HMAS Adelaide (I)
Photograph courtesy of marine artist John Bastock (ex-RAN)
- About John Bastock
In 1913 John and his father watched the First Fleet of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) sail into Sydney Harbour. From that time on he knew he wanted to join the navy.
At age 15, he joined the RAN training ship HMAS Tingira. After successfully completing his training, he served on a number of RAN ships. He served in HMAS Brisbane (I) on the China Station and then on HMAS Melbourne (I) in the Mediterranean he then served the final commission of HMAS Sydney (I). He then sailed in S.S. Beltana to commission HMAS Canberra (I) at Clydebank, Scotland.
On the ship’s long voyage to Australia, John found time to take up painting. He completed many paintings on board the Canberra. On his return to Australia John trained at HMAS Cerberus as a torpedo-gunner’s mate and qualified.
In 1931 Bastock sustained a serious eye injury whilst on duty and was medically discharged 18 February 1932. He had reached the rank of Leading Seaman Torpedoman. He found employment with the electrical branch of the New South Wales Department of Public Works and later the State Electricity Commission. Over time his sight improved, and he resumed painting.
In the years to follow he painted many subjects and executed hundreds of drawings, diagrams and paintings of ships and wrote many articles on both ships and maritime subjects. He also wrote the popular reference books 'Australia's Ships of War' (1975) and 'Ships on the Australia Station' (1990). Many of his paintings were donated to the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney.
The hallmark of John’s work was his attention to detail. His dedicated research, along with the knowledge and experience gained during his service at sea, enabled his drawings and paintings to be correct in every detail.
- About HMAS Adelaide (I)
HMAS Adelaide (I) was an improved version of the 'Chatham' group of the British Town Class Light Cruisers. The ship was of the same basic design as HMA Ships Brisbane (I), Melbourne (I) and Sydney (I). She was originally equipped to burn both coal and oil fuel.
Adelaide (I) paid off into reserve at Sydney on 27 June 1928. After eleven years in reserve Adelaide (I) was taken in hand in 1938 for an extensive refit at Cockatoo Island Dockyard. On 1 September 1939 Adelaide (I) commissioned for war service.
More reading
- Additional resources for John Bastock
- Additional resources for HMAS Adelaide (I)