Stereographs of the Victorian Navy

China Contingent - 1900

As part of an international force to relieve the besieged legations in Peking, HMCS Protector from South Australia and Naval Brigades from Victoria and New South Wales combined to form a Colonial Naval Contingent and proceeded to China. Although departing as members of three Colonial Navies, Federation on the 1st of January 1901 meant that the Contingent returned as members of the new Australian Navy.

Below (most courtesy of the Rare Books Collection, Matheson Library, Monash University and the Geelong Maritime Museum) are 25 of at least 34 stereographs depicting the Victorian Naval Contingent preparing and leaving for China.

The cards with plain frames (eg 2,495) are 1900 cards issued on the contingent's departure and the cards with scrolls (eg 2,496) on the frames are 1901 re-issues on the return of the contingent from China.

Missing Cards 2499, 2502, 2503, 2507, 2509, 2514, 2515, 2516 and 2523. (There could also be more cards before number 2495 and after 2529.)

# 2,495 The Naval Contingent at the Depot.^{2 4}

# 2,496 The Naval Contingent on parade.²

# 2,497 The Naval Contingent, Revolver Practise.

# 2,498 One of the The Naval Contingent, Being Snapped.⁴

# 2,500 The Port Melbourne Boys of the Naval Contingent.^{2 4}

# 2,501 The Naval Contingent. Some of the Scots.²

# 2,504 The Naval Contingent on Board the "Cerberus".²

# 2,506 The Naval Contingent. Sailors Packing their Swags.^{3 4}

Animated version.

# 2,508 The Naval Contingent. Sailors looking after their Luggage.²

Animated version.

# 2,510 Naval Contingent. Sailors & their kits leaving 'Cerberus'.²

# 2,511 The Naval Contingent. S.S. "Salamis" Transport Ship.^{2 4}

Animated version.

# 2,512 Naval Contingent, Luggage Ready to Go Aboard.⁴

# 2,513 Naval Contingent. Stowing luggage in hold of 'Salamis'.²

# 2,517 The Naval Contingent at Spencer Street.⁴

# 2,518 The Naval Contingent at Spencer Street.²

# 2,519 The Naval Contingent in Bourke Street.^{2 4}

# 2,520 The Naval Contingent at Parliamant House.³

# 2,521 Sir John Madden addressing the Naval Contingent.²

# 2,522 Sir John Madden addressing the Naval Contingent.⁴
(Slightly different to image 2521)

# 2,524 Naval Contingent in Bay Street, Port Melbourne.⁴

# 2,525 The Naval Contingent in Bay Street, Port Melbourne.²

# 2,526 The Naval Contingent embarking at Port Melbourne.^{2 4}

# 2,527 The Naval Contingent Embarking at Port Melbourne.²

# 2,528 The Naval Contingent Embarking at Port Melbourne.²

# 2,529 The Naval Contingent Leaving Port Melbourne Pier.⁴

Great White Fleet - 1908

Although the colonial navies had amalgamated to form the Commonwealth Naval Forces on 1 March 1901 the resulting Navy had yet to acquire the new ships and the higher manpower level necessary to man them. The Navy in Victoria in 1908 was basically the same as in 1901. To the best of our knowledge there are only three stereograph views of the Great White Fleet set depicting the landing involving the Australian Navy at St Kilda.

# 12,811 THE AMERICAN FLEET IN AUSTRALIA.
Rear-Admiral Sperry on St Kilda Pier. The unofficial landing. August 29.
Sponsored by Port Melbourne Historical Society

# 12,833 THE AMERICAN FLEET IN AUSTRALIA.
Rear Admiral Sperry meeting the Prime Minister (Hon Alfred Deakin) at St Kilda.

# 12,834 THE AMERICAN FLEET IN AUSTRALIA.
Rear Admiral Sperry at St Kilda Pier. Inspection of Naval Brigade.

Arrival of the Torpedo Boat Destroyers - 1910

The final transition from the Colonial Navies to an Australian Navy can be said to have occured with the arrival of the Torpedo Boat Destroyers, HMAS Parramatta and HMAS Yarra on 10 December 1910. At least four stereograph cards were issued by George Rose to commemorate their arrival at Melbourne.

# 12,900 ARRIVAL OF AUSTRALIAN T.B. DESTROYERS 'Parramatta' and 'Yarra', Melbourne. Dec. 10th, 1910. Entering the Alfred Graving Dock.¹

# 12,901 ARRIVAL OF AUSTRALIAN T.B. DESTROYERS 'Parramatta' and 'Yarra', Melbourne. Dec. 10th, 1910. Mooring Abreast.¹

# 12,902 ARRIVAL OF AUSTRALIAN T.B. DESTROYERS 'Parramatta' and 'Yarra', Melbourne. Dec. 10th, 1910. Official Reception of Officers.¹

# 12,903 ARRIVAL OF AUSTRALIAN T.B. DESTROYERS 'Parramatta' and 'Yarra', Melbourne. Dec. 10th, 1910. Fore an' Aft View from Head of Dock.¹