Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/264/1 - 1914 - 1938 - Part 18
LOCATION OF AUSTRALIAN SHIPS DURING THE WAR.
H.M.A.S. "PSYCHE".
Wellington 12.12.14
Paid off 22.1.15
Recommissioned 1.6.15
Sydney 30.6.15 - 19.7.15
Jervis Bay 19.7 - 23.7
Sydney 8.8 -16.8
Jervis Bay 3.8
Sydney 8.8 -16.8
Thursday Is. 23.8 - 25.8
Singapore 4.9 - 6.9
Rangoon 10.9 -
Penang 12.9
Rangoon 4.11
Port Blair 6.2.16
Singapore 21.2 - 27.3.16
Port Blair 2.4
Penang 16.4
Port Blair 1.5
Rangoon 14.5
Colombo 21.5 - 27.3.16
Singapore 15.6 - 20.6
South Cambodia
Coast 26.6
Hong Kong 9.7
Singapore 23.10 - 25.10
Rangoon 12.11
Calcutta 26.11
Madras 17.12
Rangoon 15.1.17
Penang 25.3
Rangoon 8.4
Singapore 15.7 - 31.8
Delhi 8.9 - 13.9
Thursday Is. 17.9 - 18.9
Townsville 22.9 - 22.9
Brisbane 26.9 - 26.9
Sydney 28.9
Paid off 16.10.17
Recommissioned 20.11.17
Sydney 3.12
Cairns 9.12
Brisbane 29.12 - 31.12.17
Townsville 5.1.18 - 6.1.18
Cairns 7.1 - 20.1
Townsville 21.1 - 24.1
Thursday Is. 31.1 - 21.2
Towing Changsha off Reef (Charlotte Bay -
Townsville 1.3.18 - 5.3
Sydney 11.3 - Paid off
26.3.18
H.M.A.S. "PIONEER".
Melbourne 1.8.14 - 5.8.14
Adelaide 8.8 - 9.8
Fremantle 15.8- 4.9
Port Headland 10.9 - 12.9
Broome 13.9 - 7.10
Port Darwin 25.9 - 29.9
Broome 2.10 - 7.10
Fremantle 16.10 - 10.1.15
Cocoa Is. 17.1 18.1.15
Diego Garcia 24.1 -25.1
Mombassa 3.2 - 3.9
Zanzibar 31.8 - 1.9
Port Amelia 2.9 - 2.9
Mozambique 3.9 - 3.9
Beira 5.9 - 6.9
Lorenzo Marques 8.9 - 9.9
Durban 10.9 - 12.9
Simonstown 15.9 - 22.10
Durban 25.10 - 27.10
Lorenzo Marques 29.10 - 30.10
Beira 1.11 - 2.11
Mozambique 4.11 - 4.11
Port Amelia 5.11 - 6.11
Zznaibar 9.11 - 22.8.16
Seychelles 27.8 - 30.8
Colombo 5.9 - 13.9
Batavia 21.9
Singapore 24.9 - 25.9
Darwin 4.10 - 6.10
Thursday Is. 9.10 - 16.10
Sydney 22.10
Paid off 7.11.16
LOCATION OF AUSTRALIAN SHIPS DURING THE WAR.
H.M.A.S. "AUSTRALIA".
Sydney 2.8.14 - 4.8.14
Port Moresby 15.8 - 27.8
Noumea 22.8 - 23.8
Suva 26.8 - 27.8
Samoa 30.8
Suva 2.9 - 4.9
Rossel Is. 9.9 - 10.9
Rabaul 11.9 - 15.9
Rabaul 19.9 - 22.9
Frederich 24.9
Wilhelmshavern - 24.9
Rabaul 26.9 - 3.10
Suva 12.10 - 17.10
Fanning Is. 14.11 - 25.11
Chamela Bay 26.11 - 27.12
Galapagos 3.12 - 14.12
Callao 19.12 - 20.12
Valparaiso 26.12 - 27.12
Falkland Is. )
St. Vincent ) 19.1.15 - 20.1.15
Cape de Verde )
Devonport 28.1 - 12.2.15
Rosyth &
Scapa Gr.Flt. 17.2 - 30.1.16
Newcastle 24.4 - 1.5
Newcastle 24.4 - 1.5
Devonport 4.5 - 31.5
Scapa Gr.Flt. 3.6.16 - 31.10.18
Left Rosyth 26.1.19
Arrive Portsmount 28.1.19
Left Portsmouth 17.4.19 for
Gibralar, arrive Fremantle
28.5.19.
