HMS DELHI at naval buoy number 2 in Sydney on Fleet Day
Photographer
Frederick Garner Wilkinson
(1901-1975)
Date9 April 1924
Object number00037654
NameGlass plate negative
MediumEmulsion on glass
DimensionsOverall: 82 x 103 mm, 2 mm, 0.04 kg
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection
Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionHMS DELHI is depicted at naval buoy number 2 in Sydney Harbour. This photograph was captured during a ferry trip from Circular Quay to Watson's Bay, Sydney on Fleet Day, 9 April 1924. DELHI was one of the ships of the Royal Navy's Special Services Squadron and visited Sydney as part of a world tour in 1924.HistoryHMS DELHI was a Danae class cruiser of the British Royal Navy built in 1917, launched in 1918, commissioned in 1919 and broken up at Cashmore shipyards, Newport in 1948. DELHI played a role in the Baltic Campaign during 1918-1919, served in the Special Service Squadron's 1923-1924 world tour, was stationed with the home fleet between 1939 and 1942, the Mediterranean fleet in 1940 and 1943-1945. The ship also served in the South Atlantic between 1941-1942 when it was refitted in America and in 1945 was placed in reserve.
During 1923-1924 the Special Service Squadron made up the Empire Cruise, a British world tour that stopped at many countries who had fought and held allegiance with Britain in World War I. The tour started on 27 November 1923 and lasted until 28 September 1924. It was largely a public relations exercise to express Britain's sea power, particularly relevant in the aftermath of World War I.
SignificanceThis photograph provides a visual record of the Royal Navy's HMS DELHI and its role in the Royal Navy's Special Service Squadron.The print is part of the F G Wilkinson Photograph Collection, comprising more than 700 glass plate negatives of ships in Sydney Harbour between 1919 and 1936. The collection provides an extensive and well-documented coverage of the changing styles of shipping in the port of Sydney before the decline of the coastal trade. The backgrounds also reveal the changing face of the city and harbour foreshores.
