Australian Maritime Issues 2007 - Royal Australian Navy

200 AUSTRALIAN MARITIME ISSUES 2007: SPC-A ANNUAL
Officer, Lieutenant Anthony Synnot, RAN, 6 responsible for the accurate and rapid fire
that had severely damaged a destroyer, sunk a merchant ship and kept enemy aircraft
at a reasonable distance. Last mentioned was Lieutenant Commander (E) Frederick
Hodgson, RAN, whose ‘magnificent work’ included providing 33 knots at three minutes
notice in a ship overdue for boiler cleaning and docking.
Browning then moved on to Quiberon’s seamen. The Gunner’s Mate, Petty Officer Noel
Porter, who was responsible for the training and efficiency of the gun’s crews, received
high praise for his own ‘efficiency and zeal’, with the proof of this evident during the
actions. The captains of ‘Y’ and ‘B’ guns, Petty Officers Leonard Ryder and Douglas
Thorpe, were both commended for never missing a salvo either in the day or night
actions. Likewise the captain of the pom-pom, and the gunners of the three starboard
Oerlikons all received special mention. They were each credited with beating off the
attacks of waves of aircraft and therefore being in some measure responsible for
Quiberon’s safe arrival. Recalling the extensive use of his Type 285 radar set during the
night action, Browning also added to his list the Radio Direction Finding (RDF) operator,
Able Seaman Neville Overson, whose continuous and accurate ranges meant that he
was largely responsible for the quick hitting of the destroyer engaged by Quiberon.
Finally, Browning singled-out three members of Quiberon’s engineering branch. Chief
Engine Room Artificer William Johnson was the senior engine room rating, and it was
due to his ‘energy and example’ that the speeds called for had been achieved under
trying conditions during the bombing attacks. Then came Stoker Petty Officer Charles
Erickson, in charge of steaming No. 1 Boiler Room, who had kept the boiler steaming
steadily, despite the rapid movements from ‘full ahead’ to ‘full astern’. These orders
had caused severe fluctuations in water level, and had Erickson not appreciated the
danger to both boiler and ship, and acted promptly on his own initiative, it is likely
that Quiberon would have been hit while steaming at slow speed. Also praised in this
context was 23-year-old Stoker Cecil Dumbrell who was firing No. 1 Boiler. Quiberon
was his first ship, but it was largely due to the speed and coolness with which he
manipulated sprayers that the boiler was steamed so smoothly.
Browning’s attribution of responsibility for his ship’s success across all ranks and
branches remains instructive. People generate the navy’s capabilities, and it is only
through crew cohesion, mutual trust and support that a fighting ship can sustain battle
readiness. Quiberon’s ship’s company epitomised all the qualities needed to create a
team spirit which, sustained by professional mastery and leadership, will never accept
defeat. In the final account Force ‘Q’ received 68 awards for the combined action, of
which nine went to the men of Quiberon. 7 Historically the best trained and led sailors
have invariably won the war at sea. The maritime war of the future is unlikely to be
significantly different.
Published as Semaphore Issue 10, 2007