So what? Australia must be prepared to defend her heritage if she means to keep it white and perhaps without serviceable allies, in the years to coine. Every sensible person realises that the heavy burden of armament is grievous to carry, but carry it we must till war is wholly eliminated from the human mind. Sea Power ---or Impotence? FLY.. By "Kangaroo" Service u Keep the Command of the Sea as you value the National Life " —Vice-Admiral Colomh By FRANCIS McMURTRIE, from LONDON

Is the strength of the Navy being maintained was reduccd in numbers to a corresDonding ex- at an adequate level? In the event of another tent. Stocks of munitions and stores were per- emergency, would a sufficient number of ships be mitted to fail below the safety margin deemed available in every category, not merely to secure essential earlier in the century; and H.M. ships the country against invasion, but to protect its were given such an inadequate fuel quota each seaborne trade, without which we must surely year that it was impossible to carry out exercises perish. ? with any def-ee of realism, or indeed to give It is over half a century since misgivings in ships' companies adequate training at sea. Am- regard to these vial matters led to the formation munition became so scarce that at one period of the Navy League. Nor has the occasion for gunnery practice could be carried out only with its vigilance ceased. reduced charges and at infrequent intervals. History affords abundant evidence that, So far as Naval construction was concerned, following a great war in which national re- this feeble policy was bolstered up by the sig- sources have been strained to the uttermost, nature of 1922 and 1930 of treaties which limited there is invariably a tendency for politicians to the tonnage of the principal categories of war- effect unwise economies at the expense of the ships and postponed unduly the dates of replace- Services. Particularly was this so after the ment of obsolescent units. triumphs of the Seven Years' War, with the Inevitably it followed that, when war with result that between 1778 and 1783 we found our- Germany was renewed in 1939, the fleet was selves fighting with our backs to the wall. On relatively much weaker than it had been in 1914, that occasion neglect of sea power cost us the containing moreover a hi eh proportion of old American colonies, which seceded to form the ships. In the circumstances one must feel thank- United States. ful that our foes were not all prepared to strike Some readers may recall that in 1909, when at the same moment. Italv did not declare war introducing the Navy Estimates for that year, until nine months after Germany, while Janan the First Lord found it necessary to ask for took the plunge 18 months later still. Each acces- 6 Services Weekly authority to increase the programme of new con- sion to enemy strength produced an acute crisis, via struction from four capital ships to eight should consequent on the deplorable lack of foresight Sydney — Bowen — Darwin — the international situation become more critical. shown in the years between the two conflicts. Sourabaya — Singapore — Rangoon This immediately produced a public demand, When Italy hastened to join what she fondly — Calcutta — Karachi — Bahrein voiced by the Navy League, for the definite imagined to be the winning side, the Navy had — Basra — Cairo — Augusta — authorisation of the larger number rather than just completed the evacuation of the Army from Marseilles — London. the smaller. The slogan, "We want eight, and Dunkirk, minus most of its equipment. This we won't wait" was heard in every quarter, and remarkable feat had been accomplished at heavy By Hytti. Hying Boat «nd Lancastrian Mail Plana. the Government ultimately yielded the point. cost in naval material, over a dozen destroyers How sound was the instinct that insisted on having been lost and four or five times as many a full margin of safety was proved two years disabled. We were immediately called upon to later when the Agadir crisis threw a stronger face a reinforced and more widely based sub- light on Germany's naval ambitions. All eight marine campaign against shipping, with escort ships fought at Jutland. forces further depleted bv the defection of France. Oofttad From 1919 to 19J3 the Navy was allowed to Yet by superhuman efforts this fresh menace was decline in the complacent belief that no harm ultimately held, while in the Mediterranean bold EMPIRE AIRWAYS was likely to come of it. Not only did we fail and seamanlike handling of our inferior naval in association with to build sufficient new ships to replace those forces proved Mussolini's phrase "Mare Nos- British Overseas Airways Corporation discarded or worn out, but trained personnel trum" to be a baseless boast.

