Victorian Naval Forces Muster | for the Colony of Victoria. (muster range 1853-1910)*
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ProfileLast Name: | Vaughan | First Name: | T. | Rank: | Powder Monkey | Birth Date: | 00-00-1846 | Branch: | Victorian Navy | | T. Vaughan
Powder Monkey
VICTORIAN NAVY VETERANS
View Scene from Williamstown
Retired veterans of the Victorian navy, resident in Williamstown, assembled in force at a local point of vantage, to greet the American fleet, nearly 10 years ago. Meanwhile their ranks have been reduced almost to vanishing point. However, a small group gathered again yesterday to welcome their British comrades. The oldest, probably, was Mr. T. Vaughan, a native of Melbourne, whose connection with the navy began in 1860, when at the age of 14 he joined as a "powder monkey."
Before his retirement Mr. Vaughan had served for many years on the wooden three decker Nelson and the ironclad Cerberus. The anchors and chains of the Nelson were accidentally recovered in the course of dredging from the bottom of Hobson's Bay about l8 months ago. There they had lain since the vessel left her moorings to be broken up in Sydney. Apparently the anchors had buried themselves so deeply that to raise them would have proved a difficult task. Her cables, therefore had been "slipped."
The Argus, 18 March 1924
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* 1853 is given as the commencement date for the Victorian Navy as this is the year that Commander Lockyer (RN) went to Britain to superintend the building of HMCS Victoria. Although the Victorian Navy ended in 1901 the career of Cerbeus etc continued. In 1910 the new ships started arriving & manning levels increased.
Information & photographs of men who served in the Victorian Naval Forces is eagerly sought. Please contact the webmaster.P0WERED by: DaDaBIK
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