A 1919 postcard celebrating the ships return to Australia
A 1919 postcard celebrating the ships return
to Australia
When World War One ended, most of the Australian
fleet was in European waters. The flagship,
HMAS Australia, was released from Royal Navy service and
sailed from Portsmouth on April 23, 1919.
The ship stopped in Fremantle, Western Australia
on May 28, on the way to her final destination
of Sidney. Most sailors anticipated a grand
"welcome home" from their grateful
nation. Sadly, despite the Allied victory
and the outstanding service of the Australians
with the Grand Fleet, the return to Australia
was a very low key event There were no parades,
and no celebrations. Many sailors were somewhat
resentful of this, and discontent spread
amoung some of the crew.
The visit to Fremantle was the first time
that most sailors had seen home in many years,
and two days ashore were just not enough
time to blow off steam. The Flagship was
due to sail from Fremantle on June 1, 1919,
and continue to Sidney. Before getting underway,
a group of sailors mustered on the quarterdeck,
and requested that Captain Cumberlege delay
the departure so that the ship's company
could have more time to enjoy the 'hospitality'
of the local beer halls and female population.
After the Captain refused, a number of sailors
sabotaged the ship to preventing it from
sailing. Lube oil was drained out, valves
jammed, and steel wool put into the shaft
bearings. The damage was discovered before
the machinery was started, so no perminent
damage was caused. After an investigation,
five seamen were charged with partaking in a mutiny, and were court martialed onboard HMAS Encounter in Sydney Harbour. All were found guilty
of 'joining a mutiny without violence', and received prison terms ranging up to
two years.
The length of the sentences caused great
public outcry. No real damage had been done,
the war was over, and the general population
felt that the crew was entitled to blow off
some steam after serving under the harsh
disipline of the Royal Navy. On December
20, 1919, after consulting with the Admiralty
and the Government, the sentences were commuted
to time served. This outraged officers, and
two of the most senior officers in the fleet
resigned in protest. Both officers, however,
were convinced to withdraw their resignations
for the good of the service, and the matter
was considered closed. But the incident left
a bad taste in the mouths of officers and
enlisted men alike, and was not soon forgotten
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