On This Day
1850-1899 > Colonial Navies & RN
On This Day - 1850-1899
- October 23, 1873
RADM J. S. Dumaresq, the first Australian-born Flag Officer to command the Australian Squadron, was born at Sydney.
- September 14, 1873
The graving dock at Williamstown, Melbourne, was completed.
- May 25, 1873
CDRE J. G. Goodenough, CB, CMG, was appointed Commodore Commanding Australia Station. His flagship was HMS PEARL
- February 20, 1873
CAPT John Moresby, RN, HMS BASILISK, (wooden paddle sloop), discovered Port Moresby, New Guinea. He named it in honour of his father, ADML Sir Fairfax Moresby.
- January 11, 1872
The British Prime Minister, Mr Gladstone, proposed the use of HMVS VICTORIA, (survey vessel), for policing blackbirding in the South Seas.
- April 9, 1871
HMVS CERBERUS, (armoured-turret ship), launched in England in December 1868, arrived in Port Phillip, VIC, on her maiden voyage. At that time CERBERUS was the most powerful ship in the southern hemisphere.
- October 29, 1870
HMVS CERBERUS, (armoured-turret ship), met a gale while on passage from Chatham to Plymouth, England. Officials at the Admiralty were concerned at the seaworthiness of the ship, following the loss of HMS CAPTAIN, a similar type of vessel. LEUT Panter, RN, reported the ship sailed like ‘a half-tide rock’. On arrival at Plymouth, the crew promptly deserted.
- September 10, 1870
Gun teams from the Victorian Naval Brigade, exercised for the first time in HMVS NELSON.
- September 3, 1870
CDRE Frederick H. Stirling was appointed Commodore Commanding the Australia Station. His flagship was HMS CLIO.
- April 8, 1870
CDRE F. Stirling, RN, was appointed Commodore Commanding Australia Station. His Flagship was HMS CLIO.