89 One of the deciding factors in the Atlantic with guns designed before the First World War. which Earl Jellicoe considered the abeolute mini- "Remember chat the atom bomb aj we know it was the acquisition from the United States, three Four other battleships authorised in 1938-39 were mum required for the protection of commerce, has at present has still got to be carried to its target months after Dunkirk, of 50 destroyers built in subsequently cancelled. For practical purposes, been abandoned, though it was adopted officially and dropped by an aircraft; and in the problem of 1917-20, in exchange for a long lease of bases therefore, the British battle fleet has been reduccd in the Defence White Paper of 1936. interception and attack of aircraft all three Ser- in various British possessions overseas. It must to one-third of its pre-war strength. During the same period, be it noted, the United vices have attained a considerable proficiency. I be reckoned fortunate that the Americans, by Aircraft Carriers: Admittedly the aircraft carrier States Navy has thought it necessary to i.icrease do not think that proficiency is likely to decrease refraining from cancelling or scrapping these has become all-important to the fleet to-day. One its establishment of cruisers from 37 to 77. So —rather the reverse." ships 20 years before, had shown themselves wiser would expect, therefore, that reductions in othei evidently Americans do not think the advent of the Though the atom bomb may be a legitimate than the ruiers of this country at that time. categories would be more than balanced by an in- aircraft carrier has rendered an ample cruiser force crease in this one. Yet this is by no means the superfluous. argument for some delay in the completion of After the United States Navv had been tem- case. ships while designs are being modified, it should Destroyers: Entering the war with just under 170 porarily immobilised bv the Pearl Harbour attack, not be employed as an excuse for cancelling or At the start of the war British aircraft carriers destroyers, we lost 138. After acquiring 50 from and we had simultaneously been deprived of the scrapping new construction. And history has numbered seven: H.M.S. "Ark Royal", "Cour- the United States as related above, and building proved it to be an unsound strategical conception only two capital ships that it had been possible ageous", "Glorious", "Furious", "Eagle", "Hermes ' over 200, wastage through scrapping and transfers to assume that, because there are no enemies im- to spare for the Far Eastern theatre (H.M.S. and "Argus". All of these were lost with the ex- to Allies has been so considerable that the number mediately visible, the nation may safely dispense "Prince of Wales" and "Kepulsc") the situation ception of the "Argus" and "Furious", which have available when existing programmes are completed with ships which could not be replaced in emer- seemed even grimmer. The loss of Singapore since been discarded for scrapping. Fleet carriers (excluding the "Hunt" classes, the life of which is gency. and Hong Kong, followed by the Japanese victory built during the war numbered six: the "Formid- likely to be short) will be under 150. Particularly in the Java Sea, appeared to lay Australia open able", "Illustrious", "Victorious", "Indomitable", unfortunate is the cancellation or scrapping after to invasion, with alt the implications arising from "Implacable" and "Indefatigable". Those com- launching of a number of units belonging to the our inability to afford immediate succour. Worse pleted since number eight: the "Colossus", "Battle", "Weapon", "Daring" and "Gallant" still was the aspect soon taken by the Battle of "Glory", "Ocean", "Theseus", "Triumph", "Ven- classes. Surely it would have Deen more prudent NAVY QUIZ — the Atlantic. Never were shipping losses so erable", "Vengeance" and "Warrior"—the first of to have completed and laid up these vessels, as was heavy as in the first half of 194;. Never were which, it is understood, is bt'ng lent to the French done with the American destroyers a quarter of a 1. Wfiy ii Roman notation used to indicate the we in greater peril on the sea. Navy for a couple of years. Thus the number of century ago, since it was the shortage of these in- draft of a ship? valuable craft that brought us to the verge of fleet carriers available has merely been doubled. 2. What sired figures are always used? At all costs the possibility of such situations disaster in 1940. Under construction are 12 more, the 33,000-ton recurring in future wars must be avoided. There 3. Who was the British Naval officer whose ex- "Ark Royal" and "Eagle", and the smaller "Al- are few truer analogies thar the one which regards ploits rivalled Nelson's, was cashiered, who bion", "Bulwark", "Centaur", "Hermes", "Her- An argument sometimes used to excuse such a strong navy as a comprehensive insurance policy; "economies" as the foregoing is the existence of entered Parliament, later dismissed from the cules", "Leviathan", "Magnificent", "Majestic", for in war and peace alike, the British Empire the atomic bomb. Not only is this weapon at service and expelled from Parliament, deprived "Powerful" and "Terrible". When all arc in ser- lives or dies by the sea. present controlled by our principal ally, with of his decorations, sentenced to a year's im- vice, we shall have three and a half times as many whom war is generally regarded as unthinkable, prisonment, won great reputation as a com- fleet carriers as in 1939, compared with the Ameri- Taking each category of warship in succession but it is extremely expensive to manufacture, with- mander in South America, was later restored the position to-day is believed to be as follows: can expansion of four and a half times during the out possessing any superiority, so far as accuracy to his naval rank and re-decorated, attained Capital Ships.—In 1939 there were 15; five sjmc period. is concerned, over other bombs. Naval opinion on Vice-Admiral and Rear-Admiral rank, and more were completed during the war, but losses commanded on the North American and West Unfortunately, construction has been slowed up the subject was summed up recently by the First also numbered five. One, H.M.S. "Royal Sover- Indies station? on all the incomplete carriers. Two at least, the Sea Lord, Admiral Sir John Cunningham, who ob- eign," was transferred to the Soviet Navy under "Hercules" and "Leviathan", having been launched, served : the Lend-Lease scheme. Another, the "Warspite," 4. Name a British General who commanded the were towed away to berths where they will be laid received such extensive damage from bombs and navy and won some considerable victories. up for an indefinite period, pending a decision to "Because an atom bomb has had great success mines that she is now being scrapped. Of the resume work. Naturally, this gave rise to the sus- against battleships anchored in a tropical lagoon 5. The Moonlight Battle—What do you know remaining 13, four (the "Malaya," "Ramillies," about it? picion that it was intended to scrap the ships— and pinpointed to an exactitude of a few inches for "Resolution" and "Revenge" have been relegated especially as nine other fleet carriers ordered dur- the attacking bomber, do not let us think that has 6. Five British Battleships were lost in quick suc- to haibour service, being used as accommodation ing the war (three of them of exceptionally large solved the problem. cession during one of our wars—What were and training ships. The "Queen Elizabeth," size) had been cancelled when peace was in sight. they, when and where? "Valiant," "Nelson" and "Rodnev" are too slow "The effect of which we are most conscious is for a modem line of battle, so may be scrapped, Cruisers: Here the situation is so serious that it that the advent of the atom bomb increases the 7. How many Admirals of the Fleet are there? laid up in reserve or assigned to training duties. is remarkable that more has not been heard of it. necessity for the dispersion of bases and repair 8. Is the Duke of Windsor one? H.M.S. "Renown," our surviving battle cruiser, Beginning the war with 64 cruisers, we built 30 facilities and all supplies. As regards its effect though she still has a fair turn of speed, is more, but lost an equal number. At least 15 have on ships, we have considerable experience from 9. If you have been reading your "Wliite Ensign" insufficiently protected. This leaves four battle- been, or are about to be, scrapped; half-a-dozen anti-submarine work of how close to a ship you you will know—When was the first British ships, the "King George V," "Duke of York," more have been earmarked for transfer to Allied have to put a large explosion, in order to achieve ironclad launched? "Aoson" and "Howe" that are equal to the re- Navies. There are only three or four new cruisers the desired result. Atomic explosions are greater 10. What was her name? quirements of to-day. To these there has recently under construction. If and when these are com- than anything else, but it may be—I do not say (Answers on Page 108) been added the "Vanguard," largest man-of-war pleted we shall possess no more than 44. It seems it will be—that the safest place in the next war ever built by this country. Even she is armed clear, therefore, that the figure of 70 cruisers. will be on board a ship.

91 Tlajoal (pah. No. 4

Commodore H. A. Showers, C.B.E., A.D.C.

Commodore Henry Arthur Showers, C.B.E., A.D C., at present Commodore Superinten- dent of Training, F.N.D.

Like many of the Australian Naval Officers who played a leading part in the Second World War, Commodore Showers was one of the original team of Cadet Midshipman who en- tered the R.A.N. College, then situated at Gcelong, in January, 1913. He went overseas in 1917, and when next he saw Australia he was a Sub-Lieutenant in H.M.A. Submarine J.3, which, with five other submarines, and the Submarine Tender "PLATYPUS", sailed out from England to form the Australian Submarine Flotilla.

Unfortunately for those officers and men who had specialised in submarines, it was de- cided in 1922 that the Australian Submarine Flotilla was to be paid off. Accordingly Com- modore Showers decided to specialize in Navigation, and returned to England to do a course in this subject; he then worked with Royal Naval Minesweepers in the English Channel un- til May, 1923. (It is not generally realized that the task of sweeping up mines in this area was not completed until nearly seven years after the Armistice). He returned to Australia in H.M.A.S. "MORESBY", lent by the R.N. to the R.A.N. as a survey ship, and served there until the end of 1926.

From then until he went to Navy Board as the Second Naval Member, Commodore Show- ers served in cruisers, with the exception of one year as Commander of the Royal Australian Naval College and later for 9 months when in command of H.M.A.S. "SWAN" immediately Lieutenant P. Mills {left), commander of the Royal Navy submarine Aunga welcoming a wallahy mascot aboard shortly before the vessel left Syney for Hong Kong His first lieuten- prior to the commencement of this war. At the outbreak of the war he was appointed Com- ant. Untenant L. Edwards, is holding the wallaby, and the submarine s chief engineer, tngmeer- manding Officer of H.M.A.S. "ADELAIDE", and subsequently was in command of "HOBART' Lieutenant R. E. Buckley, is in the centre. when she took part in the Battles of the Solomon Islands. He relieved Commodore Collins in command of H.M.A.S. "SHROPSHIRE", and took part in the Combined Operations which OCEAN YACHT RACES OVER EASTER resulted in the occupation of Wakde, Biak, Sansapor, and Morotai, as well as supporting the U.S. Army at Aitape. Now, after his term of appointment as "The Second", he returns to Island (near Port Kembla)-Palm Beach course. The main event, the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club'i H.M.A.S. "SHROPSHIRE". The Lake Macquarie Yacht Club revived i» historic 116 mile race » now to be an annual event and yachtsmen Sydney to Lake Macquarie 5$ mile race, and the Cruising consider it will probably be second only in importance Yacht Club conducted a 95 mile race from Sydney to to the Sydney-Hobart race as an Australian Yachting Commodore Showers is a Victorian, son of the late Charles and Mrs. Showers of Preston, JenrU Bay. feature The race was over the Sydney-Tom Thumb Melbourne. In 1927, he married Jean Alison, daughter of the late W. S. Cunningham and RESULTS Mrs. Cunningham, Edgecliff, Sydney, and they have one daughter. Mrs. Showers is a Bache- 116 MILE OCEAN RACE lor of Architecture (Sydney University). Gymea (G. Carter), finishing time «..« p.m.; corrected (V. Mathia.), finishing time 3 .4 p.m.; cor-

