Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/264/1 - 1914 - 1938 - Part 15

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Awaiting approval
Accession number:
RCDIG1066700
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

A0. 141 appreciated, and to offer him formally the thanks of the Australian people for all that he had done for them since the inception of the Austrelian Fleet (Cheers). Commodore Dumaresg the new commander of His Majesty's Australian Fleet, was an Australian born. In Australia they had a mountain named after him, a river named after hin, and a railway station named after him. (Laughter). Or rather not after the Commodore, but after his father. They all felt themselves fortunate and happy in having an Australian-born to command the Australlan Fleet. Admiral Crant, who was also there, would preside over the Australian Naval Board. Admiral Grant's nephew had done very fine work at the Australian Naval College at Jervis Ray, a college which was following faithfully the footsteps and the traditions of the Royal Naval Colleges. They were training their own Australian boys, who desired to become Naval Officers, to fit into the Imperial Navy. Referring to the policy of the Australlan Navy, Sir Joseph Cook said it would be no use Australia's having a navy which would not fit into the Imperial Navy instantly on the ontbreak of war. We shall continue to augment our naval forces he said subject always to limitations imposed by the Peace Conference. And 1 fancy - I must not say anything, but I hazard the guess - that nothing will be done at the Peace Conference which will in any way limit the effectiveness of our Imperial Navy. (Cheers). 1 profoundly hope my guess is correct. The hopes of the future peace of the world rest in the British Navy. The point about the freedon of the seas’ has gone altogether. We have heard nothing of it ever there, and I hope we never shall hear any mors of it. There has never been a free sea except when the British Navy has held the ascendancy. The seas are free to-day and have been free for a hundred years or more, and the British Fleet has ridden triumphantly over them. British power at sea stands for freedom of opportunity and security for all nations. We follow these traditions in our Australian Service.? (Cheers).
N. 151 Commodore Dunaresg briefly returned thanks, and the Prince and the other quests left the ship on the return journey to London.
JIII TWEF TTt PSS KIIIFN 29.8 1 S SSSN 1 f H enePN Mt a J N Bat W Stthte pt H Af 4 E t 22.4. btomton St K JN IIIIII S MN Tttitpi A 6 M Mun
T Me te e M O . , . T10 406 A February 8th, 1927. Dear Sir, 1 am very glad to give you any information that may help you in writing the History of the A. I.F., and, particularly as there has been some confusion with regard to my command at The Dardanelles’. The details you require are as follows:- Son of Major C.W. Heneage V.C. Born at Beacon Lodge, Christchurch, Hants, on February 4th, 1871. Before the War lived at Penmaen, Glamorganshire. Permanent address, Clyne Castle, Blackpill, Swansea. At the outbreak of War, was Captain in the Royal Navy, and took command of H.M.S. Albion'. First of all, employed in the defence of the transport of the English Forces to France, and then in the Atlantic. Afterwards in charge of the defence of Wallfish Bay, and after the defeat of Von Spees Squadron, transported a cargo of gold home from The Cape, valued at 40,000,000 pounds. Proceeded in command of H.M.S. Albion’ to Dardanelles
T SATK -2- in February 1915, and employed there in command of a sub-division of Battleships. After the Attack on the Dardanelles on March 18th, 1915, when three ships were sunk by mines, I was placed in command of the mine sweepers and subsequently in command of all the small ships at the Dardanelles, with the title of Commodore (X). Later on, I was in command of the Allied Barrage of The Strait of Otranto, and finally became Senior British Naval Officer in Italy. I shall be very glad to give you any further information in my power, if you wish it. Yours very truly, AHimay 20 The Historian Victoria Barracks, BIDIII
