| Place | Africa: East Africa |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | P01236.013 |
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Film copy negative |
| Date made | c 1915 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Collection relating to William Hamilton Naismith
Description
Indian Ocean. An unidentified Royal Navy Bramble class gunboat (possibly Gunboat Rinaldo) in the Indian Ocean off the mouth of the Rufigi River in German East Africa. This ship was requested by Vice Admiral H King-Hall to strengthen the British blockade of the German Navy cruiser SMS Konigsberg. The Konigsberg had taken shelter in the river, south of Dar es Salaam, in December 1914 and withstood the blockade until finally destroyed by HMS Severn on 12 July 1915. Taking part in the blockade was the Australian cruiser, HMAS Pioneer, a small ship, dating from pre-federation years, which saw "more actual fighting and probably fired more rounds in the cause of actual hostilities than any other ship of the Australian Squadron." This gunboat arrived in East Africa after the destruction of the Konigsberg. (Donor T. G. Naismith)