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HMAS TINGIRA gavel
HMAS TINGIRA gavel

HMAS TINGIRA gavel

Date1941
Object number00055186
NameGavel
MediumWood, varnish, silver (?)
DimensionsOverall: 340 × 130 × 50 mm
ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Christina Pender
DescriptionCeremonial gavel manufactured from wood salvaged from the Royal Australian Navy training ship HMAS TINGIRA. Attached to the gavel is a small plaque reading 'Gavel made of timber from H.M.A.S. TINGIRA (ex- SOBARON). Built at Aberdeen 1866, demolished at Sydney 1941. Presented to Captain R.C. Garsia, R.A.N., last commanding officer, 1925-1927 by G.D.W. December 1941'.HistoryHMAS TINGIRA was the Royal Australian Navy's first training ship. It was launched in 1866 as the passenger clipper SOBARON, a vessel that holds the distinction as the world's largest composite-hulled (iron framing over wooden planking) sailing vessel. After serving as a passenger ship, SOBARON was purchased by the New South Wales colonial government in 1891 and converted into a Nautical School Ship. It continued in this capacity until 1911, when it was acquired by the Royal Australian Navy, converted into a sail training ship, and renamed TINGIRA. TINGIRA remained in active service until 1927. It was eventually broken up in the early 1940s. Rupert Claire Garsia served with distinction during the First World War, and was aboard the light cruiser HMAS SYDNEY (I) during its famed engagements with the German light cruiser SMS EMDEN, and German zeppelin L43. On 31 January 1919 Garsia was appointed a lieutenant-commander in the RAN, and subsequently served in TINGIRA from August 1919 until April 1921. Following RAN service aboard other naval vessels, and a brief period of Royal Navy training and education in England, Garsia returned to Australia in August 1925 and re-assumed command of TINGIRA, where he remained until April 1927 when the vessel was decommissioned. Garsia's naval career continued until his retirement in September 1945. SignificanceThe gavel is significant for its association with HMAS TINGIRA and Rupert Claire Garsia.