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HOME OF THE LADY DENMAN - Local history isn't always about the big story - the everyday story of life in the early development of the region can be a fascinating, entertaining and educational journey.

31 January 2019

Ships in Jervis Bay.


Today we had three ships that couldn't be more different inside the bay.
The Barque James Craig was moored in the still waters off Iluka sheltering from the southerly gale blowing along the coast.  While in the distant background appearing and disappearing in and out of the mist on the north side of the bay you could see Australia's latest warship, the HMAS Brisbane III.







Watching James Craig swaying slowly in the breeze on the clear, calm water of Jervis Bay is full of romance. Your mind is easily taken back to a time when sea travel was a slow and exciting way to see the world.  Of course, the reality was quite different.   Working or traveling onboard these old wooden ships was anything but romantic. One only has to read many of the stories contained in this blog to realise how hard, dangerous, life-threatening and arduous it could be. These days the James Craig is equipped with all the modern instruments and amenities to make sea travel an exciting, safe and enjoyable experience.  But choosing the right weather conditions is still a key element in having a safe journey.

In contrast, watching the Brisbane crisscrossing the bay, effortlessly cutting through the strong southerly gale like a hot knife through butter, you couldn't help but think how different life at sea is for sailors now compared to the time of the tall ships like the James Craig.

You can keep in touch with the James Craig by going to their facebook page.


https://www.facebook.com/tallshipjamescraig/




The first HMAS Brisbane.

Coincidentally the previous post featured the historic postcard of the first HMAS Brisbane at anchor inside Jervis Bay in 1918, today, 101 years later we have HMAS Brisbane III (D41) conducting training exercises inside Jervis Bay. 
HMAS Brisbane (III) is the second of three ships of the Hobart Class guided missile destroyers.
The ship was built in Osborne, South Australia.  She was laid down on 3 February 2014 and launched on 15 December 2016.
Brisbane commenced sea trials in November 2017.   She was handed over to the RAN on 27 July 2018 and was commissioned on the 27 October 2018.
This was her second visit to Jervis Bay, she called in briefly last week, but I missed the opportunity to get a photo of her. Today she could be seen cruising around the bay shrouded in sea mist. The opportunity for a clear photo was limited. This photo taken from Greenpatch shows her on the north side of the bay adjacent to Long Beach.

The third vessel moving about the bay was the Sycamore. She is a regular visitor, almost on a weekly basis, details about her can be found here.
http://jervisbaymaritimemuseum.blogspot.com/search?q=sycamore.






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26 January 2019

HMAS Brisbane–Jervis Bay.





Above is a postcard from the David Critchley collection.

An Empire Series photo postcard. Hand dated 15 September 1918.
Jervis Bay c1918. A very historic postcard. Written on the reverse of this card is written "HMAS Brisbane.  Taken from Jervis Bay 1918. Went over 15 September 1918."

The photograph is taken from the Royal Australian Naval College (now HMAS Creswell) an interesting feature of the photograph is what appears to be the railway line running along the foreshore, despite many promises it was the first and only railway line to be constructed at Jervis Bay.
Read more about the Jervis Bay railway.

HMAS Brisbane launched in 1915, was one of the first cruisers, along with her sister ships HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Sydney to be built for the RAN. She served the Australian Navy until she was decommissioned in 1923.|

Many visits to Jervis Bay.

During her commission, Brisbane came to Jervis Bay to conduct gunnery and torpedo training exercises on many occasions. Her most notable visit was in 1920 when she took part in the welcoming ceremony during The Prince of Wales visit to Jervis Bay. The prince arriving in the bay aboard H.M.S Renown was celebrated with the guns of HMAS Brisbane firing a royal salute. Men from the Brisbane also formed a naval guard for the Prince's arrival on the landing jetty at HMAS Creswell.
Read more about the Prince's visit to Jervis Bay.

Jervis Bay - The navy's playground.

1921 The men of the Brisbane were involved in a rather unusual "sport". They set up a boxing ring in the bush in a remote location on the shores of Jervis Bay.  Seamen, Midshipmen and Officers all took part in boxing matches. Each restricted to fighting within their own ranks.








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8 January 2019

Thomas Speechley.

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I recently uploaded the story of the tragic death of young Thomas Speechley and the whereabout of his lonely grave onto the Old NSW Album facebook page. The story had a huge response and evoked alot of emotion. Going by the feedback Thomas will be having quite a few visitors in the near future.





Comment  - Unknown has left a new comment on your post "Young Thomas Speechley.":
Such a bittersweet story but how lovely to hear that little Thomas' memory lives on.

LDMM - Thank you "Unknown" for your comment.






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