H.M.A.S. Australia (1911)
| H.M.A.S. Australia (1911) | |
|---|---|
| Pendant Number: | C6 (Feb 1915) 09 (Jan 1918) 81 (Apr 1918)[1] |
| Builder: | John Brown & Company, Clydebank (Ship no. 402)[2] |
| Ordered: | 1908 Programme[3] |
| Laid down: | 23 Jun, 1910[4] |
| Launched: | 25 Oct, 1911[5] |
| Commissioned: | Jun, 1913[6] |
| Scuttled: | 12 Apr, 1924[7] |
| Fate: | off Sydney[8] |
Construction
The first two rivets of the keel of the Australia were driven on 23 June, 1910, by Sir George H. Reid, High Commissioner for Australia, and Lady Reid.[9]
Weapons
The 12-in gun registration numbers were 368, 369, 371, 372, 384, 385, 386, and 387, and these were in place when she was scuttled. Three other barrels from the R.A.N.A.D. were lashed to the deck and broke free as the ship turned over and rolled off. These numbers were 258, 377 and 378.[10]
Service
On the occasion of the Battle of Jutland, 31 May, 1916, Australia was returning to Scapa from Devonport,[11] having departed at 10 a.m. on 31 May. She arrived at Scapa at 6:30 a.m. on 3 June.[12]
Australia paid off into Reserve at Sydney on 12 December, 1921.[13]
Boats
In July 1914, the ship was appropriated 42-foot motor launch No. 259, though the boat was not yet delivered from the contractor.[14]
Alterations
Director
In 1915, director equipment for Australia had been ordered, but it was not installed until sometime between December 1915 and the Battle of Jutland.[15]
In July, 1922, Australia apparently had director firing for her secondary battery, as spares were ordered to be set aside for her.[16]
Bearing Indicators
In 1916, Australia and New Zealand were approved to receive Evershed Bearing Indicators for their main battery.[17]
Torpedo Control
By the end of 1920, it was decided that she should also receive a Renouf Torpedo Tactical Instrument Type A, as had been decided for New Zealand the previous year.[18]
Radio
Sometime before 1913, she may have also had a Type 3 Battleship Auxiliary set, but it was to be replaced by a Type 10 Cruiser Auxiliary set.[19]
Captains
Dates of appointment are provided when known.
- Captain Herbert J. O. Millar, 1 February, 1913[20] – 10 April, 1913[21]
- Captain Stephen H. Radcliffe, 17 May, 1913[22][23] – 14 December, 1916[24]
- Captain Oliver Backhouse, 14 December, 1916[25] – 1 September, 1918[26]
- Captain Thomas N. James, 1 September, 1918[27][28] – 8 April, 1919[29] (and as Flag Captain to R.A.C. Second Battle Cruiser Squadron)
- Captain Claude L. Cumberlege, 8 April, 1919[30][31] – 10 May, 1922[32]
- Captain Stanley R. Miller, 21 September, 1920[33]
- Commander Owen C. Hare, 15 May, 1921 – 9 January, 1922
See Also
- Wikipedia
- 3D Model available for licensing
- HMAS Australia (I) – The Royal Australian Navy webpage for Australia.
Footnotes
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 35.
- ↑ Clydebank Battlecruisers. Footers.
- ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 26.
- ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 26.
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 35.
- ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 26.
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 35.
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 35.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 24 June, 1910. Issue 39307, col D, p. 10.
- ↑ Email from David Brooks to Tony Lovell, March 13 2013.
- ↑ "Grand Fleet Operations - Narrative of Events." Jellicoe Papers. British Library. Add MS 49002. f. 41.
- ↑ "Grand Fleet Operations - Narrative of Events." Jellicoe Papers. British Library. Add MS 49002. f. 44.
- ↑ [Australian] Navy List (April, 1922). p. 25.
- ↑ Admiralty Weekly Order No. 122 of 10 July, 1914.
- ↑ The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in HM Ships. pp. 9-11.
- ↑ Admiralty Fleet Order 1832/1922. (G. 2475/22.—7.7.1922)
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 145.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1920. p. 91.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1913. W/T Appendix, p. 13.
- ↑ Millar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 325.
- ↑ Millar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 325.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 398a.
- ↑ Radcliffe Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 342.
- ↑ Radcliffe Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 342.
- ↑ The Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 399j.
- ↑ Backhouse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 206.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 946.
- ↑ James Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45. f. 32.
- ↑ James Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45. f. 32.
- ↑ Cumberlege Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/297. f. 334.
- ↑ [Australian] Navy List (July, 1919). p. 23.
- ↑ Cumberlege Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/297. f. 334.
- ↑ [Australian] Navy List (January, 1921). p. 26.
Bibliography
- Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. London: Ian Allan.
- Parkes, O.B.E., Ass.I.N.A., Dr. Oscar (1990). British Battleships 1860–1950. London: Pen & Sword Ltd. ISBN 0850526043. (on Bookfinder.com).
- Roberts, John (1997). Battlecruisers. London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 186176006X. Annapolis: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1557500681. (on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk).
- Admiralty, Technical History Section (1919). The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in H.M. Ships. Vol. 3, Part 23. C.B. 1515 (23) now O.U. 6171/14. At The National Archives. ADM 275/19.
- Johnston, Ian (2011). Clydebank Battlecruisers: Forgotten Photographs from John Brown's Shipyard. South Yorkshire: Seaforth Publishing, Pen & Sword Books. (on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk).
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