H.M.A.S. "SYDNEY"
Thursday Is. 6.8.14 - 7.8.14
Rossel Is. 15.8 - 18.8
Townsville 24.8
Palm Is. 26.8 - 2.9
Port Moresby 4.9 - 7.9
Rossel Is. 9.9 - 10.9
Rabaul 11.9 - 15.9
Anguar Is. 25.9 - 26.9
Rabaul 30.9 - 3.10
Suva 12.10 15.10
Sydney 21.10 - 25.10
Albany 31.10 - 1.11
Cocos. Is. 9.11 - 11.11
Colombo 16.11 - 19.11
Aden 25.11 - 25.11
Port Said 30.11 - 30.11
Malta 3.12 - 3.12
Gibraltar 6.12 - 24.12
Azores 3.12 - 3.12
Bermuda 3.1.15 - 8.1.15
Jamaica 12.1 - 13.1
Martinique 28.1 - 2.2
Trinidad 10.2
Rio Janeiro 21.3
Monte Video 29.3
St. Lucia 25.4 - 3.5
Jamacia 11.5 - 27.5
Bermuda 8.7 - 7.8
Halifax 20.8
Jamacia 4.10 - 14.10
Trinidad 21.10
St. Lucia 28.10 - 30.10
Jamacia left 15.11
Jamacia 4.12 - 24.7.16
St. Lucia 31.7 - 2.8
Port o Spain 18.8 - 21.8
Plymouth 19.9.16 - 26.9.16
Clyde 28.9 - 30.10
Scapa & Rosyth
with Gr.Flt. 31.10.16 - 23.8.17
Chatham &
Sheerness 25.8.17 - 29.11.17
Scapa, Gr.Flt. 1.12.17 - 21.12.18
Left Rosyth 26.1.19
Arrived Sheerness 27.1.19
Left Sheerness 3.4.19
Portsmouth 4.4.19 - 9.4.19
Thursday Island 11.7.19
LOCATION OF AUSTRALIAN SHIPS DURING THE WAR.
H.M.A.S. "ENCOUNTER".
Sydney 2.8.14 - 6.8.14
P.Moresby 15.8 - 21.8
Palm Is. 23.8 - 2.9
P. Moresby 4.9 - 7.9
Rossel Is. 9.9 - 10.9
Rabaul 11.9 - 23.9
F.W.Hafen 24.9 - 24.9
Rabaul 26.9 - 4.10
Suva 15.10 16.11
Apia 19.11 - 21.11
Suva 23.11 - 26.11
Sydney 2.12 - 10.12
Keppel Bay 15.12 - 15.12
Sydney 19.12 - 9.1.15
Suva 15.1.15 - 3.4.15
Auckland 9.4 - 18.4
Tonga 23.4 - 25.4
Suva 28.4 - 5.5
Sydoey 11.5 - 21.7
Apia 4.8 - 8.8
Fanning Is. 13.8 - 15.8
Johnston Is. 19.8 - 20.8
Fanning Is. 23.8 - 27.8
Christmas Is. 28.8 - 29.8
Suva 4.9 - 27.9
Vavua 29.9 - 30.9
Lukualofa 1.10 - 9.10
Suva 11.10 - 15.10
Vila 17.10 - 18.10
Suva 22.10 - 26.10
Samoa 25.10 - 30.10
Suva 28.10 - 5.11
Thursday Is. 15.11 - 26.11
Singapore 19.12 - 22.1.16
Sandakan 7.2.16 - 11.2.16
Albany 22.3 - 12.4
Fremantle 11.3 - 21.3
Albany 22.3 - 12.4
Bunbury 13.4 - 16.4
Fremantle 17.4 - 26.4
Geraldton 27.4 - 29.4
Sharks Bay 30.4 - 8.5
Fremantle 10.5 - 8.6
Bunbury 8.6 - 17.6
Carnarvon 19.6 - 19.6
Broome 22.6 - 28.6
Wyndham 2.7 - 4.7
Darwin 21.7 - 27.7
