Charles Bradney Payne
Captain
Photo courtesy State Library of South Australia
Charles Payne was appointed Captain of the Naval Training Ship, HMVS Nelson on the 18th of April 1868. In March 1870 he was appointed Harbour Master on the understanding that being Captain of HMVS Nelson was now only a nominal role.
Captain Snee, Major Pitt, Colonel Anderson, Captain Payne, Captain Burton.
Staff Officers of the Victorian Volunteer Force
engraving courtesy of the State Library of Victoria.
Photo courtesy of Steven Hendy
Appointments: Lieutenant C. B. Payne, R.N., to be Inspector under the Victoria Steam Navigation Board; Courier (Hobart, Tas.) 29 March 1854
Captain C.B. Payne, of HMVS Nelson has been appointed a member of the Steam Navigation Board.
NZ Grey River Argus, 2 November 1869
Payne, Charles B.,
to be the sole surveyor of vessels under the 98th section of The Passengers Act, 1855, p. 876;
lieutenant of naval volunteers, 1575.
The Victorian Government Gazette 1859
Referring to the burning of the ship Lightning at Geelong, a correspondent of the Melbourne Argus, Mr. C. B. Payne, writes: "Will you kindly give me space in your columns to offer a suggestion to the owners and masters of ships, insurance offices, i.e., which is, that all ships (especially those carrying cargoes liable to spontaneous combustion) should be fitted with seacocks. By the mere turning of a key, a plentiful supply of water could be at once obtained on the immediate discovery of the fire. The pipes from the seacock could be led to the most convenient places in the hold, so that te water would be led to the very place of the fire. The magazines of the Nelson are fitted in this way, and a 12 in. pipe so led that I could drown the magazine within four minutes of the discovery of the fire. I offer this suggestion as I cannot but think that a plentiful supply of water at the spot where the fire first breaks out will, in nine cases out of ten, prevent the destruction of the ship."
The Brisbane Courier, 15 November 1869.
Acting Commander Payne (RN) brought HMVS Nelson out from Britain in 1867/8 and was in command of the ship until he became Chief Harbour Master in 1870. It was Captain Payne who suggested that the imperial crown be added to the Victorian flag in 1877.1
"By 1879 fishermen began to move to Paynesville, which was named for Captain Payne, the popular Harbour Master and Inspector of the fisheries." 2
"..when Captain Panter retired from the command of the Cerberus the vacancy was offered successively to Captains Payne, and Fullerton. Both these officers declined it and Captain Mandeville then applied." The Age, 28 September 1883
Described as the Melbourne Secretary of the Royal Humane Society. The Brisbane Courier, 30 March 1885.
Listed in the Victorian Defence Forces List, Naval Branch, 1 January 1890 as being on the Retired List. Retired R.N.
1 www.ausflag.com.au/victoria_1877-1901.html
2 http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/CA256F310024B628/0/8BD1FDC50E29F235CA2573870023BEC4/$File/2007-17+Aboriginal+Heritage+Assessment.pdf
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