This article was first published in Semaphore, the newsletter of the Sea Power Centre – Australia, Issue 20, November 2006. The Naval Historical Society is grateful for their permission to ...
History - general
Book Review: The Royal Australian Navy – a History
The Royal Australian Navy – a History Edited by David Stevens, published by Oxford University Press. First published in 2001 as a hardback version, reprinted several times and so well ...
Women in the RAN – a Personal Perspective
Where does the word “news” come from?
Al. During the days of explorers like Marco Polo and Ferdinand Magellan, trade merchants arriving at a foreign port would have the courtesy to inform departing vessels what the ocean’s ...
Bust of Lord Nelson at MHQ garden Island
The inscription reads: This bust of Lord Nelson Presented to the Royal Australian Navy by the Naval Auxiliary Patrol Association NSW Was erected in its present (sic) position On the ...
Book Review: The Fragile Forts
Title:The Fragile Forts: The Fixed Defences of Sydney Harbour 1788-1963 Author: Peter Oppenheim, Publisher: Australian Military History Publications, Loftus NSW. The Fragile Forts is a joint venture between the Australian ...
Letters: Canal Zone clasp 1951/2
You may not be aware that some time ago the British Government approved the award of the above medal to naval personnel who served in the Suez Canal Zone in ...
Sea Power Ashore and in the Air
Two Shipwrecks off Sydney Heads and the Building of Hornby Light
In 1857, two clipper ships came to grief on rocks outside Sydney Heads, and as a result of public alarm, a smallish lighthouse – Hornby Light – was erected on ...
Book Review: Trafalgar – the Men, the Battle, the Storm
Trafalgar – the Men, the Battle, the Storm By Tim Clayton & Phil Craig London Hodder & Stoughton 2004. rrp $39.95. Reviewed by Bob Nicholls Once upon a time, not ...
Book Review: Blunders and Disasters at Sea. An anthology
Blunders and Disasters at Sea. An anthology By David Blackmore Peribo Books, Mt Kuring-Gai NSW. rrp $75.00. Published 2004 by Pen & Sword Maritime, Barnsley, South Yorks, UK. Reviewed by ...
Book Review: The Royal Navy in Australia 1900-2000
Title: The Royal Navy in Australia 1900-2000 Author: Ross Gillett and Vic Geoffrey Publisher: Maritime Books, Lodge Hill, Liskeard in Cornwall PL 14 4EL, United Kingdom. This is a remarkable pictorial history ...
Colonial Coastal Defence Guns from Kings Park, Perth
Two 7″ LARGE RIFLED muzzle-loading coast defence guns are undergoing refurbishment by the Navy at HMAS Stirling, WA. Dating from 1866, they were manufactured by the Royal Ordnance Factory in ...
Helm Orders
HELM ORDERS GIVEN in British ships prior to 1934 were relative to tiller movement irrespective of whether steering was by tiller or wheel. The orders of the Officer of the ...
Book Review: The Royal Navy-An illustrated Social History
The Royal Navy – An illustrated Social History 1870 – 1982 By Captain John Wells ISBN 0-905-778-308. Sutton Publishing Ltd. rrp $49.95 or GBP19.99 Reviewed by A. M. Downes When ...
Book Review: The Global Reach of Empire
The Global Reach of Empire By Alan Frost The Miegunyah Press the University of Melbourne, 2003. ISBN 0 522 85050 2 rrp $59.95. Reviewed by Bob Nicholls This is a ...
Naval Officers’ Ceremonial Cocked Hat And Frock Coat
A photo, recalling a bygone age, of the late Captain Bill Cook in his full-dress uniform drew the attention of one of our dedicated volunteers, who produced the following newspaper article ...
The Amethyst Incident Recalled
Melbourne Cup
ONE CANNOT HELP remembering that in days long past our Fleet always managed to be in Melbourne for the Cup and our ships and men were definitely a part of ...
History of ‘Johnnies’ – Royal Naval House 1876 – 1980s
The Sovereign’s Colours in the Royal Australian Navy 1925-2003
RNAS Sembawang – an Update
At the time of wriing, LCDR Swinden was RAN Liaison Officer Singapore. IN THE JUNE 2003 EDITION of the Review was an article on HMS Simbang (RNAS Sembawang). The closing ...
Torpedo Pioneers – 14 November Anniversary
Extract from The Times of London, 14 November 2002. Forwarded by David Simmonds (Member, WA) A REMARKABLE COINCIDENCE has been noticed on the anniversaries of two of the pioneer developers ...
Johnnies – Royal Naval House, Sydney
Reverend A. Hilliard recalls the amenities of the place (located in Clarence Place, Sydney) towards the end of WW2. Extract from his memoirs of HMAS Junee 1944-5 ON OVERNIGHT ‘LIBERTIES’ ...