Thursday Is. 1.8 - 3.8
Sydney 10.8 - 27.11
Jervis Bay 28.11 - 2.12
Sydney 2.12 - 28.12
Albany 4.1.17 20.1.17
Fremantle 10.2 - 8.3
Albany 7.4 - 8.4
Wellington 19.4 - 26.4
Sydney 1.5 - 10.5
Fremantle 21.5 - 24.5
Melbourne 30.5 - 31.5
Wellington 5.6 - 9.6
Sydney 14.6 - 16.6
Melbourne 25.6 - 27.6
Gabo Is. 6.7 - 7.7
Melbourne 9.7 - 10.7
Hobart 8.8 -10.8
Sydney 17.8.17 - 29.8.17
Jervis Bay 30.8 - 30.8
Sydney 30.8 - 31.8
Rabaul 9.9 - 11.9
Samarai 16.9 - 20.9
Rabaul 26.9 - 8.10
Suva 17.10 - 31.10
Tahiti 12.11 - 17.11
Apia 29.11 - 30.11
Suva 4.12 - 7.12
Sydney 14.12 - 18.12
Moreton Bay 20.12 - 22.12
Sydney 23.12 - 3.2.18
Fremantle 11.2.18 - 13.2.18
"Escorting Wiltshire"
Colombo 25.2 - 15.3 Off
Cocos Is.
Colombo 27.3 - 30.3
Fremantle 12.4 - 21.4
Albany 2.5 - 20.5
Fremantle 22.5 - 9.7 Patrolling
to Houtman Roads.
Fremantle 12.7 - 15.8
Broome 20.8 - 22.8
Port Darwin 29.8 - 31.8
Thursday Is. 3.9 - 4.9 for
Sydney via Townsville.
Sydney 13.9 - 10.10
Wellington 15.10 - 21.10
Escorting "Firebrand".
Sydney 26.10 - 8.11
Port Phillip Heads
11.11 - 21.11
Sydney 23.11 - 24.11
Suva 30.11 - 30.11
Apia 2.12 - 10.12
Sydney 17.12 - 11.1.19
LOCATION OF AUSTRALIAN SHIPS DURING THE WAR.
H.M.A.S. "FANTOME".
Rabaul 16.12.14 - 13.2.15
Commissioned 27.11.14
Sydney 21.2.15 - 12.8.15
Paid off 27.2.15
Recommissioned 27.7.15
Brisbane 14.8 - 15.8
Townsville 18.8 - 19.8
Thursday Is. 23.8 - 25.8
Batavia 2.9 - 3.9
Singapore 4.9 - 8.9
Penang 12.9 -
Bay of Bengal 9..10
Port Blair 11.10
Nicobar Is. 1.12 - 4.12
Port Blair 8.12
Singapore 29.1.16 - 3.3.16
Sandakan 18.3.
Celebes 14.5
Hong Kong 12.11
Sandakan 1.12
Singapore 11.3.17
Siam Gulf 6.5.17
Singapore 17.6 - 24.6
Sandakan 1.7
Singapore 12.8 - 31.8
Delhi 8.9 - 13.9
Thursday Is. 18.9 - 18.9
Townsville 21.9 - 22.9
Sydney 27.9
Paid off 16.10.17
Recommissioned 5.11.17
Suva 17.11 - 8.12
Cruise to Minewa Reef, Friendly
and Fiji Islands
Suva 16.12 - 20.12
for Lau Group
Suva 19.1.18 - 8.1.18
for Tahiti
Papiete 19.718 - 1.2.18
search for Schooner near
Baratonga
Suva 15.2 4.3
Suva 19.3 - 31.3
for Savu Savu
Suva 3.4 - 13.4
Sydney 24.4 - 22.5
Suva 31.5 - 9.6
Cruising Fiji Is.
