On This Day
1919-1938 > Depresssion and between the wars
On This Day - 1919-1938
- June 27, 1923
HMAS Geranium struck a reef while surveying. She was re-floated the next day at high tide, but her keel was badly buckled and holed in places. The reef that Geranium struck (south of Wheatley Islet) was subsequently named Disaster Reef and bay she stopped at for repairs was named Geranium Bay.
- May 2, 1923
A specialist branch of observers was formed within the RAN, to enable officers to qualify as pilots and observers. On qualifying as pilots they received 4 shillings per day additional pay.
- January 1, 1923
HMAS Penguin paid off for disposal. She had served as a depot ship at Garden island since commissioning into the RAN in 1913. On 9 May 1923 she was towed to Cockatoo Island and handed over to the Commonwealth Shipbuilding Board. She was transferred to the Commonwealth Shipping Board in August 1924 for final disposal. Breaking up was completed at Cockatoo Island in April 1925 and the hull sold to Mr HP Stacey of Sydney.
- August 5, 1922
The light cruiser HMAS ADELAIDE, (CAPT J. B. Stevenson, RAN), was commissioned. ADELAIDE was laid down in Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney, in January 1915, and launched on 27 July 1918. Lady Munroe, (Wife of the Governor-General), performed the launching ceremony. Between 1928 and 1938 ADELAIDE was laid up in reserve. ADELAIDE was extensively refitted in Cockatoo Island Dockyard, and re-commissioned on 13 March 1939, then paid off into reserve again, her ship’s company being transferred to England to commission HMAS PERTH. With WWII imminent, ADELAIDE was commissioned for war in September 1939, (CAPT H. A. Showers, RAN).
- July 22, 1922
RADM John Saumarez Dumaresq, CB, CVO, former Flag Officer Commanding His Majesty’s Australian Squadron, died at Manila, Philippines.
- July 12, 1922
HMAS PLATYPUS was paid off as a submarine depot ship, and re-commissioned as a destroyer depot ship.
After uneventful service, little of which was spent at sea, the six J class submarines paid off into Reserve at Westernport . The boats had become victims of the worsening economic conditions of the time, coupled with their high cost of maintenance- June 30, 1922
CDRE Sir Albert Percy Addison, was appointed Commodore Commanding His Majesty’s Australian Squadron.
- June 3, 1922
Additional rates of pay for divers in the RAN were approved. They were:- Seaman Diver 2nd Class 3d per day; Seaman Diver 1st Class 6d per day; Artificer Diver 9d per day; Instructor 9d per day.
- April 29, 1922
CDRE A. P. Addison, CMG, was appointed Commodore Commanding His Majesty’s Australian Squadron.
- January 21, 1922
HMAS MELBOURNE, (light cruiser), rescued the crew of 22 of the four-masted schooner HELEN B STIRLING north of Newcastle, NSW.