1st November 1914

Looking back over the ships of the First Convoy from

the flagship A3 Orvieto, as the fleet departs King

George's Sound on the 1st of November 1914.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - G01542]

Off Aust Coast

Sunday November 1 1914

Left about 8 am and got into line.  There is three lines of ships at about 1 mile between ships and a quarter of a mile from each other in depth.  It is a fine sight to see them all in line steaming out of harbour.  The cruisers are pretty well all round us.  The Minatore is in the lead, a Japanese cruiser on the right flank, the Melbourne on the rear and the Sydney on the left flank.  It is hoped to be that we wont need them.

Looking back over the ships of the First Convoy from

the flagship A3 Orvieto, as the fleet departs King

George's Sound on the 1st of November 1914.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - G01547]

Nov^r 1^st Albany  7am

Left Kind Georges Sound under escort H.M.S. Minotaur, H.M.A.S.S. Melbourne  and Sydney, + Japanese Cruiser Ibiku?

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 7th Battery]

A panorama of the ships of the First Convoy, as the fleet

departs King George's Sound on the 1st of November 1914.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - G01548]

Sunday 1st November

Rose at 5 AM Steam had been ordered for 6 AM, and instructions given for the Fleet to be put to sea. It was a most beautiful morning – and a prettier picture I never expect to see than King George’s Sound as it appeared today. The "Minotaur" followed by the "Melbourne" came out of Inner Harbour at 6AM. The "Orvieto" followed, then the 1st Division. The Second and Third followed in proper order, then the New Zealand Convoy, and last of all the "Sydney". On next Page is a diagram of the whole Fleet formation. The Medic" and "Ascanius" are not with us, but will take up their places tomorrow on their arrival from Fremantle. Today has been somewhat novel – the various ships officers practising how to "keep station" by day and night. The Captain of the "Benalla" immediately preceding us is evidently very nervous for he "backs and fills" and causes all the following ships of this Division to also lose station. Our signallers are getting excellent practice. The moon is now shining through heavy broken clouds and the whole scene is extremely beautiful.

Church Service this evening. One of the Corporals of Brigade Column, who in private life is a clergyman and a Queensland chaplain gave the address. It is now 10 o’clock and the wind is piping up. We are nearing the "Leeuwin" so must expect fresh weather.

Sketch of the First Convoy - actual page from Col. Rosenthal's diary.

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - Sir Charles Rosenthal diary]