4 October 1913
On 4 October 1913, the new Royal Australian Navy fleet unit sailed into Sydney Harbour. Large crowds watched the entry from boats and from every available headland around the harbour. The Australian fleet’s arrival marked an important milestone. Australia was now taking responsibility for its own defences. This was done through command of the Australian Station which had until then been a Royal Navy command.
A modern, capable navy was a symbol of the nation’s power. It was a practical tool for the Australian Government to represent and defend the nation and the maritime trade on which its prosperity depended.
Having the ships together presented a formidable force:
- the battlecruiser HMAS Australia
- cruisers HMA Ships Sydney, Melbourne and Encounter
- the destroyers HMA Ships Parramatta, Warrego and Yarra.
Australia itself was the largest and most capable warship to have entered Sydney up to that time. The 1913 fleet unit formed the basis of the Australian Navy for the First World War. This was along with HMA Submarines AE1 and AE2, and more warships under construction in Australia.
The development of the Royal Australian Navy was based on the successful and pre-eminent Royal Navy model. The ships were identical to and interchangeable with their British counterparts. Australian society, however, was more egalitarian. Thus the selection, training, pay and disciplinary arrangements reflected Australian standards.
Flying the Australian National Flag in each ship was a significant marker of national identity. This integrated approach to capability development had let the RAN move quickly from conception to government approval, and then to the delivery of functioning ships.
Australia marked the centenary of the fleet unit entry in October 2013 with a series of events. This included an international fleet review.