• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Naval Historical Society of Australia

Preserving Australia's Naval History

  • Events
  • Members Area
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Show Search
  • 0 items
Hide Search
Menu
  • Home
  • Research
    • Where to start
      • Research – We can help!
      • Self help
      • Naval Service Records
      • Library
      • Related Maritime websites
    • Resources
      • Articles
      • On This Day
      • Podcasts
      • Videos
      • Australian Military Ship Losses
      • RAN events on a  Google Earth Map
      • Related Maritime websites
    • Other
      • Newsletters: Call The Hands
      • Occasional Papers
      • Books
      • HMAS Shropshire
      • Book reviews
    • Close
  • Naval Heritage Sites
    • World Heritage Listings
      • Cockatoo Island
    • National Heritage Listings
      • HMAS Sydney II and the HSK Kormoran Shipwreck Sites
      • HMVS Cerberus
    • Commonwealth Heritage Listings
      • Garden Island NSW
      • HMAS Watson
      • HMAS Penguin
      • Spectacle Island Explosives Complex NSW
      • Chowder Bay Naval Facilities
      • Beecroft Peninsula NSW
      • Admiralty House, Garden and Fortifications
      • HMAS Cerberus
      • Naval Offices QLD
      • Garden Island WA
      • Royal Australian Naval College ACT
      • Royal Australian Naval Transmitting Station ACT
    • NSW Heritage Listings
      • HMAS Rushcutter
    • Close
  • Tours & Cruises
    • Navy in Sydney Harbour Cruise, East
    • Navy in Sydney Harbour Cruise, West
    • 81st. Anniversary Cruise: Sydney under Japanese Attack
    • Tour of Sub Base Platypus
    • Garden Island Dockyard Heritage Tour
    • Garden Island Northern Hill and Garden Tour
    • Tour Bookings
    • Close
  • About us
    • About Us
      • What we do
      • Our People
      • Office Bearers
      • Become a volunteer
      • Our Goals and Strategy
    • Organisation
      • Victoria Chapter
      • WA Chapter
      • ACT Chapter
    • Close
  • Membership
  • Shop
  • Become a volunteer
  • Donate
You are here: Home / On This Day / On This Day - 1900-1913

On This Day

1900-1913 > Federation, RAN and pre-WW1

On This Day - 1900-1913

October 21, 1913

RADM Sir George E Patey, RN, assumed command of the Australia Station from ADML Sir George King Hall, RN, as the Station’s last RN commander-in-chief.

October 4, 1913

The first RAN fleet, under the command of RADM Sir George Patey, RN, in HMAS AUSTRALIA, (battle-cruiser), entered Sydney Harbour. With AUSTRALIA were her consorts HMA Ships MELBOURNE, SYDNEY, ENCOUNTER, PARRAMATTA, YARRA, and WARREGO.

July 1, 1913

The administration of the following Sydney Naval Establishments was transferred to the Naval Board of the Commonwealth of Australia; Garden Island Dockyard; Royal Edward Victualling Yard; Naval Ordnance Depot; Spectacle Island; Medical Depot; The depot ship HMS PENGUIN, which became HMAS PENGUIN.

The Wild Swan class sloop, (later converted to a stationary depot ship), HMAS PENGUIN, was commissioned. PENGUIN was laid down in Napier’s Yard, Clydebank, Scotland, launched in 1876, and commissioned into the RN in August 1877. PENGUIN was based in Sydney from 1890, and carried out surveys in Australian coastal waters until 31 March 1907. She served as a depot ship for the RN, before becoming part of the transfer of RN Establishments to the RAN in 1913.

June 23, 1913

RADM G. Patey, MVO, hoisted his flag in HMAS AUSTRALIA, (battle-cruiser), at Portsmouth. He was knighted the same day on his own quarterdeck by HRH King George V.

The Town class light cruiser HMAS SYDNEY, (CAPT J. C. T. Glossop, RN), was commissioned. SYDNEY was laid down in London & Glasgow Shipbuilding, Govan, Scotland, on 11 February 1911, and launched on 29 August 1912. Lady Henderson, (Wife of ADML Sir Reginald Henderson, RN), performed the launching ceremony.

June 21, 1913

The battle-cruiser HMAS AUSTRALIA, (CAPT S. H. Radcliffe, RN), was commissioned at Portsmouth, England. AUSTRALIA was laid down in John Brown Yard, Clydebank, Scotland, on 23 June 1910, and launched on 25 October 1911. Lady Reid, (Wife of the Australian High Commissioner), performed the ceremony. AUSTRALIA sailed in company with HMAS SYDNEY for Australia in July 1913, flying the flag of RADM G. Patey, RN.

May 21, 1913

RADM Sir George Patey, KCVO, RN, was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Australian Squadron. His flagship was HMAS AUSTRALIA, (battle-cruiser).

May 9, 1913

ADML Sir Victor Alfred Trumper Smith, AC, KBE, CB, DSC, RAN, (1913 – 1998), first graduate of the Royal Australian Naval College to reach the rank of Admiral, was born at Chatswood, NSW.

May 8, 1913

The Minister for the Navy approved the formation of the Naval Dockyard Police. The initial strength was one Chief Warrant Officer, one Sergeant, nine Senior Constables, and 29 Constables.

March 1, 1913

Training of the first entrants to the Royal Australian Naval College commenced at Osborne House, Geelong, VIC, under CAPT B. M. Chambers, RN.
HMS PIONEER, (3rd class cruiser), was presented to the Commonwealth of Australia as a gift from the British Admiralty and commissioned into the RAN with a nucleus crew, as tender to HMAS Penguin.

February 13, 1913

The first entry of cadets to the Royal Australian Naval College arrived at Geelong. The cadets were:-O. E. Albert, N. K. Calder, J. A. Collins, A. D. Conder, E. S. Cunningham, J. C. D. Esdaile, H. B. Farncomb, E. B. Howells, H. A. Mackenzie, J. B. Newman, E. S. Nurse, W. L. Reilly, C. A. R. Sadlier, H. A. Showers, H. J. H. Thompson, H. B, Vallentine, L. L. Watkins, A. J. B. Watts. Collins, Farncomb, and Showers, reached the rank of Admiral.

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 9
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Categories

Latest Podcasts

  • The Case of the Unknown Sailor
  • Night of the midget subs — Sydney under attack
  • D-Day commando on Sword Beach by Commander Jim Speed DSC, RAN – Part 1
  • D-Day commando on Sword Beach by Commander Jim Speed DSC, RAN – Part 2
  • D-Day commando on Sword Beach by Commander Jim Speed DSC, RAN – Part 3

Links to other podcasts

Australian Naval History Podcasts
This podcast series examines Australia’s Naval history, featuring a variety of naval history experts from the Naval Studies Group and elsewhere.
Produced by the Naval Studies Group in conjunction with the Submarine Institute of Australia, the Australian Naval Institute, Naval Historical Society and the RAN Seapower Centre

Life on the Line Podcasts
Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories.
These recordings can be accessed through Apple iTunes or for Android users, Stitcher.

Video Links

  • Australian War Memorial YouTube channel
  • Royal Australian Navy YouTube Channel
  • Research – We can help!
  • Naval Heritage Sites
  • Garden Island Dockyard Heritage Tour
  • About us
  • Shop
  • Events
  • Members Area
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Facebook

  • Facebook
  • Members Area
  • Privacy Policy
  • Log Out

Naval Historical Society of Australia Inc. Copyright © 2023