- Author
- A.N. Other and NHSA Webmaster
- Subjects
- Early warships
- Tags
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- RAN Ships
- HMAS Brisbane I, HMAS Warrego I, HMAS Yarra I, HMAS Australia I, HMAS Sydney I, HMAS Parramatta I, HMAS Melbourne I
- Publication
- September 1986 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
Awaiting the two ships at the anchorage were other units of the Australian Navy. These were the cruisers Melbourne, Encounter and the destroyers Warrego, Parramatta and Yarra. Soon after anchoring Admiral Patey summoned all Captains to the flagship where, after an exchange of greetings, he issued his orders for the official entry into Sydney Harbour on 4th October.
The 3rd found the ships a hive of activity. Paintwork was touched up, brass polished to a burnish and all lines and rope work whitened. The sailors rehearsed dressing ship and the officers carefully marked out the positions they were to occupy in the ceremonial entry.
Early on the 4th the fleet weighed anchor and took up station. The weather was fine and promised a sunny day. The order of the ships was Australia, Melbourne, Encounter, ((HMAS Encounter, Light Cruiser, Devonport Dockyard 1904. 5,915 tons. 376 ft. long, 56 ft. beam, 12,500 hp. 2 screws, 21 knots. Guns: 11 x 6 in., 9 x 12 pdr also smaller. 2 x 18 in. torpedo tubes. Armour: deck 2 x 3 in. Presented to RAN in 1919 and renamed Penguin in 1923. Sunk off Sydney 1932. )) Sydney, Warrego, Parramatta and Yarra.
Paymaster Rear Admiral Sir Eldon Manistry, KCB, CMG later wrote of the arrival of the fleet: ‘It was a great occasion, and brilliant sunshine made it a wonderful scene. Crowds had gathered from early dawn to every viewpoint round the harbour. There was much excitement, much enthusiasm. To myself and other officers out from the Mother Navy it gave a feeling of great accomplishment.’
As Australia rounded Bradley’s Head to enter the centre of the harbour a great roar of thousands of voices echoed across the waters. Hats were thrown in the air and tens of thousands of flags waved furiously.
To mark the occasion all school children in New South Wales were granted a special holiday and issued with a small silver medallion commemorating the historic event.
Rudyard Kipling wrote a special couplet for the occasion:
‘Carry the word to my Sisters
to the Queens of the North and South,
I have proven faith in the heritage,
by more than word of mouth.’
The Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Joseph Cook in his address of welcome said: ‘Since Captain Cook’s arrival, no more memorable event has happened than the advent of the Australian Fleet.’