u . . reeled time a.43 p.m, J. time ia.31 p.m., 1. M (L Martin)| finishing time 3-at p.m.; cor- Jttrphine (B. Penton), finishing time 149 pm.; cor- «ncted time a.s« p.m., 4- rrcttd time s.a» p.m., a. Moonbeam (H. Foley) finished at 6.4' P "» 100 93 CHAPTER U. nor the Australian Ministry of Munitions' con- position made her a repair centre of major im- struction of a wide variety of small craft for portance. The capital ship dock in Sydney is an various phases of the war effort. outstanding acquisition to Australia and to the The Royal Australian Navy's Shipbuilding United Nations in general. Apart from that SHIPS REQUISITIONED. undertaking, dock and repair facilities were estab- Before the shipbuilding programme commenced lished or expanded at a number of other ports. Programme —in fact, as soon as the war broke out the Austra- Figures produced at the end of February, 1944, lian Naval Board supplemented the Navy's strength showed that, apart from work on naval vessels, The Royal Australian Navy commenced the In terms of numbers, the most important phase by requisitioning a number of merchant ships. The the following repairs were carried out on mer- Second World War with a small but well-balanced of the construction programme was the construc- first of these were used as auxiliary minesweepers; chant ships:— fleet in commission, comprising in the main:— tion of 60 Australian minesweeping vessels. The others were employed as various types of supply Average monthly tonnage of merchant ships Two 8-inch Cruisers, majority of these are of 650 tons displacement ships and tenders. Requisitioning also was car- repaired, 1,200,000. Four Six-inch Cruisers, (with a few at 733 tons). They were built to an ried out for Army and Air Force authorities cover- Five Destroyers, Australian modification of the Royal Navy's Ban- ing such categories as hospital ships, transports, Average monthly tonnage of merchant ships Two Sloops. gor class minesweepers, although, as the story of tugs and supply ships. dry-docked and slipped, 115,000. Obviously such a force was not sufficient to rheir wartime achievements shows, their duties SHIP REPAIRS, Etc. were directed to escort work more than to mine- Full facilities for degaussing ships were avail- meet the demands of a war which called not only As mentioned earlier, Australia's geographical able at Australian ports. for the policing of Australia's own waters, but for sweeping. 20 were built for the Royal Navy, 4 active participation in the general war at sea. for the Royal Indian Navy, and the rest for the Three methods of expansion were adopted: Royal Australian Navy (one was lost by enemy CHAPTER III. (a) Conversion of merchant ships for Naval action, and two by marine hazard). use (as armed merchant cruisers—later converted The largest warships built in Australia during Personnel of the Royal Australian Navy to landing craft, infantry; auxiliary mineswceping the war were three Tribal Class destroyers. Of vessels; store carriers; and other miscellaneous these, H.M.A.S. "ARUNTA" and "WARRA- (a) EXPANSION OF NUMBERS. Anti-Submarine School. craft). MUNGA" saw considerable action against Japan- At the outbreak of war the strength of the Gunnery Instruction Centre for merchant ser- (b) The construction of new ships in Australia ese positions in the South West Pacific. The R.A.N, was 5,440. Shortly before the cessation vice personnel. —Tribal Class destroyers, frigates, sloops, Austra- third (bearing the name H.M.A.S. "BATAAN" of hostilities, when the expansion of the Service lian minesweeping vessels, Boom Defence vessels, in compliment to the United States forces) was Fairmile School. was at its maximum, there were in the R.A.N. "Fairmile" patrol boats, and miscellaneous craft. commissioned in June, 1945, and joined other Gunnery Instruction Centres were also estab- 36,976 officers and men. In addition, more than H.M.A. Ships in Tokyo Bay for the surrender of lished at Port Melbourne and Fremantlc. (c) The acquiring of ships from the Royal 2,600 members of the Women's Royal Australian the Japanese. R.A.N, training facilities were also used for Navy—the 8-inch cruiser "SHROPSHIRE" was Naval Service (which was formed in 1941) and the training of Royal New Zealand Navy per- Britain's gift to Australia to replace H.M.A.S. The construction of Frigates was also under- 57 members of the Royal Australian Naval Nur- sonnel, and later, after the arrival of the British "CANBERRA," when the latter was lost by taken in Australia; when the programme is com- sing Service (formed in 1942) were at this period Pacific Fleet, of Royal Navy personnel. enemy action; 20 of the Australian-built Austra- pleted twelve River Class frigates will have been enlisted in the Service. lian minesweeping vessels were constructed for built in Australia. the Royal Navy; 6 Destroyers (4 N" Class and 2 (b) TRAINING. (c) CASUALTIES. In addition to the foregoing types, the building 'Q' Class) were manned by Australians, whose Total R.A.N, casualties from 3rd September, programme embraced a wide range of smaller All Australian Naval personnel are volunteers. pay was borne by the R.A.N., but all other ex- 1939 to 30th April, 1946, excluding deaths from craft; 35 Fairmile motor launches of 80 tons, 9 The preliminary training of newly-entered re- penses were borne by the Admiralty. natural causes, were 2,608. Harbour Defence Motor Launches of 50 tons, cruits is carried out at Flinders Naval Depot, Vic- toria, which also houses the Officers' Training Officers Ratings NEW CONSTRUCTION. Floating Docks and three oil fuel lighters of 1,200 tons played their part in the Pacific War, to- School (for Reserve Officers) and has full faci- Killed 183 1,780 In the development of a Naval shipbuilding gether with landing craft and lighters of various lities for qualifying men for higher ratings in the Missing J programme in Australia, factors exercising a strong types and air-sea rescue vessels. Construction of various branches. Died whilst . . 63 influence included the virtual non-existence of a Wounded 75 504 a limited number of fast supply boats was also Cadets for appointment as Permanent Naval shipbuilding industry in the country at the Out- undertaken for the United States. Service Officers enter the Royal Australian Naval break of the war; shortage of manpower; and Total casualties, excluding College at the age of 13, for a four years course. the fan that Australia was the only place in the A policy of decentralisation did much to assist deaths from natural causes . . 258 2,350 At the conclusion of hostilities 63 Cadet-Mid- South West Pacific where adequate repairs could the Naval shipbuilding programme. For instance, shipmen were under training at the College. (d) AWARDS. be effected on any appreciable scale. vital parts for many vessels were construactj in Apart from Flinders Naval Depot, the main The extent to which these difficulties were sur- all States, sometimes at centres as far as 100 Decorations and awards to R.A.N, personnel training establishments are in Sydney, where the mounted is illustrated by the fact that, despite tlie miles from the sea. The actual shipyards are as at the 30th April, 1946, totalled 1,107. This distributed in five States of the Australian Com- following facilities were in operation during the number includes 28 awards bestowed by United loss of approximately 30,000 tons by e'riemy action, war:— the Royal Australian Navy's displacement tonnage monwealth. States authorities, 4 Royal Netherlands, and 4 in March, 1944, was considerably in excess of The particulars given above do not take into Damage Control and Fire-Fighting School. Greek decorations. In addition, Royal Naval 100,000 tons—more than twice the figure at the account the Australian Shipbuilding Board's pro- Combined Operations Training School (at Port personnel serving in H.M.A. Ships received 29 awards. outbreak of war. gramme for the construction of merchant ships, Stephens and later moved to Cairns.) (Continued on Page 109) 102 94 American Decoration for R.A.N. Commander

