20 April – On this day in 1933 occurred the death of VADM Sir William Creswell the Father of the RAN.
In 1899, at a conference of Australian naval officers in Melbourne Lieutenant Creswell came to prominence when he recommended the raising of an Australian Navy.
He was appointed commandant of the Queensland Naval Forces on 1 May 1900 before commanding Protector in Chinese waters on the outbreak of the Boxer Rebellion.
Creswell was being looked upon by the Federal Government as the nation’s chief spokesman on naval matters and, appointed him to a newly created position of Naval Officer Commanding the Commonwealth Naval Forces and made a member of the Council of Defence and of the Australian Navy Board.
Creswell was a persistent advocate for new ships and increased manpower for the CNF. He found support from both Deakin and Fisher .
The 1909 Imperial Defence Conference, alarmed by the rapid increase of German naval power, recommended the acquisition by Australia of one battle cruiser, three light cruisers, six destroyers and three submarines. The proposal came from the Admiralty which now acknowledged Australia’s needs in the existing international situation.
That the Australian ships were ready for active service in 1914 was in large part due to Creswell’s efforts.
Creswell was active in formulating a post-war defence programme based, reaffirming the importance of continued development of the Royal Australian Navy and not a return to reliance on the Imperial navy.
Regarded today as the ‘Father of the Royal Australian Navy’, the home of the Royal Australian Naval College, HMAS Creswell, is named in his honour.
