Then & Now: Durban's key naval role

Durban has always been a key Naval port and the old picture today shows HMAS Australia leaving the port of Durban probably during World War 1.

HMAS Australia was one of three Indefatigable-class battlecruisers built for the defence of the British Empire. Ordered by the Australian government in 1909, she was launched in 1911, and commissioned as the flagship of the fledgling Royal Australian Navy in 1913.

At the start of World War I, Australia was tasked with finding and destroying the German East Asia Squadron with repeated diversions to support the capture of German colonies in New Guinea and Samoa. An overcautious Admiralty, prevented the battlecruiser from engaging the German squadron before the squadron's destruction. Australia was then assigned to North Sea operations, which consisted primarily of patrols and exercises, until the end of the war. The battlecruiser was not at the Battle of Jutland, as she was undergoing repairs following a collision with sister ship HMS New Zealand. 

Post-war budget cuts saw Australia's role downgraded to a training ship before she was placed in reserve in 1921. The disarmament provisions of the Washington Naval Treaty required the destruction of Australia, and she was scuttled off Sydney Heads in 1924.

The modern picture shows the new SAS Adam Kok III leaving Durban harbour after being commissioned earlier this year. The Warrior Class inshore patrol vessel is one of three in the SA Navy and was named on Salisbury Island in April.

It is commanded by Commander Lindeni Jane Xakane, who when appointed in October said: “It makes me proud to have reached this milestone. Growing up in Mamelodi, one doesn’t often get exposed to this kind of responsibility in the maritime environment. Having served 17 years in the Navy and now commanding a combat vessel fills me with immense pride, as a young woman.”