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| Royal Navy Pelorus-class cruiser 2,135 Tons 313.5' x 36.5' 15' 8 x QF 4" guns 8 x single QF 3 pounder guns 2 x single QF 4.7" guns 2 x field guns 3 x Maxim MG 2 x 14" torpedo tubes |
Ship History Built by HM Devonport Dockyard in Devon, United Kingdom. Laid down November 15, 1897 as a Pelorus-class cruiser. Launched July 19, 1898 as HMS Psyche. Commissioned May 2, 1899 in the Royal Navy (RN). PARTIAL HISTORY World War I In 1914, escorted the New Zealand force that occupied German Samoa (Samoa). Then escorts troop ships from New Zealand to the Middle East and in late 1914 returns to Sydney. On January 22, 1915 decommissioned from the Royal Navy for transfer to Australia. During May 1915, the Australian government suggested Psyche be reactivated and loaned back to the Royal Navy as a training ship but instead was requested for a patrol of the Bay of Bengal in response to the threat of a German inspired uprising in India and Burma. On July 1, 1915 acquired by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and renamed HMAS Psyche and hastily fitted out in Sydney. On August 16, 1915 departs with HMAS Fantome bound for Singapore then to Rangoon arriving September 10, 1915 and patrols the Bay of Bengal with the two warships plus three British India Steam Navigation Company vessels. In late 1915 escorts two ships with Turkish prisoners of war and transports two Chinese spies and helped capture the leaders of an Indian soldier mutiny in Singapore and ceases patrol duties by the middle of January 1916. On January 28, 1916 arrives Penang and three days later departs for Port Blair then patrols off Sumatra. On February 12, 1916 seven stokers refused duty in protest over poor food and were found guilty of disobeying orders, and were punished with prison sentences between 12 and 14 months, plus dismissal from the RAN and were replaced by native sailors until replacements arrived. During March 1916 patrolled the Gulf of Siam and escorted a Russian troop convoy bound for Europe. During April 1916, patrolled the Bay of Bengal then departs for Hong Kong for inspection and refit. PARTIAL HISTORY On July 21, 1922 sold to Moreland Metal Company and used as a timber lighter. Sinking History During 1940 during a storm rolled over on her side and sank into Salamander Bay in New South Wales. Shipwreck The shipwreck was used by the RAN divers for clearance exercises between 1950 until 1973 and broken up by underwater demolition training. What remains of the shipwreck is at a depth of 14' / 4.2m roughly 200 yards off Roy Wood Reserve. Memorial On June 27, 2015 a memorial was dedicated to the ship at Roy Wood Reserve. References Port Stephens Examiner "HMAS Psyche's Salamander Bay memorial officially unveiled, blessed" July 7, 2015 Contribute
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