HMS CHALLENGER in Wellington Harbour, New Zealand

Publisher New Zealand Mail

Subject or historical figure James Bryance Conder (1872 - 1954)

Date1906

Object number00027935

NameNewspaper clipping

MediumPaper

DimensionsOverall: 464 x 567 x 1 mm, 40 g

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Robert Murphy

Terms

DescriptionThis newspaper supplement from the New Zealand Mail features a double page spread titled 'HMS CHALLENGER, second class twin-screw cruiser, 50,000 tons 12,000 HP (Captain J R Bridson), at present in Wellington Harbour'. The supplement features 13 captioned black-and-white photographic images of CHALLENGER and the ship's company. HMS CHALLENGER appears at the centre, with photographs of the officers and men, the full complement on deck, and life aboard CHALLENGER - including sailors tailoring and lining up for 'grog'.HistoryJames (Jim) Bryance Conder was one of thousands of Australian sailors who helped to shape Australia's naval history. His naval career, interspersed with periods ashore, illustrates all stages in the transition from British control of Australia's naval defence to full local responsibility with the formation of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). It also shows what a strong imprint the Royal Navy had on the RAN. Conder joined the Royal Navy in Australia in 1891 aged 19 having sailed in the merchant ships ELLORA and AVENGER over the previous two years. He served on HMS ORLANDO, HMVS CERBERUS, HMVS NELSON, gunboat HMVS ALBERT, HMS KATOOMBA, HM Ships CHALLENGER and PSYCHE.SignificanceThis newspaper supplement relates to James Bryance Conder, whose naval career spanned four different navies in the service of Australia between 1891 and 1937.