- Author
- Rivett, Norman C
- Subjects
- Biographies and personal histories
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- March 2003 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
(A photograph of Paymaster Amphlett and a summary of his achievements once adorned the foyer of the Old Naval Stores Building 89 in Garden Island’s Office Square after it was refurbished for use as Dockyard offices in the 1980s, but was removed (lost) during a subsequent refurbishment as naval offices during the reorganisation of Maritime Headquarters and Naval Support Command Headquarters in about 1997.
As a fortunate survivor from the loss of HMS Orpheus in New Zealand, Paymaster Amphlett wrote an account of the tragedy for the London Illustrated News prior to the court-martial held in HMS Victory at Portsmouth in 1863, which inquired into the circumstances of the loss. However, his poor handwriting was misinterpreted to credit Marines instead of Maoris responsible for rescuing survivors. Characteristically, Amphlett went to considerable trouble to have his error redressed and credit given to these rightful people. In the fullness of time a more practical monetary award was given.)