On This Day
1850-1899 > Colonial Navies & RN
On This Day - 1850-1899
- February 9, 1870
A “Southern Cross Flag”, claimed to be the official ensign of the Colony of Victoria, was hoisted in HMVS NELSON.
- November 27, 1869
HMS PHOEBE, (corvette), arrived at Port Phillip with ADML Hornby’s Flying Squadron. A midshipman in the vessel was William Creswell.
- August 13, 1869
Fort Denison in Port Jackson, Sydney, was garrisoned by the NSW Naval Brigade.
- August 4, 1869
HMS PHOEBE, (CAPT John Bythesea, RN), joined ADML Hornby’s Flying Squadron on a round the-world flag-showing cruise. A midshipman in HMS PHOEBE was William Creswell, later to become ‘the father of the RAN’.
- February 4, 1868
HMVS NELSON, (Acting CMDR C. B. Payne, RN), arrived in Hobsons Bay, VIC. The wooden battleship was first commissioned in 1815 as a three-decker, mounting 120 guns. She was converted to a two-decker, 72 guns, and fitted with auxiliary machinery at Portsmouth.
- January 4, 1868
The foundation stone of the graving dock at the Williamstown Naval Dockyard, VIC, was laid by HRH Prince Alfred, KG, Duke of Edinburgh, who arrived in Port Phillip in the Royal Navy’s steam frigate HMS GALATEA, having sailed from Plymouth on 24 January 1867 on a round the world voyage, visiting South America, the Cape, Australia, China, India, and Japan. The voyage was interrupted on 12 March 1868 in Sydney by a Fenian assassination attempt.
- October 20, 1867
HMS NELSON, (wooden line of battleship), was presented to the Victorian Navy.
- September 1, 1867
HMVS CERBERUS, (turret ship), was laid down at Palmer’s Yard, Plymouth, England.
- July 22, 1867
HMVS NELSON, (1st rate), was commissioned under CMDR C. B. Payne, RN.
- May 28, 1867
CDRE Rowley Lambert, CB, was appointed Commodore Commanding Australia Station. His flagship was HMS CHALLENGER