On This Day
1850-1899 > Colonial Navies & RN
On This Day - 1850-1899
- December 19, 1878
CDRE John C. Wilson, ADC, was appointed Commodore Commanding Australia Station. His flagship was HMS WOLVERENE.
- December 10, 1878
CDRE John C. Wilson, ADC, was appointed Commodore Commanding Australia Station.
- September 19, 1878
CDRE J. C. Wilson, ADC, was appointed Commodore Commanding the Australia Station. His flagship was HMS WOLVERINE.
- January 1, 1878
The NSW Torpedo Corps was formed under Major Cracknell. In March 1879 the name was changed to the NSW Torpedo and Signalling Corps. It’s initial strength was 6 officers and 88 men.
- December 2, 1875
HMVS VICTORIA went to the rescue of the clipper ship TIENSTIN, foundering in Bass Strait. The crew of the disabled ship was taken off, and an attempt was made to tow TIENSTIN to safety, but she rolled over and sank.
- September 7, 1875
CDRE Anthony H. Hoskins, CB, was appointed Commodore Commanding the Australia Station. His flagship was HMS WOLVERINE
- August 20, 1875
CDRE James Goodenough, RN, commander of the Australia Squadron 1873-75, died from wounds sustained from poisoned arrows, fired by Santa Cruz Islanders.
- July 3, 1874
New victualling allowances proclaimed for all Imperial ships of the Australia Station were communicated as follows:-
Victualling Regulations.
Admiralty Office, July 1 1874.The King, having been pleased, by his order in council of 23rd June, to establish a new and improved scale for victualling His Majesty’s Navy, a copy thereof is subjoined.
“There shall be allowed to every person serving in His Majesty’s ships, the following daily quantities of provisions, viz.
- Bread…………………………… One pound.
- Cocoa……………………………One ounce.
- Sugar…………………………….One and a half ounce.
- Fresh meat…………………….One pound.
- Vegetables……………………..Half pound.
- Tea……………………………….Quarter of an ounce.
“When fresh meat and vegetables are not issued, there shall be allowed in lieu thereof:-
- Salt beef…………………….. Three quarter lb. and
- Flour…………………………… Three quarter lb.
Alternately
- Salt pork……………………… Three quarter lb. and
- Pease………………………….. One half lb
“And weekly, whether fresh or salt meat is issued,
- oatmeal– half pint;
- vinegar– half pint.
“On the days on which the flour is ordered to be issued, suet and raisins or currants, may be substituted for a portion of flour, at the following rate:-
- 1 lb. of raisins or, one half lb. of currants or, one half lb. of suet, considered equal to one lb. of flour”
“In case it should be found necessary to alter any of the above species of provisions and to issue other as their substitutes, it is to be observed that:-
- One quarter lb. of soft bread, or one lb. of rice, or one lb. of flour is to be considered equal to 1 lb. of biscuit.
- 1 pint of wine, or one quarter pint of spirits, is to be considered equal to a gallon of beer.
- 1 oz. of coffee, or one half oz. of tea, is to be considered equal to 1 oz. of cocoa.
- 1 lb. of rice, or 1 pint of calavances, or 1 pint of dholl, is to be considered equal to 1 pint of pease.
- 1 lb. of butter is to be considered equal to 1 lb. of sugar.
- 2 lbs. of cheese are to be considered equal to 1 lb. of cocoa.
- One quarter lb. of onions, or of leeks, is to be considered equal to 1 lb. of other vegetables.
‘By command of their Lordships, ‘J. W. CROKER’
- May 28, 1874
The paddlewheel sloop HMS BASILISK, (CAPT John Moresby, RN), completed an extensive survey of New Guinea waters. Areas surveyed included Redscar Bay, Basilisk Bay, the China Straits, Hayter Island, Milne Bay, Normanby Island, Fergusson Island, Possession Bay, Cape Bartle Island, Collingwood Bay, Richie Island, Parsee Point, Huon Gulf, Lesson Island, Humboldt Bay and Threshold Bay.
- March 2, 1874
HMVS NELSON was the first warship docked in the Alfred Graving Dock at Williamstown, VIC.