AUST TELEPHONE: CENTRAL 4780. Volume IX page KIII 1 (M.S.) COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE, Navy office. MELBOURNE, 22nd March, 1927. C. E. W. Bean Esq., Historian, Victoria Barracks, SIOY N.S.A Dear Sir, I am in receipt of your communication of the 19th March, 1927, and confirm the particulars as being correct. There is one phase in connection with the War work, about which so far I have seen nothing, and that is the formation of the Naval Transport Board, the selecting and fitting out of troop and horse ships, which I could give you some information on. Since the War, a history of the Naval Transport and Shipping work was written by a Mr. Tregarthen. This history was never published, but I understand that it lies in a completed condition in the Naval Records Branch at Victoria Barracks, Melbourne. Your communication states that you are writing the history of the R.A.N. I would like to mention that I am the first officer to be appointed by the Commonwealth with Ship Designing and Shipbuilding experience, and started the Ship Construction Branch of the Navy in November, 1911 from nothing. I am a Member of the Institution of Naval Architects (M.I.N.A.), and also a Member of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders (M.I.E. & S.). Yours faithfully. Ieast Ship Constructor.
Notis. Mwesweepy in Act. waters. Minsweep Protector usun actacon sweep Onear to 9Ap. 1919 Swept Area from Laie B 2 1/½2 m every way but only i St. Two areas ArB now to be reswept by CO hinesweepers at his discron observing that 12 mines acttd for in I area but nove from B tho 2 found there drifting Geranim, Mallow, & Marquerite herncaopes (sailed for dyd. 26 Au 1919. tobe ti ooe by ct poot 15 Ap 1919 Hydes props to if. advity A Cape E. area Director of War Slaff had bee reswept, & too clear & to left restrins on All sheppey there.
Mines weepers. feranm Seoeht lives of wones 046'S 149.52/½ E to 37'47s 149°58E. 37 A live: 37053!3. _ 1490 28 1/½½ to 37056S, 149°33 E B between 8-20 Sept. weaker was unsatify - cont sweep 8-12th & 14t- 184 owig to Stron Stwend. One Nine appeared 37.552 & 149.34 but poobly dragsed by sweep. Sweep by 3 ships abreast, sweepn pout 4/½ cables (abt (rule?) See maps- presented these ships Marquerete & Jeramuum Admity & ness apperalis to RA.N for training Roo in that servie. They preoly swept NE.
night 9Nas may exple on Black head in recovery of nsine Gone of RHE anto invesueedus (one half distroyed mine in Aevhr probly that recoared by gaqundah. 180. Aanle bard int wo iend a ly wate Commissioned pumiisaal & Horagga w crews from, w sweeping Section of RAN BLe at Pyrnout 29 Sept. Preparing to Oct4. oct of pickmip nine. began sweep 8of 8. 1917. Oct 12 anoher. 27 Rankin W Counr Oct 15t. Admity Rogt 50 mins co have be laid but doubtful Sir W Cressdell to menr. Sept 26. N Board dicedes Cambd Senk O internal expli. Sweeping of area is best aid to dely qu. Recommend to sweps be proceeded wt.
3 ws it only cotation pouted as pris ff t woll sd only 17 laid. (as vessels & shat N. Bd abled on Recl to is proposed to fryo furthe sweepny) as 17ax for with Koraga A aria scept by Ganundal, 33 3 Boolga, & Cecil Rhodes poor 5Oct 17 - 12 Feb18 29.448 129 Anj. Wynema upd 2 12nwes found. 211ang Ss Hall Came rend 12aug. Kilbaha at teofoll Bay (Wheor hin adr 2a7. Winallat Corcan pe n ansy may seeabby kibbabe. knntlo) f again swept by junundal & Champion fom 4No0 191 Ae 30 Sept 1918 - 166d 1918 3 te e 1918 13 Dec. Owry to upon To result, Atr this colliers I swee net. Rro B at. & lips pissels were alld to passngar fabo (up to 15.H B area swept from 1 Jan 1919 – 26 Jan 19 Daaght beget oben sweft. 2 Tug Javes Patterson & Copie- hin No result Miue exploded by S.S. Acon here on resuept by Brotector w Actagon waps Feb 23rd further sweep. B area fom 10.319- 9.8.19 ond 2800 No recit Proticla had to a ole e a ane Swces. Inti o 1 aen e e 1. On June 16 After Jemancson nive expld. Navy office word the Aduaty sap to mancocepey flotilld in route to NE shd. sweep 1 area of fade on completion of wz work. aay t Setep ane se a sever sd nt . ae g phi Ied it 5to continue. gutt Iustins iss before loss of Camberld. ap serpeot t alenes tunty and tor. But. adnty. sn poared te nee. Po her ns disoad fat Mines were set for 22 1/2/t. woer an and at sent ao ae dud is tel 17fan. ss weinbee reptd eist othei aneate. siptey nere 15 2 h f pato. een hader broe. 1 ae e e e prases on octs. 9 le 22618 on d in t e e e se e et o pet o e Ce oite or ntie 2obi oun ot oe one Expd Back of firte weneleget.

