- Author
- Lind, L.J.
- Subjects
- History - general
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- December 1990 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
Garden Island
The success of the Society owed much to Garden Island Naval Dockyard. Not only was it the birthplace of the Society but, in a way, it was the fairy godmother who came to its aid when needed. I cannot think of one reasonable request made by the Society to the management of Garden Island which was refused. Our close association with Garden Island was the contributing factor in the recruitment of members, particularly ex-navy members. The ready access given to us allowed old sailors to recapture much of their serving days. No request for the use of dockyard facilities was ever refused. Our first meetings were held within its limits and for thirteen years the Dockyard Theatrette was our venue for monthly meetings. We also used it for Society Church Services, Society Dinners and barbecues on the Northern Hill. Every General Manager of Garden Island since our inception has been a Society member and for the record, quite a number who were General Managers before our inception.
Our ACT Chapter’s efforts were rewarded in this period with the unveiling of the HMAS CANBERRA Memorial beside Lake Burley Griffin. The memorial is set in a magnificent location with the Carillon in the background. A large contingent of members from New South Wales attended the ceremony.
The Tarakan Building
The building of the new Amenities Building on the site of the old Garden Island Naval Gaol afforded us another opportunity to perpetuate a forgotten segment of Garden Island history. When the neo-archaic building was nearing completion I suggested the building should be named the Tarakan Building to commemorate the courage of two dockyard boilermakers who risked their lives to rescue sailors trapped in the hull of the burning landing ship. At 7.30am on 25 January, 1950 a sailor switched on the power in the tank landing ship HMAS TARAKAN lying alongside the Cruiser Wharf at Garden Island and petrol fumes in the ship ignited in a violent explosion which was followed by fire. The force of the explosion crushed the main deck and trapped 26 sailors and Dockyard workers in a blazing inferno. Rescue workers were unable to reach the trapped men who could be seen scrabbling at the portholes. Two boilermakers on their own initiative obtained oxy acetylene cutting equipment and surrounded by flames cut a hole in the side of the ship. Unfortunately, a bulkhead prevented the trapped men from escaping. Although surrounded with flames and their clothes on fire the two men cut a second hole which enabled the nineteen survivors to be dragged clear. Seven sailors and one dockyard worker died in the disaster.
It was regrettable that no valour award was made to the two heroes but the Tarakan Building which was named in their honour in 1983 is a memorial to their courage.
Likewise, in 1989, the refurbished old Naval Stores Building at Garden Island was named the Captain Hunter Building.
The present Chief General Manager of the Garden Island Facility, Rear Admiral Nigel Berlyn, AO, has shown a positive interest in the work of the Society since he transferred from the Royal Navy many years ago. In our Acquisition Register is an entry dated 4 October, 1980 recording the presentation of the engine room plates from the Daring Class destroyer HMAS VENDETTA presented by Captain Nigel Berlyn. A member of the Society for many years Rear Admiral Berlyn supported me in many Society activities. The two which stand out are the HMAS PARRAMATTA Memorial at Garden Island and the approval to establish the Garden Island Museum.
Member Nights
Members Nights were first introduced in 1972 and have ever since- proved popular events in our Society calendar. One which particularly stands out in my memory was the 1980 Members Night held at Snapper Island. The speakers on that occasion were Lieutenant Max Darling, RANR (Ret.) on Admiral of the Fleet Lord Mountbatten’s contribution to the Society, Harry Adlam on the RAN M.Ls, Mark James on the New South Wales Navy, Kevin Brown’s slide presentation of ships of European navies and myself, The Real Ships Behind Nicholas Monsarrat’s Novels.
The Annual General Meeting for 1981 saw significant changes in the composition of the Committee. The President was L.J. Lind, BEM; Vice Presidents Captain L.M. Hinchliffe, DSC, RAN (Ret.) and Mr Ross Gillett; Secretary Mrs Denice Alsop; Treasurer Mr Reg Salmon; and Committeemen Messrs Ernie Tree, Kevin Brown, Kevin Malony, Frank Warham and Brian -Alsop.
Honourable Company of Artillery
One of the several suggestions I made to the Secretary of Defence (Navy) that year was the formation of an Honourable Company of Artillery, modelled on the organisation which has existed in Britain for several centuries. The Company would be made up of civilian and service personnel and would specialise in gunnery ceremonial.
The suggestion was referred to the Naval Reserve who formed two teams to man the two Armstrong 9 pounder muzzle loaders in the present Museum collection. I cooperated with the teams on charges and dress. Many items of apparel necessary for sailors of the late 19th Century were not available but arrangements were made for these items to be manufactured by prisoners at Long Bay Gaol.
On Navy Day 1981 the team carried out a series of shoots on the lawn in front of the Barracks Building at Garden Island. It was one of the highlights of the day.
The project was taken over by HMAS NIRIMBA and two 12 pounder field gun teams were formed for ceremonials.