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1909
Imperial Conference on Naval Defence recommends the establishment
of an Australian Fleet Unit. The new fleet unit consisting of a battle
Cruiser, three Light Cruisers, Six Destroyers and three Submarines,
to be paid for and controlled by Australia. In other words a separate
and independent Australian Navy.
1910
Naval Defence Act passed. Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson representing
Admiral of the Fleet, Lord Fisher, arrives to advise on Naval Defence.
Torpedo Boat Destroyers Yarra and Parramatta arrive in Melbourne 10
December.
1911
The Title Royal Australian Navy granted by King George V. Naval Board
reconstituted with Rear Admiral Sir William Rooke Creswell as First
naval Member. Battle Cruiser HMAS Australia launched on the Clyde.
Administration of the Commonwealth Naval Forces reorganized and transferred
from Victoria Barracks to Navy Office, Lonsdale Street Melbourne.
1912
Flinders naval Base Commenced. Williamstown Naval Depot commissioned
as HMAS Cerberus 1 July. HMAS Tingira commissioned as Boys Training
Ship. HMAS Encounter lent by the Admiralty and commissioned into the
RAN as HM Australian Ship. HMAS Warrego commissioned 1 June. Naval
College established at Geelong, Victoria.
1913
Australian Fleet under the command of Rear Admiral Sir William Patey
enters Sydney Harbour on 4th October. (Australia, Sydney, Melbourne,
Warrego, Parramatta, Yarra. Admiral Sir George King-Hall twenty second
and last Commander-in-Chief Australia Station hauls down his Flag
bringing Admiralty responsibility for the station to an end. All Naval
establishments transferred to Commonwealth Control. RAN College begins
first training course at Osbourne House Geelong.
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1914
World
War 1 Begins. Australia and Melbourne capture German Samoa 30 August.
Nauru captured by Melbourne. German New guinea surrenders. Submarine
AE1 lost with all hands off New Britain. Australian Squadron operated
as counter to Von Spee's German Pacific Squadron. Sydney Sinks Emden
off the Cocos Islands, 9 November. AE2 In company of 2nd AIF Convoy,
proceed to Mediterranean.
1915
Australia sinks SS Eleonore Woerman off Falkland Islands. Australia
becomes Flagship of Second Battle Cruiser Squadron based on Rosyth,
Scotland. RAN College transferred to Jervis Bay. Melbourne and Sydney
engaged on West Indies/North American Patrols. RAN Bridging Train (a
special unit of the Naval Brigade) leave Australia. RAN Units begin
Far Eastern Blockade patrols. Destroyer Huon commissioned. Submarine
AE2 Lost in Sea of Marmora after heroic passage of the Dardenelles during
Gallipoli Campaign. Cruise Adelaide laid down at Cockatoo Dock, Sydney.
1916
Destroyers Swan and Torrens commissioned. Pioneer in German East Africa
Campaign assisted in the destruction of German Cruiser Koenigsberg.
Melbourne joined 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron in North Sea. RAN Bridging
Train in Suez area. Australia collides with cruiser New Zealand and
misses Battle of Jutland. HMAS Brisbane commissions. HMAS Pioneer paid
off.
1917
Sydney and Australia Successfully launch aircraft from specially erected
platforms becoming first RAN Ships to do so. Sydney engages Zeppelin
L43 in running fight. RAN Destroyer Flotilla proceeds to Mediterranean
to begin Adriatic Anti-Submarine Patrols. German raider Wolfe mines
Australian Waters sinking two ships. RAN Brigade minesweeping section
formed.
1918
Sydney and Melbourne continue North Sea Operations and Australian Destroyers
carry on Adriatic Patrols. Armistice signed 11 November. Swan renders
assistance to 'White' Russian forces in Sea of Azov. Australia, Sydney
and Melbourne present at surrender of German Fleet at Scapa Flow.
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