Commander K. E. Oom, O.B.E., R.A.N., was Commander Oom joined the Royal Australian • OvSLhMOA TbuVA ' presented with, the Bronze Star Medal by Captain Naval College in January, 1918, and was pro- B. F. Tompkins, United States Naval Attache, on moted to Commander in June, 1943. His career behalf of the President of the United States of has been noteworthy for his surveying work. LONDON. Excerpts from a Statement on De- NAVAL PROGRAMME. America. During the years of the second world war he was fence issued as a White Paper. In Section VI of the White Paper, under the The citation reads:— in command of H.M.A.S. "WHYALLA" and heading "Production, Research and Development," "For heroic achievement as Commander, Survey "SHEPPARTON" and in charge of survey work After surveying the demands on manpower and the following paragraph occurs:— Unit, under tactical command of Commander, Am- to meet the requirements of the New Guinea the resources available, the White Paper continues: "The 1947 programme of the Royal Mavy phibious Group Six, in connection with operations Campaign and also facilitate the operations of Allied Naval Units in poorly charted waters. "A new factor of the first importance was in- amounts to little more than the maintenance of against enemy Japanese-held Zamboanga Penin- the existing Fleet and the continuation at a re- sula, Mindanao, Philippine Islands, from March troduced by the decision of His Majesty's Govern- This is his second American decoration as pre- ment, announced in the King's Soee*.. at the duced rate of the construction of ships already 8 to 13, in 1945. Personally supervising and being built. In addition, a start has been made commanding a pre-landing reconnaissance and viously he was awarded the Legion of Merit, opening of the present Session, to introduce in the "Degree of Officer," for "outstanding service to near future into Parliament a Bill for continuing with the re-equipment of the Naval Air Arm, survey of the anchorage area and shore line of which during the war depended to a very large the peninsula on March 9, Commander Oom suc- the United States Navy." His other decorations the system of national service in the Armed include the O.B.E. which he received in February, Forces. Referring to this decision in the Debate extent on American types of aircraft, the supply ccdcd in obtaining hydrographic intelligence in- 1945, for "outstanding survey work under arduous on the Address, the Prime Minister indicated that of which has now ceased. Provision is made for formation of extreme importance to the Attack conditions in the Far East" and also the Polar the governing consideration which had influenced the refit and repair of ships in full commission in Group Commander. In the performance of this Medal and clasp. In May, 1946, he was awarded the Government was the likelihood that the rapid order to keep them at operational efficiency, and hazardous task, carried out in the face of enemy the Gill Memorial Prize by the Royal Geographical development in modern warfare would rob this for beginning, in a modest way, the refit of the fire and in waters reportedly mined, Commander Society. At present he is in command of the country of that space—measured in years large number of ships which, owing to the urgent Oom rendered outstanding service in support of rather than in months—by virtue of which alone need of releasing men from the Forces, were put the entire assault operations." Survey sloop H.M.A.S. "WARREGO." in the past two great wars it has been enabled into reserve without their preliminary refit. If to build up its warlike strength and thus overcome these ships are not to suffer serious deterioration, its enemies. It is appropriate here to quote the they must be taken in hand as soon as possible." actual words used by the Prime Minister in the In Section VII of the Paper, under the heading House on the 12th November, 1946:— "Finance", the provision for Naval Estimates for the financial year 1947-48 is given as £196,700,000. POOLE * STEEL LTD. 'The logic of that is that while we keep ANTARCTIC SUMMER You can be assured of a Good Drink by our front line Forces as low as we can conson- We, who had walked hot summers of the earth ant with efficiency and the jobs they have to do, visiting— 43 STEPHEN STREET Beneath the passion of her brazen skies, we must have trained reserves who can take Did idly watch the calm of southern summer, BALMAIN their part right away without waiting for six Whereon eternal daylight ever lies. months training.' N.S.W.

"The need in the unhappy event of a future Serene as chiselled nymph upon her couch GENERAL ENGINEERS war will be for large numbers of reserves avail- Of sapphire seas, possessing naught apart WATSON'S PARAGON HOTEL able at short notice for the immediate asks of Of fire, but kindled by her naked beauty, BOILERMAKERS She lay, virginal, cold her icy heart. defence. The process of building up reserves Circular Quay SHIPBUILDERS from regular personnel whose engagements with DREDGE BUILDERS the Cdlours have expired is slow, and is also pro- Wraith-like her veils were blown across the ductive of small numbers, though of high quality. heavens In addition to these regular reserves, there will be In wisps of cloud that lazy afternoon. Plans, Specifications and Estimates prepared the volunteer members of the auxiliary forces, for And, all unheeded in the liquid sunshine, for Mining Dredges and Plant of all kinds. To view her loveliness, up rose the moon. example, the R.N.V.R., the Territorial Army and Electric Welding and Oxy-Acetylene Work. the Auxiliary Air Force, for which recruitment is beginning, and by the speedy reconstruction of Peaceful as death, yet strange as drowsy dream, which His Majesty's Government set the greatest Pure as annihilation there she lay, B 4223 Telephone • Telegrams: store. It is, however, clear that the numbers re- And we—we turned our hearts and thoughts a- 84223 quired can only be provided by a system of nat- roaming "POOLSTEEL," BALMAIN, N.S.W ional service consisting of a minimum period with Back to hot northlands half the world away. At Colours and several years of reserve service." —H. Wilson-Green (Melbourne). J 102 96 Gas Turbines for Naval Purposes (By Commander (E) C. M. Hall, R.N., Department of the Engineer-in-Chief of the Fleet.)

The possible advantages of the gas turbine for turbine cannot be used; variable pitch propellers, naval propulsion have been realised by Britain's electric drive and hydraulic reversing are possible Admiralty for some time, and steps are being . taken to develop machinery of this type, both for Gas turbines for aircraft use Kerosene fuel, warships and coastal craft. and for the majority of current work this fuel Gas turbine plant specially developed for naval has been used. It may be some time before a use is likely to have the following advantages satisfactory technique has been developed for over steam turbine machinery:— burning heavy fuel of the type normally used for (i) Probable reduction in weight and space ships. for given horsepower, with eventually a The Admiralty has the following development gain in overall efficiency, allowing greater work in hand at the moment:— radius of action or more weight for weap- (a) Development of gas turbine machinery ons or armour. suitable for an escort vessel. (ii) Less time required for starting machinery (b) Development of gas turbine machinery from cold, so that ships in harbour can suitable for coastal craft in which an air- be ready for sea in a shorter time. craft jet propulsion units is incorporated. (iii) When satisfactorily developed, gas tur- Further high-powered, long-life units arc to bine machinery is likely to be less com- be developed by well-known aircraft and land plicated and less vulnerable than steam firms and by the association of thirty marine machinery. firms known as Parsons and Marine Engineering During World War II all the available facilities Turbine Research and Development Association. for research and development were necessarily (P.A.M.E.T.R.A.D.A.) devoted to the gas turbine for jet propulsion of In these developments, close co-operation with aircraft as this was essential to Britain's defence the National Gas Turbine Research Establishment programme, whereas a gas turbine for warships, has been established. although desirable, was not vital. It is emphasised that marine gas turbines present Another factor is that the development period problems which are not encountered in aircraft required for marine engines of large horsepower practice, and that, generally speaking, aircraft is much greater than is required for aircraft units units are not suitable and cannot be adapted for of lightweight construction and short life. marine purposes. Marine designs must therefore The information gained in the development of be started ab initio, and a very great deal of jet propulsion engines has been made available by development will be required. britain's Ministry of Supply to the Admiralty, who have taken steps to interest firms, other than those engaged in the aircraft firms, by agreement with the Ministry of Supply, are forming marine wings. There are many problems: the longer life re- Make sure of your Copy of quired for naval machinery; the provision of suitable reversing arrangements; the need to burn "THE NAVY" heavy fuel oil and the good cruising economy required. Subscription: 12/6 for 12 issues, post free in the British Empire. LIFE OF MACHINERY. Gas turbine and jet engines developed for Forward Postal Note, Money Order or aircraft have a life of 300-500 hours, whereas Cheque to "The Navy", the life required for naval machinery is measured in thousands of hours. Royal Exchange Building The reversing problem has to be solved. Due Bridge St., Sydney. to high temperatures involved, the normal astern

