'H.M.Q.S.
Gayundah'
It’s
hard to believe the rusty hulk at the foot of the cliffs of Woody Point was in
the 19th century the Navy’s proud premier warship. A ship wreck sitting for
years at redcliffe is Gunboat Gayundah, a ship my great grandfather served on
12th April 1912 till 30th April 1913, then again 1st
May 1913 till 31st December 1913, then again 3rd
August 1914 till 31st January
1915.
As one
of the newly established Australian Navy’s first ships, a flat-iron gunboat
Gayundah was built in Newcastle-on-Tyne in the 1884 at the behest of the
Queensland Maritime Defence Force, commissioned to protect the many bays,
inlets and estuaries along the east coast from the enemy-of-the-day which at
the time was believed to be the Russians.
Attribution State Library Of Queensland
Attribution State Library Of Queensland
By 1886
it had been acquired by the fledgling Australian Navy as one of its ten ships.
In its short lived defence career the ship never encountered the enemy,
although other achievements included the first warship in Australia to use
wireless telegraphy.
In
1911, Gayundah spent several months on a ‘special cruise’, aimed at enforcing
Australian sovereignty in north western waters. It was the first such operation
for the nascent Australian Navy.
Attribution State Library Of Queensland
Gayundah
continued to provide reserve training and on occasion a venue for entertaining
senior officials. At the 1913 ‘Henley on Brisbane’ aquatic carnival, HMAS
Gayundah as well as the Queensland Government vessels Lucinda and Cormorant carried
the Governor of Queensland, Sir William MacGregor, and other dignitaries.
Attribution State Library Of Queensland
Attribution State Library Of Queensland
Attribution State Library Of Queensland
"Henley on Brisbane" Aquatic
Carnival Held for several years prior to World War One, this was one of
Brisbane's principal social events. With an effort to emulate
"Henley" at home, Brisbane's gentlemen's outfitters advertised
yachting whites and club blazers whilst dressmakers and hatters advertised
similarly for the ladies attending the carnival.Various stalls were set up in
riverside parks and grounds, particularly in New Farm and many dignitaries
attended.
Gayundah’s
chief duties were the protection of Moreton Bay and as a training ship for the
Queensland Maritime Defence Force. In between time on the Gayundah he spent
time on Depot Ship HMAS Penguin (1) berthed at Garden Island until 1 January
1923 when she was paid off for disposal.
Attribution State Library Of Queensland
My
great grandfather was then stationed on HMAS Fantome. HMAS Fantome was recommissioned
on 27 July 1915, under the command of Commander Lewis T Jones RN, for service
in the Persian Gulf. However, on arrival in Singapore on 4 September, she was
detached for Blockade Patrol service operating mainly in the Bay of Bengal, the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Attribution State Library Of Queensland
On 16
July 1917 he transftered to HMAS Psyche which returned to Singapore where she
remained, apart from a brief cruise acting as escort for the merchant vessel
Tantalus, awaiting the arrival of her relief, the cruiser HMS Suffolk. Suffolk
arrived on 11 August and Psyche departed Singapore on 31 August for Sydney via
Dili, Thursday Island, Townsville and Brisbane. She arrived in Sydney, in dire
need of a refit.
Attribution State Library Of Queensland
On the 17th October he move
to HMAS Cerberus, which played a key role in the
numerous mock naval battles and military exercises with the shore forts near
Williamstown, Queenscliff and Point Nepean. Its remains are a lasting memorial
to the times when Victoria feared the threat of foreign attack or invasion in
the latter half of the 19th century, and to the overall defence preparations -
in which it was a key element of our integrated defences - made to counter such
threats.
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There was a call in February 1918 for
volunteers for a special service. In April, one officer and ten ratings from
Australia (I) found themselves among 1300 other volunteers taking part in a
bold commando raid on the occupied Belgian ports of Ostend and Zeebrugge. The
Australians acquitted themselves well, with six receiving awards for bravery.
On 11 November 1918, the signing of the Armistice brought the fighting in
Europe to an end. On 21 November, the Grand Fleet came out from the
Firth-of-Forth in two divisions to meet the German High Seas Fleet steaming
across the North Sea to be interned at Scapa Flow.
Attribution State Library Of Queensland
Attribution State Library Of Queensland
Australia (I) had the honour of
leading the port line at the head of her squadron. Melbourne (I) and Sydney (I)
were also there, taking their place among the light cruisers. After anchoring,
each enemy ship was allocated a guard-ship. Australia (I) was given charge of
the latest German battle cruiser Hindenburg. On 23 April 1919 Australia (I)
sailed from Portsmouth arriving in Fremantle on 28 May for a four day visit. As
she prepared to leave, a body of more than 80 ratings assembled on the
quarterdeck and requested that the sailing be delayed so that they could
entertain civilian friends and repay their generous hospitality. The men’s
request was conveyed to the commanding officer, Captain Claude Cumberlege, RN,
who indicated that delay was impossible; the group dispersed, muttering their
displeasure.
Attribution State Library Of Queensland
When Cumberlege gave the order to
‘let go aft’, a report came to the bridge that the stokers on watch had left
the boiler rooms. The incident spread no further, but some time passed before
the ship could sail. After an internal investigation, twelve men were arrested
and charged with mutiny, although only five were subsequently court-martialed
and gaoled. Australia (I) finally reached Sydney on 15 June 1919 after an
absence of 1775 days.
To know what has made our family so
strong. Learning about family history is important. It is essential to
understanding ourselves and basic humanity and diversity. Family history also
helps to keep memories alive and allow each generation to have an idea of who
they are and where they come from.
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