(4)
appreciated, and to offer him formally the thanks of the
Australian people for all that he had done for them since the
inception of the Australian Fleet (Cheers). Commodore Dumaresq
the new commander of His Majesty's Australian Fleet, was an
Australian born. In Australia they had a mountain named after
him, a river named after him, and a railway station named after
him. (Laughter).  Or rather not after the Commodore, but after
his father.  They all felt themselves fortunate and happy in
having an Australian-born to command the Australian Fleet.
Admiral Grant, who was also there, would preside over the
Australian Naval Board.  Admiral Grant's nephew had done very
fine work at the Australian Naval College at Jervis Bay, a
college which was following faithfully the footsteps and the
traditions of the Royal Naval Colleges. They were training
their own Australian boys, who desired to become Naval Officers,
to fit into the Imperial Navy.
Referring to the policy of the Australian Navy, Sir 
Joseph Cook said it would be no use Australia's having a navy
which would not fit into the Imperial Navy instantly on the
outbreak of war.  We shall continue to augment our naval forces,
he said "subject always to limitations imposed by the Peace
Conference.  And I fancy - I must not say anything, but I hazard
the guess - that nothing will be done at the Peace Conference
which will in any way limit the effectiveness of our Imperial
Navy.  (Cheers).  I profoundly hope my guess is correct. The
hopes of the future peace of the world rest in the British Navy.
The point about the 'freedom of the seas’ has gone altogether.
We have heard nothing of it over there, and I hope we never
shall hear any more of it.  There has never been a free sea
except when the British Navy has held the ascendancy.  The seas
are free to-day and have been free for a hundred years or more,
and the British Fleet has ridden triumphantly over them.
British power at sea stands for freedom of opportunity and
security for all nations.  We follow these traditions in our
Australian Service."  (Cheers). 

 

(5)
Commodore Dumaresq briefly returned thanks, and the
Prince and the other guests left the ship on the return journey
to London. 

 

INTERNMENT OF GERMAN HIGH STREET FLEET, Thursday, 21st November, 1918.
POSITIONS OF SHIPS at 10.0 a.m. en route for the Firth of Forth.
Diagram - see original document

 

From Vice-Admiral A. Walker-Heneage-Vivian C.B., M.V.O., D.L.
TELEPHONE )
TELEGRAMS ) SNETTY 8128.

STATION. SWANSEA.

CLYNE CASTLE.

BLACKPILL.

SWANSEA.

February 8th, 1927.
Dear Sir,
I am very glad to give you any information that may
help you in writing the History of the A. I.F., and,
particularly as there has been some confusion with regard
to my command at "The Dardanelles".
The details you require are as follows:-
Son of Major C.W.  Heneage V.C.  Born at Beacon Lodge,
Christchurch, Hants, on February 4th, 1871.  Before the
War lived at Penmaen, Glamorganshire.  Permanent address,
Clyne Castle, Blackpill, Swansea.
At the outbreak of War, was Captain in the Royal Navy,
and took command of H.M.S. "Albion".  First of all, employed
in the defence of the transport of the English Forces to
France, and then in the Atlantic.  Afterwards in charge of
the defence of Wallfish Bay, and after the defeat of Von
Spees Squadron, transported a cargo of gold home from The
Cape, valued at 40,000,000 pounds.
Proceeded in command of H.M.S. "Albion" to Dardanelles

[*Entered 

on card 

[JB?] 15/3/27*]

 

TELEPHONE )
TELEGRAMS ) SKETTY 8128.

