HMS Fantome (not HMAS) Aug - Oct 1914

[Archer]

A little specialist help please!

I would like to know exactly what H.M.S. Fantome got up to from the first day of the war until she was paid off on - I think - 24 October 1914.

She was subsequently taken up into the Australian service, but that is outside my period of interest.

The internet is comparatively quiet on this topic.

I do know:

Fantome left Townsville at 11-0 am. on 10 September 1914,  arrived at Port Moresby on 13 September, delayed there awaiting coal and instructions until 4-0 pm on 16 September, and arrived at Rabaul at 2-30 pm on 20 September 1914 [see General William Holmes operation orders, 1914-June 1916].

She left Rabaul on 4 October 1914 in company with HMAS Berrima, Yarra, and Protector. She detached at Townsville on 10 October 1914 [see https://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-berrima].

Any comments would be most welcome.

:cheers: William

 

 

 

Edited 28 February , 2023 by Archer

[KizmeRD]

Officially engaged in survey work on the Australian Station until 27 November 1914 (CO was Commander Frederick Algernon Reyne RN).

Evidently keeping out the way until the AEF took charge of German New Guinea.

MB

[Archer]

She paid off and sent home her British crew members in October. I assume that in the month that followed she underwent a refit to make her suitable for her watch and ward duties in the Australian service.

[Archer]

Armed with the information supplied by @KizmeRD above, I looked up Commander (later Captain) Reyne's record, and found:

"Tel 22/10/14 Retained on Fantome to complete Survey work - Oct. 1914 Recommended by Hydrographer - Tel 21/11/14 Returning by P&O Malwa 12/12/14 from Melbourne ...",

and, on the next page:

"Fantome in cd | Aust| 5.3.13 | 30.11.14 [?] | continues on P.O.  to complete survey work 17.10.14"

Most interesting. Thank you MB