In May 1921, HMAS Sydney, made a visit to Newcastle and Port Stephens, which generated considerable interest to the local residents.

There have been five ships of the Royal Australian Navy that were named Sydney. The ship that visited Port Stephens was the first of that designation and was launched in 1912. It was classified as a Town-class light cruiser and was commissioned at Portsmouth, England, on 26 June 1913.

At the outbreak of World War One, HMAS Sydney undertook numerous operations in the Pacific and other regions. Its most memorable action was its sinking of the German cruiser SMS Emden in November 1913 in waters off the Cocos Islands.

This battle was the Royal Australian Navy’s first victory.

HMAS Sydney was decommissioned in 1928 and broken up. Its tripod mast was later installed as a prominent monument at Bradleys Head, on Sydney Harbour.

This paper tells the story of the visit of HMAS Sydney to Newcastle and Port Stephens in 1921.

A Postscript details the make-up of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet in 1921.

HMAS Sydney

Sydney on Duty Prior to Visiting Port Stephens

Immediately prior to visiting Newcastle and Port Stephens, the Sydney participated in the 151st anniversary of the landing of Captain Cook at Botany Bay. The ship was decorated in honour of the occasion and hundreds of people visited the ship.

The Sydney left Port Jackson for Newcastle and Port Stephens on 3 May 1921. it was scheduled to return to Port Jackson on 20 May 1921.

HMAS Sydney Visits Newcastle

The Newcastle Sun of 6 May 1921, page 5, reported:

‘Officers of the HMAS Sydney will be the guests of the Newcastle Jockey Club at the Cup meeting tomorrow. ‘

HMAS Sydney Visits Port Stephens

The Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate of 27 May 1921, page 6, reported:

‘During the visit of HMAS Sydney to Port Stephens, advantage was taken by hundreds of the residents to make an inspection of the vessel, upon which a picture show was arranged and conducted by the officers and other members of the crew. The citizens were the guests of the latter, and greatly appreciated the thoughtful acts of courtesy extended to them by the captain and his officers. It was a unique opportunity afforded to the residents of becoming more intimately acquainted with the ship which so effectively disposed of the raider [Emden] during the early stages of the war.’

The Raymond Terrace Examiner and Lower Hunter and Port Stephens Advertiser of 27 May 1921, page 2, reported:

‘On Wednesday, May 16th, the Children attending the Karuah Public and Aborigines School, accompanied by their teachers and missionaries, and 15 adults, spent a most enjoyable day visiting H.M.S. Sydney, at the Naval Base, Port Stephens [at Salamander Bay].

Mr. and Mrs. Longworth, of Glenroy, Karuah, kindly entertained them on their yacht “Ena”. After arriving at the Naval Base the children and visitors were shown round the vessel, and the children partook of refreshments provided by the officers of the Sydney, and which were thoroughly enjoyed. The visitors embarked again on the “Ena,” where afternoon tea had been provided, and kindly served by Mrs. Longworth. On arriving at Karuah Miss Ackland, Aborigines’ Missionary, and Miss Ferguson, Aborigines’ Teacher thanked the host and hostess on behalf of the Aborigine children for the pleasant outing Mr. and Mrs. Longworth had accorded them, and a senior boy from the Karuah Public School also thanked Mr. and Mrs. Longworth, on behalf of the children of the Public School for the enjoyable day they had spent. Three cheers, were then given for Mr. and Mrs. Longworth, and a pleasant day was brought to a close by all joining in singing “For They are Jolly Good Fellows.”

Return of Sydney to Port Jackson

After return to Port Jackson on 20 May 1921, the Sydney was involved in firing a Royal salute of 21 guns in honour of Queen Mary’s birthday, on 26 May 1921. On 30 May 1921 the Sydney proceeded to Jarvis Bay.

POSTSCRIPT

AUSTRALIAN NAVAL FLEET – 1921

Several months after the visit of the Sydney to Newcastle and Port Stephens, the Daily Telegraph of 14 October 1921, page 5, provided a summary of the fleet of the Royal Australian Navy, which showed the position of the Sydney within the fleet:

‘In order to keep within the amount available on the Estimates, the Naval Board has found it necessary to reduce the strength of the sea going fleet to— Two light cruisers (Melbourne and Brisbane); One training cruiser (Sydney); Two sloops (Geranium and Marguerite); Three modern destroyers (Anzac and two S class destroyers); One River class Destroyer (Huon); One submarine parent ship (Platypus); Three I class submarines; One yacht (Franklin), tender to R.A.N. College; or fourteen ships in all.

H.M.A.S. Australia is now in commission, with a special crew, and is used for training purposes at Flinders Naval Depot. It may. however, be found necessary to pay her off and place her in reserve. H.M.A.S. Mallow and eight T.B.D.’s are in reserve at Sydney, in charge of care and maintenance parties. H.M.A.S. Encounter and H.M.A.S. Pioneer are being utilised as depot ships for the accommodation of ratings at Sydney. H.M.S. Psyche hitherto used as a depot ship for the R.A.N. is to be placed on the sale list [this ship later sank at Port Stephens in 1924]. Provision has been made on the Estimates for 501 officers and 4188 men. Steps are being taken to provide a reserve of officers and men in Australia, qualified to furnish the balance of the ranks and ratings required to complete the fleet. ‘

Researched and compiled by Kevin McGuinness

December 2023