STATION. SWANSEA.

CLYNE CASTLE.

BLACKPILL.

SWANSEA.
-2-
in February 1915, and employed there in command of a
sub-division of Battleships.  After the Attack on the
Dardanelles on March 18th, 1915, when three ships were
sunk by mines, I was placed in command of the mine
sweepers and subsequently in command of all the small
ships at the Dardanelles, with the title of "Commodore
(K)".
Later on, I was in command of the Allied Barrage
of The Strait of Otranto, and finally became Senior
British Naval Officer in Italy.
I shall be very glad to give you any further
information in my power, if you wish it.
Yours very truly,
W. Heneage-Vivian
To
The Historian
Victoria Barracks,
SYDNEY. 

 

Volume IX

Page XIII   I (M. S.)
TELEPHONE:
CENTRAL 4780.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE,

Navy Office.

MELBOURNE, 

22nd March, 1927.
C. E. W. Bean Esq.,
Historian,
Victoria Barracks,
SYDNEY.  N.S.W.
Dear Sir,
I am in receipt of your communication of
the 19th March, 1927, and confirm the particulars as
being correct. There is one phase in connection with
the War work, about which so far I have seen nothing,
and that is the formation of the Naval Transport
Board, the selecting and fitting out of troop and
horse ships, which I could give you some information
on.  Since the War, a history of the Naval Transport
and Shipping work was written by a Mr. Tregarthen.
This history was never published, but I understand that
it lies in a completed condition in the Naval Records
Branch at Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.  Your
communication states that you are writing the history
of the R.A.N.  I would like to mention that I am the
first officer to be appointed by the Commonwealth
with Ship Designing and Shipbuilding experience, and
started the Ship Construction Branch of the Navy in
November, 1911 from nothing. I am a Member of the
Institution of Naval Architects (M.I.N.A.), and also
a Member of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders
(M.I.E. & S.).
Yours faithfully.
[[ C. Leask?]]
Ship Constructor. 

 

Notes. Minesweeping in Aust.
waters.
Minesweep: Protector using Actaeon sweep
10 Mar to 9 Ap. 1919 Swept
Area from Line B 2½ m every way but only
½ m SE.
Two areas A & B now to be reswept
by CO minesweepers at his discrn
observing that 12 mines acctd for in
A area but none from B tho' 2 found
there drifting.
Mineswpers (?) Geranium, Mallow, & Marguerite
(sailed for Syd. 26 Aug 1919.
To be tn over by Cth Govt.
15 Ap 1919 Hyde, ^Director of War Staff, propd to inf. Admrty tt Cape Ev. area
had bn reswept, & ws clear & to lift restrns on
all shipping there. 

 

Mine sweepers:

Geranium
Swept lines of mines
A line:  37o 46' S  149o.52½ E to 37o 47' S  149°58' E.
B   37o. 53' S - 149o 28½ E to 37o. 56' S, 149° 33' E
between 8-20 Sept.
Weather was unsatisfy - cdnt sweep 8-12th & 14th- 16th
owing to strong SW Wind.
One Mine appeared 37.55½ & 149.34 but probly
dragged by sweep.
Sweep by 3 ships abreast, sweeping port 4½ cables.
(abt 1 mile?)
See maps-
Admity presented these ships Marguerite & Geranium
& M/S apparatus to RAN for training RAN in
that service.
They prevly swept NZ. 

 

night 9 Nov 1917.  Mine expld on Black head.
Some of RAE on fd in recovery of mine minesweepers
(one half destroyed mine in [Awai?]
probly that recovered by
Gayundah.
18 Oct.  Suspected Swedish SS Nordic.
Commissioned Gunundaal
& Koraaga w crews from ^/ lately establd mine sweeping section
of RAN Bde at Pyrmont 29 Sept.
Preparing to Oct 4.
began sweep Oct 8. 1917.  Oct 9 picked up mine.
Oct 12 another.
(FJ  Rankin Lt Commdr)
Oct 15.  Admty thought 50 mines cd have been laid but doubtful
Sir W Cresswell to [invest?].
Sept 26. N Board decides Cumbd sunk by
internal expln.
Sweeping of area is best aid to
delg qn.
Recommend tt sweeping be proceeded w.

