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Posted by Rachel (U5769524) on Monday, 8th August 2011
I was told that my great uncle David Murphy was a Stoker and a diver while in the Royal navy. He is in the 1911 census onboard HMS Fantome in sydney harbour. It was a survey ship. Is there anyway to find out more about the diving to see if he was a diver as well as a stoker?
Link to this forum: The sloop Fantome in Sydney, anyone know about it's divers?
Here's a start:
Try googling 'Australian Naval Archives', but I'm not convinced about being a stoker and a diver, at least not at the same time.
Link to this forum: The sloop Fantome in Sydney, anyone know about it's divers?
Perhaps a long shot but...there was also an Australian census in April 1911. As your relative was on a ship berthed in Sydney Harbour at that time, he may have been included in this one as well. Unfortunately it's not online
Information on HMS Fantome is recorded in Australian newspapers of the era, I've put the link below. It was a much valued ship. and played a significant peacetime role, tasked with identifying submerged rocks and reefs around the 30,000km Australian coastline as well as removing flotsam which might endanger shipping in the sea lanes. It was a stripped down warship with only 1 gun, but with the outbreak of WW2. HMS Fantome was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy, renamed HMAS Fantome and was re-equipped with armaments. Postwar it was returned to the RN, stripped again and continued its survey work for a few more years
The newspapers mention the long months at sea spent on survey work, and the regular comings and goings into ports around the coast. During port stays the crew engaged in cricket, football and rifle shooting competitions against local teams. At one time the crew kept a parrot and dog on board
Link to this forum: The sloop Fantome in Sydney, anyone know about it's divers?
That should read...outbreak of WW1..it was transferred to the RAN
Link to this forum: The sloop Fantome in Sydney, anyone know about it's divers?
Nothing inherently unlikely about a stoker being a diver - ship's diver wasn't a full-time occupation, and was additional to a man's normal job.
Link to this forum: The sloop Fantome in Sydney, anyone know about it's divers?
Thanks to all for your help..
Link to this forum: The sloop Fantome in Sydney, anyone know about it's divers?
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