. success or failure. Make the best of facilities "AUSTRALIA" DEPOT, Henley (W. L. Ham- follow. The writer joined the Training ship for educational, physical, recreational and tech- CiOBIX mer, C.O.). "Tingara" when l4j years old, at a time when nical training, and you will more than repay BEEF EXTRACT "SIRIUS" DEPOT, Connell's Point (G. W. the training of boys meant really hard going. their efforts. Round, C.O.). We had instructors of the old school, who For appetising flavour, strength-building nourish- "CANBERRA" DEPOT, Orange (J. P. Finegan, knocked us into shape very quickly; men whom Some Instructors are hardened by the various ment and economy in use . . . you can't baat GLOBEX. It contains the full strength and con- C.O.). we learnt to respect and obey. To-day those types of trainees coming under them, but in boys are none the worse for it. It is during that cantratad astanca of tha primest baaf and it i« "ENDEAVOUR" DEPOT, Domain (J. Joynes, their hearts they have the welfare and future mad a in a lacond. period of training that one must make one's of the boy or man in mind. In years to come Try it for soups, gravias. nourishing baaf taa. CO.). decision to be a good sailor, or a nuisance to you, too, may be Instructors, and will know and it mekes raally dalicious sandwiches . . . Boys between the ages of 10 and 17 years Instructors, Officers, and one's self. The former but spraad it thinly. wishing to join, should make application to Com- gives you unlimited opportunities for a success- the heartaches and trials of patience that come manding Officers any Saturday afternoon. ful career, and the latter means getting no- day after day. Give your whole attention to OBTAINABLE FROM ALL CHEMISTS AND STORES where, and being in continuous trouble. As a the rules and regulations laid down for your Owing to pressure of other private and business I, 2, 4 and I ol jars or 4 aad • as. containers specialised rating, one has to devote a great deal guidance whilst in the Navy, do all you can to activities, Mr. J. P. Finegan, the honorary Com- of time to studying for higher examinations, all advance in your particular line; live a clean life; manding Officer of "Canberra" Unit of Navy of which mean greater prestige and more pay. League Sea Cadets, Orange, has found it neces- The sailor of to-day does not rely entirely on obey your superiors, and avoid vices and pastimes sary to relinquish the Command of the Unit. brawn and muscle, but must be educated, in which are injurious to health, and bring you Mr. Finegan has very kindly promised to re- order that the technical knowledge he desires into the spotlight as undesirables. may come easily to him. tain a personal interest in the unit and to do what One thing more, try to develop a sense of in- he can to promote its success. Should he desire to qualify for Gunnery, Tor- difference to the many trials and tests of patience pedo, Signals, Wireless, Engineering or other Mr. Finegan first established the Unit at Orange that are bound to come. It is practically im- specialised ratings, he must have the groundwork and he will be succeeded as C.O. by S.C. Lt. possible to find in every Officer or Instructor Commander R. Gilmour. of education to help him. But this does not mean he is to be a weakling; there is no place for a your ideal, and times may come when you imagine S.C. Commander W. L. Hammer, of Head- weakling in the Navy, as he is expected to take you are being victimised. In such cases, do not witters, Sydney recently visited Orange and was part in all kinds of sports, particularly those bear a hidden resentment; take it straight to your le guest of Alderman R. Strike. He reports in that he may be outstanding in. He has to be 3 Divisional Officer, who ia your friend and ad- high terms of the good work being done by the spotlessly clean. unit and its officers and predicts a continuance visor. By doing so, you may save a lot of un- BETTER BUTTER... Ships and establishments are so modernised as a result of the helpful and co-operative spirit pleasantness and stay any unnecessary or hasty BETTER BUY IT shown by all concerned. to-day that the sailor finds home comforts away action.

100 101 to form a R.A.N. Sub-Branch Women's Auxiliary. PANEL BEATERS—MECHANICS—DOOR This is an excellent opportunity for the Mothers, FITTERS (BODY WORK). TRADESMEN. fculftifra $c Airmrn a Wives, Daughters and Sisters of Members to have Urturnrii fcailorH their own organisation, and at the same time to be Vacancies exist for the above-mentioned trades- a subsidiary body to a Sub-Branch which is ad- men at York Motors. imperial Crayur n! Australia vancing and expanding rapidly. Fundamentally Vacancies also exist for trainee tradesmen and the principles and aims of a Women's Auxiliary industrial trainees under the COMMONWEALTH are the same as those of a Sub-Branch, but the RECONSTRUCTION TRAINING SCHEME. Ladies have sole control of the Auxiliary. It is a Contact the Personnel Officer, York Motors, ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY SUB BRANCH well-known fact that no Sub-Branch of the R.S.L. Steam Mill St., Sydney. 'Phone: FA 6621. is complete without its Women's Auxiliary. The I.O.O.F. Hall (Basement), 100 Clarence SUBSCRIPTIONS 1947 Monthly Notes Street, City, has been engaged on the afternoon Members are again reminded they will be un- of Wednesday, 16th April, for a meeting of those WORONORA RIVER financial after 31st March, 1947, if subscriptions IMPORTANT AND URGENT Mothers, Wives, Daughters and Sisters of mem- are not paid by that date. A circular received from Stare Headquarters was A Picnic Cricket match has been arranged with bers who are interested in the formation of an read with reference to Housing and Aliens. Any Woronora River Sub-Branch on Sunday, April R.A.N. Sub-Branch Women's Auxiliary. SUBSCRIPTIONS:— member of the Sub-Branch who can, is requested 13, at Prince Edward Park, Woronora River. After ALL MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO BRING Associate Members 5/. to forward the following particulars to the State the excellent day at Austinmer, it should not be THIS MATTER TO THE ATTENTION OF Full Members 10/. Secretary, Anzac House, 271-273 Elizabeth Street, hard to get a much greater number of supporters THEIR WOMENFOLK AT HOME, WITH THE (or 13/6 which includes 12 mths. issue City immediately:— to make the trip. All members and friends going REQUEST THAT THEY ATTEND THE MEET- of "REVEILLE" posted free). co Woronora on the 13th April are asked to uke The names and addresses of aliens who have ING AT 2.30 P.M. PAY THAT SUB. NOW!!!! AND DON'T BE- their own eats; Hot water, soft d''"!" an

