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You are here: Home / Artworks / Sailors at work

Sailors at work

Since entering World War 1 in 1914 with 16 ships, two submarines and 3800 RAN personnel (including 850 from the Royal Navy) the number of serving personnel in the Royal Australian Navy has fluctuated depending on the strategic and shifting financial environment. Over more than a century, the RAN’s and people have seen action in every ocean of the world.

Of the tens of thousands who have served, 2658 members have made the ultimate sacrifice defending Australia’s interests in warlike and peacetime operations across the globe.

Fortunately, for the vast majority who served in periods of peace or survived periods of hostilities the experience was positive.

In addition to their service in a particular category which involved specific duties, they also participated in communal duties such as coaling ship. Thus, the artworks included in this section relate to a mix of specialist and communal activities.

The bridge, HMAS Adelaide

by Peter Churcher

Engineers cleaning the diesel area in tight spaces HMAS Rankin, by Robert McRae

Engineers cleaning the diesel area in tight spaces HMAS Rankin

by Robert McRae

Tying up at HMAS Stirling

Tying up at HMAS Stirling

by Robert McRae

HMAS Armidale (l)

by Dale Marsh

Commander Doug Theobold in HMAS Rankin departing Geelong

by Robert McRae

Taking the heads off the diesels: with elephant balls above

by Robert McRae

Royal Australian Navy Submarine

by Barry Spicer

The Upper Deck of a Fairmile ship 1944

by Rex Julius

Starboard lookout, HMAS Arunta (l) by Adam Dennis

Starboard lookout, HMAS Arunta (l)

by Dennis Adams

Japanese suicide bomber attempting to crash on HMAS Westralia by Frank Norton

Japanese suicide bomber attempting to crash on HMAS Westralia

by Frank Norton

Changing evaporation coils, HMAS Westralia by Frank Norton

Changing evaporation coils, HMAS Westralia

by Frank Norton

Task Force 158 day and night in the gulf - HMAS Arunta (II) byRobert McRae

Task Force 158 day and night in the gulf – HMAS Arunta (II)

by Robert McRae

Bombing up, HMAS Australia (II) by Frank Norton

Bombing up, HMAS Australia (II)

by Frank Norton

Childer’s ratings preparing to discharge a torpedo by David Syme

Childers’ ratings preparing to discharge a torpedo

by David Syme

Approaching winter HMAS Condamine by Frank Norton

Approaching winter HMAS Condamine

by Frank Norton

Watching the results of an early morning bombardment, HMAS Condamine by Frank Norton

Watching the results of an early morning bombardment, HMAS Condamine

by Frank Norton

Stoker in engine room one, HMAS Kanimbla by Peter Churcher

Stoker in engine room one, HMAS Kanimbla

by Peter Churcher

HMAS Darwin engaging in a personnel transfer by Phil Belbin

HMAS Darwin engaging in a personnel transfer

by Phil Belbin

John on watch aboard HMAS Geraldton Darwin July 2003 by Robert McRae

John on watch aboard HMAS Geraldton, Darwin, July 2003

by Robert McRae

Sunday Divisions, HMAS Hobart and HMS Neptune moored in Alexandria by Frank Norton

Sunday Divisions, HMAS Hobart and HMS Neptune moored in Alexandria

by Frank Norton

The motorboat returns, HMAS Horsham, Fremantle by Frank Norton

The motorboat returns, HMAS Horsham, Fremantle

by Frank Norton

Shark Zero Two coming home by Peter Hanley

Shark Zero Two coming home

by Peter Hanley

Operations room, HMAS Kanimblaby Peter Churcher

Operations room, HMAS Kanimbla

by Peter Churcher

RAN ships paste Japanese posts by Roy Hodgkinson

RAN ships paste Japanese posts

by Roy Hodgkinson

Signaller Petty Officer Bradbury, RANR, is cutting Signaller Campbell's hair by Roy Hodgkinson

Signaller Petty Officer Bradbury, RANR, is cutting Signaller Campbell’s hair

by Roy Hodgkinson

Ears being syringed by Roy Hodgkinson

Ears being syringed

by Roy Hodgkinson

Seaman peeling potatoes by Roy Hodgkinson

Seaman peeling potatoes

by Roy Hodgkinson

Prayers at divisions, HMAS Lonsdale by Rex Julius

Prayers at divisions, HMAS Lonsdale

by Rex Julius

Into safe hands by Darrell White

Into safe hands

by Darrell White

Compass Platform, HMAS Moresby (l) by Dennis Adams

Compass Platform, HMAS Moresby (l)

by Dennis Adams

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  • Additional reading on Sailors at work
    • The RAN - A Brief History, Sea Power Centre Australia
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