After the sinking of HMS Glorious with very heavy loss of life from exposure in Arctic waters, Ron Dowle explained that an admiral afterwards asked him what he would have ...
Publications
The “Lighter” Side of the War at Sea
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 ...
Collingwood’s Despatches from Trafalgar
Just over 50 years ago, on the even of the sesqui-century anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, the London Times published an elegant four-page facsimile of its November 7, 1805 ...
Victory at Trafalgar – How the News was Delivered
“Amongst the year-long celebration and commemoration of Lord Nelson’s final triumphant battle, there was a timely re-enactment of the memorable voyage and overland journey undertaken by the officer entrusted with Vice ...
Sinking of HMS Peterel – Shanghai 1944
Japanese Surrender onboard USS Missouri
When the signal “Cease hostilities against Japan” was hoisted in the British Task Force, awaiting a broadcast to the Fleet by Admiral Halsey USN, a kamikaze splashed into the sea ...
Carley Life Rafts of WW2
The Carley life-float (Admiralty Seamanship Manual 1956 terminology) was the principal method of lifesaving equipment during WW2, fitted to all warships, and not superseded by the present form of inflatable ...
Submarines of the British Pacific Fleet
Although largely unseen except on setting out and returning to base at Fremantle WA, British submarines of the BPF mainly T and S classes, achieved a great deal through their ...
British Pacific Fleet 1944-46
Obituary: Lieutenant W E Allen RAN (Retd) 1899-2005
Offensive Minelaying – Pacific 1944 (Part 2)
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: Flip Side War
Title: Flip Side War: Recollections of the author’s experiences in the RAN, World War II Author: Ean McDonald Publisher: Hesperian Press – Carlisle WA 6101 ISBN 0 85905 353 9 ...
Book Review: The Biography of Captain Sir Richard Spencer RN
Title: The Biography of Captain Sir Richard Spencer RN, Government Resident at Albany, Western Australia 1833 – 1839 (Napoleonic War naval hero and Australian pioneer) Author: Gwen Chessell, 2005, Publisher: ...
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 ...
Last Link With HMAS YARRA Gone
On 23 July 2005, Mrs Molly McLean (the widow of LCDR R W Rankin, RAN) passed away in Charters Towers, QLD. She was 92 years old. Molly was born Mary ...
Letters: HMAS Adelaide
Dear Sir, Congratulations on Graeme Andrews’ excellent and timely article on the “forgotten” cruiser, HMAS Adelaide. The front cover shows one of the 6″ Mark XII guns, not gun mounting ...
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 ...
Japanese Proclamation of Unconditional Surrender
Proclamation of Unconditional Surrender by HIROHITO, EMPEROR of JAPAN (1926-1989) IMPERIAL RESCRIPT TO OUR GOOD AND LOYAL SUBJECTS, After pondering deeply the general conditions of the world and the actual ...
SS William Dawes – A Ship is Burning (1942)
Aviator or Seaman or Both?
Ten facts about the Battle of Trafalgar
Ten facts about the Battle of Trafalgar: – The youngest sailor to fight at Trafalgar was just 8 years old. – The oldest was 68. – A woman called Jane ...