103 102 THE NAVY IN WAR AND PEACE IMPORTANT SPEECH BY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE A. V. ALEXANDER. WILHELMSEN LINE MINISTER OF DEFENCE, AT A NAVY LEAGUE MEETING IN LONDON. Boat and Yacht Gear (Norwegian Australian Line) The prosperity of the British Commonwealth possible and if war should unhappily still break depends upon our ability to trade, which involves out, to share with all peace loving nations the BROOMFIELDS LTD. unhindered transit of goods to and from all parts task of resisting the aggressor. Regular Services maintained with fast motor of the world, or, in other words, on the full use With the changes that are envisaged in weapons of sea routes. The fundamental factor underlying of war it is essential to keep the Armed Forces vessels. sea power in all its aspects is the merchant ship prepared and efficient; there will be no time to 152 Sussex Street (near King St.) and its ability to pass to and fro freely on the build up after the start of the war. For further particulars, apply: SYDNEY oceans of the world. It is on the safe arrival of In 1939, the war at sea began at once with the ship at her journey's end that the whole of no period of waiting. The "Athenia" was sunk Navy strategy is based. In a Commonwealth such by a submarine within twelve hours of the out- as ours, it is on the Mercantile Marine that our break of war. This was the start of the German WILH. WILHELMSEN AGENCY prosperity and, indeed, our existence depend, and U-boat war which went on without stopping un- it is the primary duty of our Fleets to protect our til VE-day. We incurred heavy merchant ship PTY. LTD. merchant ships from those who would deny them losses due to our shortage of escorts, and the PHONE: M 4801 a safe passage. Navy had insufficient resources to meet in full all its commitments in Home Waters, Mediter- 63 PITT ST., SYDNEY In peace it is necessary for the Navy to train and be prepared to carry out these duties in time ranean and later on in the Far East. of war. This is in addition to the normal peace- 51 WILLIAM ST., MELBOURNE All quotations attended to immediately. The most important naval campaign from the time functions of policing the high seas. At the point of view of this country was the Battle of present time, as after the First World War, we the Atlantic which continued throughout the whole are also involved in the heavy commitment of war. It was not until the middle of 1943, when mine clearance. the U-boat losses exceeded the merchant ship The exercise of sea power is the control of sinkings, that we really got the upper hand. If sea communications by all the weapons that can we had not been able to defeat the U-boat, we be brought to bear. Its decisive influence on the should never have been able to build up the late war was a result of the combined efforts not forces required for the invasion of the Continent. only of our sailors, but also of airmen, scientists, In the early stages of the war our Naval resources ROBERT HENDERSON JOHN STUBBS & SONS industry and soldiers who captured and held were stretched to the limit with the protection of essential bases. trade, with the operations in Norway and the PTY. LTD. It is often claimed when a new weapon has evacuation of Dunkirk. After that we were faced been produced that the Navy is out of date. We with the necessity of keeping anti-invasion forces LTD. know, however, that in the late war methods based on this country, mounting the offensive were evolved to deal with all the developments against the U-boats and at the same time endeav- BUILDING CONTRACTORS in aircraft, submarines and magnetic and acous- ouring to keep command of the Mediterranean, THE SILK STORE tic mines. Due to the efforts of our scientists where Admiral Cunningham was faced with the we held throughout the war a technical lead in Italian Fleet which was numerically much superior many fields, particularly in that of radar. New to our own. During 1941, apart from the contin- weapons may alter strategic and tactical methods, uous Battle of the Atlantic, the outstanding event but they do not alter the principle of maritime outside the Mediterranean was the sinking of the strategy. The Navy must and will alter its tech- "Bismarck," in which a large number of ships of M HUNTER STREET niques to deal with modern developments. the Home Fleet under the command of Admiral After the First World War the Navy and, in- Tovey and also Force "H" under the command of SYDNEY deed, all the Armed Forces were very heavily Sir James Somerville were involved. Later in 154 PITT STREET cut. It was only in 1935 that many people began the year, a start was made with the Russian con- to appreciate the danger of our position and voys, a most arduous commitment which remained start to build up the Armed Forces. This was too with us until the end of the war in Europe. The SYDNEY PHONE: BW 6630 late to enable us to be adequately prepared when maintenance of sea power by Britain and the war burst upon us. We shall do everything pos- U.S.A. was a tremendous factor in enabling our sible in our power to support and develop the Russian friends to turn defeat into victory. Inside United Nations Organisation to prevent war if the Mediterranean, Admiral Cunningham achieved

102 105 his great victories of Taranto and Matapan, and Pearl Harbour and with the sinking of the "Prince The year was well rounded off by the Home later on had to carry out the evacuations from of Wales" and "Repulse." Fleet with the sinking of the "Scharnhorst" off Greece and Crete, during which the Navy sus- the North Cape during a Russian convoy opera- In 1942 our resources were stretched to the tained heavy losses; at the same time he had to tion. limit and we had no adequate forces to oppose AARONS keep up the supplies of the Army in Libya which the Japanese advance into the Indian Ocean where work was done by the Inshore Squadron, who also 1944 was mainly notable for the landing in at the beginning of April they carried out aircraft EXCHANGE HOTEL sustained considerable losses from air attack. Over Normandy in June and in the South of France attacks on Ceylon. and above all these commitments there was the in August. Prior to that our main effort was con- 1 GRESHAM STREET, SYDNEY necessity to keep Malta supplied, in order that it During the spring and summer further con- centrated on the building up for this operation, could be used as a base for our forces to attack voys had to be fought through to Malta in the though at the same time the Far Eastern theatre was not neglected and a build up was going on Italian shipping and reinforcements to the Axis face of heavy opposition in order to keep the there to assist the Americans who were forcing Only the Boat Brands Stocked forces in North Africa; convoys were run from fortress supplied and capable of defending itself. the Japanese back in the Pacific. both the cast and the west, the forces from the Dining Room Unsurpassed In November came the North African landings, west furthermore, being responsible for flying and with them began the turn of the tide in Other operations in Home Waters were mainly fighter aircraft into the Island. the war against the Axis. To obtain the necessary of an anti-U-boat nature where the advent of AARONS EXCHANGE HOTEL In December, the Japanese entered the war, forces to cover these operations entailed denuding Schnorkel had added materially to the difficulties starting with their attack on the American Fleet in Atlantic convoys of their escorts with the result of submarine hunting. Furthermore, there was that submarine sinkings again rose. the continuous commitment of the Russian con- voys. In November, the R.A.F. destroyed the With the advance of the Eighth Army in Libya Tirpitz previously disabled by our Midget sub- Cockatoo Docks & the supply of Malta was simplified and ceased marines in Alton Fiord which ended the threat of to be a commitment entailing the use of heavy attack on the Russian convoys by heavy surface Engineering Co. Pty. forces. It was, however, necessary to keep a cover- craft. Anti-submarine operations continued in the ing force of battleships and carriers in the West- European theatre right up until VE-day, but in Ltd ern Mediterranean to guard against any possible the meanwhile we were concentrating on building anion by the Italian Fleet. Contractor* to . . . up further in the Pacific and East Indies. In 1943, the tide definitely turned. The supply H.M. AUSTRALIAN NAVY situation was easier, more ships, including escort The battle against the Japanese in the Pacific G«n«ral carriers and escorts, became available. At the end was carried on mainly by the Americans until the later stages, though we were throughout respon- Ship builders, Marin* A Engineers of April the Axis were finally cleared out of Africa, and this was followed by the landings in sible for operations in the East Indies theatre. Inquiries invited July in Sicily and in September at Salerno, with From December, 1941, until May, 1942, the Japan- COCKATOO ISLAND the subsequent surrender of Italy and the Italian ese were on the offensive which took them right Fleet. Furthermore from May onwards the U- down to Burma, Malaya, Dutch East Indies, New SYDNEY boat position became much easier and merchant Guinea and the Solomons, where they were check- Phone: W 1941 (10 fines) shipping losses declined. > ed at the Battle of the Coral Sea. In this action the Americans inflicted severe damage on the Japanese carrier force which was a very vital part of their Fleet for operations in the Pacific area. In June was fought the Battle of Midway, which MUTUAL LIFE & CITIZENS' ASSURANCE was the first decisive defeat suffered by the Japan- ese Navy since their defeat by the Koreans in BIRT & COMPANY CO. LTD. 1592 off the Korean coast. In this action the • Japanese carrier force was destroyed; which auto- (PTY.) LIMITED matically removed the threat to Hawaii and the west coast of America. Thereafter the Japanese 4 BRIDGE STREET. SYDNEY. N.S.W. CASTLEREAGH STREET AND MARTIN PLACE were on the defensive and the Americans pro- P.O. (OX M4B, G.P.O. SYDNEY ceeded by a series of combined operations to re- • gain what had been lost. In this theatre where the distances involved were very large, it was MBM THE MJ-C. FOR YOUR LIFE ASSURANCE necessary to proceed by capturing one group of a islands and then the next, in order to ensure M E.«W SW, ITUMM; Mafrrr. CtU Stam. an adequate chain of bases. Other notable Stanley Street, S#dh Brisbane. MX.C. actions in this theatre were the Battle of the Philippines and the Battle of the Leyte Gulf, which SHIPPING AND GENERAL AGENTS latter took place during the re-occupation of the

