Australian National Maritime Museum Volunteers’ Quarterly All Hands Issue 84 September 2013 Page Page 2 Page 3 EDITORIAL FAREWELL … Peter Wood This issue marks the celebration of the Readers would be aware that long-serving centenary of the arrival of the Royal Volunteers Manager, Peter Wood, has left Australian Navy’s first vessels in Sydney. the museum. All current volunteers have Virtually no-one will now remember that seen Peter at work at least in their event 100 years ago though it is being introductory interview and at guide recreated in October this year in very briefings. Peter’s great awareness of the grand fashion as the International Fleet entire volunteer force was a great strength Review (IFR). Imagine, a century ago, to the All Hands committee. island Australia was truly a maritime nation dependent solely on the sea to Your All Hands Committee has been in a bring here both people and the goods privileged position to work alongside him they needed to settle them. Then to producing many, many issues of this export our produce to markets across the magazine. oceans as well as protecting the sea lanes carrying these vessels to and fro. The magazine’s charter defines the official role that Peter played as: “Guide and advisor on policy matters”. But he did IFR 2013 much more. He suggested new ideas for adds to this naval centenary both a layer stories and their presentation; supported of visiting naval ships plus an array of most of them, but he was sometimes international tall ships in recognition of reserved about our ideas. Overall, he the commercial vessels which have always encouraged our efforts for served the nation from the outset. The volunteers. event promises to surpass that splendid time of Australia’s Bi-centenary which Today’s magazine is bigger, brighter and will never be forgotten by everyone who better, in no small part because of Peter’s shared in it. contributions. Its quarterly issues are also usually on time, thanks sometimes to 1913, following Federation, was nation Peter’s last minute proofreading, compiling building time. It saw the founding of or production efforts. Canberra as well as the arrival of our first national naval vessels which makes up The magazine has always been ‘for the this issue. volunteers and by the volunteers’, but the substantial staff contribution made by Peter Wood will not be forgotten. All Hands Committee Editorial David van Kool, Alex Books, Bob Hetherington, John Lea, Neale Philip, Janet Pagan, Ian Stevens Design Jenny Patel, Hailey Mannell Ditty Box Alex Books ANMM All Hands Committee 2 Murray Street, SYDNEY NSW 2000 E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 9298-3772 [Editor] Fax: 9298-3729 Page 4 CONTENTS Click on each story in this list that appeals. You will transfer straight to it. Editorial 4 Director’s Column Kevin Sumption 6 The Royal Australian Navy – the Cinque Ports, Where it all Began Neil Hird 7 “Neil takes us back a thousand years from the RAN through the RN to five ports in southern England. These ancient towns were chartered by King Edward to provide ships and men for the defence of the realm.” 1913 Fleet Review…….Birth of the RAN Bob Hetherington 14 “Sydney was gripped by Navy Fever when the ships of the new RAN first entered the harbour. From the newspapers of the day we get a sense of life in our city at the turn of the twentieth century.” Early History of the RAN edited by Neale Philip 18 “Neale explains how after the long presence of the RN in Australia, Federation led to the formation of the RAN which was almost immediately drawn into World War.” HMA Ships Parramatta, Sydney, Yarra – 1913 to the present Neale Philip 20 “Neale talks about the ships whose names have lived on through the RAN’s history.” A guide to the RAN Fleet: IFR 2013 Neale Philip 23 “Neale gives us a quick guide to the RAN ships participating in IFR 2013.” Selected foreign warships at the Sydney IFR October 2013 John Lea 27 “Invitations were sent to more than 50 nations to send warships and/or Tall Ships to the Sydney IFR. As at July 2013 19 nations had agreed to send representative warships”. Tall Ships are coming for IFR David Van Kool 33 “Probably the biggest maritime event since the opening of National Maritime Museum”. HMAS Sydney In Action - The Ran’s First Big Test Bob Hetherington 36 “Barely a year after the 1913 Fleet Review the RAN found itself committed to WW1. As the first ANZAC convoy crossed the Indian Ocean our new light cruiser HMAS Sydney engaged and destroyed the German Raider Emden.” HMB Endeavour John Dikkenberg 40 “Survey (brief) of her recent dry docking and maintenance.” Cape Town To Fremantle On The Barque Europa Fran Taylor 41 “Fran goes to sea again for IFR.“ Silver Anniversary — First Fleet Voyage Re-Enactment London 1987-Sydney 1988 John Lind 43 “John concludes the story of his voyage in Tall Ship Amorina with the spectacular arrival of the “second” First Fleet into Sydney, Australia day 1988.” Band Plays On Alex Books 55 ditty box compiled by Alex Books 56 The Australian Sailor Centenary Monument WA 58 Page 5 Director’s Column: Spring is upon us and what an exciting time ahead we have here at the museum. Our big- gest exhibition to date – Vikings - Beyond the Legend - opened with a bang when 50 Viking reenactors descended on the museum for a mock battle. You may have seen the TV reports or read about it in the newspaper. Vikings – Beyond the Legend lifts the lid on what life was really like for the Vikings and challenges the myth of them as horned-helmet wearing barbarians. Produced and curated by the Swedish History Museum the exhibition features over 500 rare artefacts and is not-to-be missed. This October the museum will be the place to be during the Royal Australian Navy’s Inter- national Fleet Review and Tall Ship Festival. From 3-10 October 2013, the museum will play host to nine tall ships from around the globe and we’re proud to say that our magnificent Endeavour replica will be at the forefront of the parade as the tall ships enter Sydney Harbour. Don’t miss the opportunity to step on board these beautiful ships on one of the Tall Ship Open Days on Sunday 6 and Monday 7 October. On the evening of Saturday 5 October the museum’s iconic roof will come to life as a venue for the Navy’s stunning projection show celebrating 100 years since Australia’s first naval fleet entered Sydney Harbour in 1913. With a major new exhibition and an international event taking place, the National Maritime Museum is sure to be busy over the coming months and I look forward to see- ing many of you here. Editor: re picture above right Recently, the Director gathered some of the ‘old hands’ of All Hands in the Wal Gentle Board Room as a thankyou for their ongoing support of the volunteer’s e-magazine. Those present were L to R: Ray Spinks, Don Coulter, Col Gibson, Vera Taylor, Jenny Patel, David van Kool, John Lind (seated), Kevin Sumption, Warwick Abadee and Pat Cullen. Neale Philip advised Andrew Frolows, photographer. Apologies were sent by Alex Books, Bob Hetherington, John Lea, John Papenhuyzen and Herman Willemsen among those who missed the occasion. Page 6 The Royal Australian Navy – the Cinque Ports, Where it all Began Neil Hird The Royal Australian Navy (RAN), which celebrates its centenary this year was part of the British Royal Navy (RN) until 1911. As such, it can be traced back a 1000 years and this paper outlines the first organization created to defend the shores of England. Confederation of the The navy played a central role in English history from before the Norman conquest. King Alfred (871-901) is Cinque (pronounced ‘sink’) sometimes claimed to be the founder of the navy, but it was Edward the Confessor (1042-1066) who created an organization. In order to defend his kingdom and control the English Channel, he established, by Royal Warrant, the Confederation of the Cinque (pronounced ‘sink’ from Norman French) Ports, a uniquely English organisation with the ships and men drawn from the five ports of Hastings, Romney, Hythe, Dover and Sandwich. It is not surprising that the development of the navy had its origins in this part of the realm. The south-east of England is perhaps the most historic part of the country, particularly the Cinque Ports coastline of Kent and Sussex, where Romans, Saxons, Danes, Normans invaded, and Napoleon and Hitler threatened. Under the Royal Warrant, the ports had to provide ships and men for 15 days of free service a year, and in return they were granted privileges not available to others in the realm. A Royal Charter re-confirmed the privileges in 1278, which included: Exemption from tax and tolls anywhere in England and later Normandy. Full self-government The right to hold a court of law – they could judge and punish criminals. The right to claim any wreckage found in the sea or on shore. Special honours at court - the right to carry a canopy over the King at his coronation and sit at his side at the Coronation Feast. The control of the annual Yarmouth Herring Fair. This gave the Portsmen tremendous power with no accountability or restriction. The fourth clause was virtually a license to piracy by a royal fleet. The last clause created much conflict over the years.