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1919
Submarine Depot Ship Platypus and six J Class Submarines join
the R.A.N. Australia, Melbourne, Sydney and the Destroyer Flotilla
return to Sydney. Sloops Marguerite, Geranium and Mallow transferred
to the RAN. Admiral Lord Jellicoe arrives in Australia to report on
Naval Defence. Rear Admiral Creswell retires from the Naval Board.
Rear Admiral J.S. Dumaresq, the first Australian born officer hoists
his flag in Command of the Australian Fleet.
1920
Destroyers Anzac (leader), Tasmania, Tattoo, Swordsman, Success and
Stalwart commissioned into the RAN. Flinders Naval Base (later 'Depot')
officially opened. Encounter paid off. HRH Prince of Wales reviews a
fleet of 29 ships in Port Phillip. Naval Brigade becomes Royal Australian
navy Reserve.
1921
Williamstown
Naval Depot closed down. Australia Paid Off. RAN Survey Service begins.
1922
Washington Naval Treaty signed limiting the size and strength of the
worlds navies the RAN suffers due to classification of being under the
British navy.
1923
Eight ships only in commission. Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, three destroyers,
one sloop and one depot ship. Imperial Conference suggested that the
RAN build or aquire four cruisers, six submarines and patrol vessels
over a period of 13-14 years.
1924
Australia scuttled off Sydney in accordance with Washington Treaty.
Four J Class Submarines sold. Yarra paid off. Adelaide joins Royal Navy
as first exchange cruiser. RAN adopts five year program calling for
two heavy cruisers, two submarines and one seaplane carrier. RN special
service squadron (Hood, Repulse and five light cruisers visit Australia
- sailed accompanied by Adelaide.
1925
Moresby commissioned for Survey work. Heavy Cruisers Australia and Canberra
laid down. Submarines Otway and Oxley laid down. Stalwart paid off.
Melbourne on exchange service with HMS Delhi.
1926
Recruiting of boys into RAN ceased. Seaplane Carrier Albatross laid
down at Cockatoo Dock. Torrens paid off.
1927
Submarines Otway and Oxley Commissioned. Geranium paid off ending her
career as a survey ship. Tingira paid off to become coal hulk in Sydney
Harbour.
1928
Australia and Canberra 8" Cruisers commissioned. Sydney, Tasmania, Swan,
Warrego, Huon and Parramatta paid off. Melbourne paid off in Portsmouth
England and sold as scrap.
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1929
Albatross commissioned. Depression era begins. Survey work ceases.
Compulsory training ends. Moresby and Marguerite (Reserve Training
Ship) paid off. General reduction in ships and personnel. Brisbane
and Swordsman paid off. Sydney handed over to shipnbreakers.
1930
Yarra, Parramatta, Warrego and swan handed over to ship breakers for
dismantling. Torrens stripped and sunk by Canberra as practice target.
Only four ships in commission - Australia, Canberra, Albatross and
Anzac. Recruiting ceased. Naval College transferred from Jervis Bay
to Flinders Naval Depot.
1931
Anzac paid off - replaced by Tattoo. Huon sunk as target. Submarines
Otway and Oxley returned to RN. Personnel reduced to 3,239.
1932
RAN Recruiting resumed. Cadet entries to Naval College resumed. Mallow
and Marguerite dismantled at Cockatoo Dock. First RAN College officers
reach Commander rank. H.B. Farncomb and J.A. Collins. Total personnel
reaches lowest point, 3,121
1933
Survey ship Moresby re-commissioned. Stuart, Vampire, Voyager, Vendetta
and Waterhen commissioned into the RAN on loan from the Royal Navy
replacing obselete ANZAC and "S" and "T" Class destroyers.
1934
HMS Sussex attached to Australian Squadron in exchange for HMAS Australia.
1935
Cruiser Sydney (ex Phaeton) sommissioned. Brisbane recommisssions
for passage to UK and disposal, Marguerite and Mallow sunk as targets.
Anzac sold for scrap. Geranium scuttled off Sydney Heads.
1936
Cruisers Sydney and Australia join RAN Squadron after Mediterraean
Service. Sloop Yarra, built at Cockatoo commissioned.
1938
Cruiser Hobart (ex Apollo) commissioned.
1939
WW11 Declared Sep 3rd.
Cruiser Perth (ex Amphion) commissioned. World War Two begins. RAN
Strength; two eight inch cruisers, four six inch cruisers, five destroyers,
two sloops,. Personnel 5,440 Permanent, 4,819 Reserves. Destroyers
sail for Singapore and Mediterranean.
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