106 102 106 Philippines in October, 1944. In the final stages for us to have carried on in these troublesome (Continued from Page 93) of the Pacific war a considerable British carrier days in the war at sea if it had not been for the force was operating with the American forces steady stream of fine youth which had come to preparing for the final assault upon Japan. It is, us, and especially those from the Sea Cadet Corps. Materials, Equipment, etc. however, of interest to note that Japan was defeat- Between 30,000 and 40,000 Sea Cadets went ed without it ever being necessary to land a A large proportion of Naval guns, depth produce valued at £5,479,831 had been supplied to direct from the Corps to the Sea Services. A single soldier on her shores, which shows very charges and ammunition were manufactured in the Admiralty account, and from the outbreak of large proportion rose rapidly to Commissioned and clearly the effect of sea and air power. Australia, and the first of a series of Australian- war to October, 1944, Dry Provisions to the value Chief and Petty Officer Ranks. made torpedoes was completed early in 1944. From the above brief survey of naval operations of £10,399,092 were supplied to and the Middle East. in air theatres of war the influence of sea-power Navy League's "Bounty" scheme sent 2,330 Store depots and storage accommodation at can be very clearly seen, possibly the operations trained, volunteer Signal and Wireless recruits various ports were constantly expanded, and all With few exceptions, clothing for the Royal in the Pacific provide the best illustration of all, from the Corps into the Navy, actually saving the ships built in Australia were supplied with initial Australian Navy was obtained from Australian starting with Japanese conquests which continued Admiralty, by this service, 195,650 "Training days" outfits of Naval stores, nearly all of which were manufacturers. Supplies of clothing were for- unchecked until the battles of the Coral Sea and —a matter of considerable moment when the manufactured locally. For a considerable time, warded to Admiralty yards in Ceylon and South Midway, after which the Japanese lost control Navy's rapid expansion, especially in small ships, provisions were supplied through the Naval Vic- Africa, and to visiting H.M. Ships and ships of of the seas and the Allied fortunes never looked required a vast number of these skilled ratings. tualling Branch to Admiralty as well,as processed the Allied Navies. back. foodstuffs to the War Board, India, and the To the end of February, 1945, buildings, works In peacetime pre-entry training is still of impor- Middle East. From the outbreak of the war to and sites projects undertaken since 1938-39 had Due to the advent of modern weapons and tance but is no longer the principal objective. The the end of February, 1945, provisions and frozen reached a total value of £24,368,000. scientific devices the complements of ships have principal objective is to serve the boy and, by con- increased. Furthermore the number of personnel sequence, the State. The State needs, in every de- required for the Air Arm is considerable, in ad- partment of Service, Commerce and Industry—men dition there is a bigger call on industry to keep of character, initiative, self-discipline and willing- CHAPTER V. pace with the provision of new equipment. At ness to serve the community. These are the quali- the present time with the general shortage of ties learnt in the course of sea-training with its manpower, this makes a very heavy call on the great and peculiarly British tradition. Recruits The Women's Royal Australian Naval Service country's resources. We have a difficult problem of high character and ability are also needed for to face here. the Sea Services including of course, the Merchant On 28th April, 1941, the Women's Royal Aus- assisting the Commissioned Gunner in his instruc- tralian Naval Service was instituted; its members It will have been seen that the work of the Navy. Our country also needs adequate reserves tional work. are subject to the Naval Discipline Act with cer- Navy and the Merchant Navy were indissolubly of trained, sea-minded citizens in case of emer- tain exceptions as laid down by the National There are Seamstresses, Hairdressers an' Battle" of 1*3], and Stewardesses. Many Wrans assist with and grew in size until Sisters were stationed at and at Camperdown in the tame year. He com- 7. Eleven, not including His Majesty the King. Gunnery Training, some being employed in the depots all over Australia as well as New Guinea. manded at "The Four Days' Battle" in 1 Hi «. Yes. and at North Forela In the same year, and highly technical work of Dome Teacher Opera- Besides the Nursing Sisters, three physiothera- drove the Dutch from the Medway after a 9. i860. tors, while others lead an open air life on the pists joined the Service. daring raid under de Ruyter in 1667. 10. Warrior. small arms range, working in the butts, keeping At the conclusion of hostilities, there were 56 the weapons in good condition and generally serving members of the R.A.N.N.S. (Continued on Page 111) 109 105 (Continued from Page 109) ASSOCIATED DT MINIONS GROWTH OF THE ILAJV. DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR For .11 ASSURANCE SOCIETY 3rd September, 1939 Added during hostilities 8-inch Cruisers AUSTRALIA SHROPSHIRE, 17/4/43 Surgical Supplies ... PTY. LIMITED CANBERRA (Recommissioned H.M.A.S.) 6-inch Cruisers ADELAIDE Consult HOBART • LOWER PREMIUMS PERTH ; SYDNEY R. W. GORMAN e LIBERAL BONUSES Infantry Landing MANOORA, 12/12/39 | Ships (LSI)—formerly e HOSPITAL FEES WESTRALIA, 17/1/40 j 297 ELIZABETH STREET Armed Merchant KANIMBLA, 1/6/43 Cruisers SYDNEY, N.S.W. (Recommissioned H.M.A.S.) ASSOCIATED DOMINIONS ASSURANCE Destroyers STUART NESTOR, 40 VAMPIRE SOCIETY PTY. LTD. NAPIER, 11/12/40 Makers of Artificial Limbs, Surgical Appli- • VENDETTA NIZAM, 8/1/41 VOYAGER NORMAN, 29/9/41 ances, Trusses, Colostomy and Abdominal WATERHEN NEPAL, 29/5/42 Belts, and Surgical Hosiery. QUIBERON, 22/7/42 TWYFORD HOUSE QUICKMATCH, 14/9/42 Tel.: MA 4217 ARUNTA, 30/3/42 17 CASTLEREAGH STREET WARRAMUNGA, 23/11/42 CALL, WRITE OR 'PHONE SYDNEY BATAAN, 27/4/45 These vessels were lent to R.A.N, by R.N.—the dates shown are completion dates.

