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Battle HMAS SYDNEY and SMS EMDEN in Cocos (Keeling) Islands. 75th anniversary 9 November 1914.

Date1989

Object number00051856

NameFirst day cover

MediumPaper

DimensionsOverall: 111 x 220 mm

ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionPhilatelic collectible produced for the 75th anniversary of the World War I battle in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands of 9 November, 1914, during which HMAS SYDNEY defeated the German SMS EMDEN and secured its surrender and the capture of its crew.HistoryHMAS SYDNEY was a Chatham class light cruiser built by the London-Glasgow Shipbuilding Company, Scotland. She was laid down in February, 1911 and launched on 29 August, 1912 by Lady Henderson, wife of Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson. Joining the battlecruiser HMAS AUSTRALIA at Portsmouth, SYDNEY was commissioned on 26 June, 1913. The two vessels then sailed for Australia in July, 1913 via St. Helena, Capetown and Mauritius, eventually making landfall at Albany, Western Australia for coaling on 19 September, 1913. SYDNEY had been commissioned under the command of Captain John C. T. Glossop (1871-1934). At 0620 on 9 November, wireless telegraphy operators in several transports and in the warships picked up signals in an unknown code, followed by a query from the Cocos Island Wireless Telegraphy Station asking 'What is that code?' It was, in fact, the German cruiser SMS EMDEN ordering her collier BURESK to join her at Point (sometimes called 'Port') Refuge (part of the Cocos Island Group). After some debate between the vessels over which of the escorts should be dispatched, it was decided that SYDNEY, as the warship nearest to Cocos, should be sent. Detaching itself from the convoy at 0700 SYDNEY was able to exceed her designed speed, arriving at Cocos at 0915 and spotting EMDEN some seven or eight miles distant. At a range of 10, 500 yards EMDEN opened fire and SYDNEY was soon under heavy fire. SYDNEY was, however, faster and better armed than her German opponent and by 1115 EMDEN lay wrecked on North Keeling Island, although it continued to resist. SYDNEY then left the scene to pursue the BURESK and, having forced the collier to be scuttled by its crew, returned at 1300 to secure EMDEN's surrender. Four members of SYDNEY's crew had been killed, whilst twelve had been wounded. SignificanceThis philatelic collectible commemorates the first significant naval engagement of the newly-formed Royal Australian Navy.