PASSING OF A FLAGSHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 December 1921, Page 7

PASSING OF A FLAGSHIP.

H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA. INTERESTING WAR HISTORY. Sydney, Dec. 21. An interesting page in the history of the Australian Navy has been written this week by the placing in reserve of the battle-cruiser H.M.A.S. Australia, the largest unit of the fleet, and at one time its proud flagship. After the paying off of the ratings, the long pennant, indicating the end of the commission, was struck, and the vessel took up permanent moorings at Garden Island depot, where she* will remain indefinitely.

Though she did not take part in any action against the enemy during the war, the Australia had an interesting war history. The battle-cruiser was engaged in the New Guinea operations in 1914, escorting both Australian and New Zealand troops to the islands, and later in the year was searching the Pacific with British and Japanese ships for von Spec's squadron. After the battle of the Falkland Is--1 lands had wiped out the German Pacific fleet, the Australia was ordered home to join the Grand Fleet, and from January, 1915, till the end of the war, she served in the North Sea. She missed the battle of Jutland through being in dock after collision with the New Zealand. She was present at the surrender of the German fleet in November, 1918. Her role in the Grand Fleet was flagship of the second battle-cruiser squadron. For several months before and after the armistice she flew the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey. About 450 men have signed off, and about 200 of these, who were lent by the Imperial Navy, will return to England. Others will be allotted to units of the Australian -fleet, and the balance will be absorbed at the various naval depots in the Commonwealth.