Suva 18.6 - 8.7
visited Samoa, Africa
Harbour, Pago Pago,
Tonga
Suva 23.7 - 20.8
Suva 25.8 - 27.8
cruising Tonga Group
Suva 13.9 - 29.9
for Vila
Suva 10.10 28.10
Gunnery practice
Suva 2.11 - 12.12
Refitting for Tavinni
Suva 14.12 - 20.12
Sydney 28.12
Paid off 14.1.1919
H.M.A.S. "SWAN".
Sydney 16.8.16 - 28.8.16
Commissioned 16.8.16
Cairns 2.9 - 5.9
Thursday Is. 7.9 - 8.9
Sandakan 17.9 Based
Hong Kong 4.11
Sandakan 17.12
Singapore 18.1.17 - 2.7.17
Cocoa Is. 7.7 - 10.7
Seychelles 21.7 - 23.7
Aden 28.7 - 3.8
Port Said 10.8
Malta 18.8 - 11.10
at Malta Taranto & Corfu
Brindisi & Taranto Patrol
22.10.17 to 21.2.18
Palermo 22.2 - 18.3.18
Brindisi 19.3 - 25.3
Genoa 27.3 - 10.4
Brindisi & Taranto Patrol
13.4 - 21.4
Left Adriatic 10.6.18
Malta 30.7 - 12.9
Messina 12.9
Brindisi - 21.10
Port Said 27.10 - 1.11
Alexandria 10.11
Port Said 11.11
Mudros 16.11
Pera 21.11 (constantinople)
Ishmud 22.11 - 25.11
Sevastapol - 20.12
Malta 28.12
Gibraltar 2.1.19 - 4.1.19
Devonport 8.1.19 - 15.2.19
for Gibraltar
Arrived Sydney 21.5.19
LOCATION OF AUSTRALIAN SHIPS DURING THE WAR.
H.M.A.S. "MELBOURNE".
Sydney 2.8.14 - 8.8.14
Rossel Is. 15.8 - 17.8
Noumea 22.8 - 23.8
Suva 26.8 - 27.8
Samoa 30.8 - 31.8
Suva 2.9 - 4.9
Nauru 9.9 - 9.9
Rabaul 12.9 - 15.9
Sydney 21.9 - 26.9
Melbourne 28.9 - 11.10
Sydney 14.10 - 17.10
Port Phillip 21.10 - 22.10
Albany 26.10 - 1.11
Colombo 14.11 - 15.11
Aden 21.11 - 22.11
Port Said 26.11 - 26.11
Malta 30.11 - 3.12
Gibraltar 5.12 - 10.12
Bermuda 20.12 - 22.12
St. Lucia 23.12 - 28.12
Jamaica 13.1.15 - 22.3.15
Antigua 28.3
Bermuda 15.4
Jamaica 8.7.15 - 24.6.16
Bermuda 26.8 - 28.8
Plymouth 7.9 - 28.8
Scapa & Rosyth
Grand Fleet 6.10 - 27.1.17
Birkenhead 30.1 27.6
Scapa (etc.) 29.6.17 - 27.11.18
Left Portsmouth 28.2.19
Arrived Devonport 1.3.19
Left Devonport 7.3.19
Darwin 26.4.19
Sydney 24.5.19
H.M.A.S. "BRISBANE".