(In November, 1945, Napier, Nepal, Nizam and Norman (Nestor had been sunk) reverted to the R.N.; Quiberon and Quickmatch—both already on loan to the R.A.N.—Queenborough, Quadrant and Quality were lent to the R.A.N, in their place. DOUGLAS ORTON Frigates GASGOYNE, 18/11/43 BARCOO, 17/1/44 AND COMPANY BURDEKIN, 27/6/44 HAWKESBURY, 5/7/44 S. Hoffnung & Co. Ltd. Marine and General Insurance Brokers LACHLAN, 14/2/45 and Underwriters DIAMANTINA, 26/4/45 MACQUARIE, 7/12/45 Ground Floor BARWON, 10/12/45 CLARENCE STREET MURCHISON, 17/12/45 HERALD BUILDING CONDAMINE, 22/2/46 SYDNEY 66 PITT STREET, SYDNEY Sloops YARRA PARRAMATTA, 8/4/40 SWAN WARREGO, 21/8/40 Minelayer BUNGAREE, 9/6/41 The Insurance of your vessel is best cared for by employing brokers who specialise in marine LOST SINCE SEPTEMBER, 1939. insurance AND IT COSTS YOU NO MORE. £ Insurances arranged at Lloyd's, London, and 8-inch Cruiser. "CANBERRA," 9/8/42. Night action off Savo Island. with leading Australian companies. 6-inch Cruisers "SYDNEY," 19/11/41, Raider action off W.A. WHO WISH THE NAVY LEAGUE DOUGLAS ORTON & CO. "PERTH," 1/3/42. Night action off Sunda Strait. 66 Pitt Street, Sydney Destroyers "WATERHEN," 30/6/41. Sunk by aircraft on "spud run" to Tobruk. EVERY SUCCESS "VAMPIRE," 9/4/42. Sunk by aircraft in Bay of bengal. Telegrams: "Ortinsure." BW4035, BW4036 "NESTOR," 15/6/42. Sunk by aircraft in Mediterranean. "VOYAGER," 23/9/42. Lost while helping Timor guerrillas.

110 Ill Sloops "PARRAMATTA," 27/11/41. Sunk by submarine in Mediterranean. "YARRA," 4/3/42. Sunk in action south of Java. Corvettes "ARMIDALE," 1/12/42. Sunk by aircraft while helping Timor guerrillas. "WALLAROO," 11/6/43. Lost in collision off Fremantle. JOIN "GEELONG," 18/10/44. Lost in collision off New Guinea coast. M.Ls. "M.L. 430," 15/8/44. Marine casualty New Guinea area. t THE "M.L. 827," 21/11/44. Marine Casualty New Guinea area. THE NAVY LEAGUE PAID OFF TO 30/4/46 Patron: H.M. The KING. NA\\ 6-inch Cruiser "ADELA:DE," 26/2/45. Head Office: Destroyers "VENDETTA," 27/11/45; "QUALITY," 25/1/46. Grand Buildings, LEAGUE Frigates "GASGOYNE," 12/4/46; "BURDEKIN," 18/4/46. Trafalgar Square, Corvettes 17 Corvettes have paid off. In addition, 20 corvettes, built for the R.N., but opera- LONDON, W.C.2 ting during the war with the R.A.N., are reverting to R.N. control. Branches: M.Ls. 29. Great Britain, New South Wales, Victoria, H.D.M.Ls. 19. South Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, CONCLUDED Ceylon, Rhodesia. FOR YEARS Affiliated Leagues: 68 The Navy League of Canada the CHRONOLOGY OF NAVAL EVENTS The Navy League of South Africa MERCANTILE MUTUAL „ 11 Timor Surrender signed in H.M.A.S. "MORESBY". Ships present in the area included N.S.W. BRANCH H.M.A.S. WARRNAMBOOL", "HORSHAM", "PARKES", "KATOOMBA", "BENALLA", Insurance Coy. Ltd. Patron: His Excellency the Governor of N.S.W. "ECHUCA", "GLADSTONE", "KANGAROO" and BOMBO" as well as M.Ls 1324, 1322, an Australian Institution has been 1529. President: T. H. Silk, M.I.C.E., M.I.N.A. Hon. Treasurer: C. M. C. Shannon providing security for the homes of 12 Wewak Surrender in M.I. 805. the people, its motto being Hon. Auditors: Robertson, Crane and Gibbons. „ 13 H.M.A.S. "DIAMANTINA" escorted by M.L. 816 present at Surrender of Nauru and Ocean Hon. Secretary: Comdr. F. W. Hixson, O.B.E., Islands. S.S.D. " Service to the Public " „ 9 Surrender at Kuching, Jesselton and Sandakan attended by— Secretary and Editor: W. W. Beale. O.B.E. Under the protection of Insurance Policial ships sail H.M.A.S. "BUNDABERG", "KAPUNDA", "BLACK SNAKE", "RIVER SNAKE" and M.L. the oceans, land and air transport moves, men work, VICTORIAN BRANCH and homes and factories ara built and safeguarded. 1343. Injuries are compensated and distress relieved. (Incorporating Navy League Sea Cadet Corps) (The above feu• lines were inadvertently omitted from last issue. This concludes Chronology). Insurance is a contract of good faith. Patron: His Excellency the Governor of Victoria Our (unds are used to assist in the development of the President: Captain S. A. Pidgeon, R.D., R.N.R. Country and with our properties are held in trust for Hon. Treasurer: C. W. Lucas, Esq. the protection of our Policy Holders. Secretary: L S. Digby, Esq. Fire, Marine, Accident, Motor Car HOTEL PLAZA and WYNYARD STATION PLEASE NOTE Householders', House-Owners (Combined) Insurance GEORGE ST.. SYDNEY Contributions of a suitable nature are • cordially invited, and should be addressed Crops, Stacks, Fencing, Pluvius to the Editor "Navy," Royal Exchange All Classes of Agricultural Insurance Building, Bridge Street. Sydney. Head Office: 117 PITT STREET, SYDNEY EXCELLENT BAR AND DINING ROOM SERVICE The Navy League does not necessarily SELWt'N KINS, Managing Director. endorse the opinions of contributors to DRINKS AVAILABLE WITH MEALS the journal. Agencies in all Suburban end Country Centres throughout the Commonwealth where all classes of A. F. PARER, Licensee Insurance can be arranged by any of the Company's Telephone BU 5808 4000 Agents trained to give

= "Service to the Public"

112 eTAR PRINTCRY PTY. LTD, mm

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THE FASHION

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Good-bye for ever to dull, uninteresting sweets. The trend is towards dishes gay and colourful— light, yet nourishing! Naturally the accent is on Peters. Peters—because there's nothing so well designed to delight both guests and family. Peters, too: because it's an authentic dairy food —equally important for children and adults alike. Pelersf

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