Steaming record for HMAS SYDNEY

Date1913-1916

Object number00029817

NameRecord

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 229 x 177 mm
Display Dimensions: 229 x 177 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from I L Debenham

Terms

World War I

DescriptionThis is the steaming record of the HMAS SYDNEY covering the period of 26th June, 1913 until 26th June, 1916. It provides practical statistics such as fuel and water consumption, distances travelled and number of days at sea.HistoryCommissioned by Captain J.C.T .Glossop (RN) on 23 June,1913 HMAS SYDNEY carried 20 officers and 372 ofher ranks on its maiden voyage to Australia.Just over a year later, after the declaration of war on Germany, HMAS SYDNEY was deployed to track and destroy German warships in the waters off New Guinea and Samoa. However it wasn' t until the 9 November 1914, off the Cocos Islands, Indian Ocean, that HMAS SYDNEY engaged and subsequently crippled its first enemy warship,SMS EMDEN. SMS EMDEN had until then enjoyed spectacular success as a raider, sinking 2 warships and 25 Allied merchantships in southern waters.The EMDEN'S defeat was much celebrated both in Europe and Australia. Further this engagement was significant as it was the RANs first and only ship to ship action of WWI. HMAS SYDNEY was also significant as it was one ofthe original 10 vessels specifically built for the first fleet of the Royal Australian Navy.It was eventually decommissioned and broken up at Cockatoo Island on 10 January 1929.SignificanceThis document is significant as it directly relates to the performance statistics and aspects of the engagement history of the Royal Australian Navy' s most successful as well as most advanced WWI light-cruiser. This information is all the more significant as it covers the period of HMAS SYDNEY'S celebrated victory over SMS EMDEN, 9 November 1914.