Royal New Zealand Naval Association Inc.

Did you know?

Piping the Side - the boatswain's pipe or call was in use at sea in the 13th century. It became a badge of rank and by the 16th century it was the symbol of an Admiral. 100 years later it became a tool for use by quartermasters, boatswain or a coxswain. Piping the side is a mark of naval respect and began in the days of sail when a commanding officer would visit another ship at sea. As he was hauled aboard from his longboat suspended in a chair, the boatswain would pipe orders to the men hauling the rope.

Morse Code - Samuel Morse introduced his code in 1837 but it wasn't until 1905 it was able to be used with radios aboard a warship. Morse Code remained the international standard for maritime communications until 1999 when it was replaced by the Global Maritime-Distress Safety System which uses the spoken word rather than a code.

This Week in Naval History

• 30 August 1914 - New Zealand forces occupy German Samoa. Escorted by HMS Philomel
• 31 August 1870 - first successful trial of the Whitehad torpedo
• 1 September 1916 Commander Armstrong sent by RN to recruit New Zealanders to serve with the RNVR to man the Motor Launches of Coastal Command
• 2 September 1945 - Japanese delegation signs the instrument of surrender aboard HMNZS Missouri but Japanese armies were still fighting Soviet forces in Manchuria.
• 3 September 1939 - the liner Athenia sunk off the coast of Britain - the first merchant ship to be lost in the Second World War.
• 4 September 1861 Midshipman E. St. J. Daniel is made to forfeit his Victoria Cross by Royal Warrant for "a disgraceful offense and "by deserting from Our service". His is the only naval VC of the eight that have been returned.
• 5 September 1940 - the United States in return for using British bases in the Carribean give the Royal Navy fifty destroyers and ten escorts.