HMS DANAE at naval buoy number 9 in Sydney on Fleet Day

Photographer Frederick Garner Wilkinson (1901-1975)

Date9 April 1924

Object number00037655

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

Terms

DescriptionHMS DANAE is photographed at naval buoy number 9 in Sydney on Fleet Day, 9 April 1924. This image was taken during a ferry trip from Circular Quay to Watson's Bay. DANAE was visiting Sydney as part of the British Special Service Squadron's world tour between 1923 and 1924.HistoryThe Royal Navy's HMS DANAE was launched on 26 January 1918 and scrapped at Barrow, England on 27 March 1948. The ship was a Danae class cruiser and one of the fastest vessels of its time. DANAE was active in the last few months of World War I conducting patrol duties. In the interwar period it conducted patrol and escort duties and participated in the British Special Service Squadron's world tour in 1923-1924. During World War II DANAE served in the Southern Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Yellow Sea and also provided support during the Invasion of Normandy. The ship's last years of service were spent as a transport vessel for the Polish Red Cross. Between 1923 and 1924 the British Special Service Squadron conducted their Empire Cruise, a world tour that stopped at many countries who fought in World War I and held allegiance with Britain. The tour ran from 27 November 1923 until 28 September 1924 and was a public relations exercise to express Britain's sea power, particularly relevant in the aftermath of World War I. The fleet consisted of H M Ships HOOD, REPULSE, the light cruisers DELHI, DRAGON, DAUNTLESS, DANAE and DUNEDIN with nine other supporting vessels.SignificanceThis photograph records the presence of the British naval cruiser HMS DANAE during the Special Service Squadron's visit to Australia in 1924.

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 background panoramas also reveal the changing face of the city and harbour foreshores.