Sydney 30.10.16
Jervis 3.11 - 4.11
Sydney 5.11 - 13.12
Hervey Bay 15.12 - 20.12
Townsville 22.12 - 23.12
Thursday Is. 26.12 - 27.12
Singapore 4.1.17
Colombo 14.1.17 - 18.1.17
Aden 24.1 - 25.1
Port Said 30.1
Malta 4.2
Aden 27.4 - 28.4
Colombo 4.5 - 14.6
Fremantle 26.6 -10.7
Albany 11.7 - 12.7
Fremantle 13.7 - 19.8
Bunbury 30.8 - 31.8
Fremantle 31.8 - 20.9
Beagle Bay 27.9 - 6.10
Thursday Is. 11.10 - 12.10
Tulagi 21.10 - 14.11
Cruising Guadalcanal Coast (Solomans)
20.11.17 Cruise to Nauru & Gilbert Is
25.11.17 Cruising to intercept/Roepad.
Gizo 15.12 -
Tulagi Left 29.12.17 for Ocean Is.
Ocean Is. 14.1.18
Tarawa 19.1.18 - 12.1.18
Suva 16.1 - 26.1
Sydney 1.2 - 12.3
Jervis Bay 13.3 - 21.3
Sydney 22.3 (Convoy "Runic")
Sydney 23.3 - 4.4
Port Melbne. 3.5 - 15.5
Sydney 17.5 - 13.6
Thursday Is. 18.6 - 28.6
Townsville 3.7
Dunk Is. 4.7
Sydney 15.7 - 20.8
Hervey Bay 22.8 - 30.8
Brisbane 31.8 - 5.9
Sydney 7.9 - 21.10
Fremantle 27.10 - 30.10
Colombo 8.11 - 9.11
Aden 15.11 - 16.11
Port Said 24.11
Mudros 26.11 - 8.12
Smyrna 14.12 - 4.1.19
Devonport13.1.19
Portsmouth 13.1.19 Refitting
Return to Australia 12.4.19
Thursday Is. 14.6.19
Sydney 27.6.19
R.A.N. File WR 16/2460
Breaches of Neutality
The visits to search EI
for sub bases were
practly arranged by the C[?]
( China, NBS wi[?]
[?]
Islands near Timor were
visd by Capt Camberlys by Yassa & Pitta under
Instrns for N Bd.
Rule re passing thru
Dutch waters has never
been commd to Camberlys
Huon 19 M 1916 landing fw.
recreation
Forwdd by [?] 24/3/17
2 Nov. Sec & State f??ds
9-12 Nov 1915 Una anchored
at D Jampea
Took cocnuts
16 Nov 1915 2 Brit Dests
search Bay of Palos
& passed thro [?] of
[?] Tang in Terr. waters
F. 4131
1690.
28 January 1927.
Commander F. C. Cresswell, R.A.N.,
2, Balmoral Avenue,
Upper Hawthorn. Vic.
Dear Sir,
Mr. A. W. Jose, who has been writing the official history
of the R.A.N., has asked me to refer to you concerning two points
which he does not quite understand. If you could assist me in
this matter, I should be very grateful. Both points concern the
official report on which he based his account of wireless-telegraphy
work in Australis during tho war.
(1) He quotes an account of the work of the Perth station
intercepting Nauen by means of 'a directional aerial consisting
of two parallel wires, approximately 100 feet apart,
The wires were carried for 1,000 feet un counterpoised
poles and then on trees south-easterly into the bush, the
total length of roof portion being approximately 3,000 feet."
He does not understand the meaning of "roof portion" in the
last sentence, and has asked me to ascertain whether you
could make this clear.
