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01 The formation of the Royal Australian Navy
was a significant step forward in Australia’s nationhood, and the battle cruiser HMAS Australia was the navy’s first flagship. The Sydney Morning Herald reported Australia as being ‘a living, sentient thing, whose mission is to guard our shores and protect our commerce and our trade routes’. HMAS Australia was the biggest warship of that period to enter Sydney Harbour. ANMM Collection 02 The light cruiser HMAS Melbourne was built by the famous shipbuilders Cammell Laird & Co Ltd of Birkenhead, England, in 1913. On 4 October of that year, Melbourne led the light cruisers – ‘Australia’s greyhounds’ – through Sydney Heads. This postcard emphasises Imperial unity through the slogan ‘One King, One Fleet, One Nation’. ANMM Collection 03 As well as the public program produced for the day, a program was also published for invited guests. It lists the VIPs associated with the great day, the names from the Citizen’s Committee who put together many of the social events, and a list of the festivities for the period 4–11 October 1913. ANMM Collection
12 SIGNALS 104 SEPTEMBER–NOVEMBER 2013
christening words the destroyer HMAS Parramatta was launched by Mrs Asquith, wife of the Prime Minister of England, at Govan on the River Clyde in Scotland on 10 February 1910.
The idea of an Australian fleet of warships had been the subject of much discussion throughout naval and political circles since Federation in 1901 The next six years saw the construction of the destroyers Yarra, Warrego, Huon, Torrens and Swan; the battleship Australia; the light cruisers Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane; and two submarines with the latest technology, AE1 and AE2.
But ships need maintenance, provisions and personnel, so the government established bases, repair and victualling yards and barracks around Australia to support the fleet. A strong desire was to have as many Australians as possible on these Australian warships. However, it was realised that men of the British navy would be needed in training and operating roles in the Fleet Unit’s formative years. Training schools and colleges were also established to turn men and boys into officers and sailors. This new navy replicated the Royal Navy in hierarchy, organisation and structure, but went on to create its own style. Exciting opportunities awaited those who signed for the Australian Fleet Unit, and it was ‘so popular that there was a superabundance of candidates for the privilege of entering it’ (Admiral Sir George King-Hall, 1912). Many of the Royal Navy sailors transferred to the Royal Australian Navy and settled in Australia, bringing their families with them or starting life with Australian girls.