 

A Area swept by Gunundal, with Koraga, 

Brolga & Cecil Rhodes from 5 Oct 17 - 12. Feb 18

12 mines found.

[*6 May 18.  Submerged mine seen by S.S. "Ceduna"

12 Aug.  Kilbaka at Twofold Bay (it had broken adrift).
Anot mine seen by Kilbaka.
29 Aug. 1918 Wyreema repd 2
21 Aug. SS Hall Caine repd 1
22 Aug. Wyrallah (near Pt Kembla) rpt 1*]

Again swept by Gunundal & Champion from 

30 Sept 1918 - 16 Oct 1918

No result

[*7 Nov 1918 Mine ws sunk by Bodalla
(after this sweep off Gabo.)
After this colliers
& light vessels were alld to pass near Gabo (up to 15 ft draft

Heavy vs to keep

outside 130 fathoms line.)*]

B area swept from 1 Jan 1919 - 26 Jan 

by James (Tug) Patterson of Coogee

No result

[*Mine  exploded by S.S. Aeon here on

Feb 23rd

Therefore Further sweep

ordd 25 Feb.

Protector had to 

be fitted w app. for Actaeon sweep.

Traffic warned 

to go 20 m. out

from C. Ev.

Aeon min 6 m. of Cape Ev.*]

B area reswept by Protector with Actaeon sweep

from 10.3.19 - 9.4.19

No result.

On June 16 after Jemmeson mine expld! Navy officer wired

Admrty suggs tt minesweeping flotilla ^then en route to NZ shd

sweep / area of Gabo on completion of NZ work.

[*ws asked 20 Nov for definite info.
From German charts
mines lie as folls -
Van Dieman 25
Farewell 35.
Gabo. 30
in 2 lines
Admty cabled
Nov 26 & Dec. 12

recd Nov 29*]
[*? ws it only intention
doubted as prisn offr in
Wolf sd only 17 laid.
as 17 acctd for -
(as vessels v. short N. Bd cabled on Dec 11
it it proposed to forgo further sweeping)*]
Sweeping stopped Feb 18. Admty infd Feb 19
But Admty 19 Feb S. sd it shd continue.
as "v improb. tt all mines have been acctd for."
Fuss March 28.  Who stopped minesweepg?
Diffy in obtaining vessels.
Feb 18 "Return trawlers to owners".
13 Mar.  Mine discovered.  Gabo
21 Feb.  One discd at Falmouth NE Tas.  destd 28 Feb
15 mines destd or expld near Gabo in all.  Last
found on 3 Jan: after 15 days 136 sq m. swept &
nothing found.
Ships still to be kept outside 100 fath. E. in case
of further minelaying.
[*13 Dec. 1918 Owing to info 
recd. from Gy Area B to be
swept.*]
B area swept from 1 Jan 1919 - 26 Jan 19
by James Patterson & Coogee - no result.
B area re-swept by Protector w Acteaon sweeps
from 19.3.19 - 9.4.19
no result.
On June 16 After Jemmeson mine expld.!  Navy office wired
Admty suggesting tt minesweeping flotilla ^then en route to NZ shd
sweep 1 area off Gabo on completion of NZ work.
Instrus issd before loss of Cumberld.

Mines were set for 22½ ft.
17 Jan. SS Werribee reptd
sighting mine 15 m E of Gabo.
& Lt Commander FJ Rankin
all this sweep
R Ashburner Lt RNR
1st mine on Oct 8.  9 by 10 Dec.
[2 Didnt come to surface.
One expld Black Head] 

 


 

Last edited by:
Maralyn KMaralyn K
Last edited on:

Last updated: