26 Feb 1924. HMS Hood and HMS Repulse visit Sydney

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26 February 1924
On this day in 1924 the new British battle cruisers Hood and Repulse opened to the public in Sydney Harbour and were overwhelmed with visitors.

These impressive ships were named the Special Service Squadron. It sailed around the world on The Empire Cruise, visiting many ports in the dominions which had fought together during the First World War. The Prince of Wales was a very popular figure whose presence onboard added a royal celebrity to a naval visit.

HMAS Adelaide joined the Squadron during its time in Australian waters.

The battle cruisers also called at Singapore, which the British Government had just announced was to become its major naval base in the Far East, capable of being reinforced in war by a main fleet from the Mediterranean and Home Fleets.

Both ships would be sunk in battle in 1941 – Hood by the German battleship Bismarck in the Denmark Strait north of Iceland, Repulse while operating from Singapore off Malaya’s east coast.

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