(2) He has summed up the wireless work, from the report, as
follows:
"The manufacture of wireless equipment for warships,
transports, shore stations, etc., was an important if
un-exciting task. The Williamstown workshops, which were
established in 1912, soon after the beginning of the war
proved inadequate for the Commonwealth's requirements, and
after a good deal of negotiation the Navy Office took over
in August 1916 Father Shaw's wireless telegraphy workshops
at Randwick near Sydney, utilising them not only for the
manufacture and repair of W/T apparatus and machinery, but
for making dynamo-electric machinery, electrical apparatus
etc. for other Commonwealth departments, since at that time
supplies were almost unobtainable from overseas. Installations
were manufactured for the three later destroyers
(H.M.A.S's Huon, Torrens, and Swan), the Fantome,
Coogee, Sleuth, Mourilyan, nine transports, to collier
Kanna, and many smaller craft used as examining and
patrolling vessels by the Naval Brigade; 15 "harbour
defence" sets were made also for the Examination Service;
3 sets were sent to the Indian Government for their mine-
sweepors, the Commonwealth's Defence Department was
supplied with 6 "military pack" sets, the Radio stations
at Woodlark Island and Semarai in New Guinea were completely
fitted out, and, 24 transports and 3 cargo vessels
of the Government line were given long-wave receivers
specially designed for the reception of war warnings
transmitted from Admiralty stations. Among the new designs
were a transmitting oscillator for shore stations (of the
two-coil oscillator type, permitting a quick change in
transmission of wave-lengths from 300 up to 2,500 metres),
and a new type of serial tuning coil. Much miscellaneous
work was also done for the Government dockyards, and
2.
repair work on Lewis guns, rifles, range-finders, etc.,
for the Defence Department."
He adds: "I know so little about wireless that I may
eo laying stress on minor achievements and slurring over
work the workshops are proud of." I attach hereto the
report upon which the paragraph is founded. I should be
grateful if you would be so good as to check Jose's summary
with regard to its adequacy, and kindly return the report
with your answer.
If you happen to have any available photographs which
could illustrate wireless work in Australia during the war
should be glad of the loan of them, as we desire an illustration
of it.
Yours faithfully,
C. E. W. BEAN
TELEPHONE:
CENTRAL 4780.
No.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
Navy Office, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE,
MELBOURNE. 3rd February, 1927.
Dear Sir,
Many thanks for your letter No.1690 of 25th
January and the opportunity of perusing Mr. Jose's
account of W/T work in Australia during the war; I am
only sorry I have not had the opportunity of perusing
the whole chapter, I must therefore confine my remarks
to the subject matter of your letter.
With reference to the directional aerial at
Perth, the aerial employed is known as an inverted "L"
the height of which was approximately 20 feet above the
ground, the "roof" portion is the wire which is supported
by insulators at the top of the poles thus.
Diagram
With reference to the activities of the W/T
Workshops, the account is substantially correct with
but one or two omissions.
Twelve 5-kilowatt Arc Continuous Wave Transmitters
were designed and manufactured throughout for the
Commonwealth for H.M.A. Ships and Shore Radio Stations.
Arc Sets were installed at Perth, Sydney (2), Townsville,
Rabaul, and greatly increased the transmitting range of
these stations. The design and manufacture of these
Arc Sets, and other apparatus, were full of complex
technicalities and reflected great credit on all concerned;
there were no drawings or details of their construction
available in Australia at the time.
My last reference relates to the justification
for the acquisition of the Shaw Wireless Works in Sydney.
At the time of their acquisition we were hard pressed for
wireless and electrical equipment necessary for Australia's
local requirements in the conduct of the war.
The Shaw Wireless Workshops were the only suitable
workshops available at the time. The acquisition of
suitable workshops was essential for the safety of our
transports and troops. It was necessary to completely
fit out transports with wireless equipment and maintain
them in order. It would have been criminal to have
allowed a transport to leave Australia not properly
equipped with wireless. A ship without wireless can only
be likened to a blind duck waddling into danger
[* Vol XI *]
-2
Our Losses of transports were practically nil,
and there is little doubt that the Shaw Wireless Workshops
materially contributed to safe transportation as well as
the efficiency of the 200 odd Australian operators.
If the Government had paid £100,000 for purchase money
their acquisition was justified as a war measure. Probably
Mr. Jose has referred to this aspect.
Yours faithfully,
F. C. Cresswell
Captain C. E. W. Bean,
Victoria Barracks,
Sydney.
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