hmasaustraliaii

Woo hoo! This photo was published in the Sydney Morning Herald, 29/10/1928, p.14 - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/16504967

25,000 PEOPLE INSPECT H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA. During all yesterday afternoon continuous crowds inspected the Australia. So great was the congestion that the police had to control the traffic.

Australian National Maritime Museum on The Commons Oops! Silly me - you already knew that! [promises to read blurb in future!]

beachcomber australia [http://www.flickr.com/photos/51979177@N02] Just saw this, and the State Library of New South Wales pic, love how our collections overlap :) QM, oh the frustrations of historical investigations :P

NOT a Walrus - its a different model. This is the earlier one its a Seagull Mk III (the Walrus was the Seagull Mk V) - both HMAS Canberra and HMAS Australia had them as did HMAS Albatross. A9-6 This Airframe was Ordered by the RAAF in 1925 from Supermarine UK and it was shipped over to Australia crated as 'general cargo' on board the SS MALDARIA. It was then taken over by the RAAF and assembled and prepared for service in the usual manner. On 3 April 1934 this airframe and its RAAF Detachment (including Pilot) were embarked on board HMAS AUSTRALIA, they were disembarked on 8 April, then reembarked once more on 24 April 1934. On 26 April 1934 the Airframe was involved in making a forced Landing after suffering from engine trouble while becoming airborne off Port Jackson in Sydney Harbor and while still being on board HMAS Australia. Due to this the Airframe was Disembarked to RAAF Richmond on 9 May 1932 and in turn replaced on ship. After being reembarked by HMAS Australia after the completion of the necessary 'minor repairs' on 11 July 1932, she remained on board the cruiser as her regular aircraft for most of her service life. On 24 August 1934 the Airframe was wrecked while on board carrying out this duty during a severe gale while the Cruiser was under passage from Devonport to Bunbury, with the Airframe shortly afterwards being declared as beyond repair and SOC (Struck off charge) as of this date. A later combined RAAF/RAN Enquiry found that the cause of the Loss of A9-6 was that the main ring bolt securing the aircraft to the catapult platform failed. More Seagulls were lost in this manner on both HMAS Canberra and again on HMAS Australia before this situation was finally 'resolved'. This pick shows A9-6 shortly after this event took place. Stephen. NSW Aust.

Stephen Wow thanks for all the info Stephen - our records have been updated. A great pic!

It seems there were several children's parties on HMAS Canberra in December 1931. - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/16818779 I bet this is the Officers' children one on Saturday 12 December (SMH 14/12/1931 p.3 - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/16814285). " ... ... A large crane, in which the little guests were given rides .... ... "

beachcomber australia Thanks for those articles! It was definitely the children's Christmas party and judging by these articles, you're probably right, it looks like it was the one on Saturday afternoon for the Officers' children. Great work beachcomberaustralia! Woudn't it be wonderful if we could identify some of those children? It was 81 years ago, perhaps some of them may still be around and remember this event... We also have an image of the kids on the slide which we will be uploading today so watch this space.

Australian National Maritime Museum on The Commons Hmm - this is going to sound REALLY geeky and picky - I need to get a life! ... 1931 date may be wrong ... The Harbour Bridge behind is not very completed for "December 1931" - they would be flat out completing it in three months for a March 1932 opening. I think from the state of the decking and pylons, that this might be December 1930. Also compare with this October 1930 photo - I had a look at Trove for children's parties in December 1930, but no luck so far.

beachcomber australia Not at all, we also enjoy being geeky and investigating these images and we always appreciate feedback from our followers! So, we know for sure that the Dutch navy visited in October 1930 and that it was their first visit. The DE RUYTER image above, shows the first part of the deck being lowered. In the image of the children in the crate, there are quite a few more deck pieces. Another bit of information, this image bit.ly/MfsM5h is from the same day (as you can see the lady in the white outfit and hat in both images). The inscription in the lower part of the negative says 'Xmas party 1931'. Perhaps more research into the Sydney Harbour Bridge will confirm, because I do see what you mean, they would have had to rush the last few pieces for the March 1932 opening!

Australian National Maritime Museum on The Commons Thanks for the extra photo - it is really difficult to argue with the photographer's own signature date! The wikipedia article has a useful history and dates of construction. The two "creeper cranes" seen here are particularly good indicators of progress. Also on the page is a photo (from the AWM) of the HMAS 'Canberra' going under the bridge in 1930 - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Harbour_Bridge#Construction Whether 1930 or 1931, this is still a wonderful photo!