Merchant Navy Association of SA - Merchant Navy Day 3 September 2023 & Sea Sunday 9 July 2023
The Merchant Navy Association of SA
Merchant Navy Day is held on the 3 September, in recognition of the first attack on an allied merchant ship in World War II to commemorate the service and sacrifice merchant navy crews (commercial shipping crews) make during both peace and war time. The SAcommunity Team had the opportunity to speak to President, Philip Mason of the Merchant Navy Association of SA to find out more about the Association, their role, and their annual memorial activities, including Merchant Navy Day and Sea Sunday held on the 2nd Sunday in July, to remember, pray and celebrate seafarers’ across the world.
Mr Mason first became involved in the Merchant Navy Association of SA when he read in the paper that anyone wishing to join the Merchant Navy association would be welcome to attend meetings in the Seaman’s Mission in Port Adelaide. (The Seaman’s Mission has since closed with MN Association members now staying in contact by phone, or through meeting at other locations around Port Adelaide).
“After I retired I went along and was surprised to see how many people had attended,” he said. “The association had been formed in the mid 1980’s and had soon grown to over 100 men and their wives." Mr Mason enjoyed the camaraderie with others heeding the ‘call of the sea,’ and the principles of the organisation in encouraging comradeship of former and present merchant seafarers and the recognition of their service and role played.
Mr Mason explained that when he first joined, “all meetings were social and informative and we had lunch together, social outings and attended memorial services. With some members volunteering to repair vessels which were used for taking tourists on trips around the coast and training young people on seamanship.” Currently the Association still has a strong social element, however its focus is firmly on these two annual memorial local events, emulating those held across the globe:
Image: The Navigator Memorial S.S. Admella photo taken from the Queens Wharf
Merchant Navy Day
What: A memorial service is held to remember the sacrifices made by those volunteer seafarers during WWII
When: 3 September every year, 11am
Where: The Navigator Memorial, Timpson St, Queens Wharf, Port Adelaide SA 5015
How: This service is attended by politician, the mayor, government organisations, Legacy and War widows guild members, the three armed service personal and naval cadets, RSL members, special guests and merchant seafarers of all branches, covering and seating is provided for invited guests, the public are welcome.
Image: The Navigator Memorial was instigated by members of the Merchant Navy Association branch with great help from the Port Adelaide Enfield council after the closure of the Seaman’s Mission. The items now in the Navigator had been scattered in different places around the port and now have a permanent home which is a credit to all those involved in the unveiling in 1992. More information on the Port Adelaide Merchant Seaman Memorial is available to access on the Virtual War Memorial Australia website.
Image: Merchant Seamen Memorial at the Cheltenham Cemetery
Sea Sunday
What: A memorial service to honour seafarers at rest and buried in the cemetery nearby who died in the waters of South Australia
When: 2nd Sunday in July every year, 11am
Where: Cheltenham Cemetery, Chippingham St, Cheltenham SA 5014
Who: Service conducted by local ex navel Chaplain and attended by guests
Image: The Merchant Seamen Memorial at Cheltenham Cemetery. More information on the memorial is available to access on the Monuments Australia website.
Interested in Joining the Merchant Navy Association?
The Merchant Navy Association is always looking for more members fostering the service recognition and comradeship of former and present merchant seafarers. Donations are also welcome as the organisation purchases Red Ensigns and MN plaques which are donated to organisations that have recognised and supported the organisation over the years. Visit: The Merchant Navy Association of SA for information and contact Philip Mason, SA MNA President by phone 0411 027 905 or email rphilip.1622@gmail.com for details.
Looking to understand more about the Merchant Navy and Merchant Navy Day?
Mr Mason explained to the SAcommunity team more about the importance, origins and history of the Merchant Navy, and the significance of the memorial days for all those who may be unaware of the service, (including our team members) and we gratefully appreciate his time and explanations which we have recorded below:
The Merchant Navy
Many people are unaware the extent of how much we depend on the Merchant Navy in our daily lives, with over 80% of the goods and products we use and export overseas travelling in merchant vessels.
The Merchant Navy’s history of service in times of conflict
Merchant Navy Day is a significant service held for the Merchant Navy as it commemorates these volunteer seafarers during wartime. Merchant ships are not built for warfare, are much slower than naval vessels, and the men and women serving on them are not trained for armed combat. Despite this, throughout history they have served their country and its armed services, sacrificing their lives at a higher rate than any of the three defence force services. Merchant vessels were requisitioned by the admiralty during all wars and conflicts involving the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries, with ships converted to Hospital ships to carry the wounded and sick, Troop ships to transport men, and Supply ships to carry the equipment, arms, ammunition, fuel, food and necessities essential to sustain the military and fight wars in far-off countries.
The Merchant Navy’s Sacrifice and Merchant Navy Day
Allied Merchant vessels were targeted by Germany and the Axis alliance during World War II, prioritising the destruction of commercial ships and crew in an effort to starve the Allies and encourage them to surrender. A prime example was the attack by Japanese submarine on the clearly marked Hospital ship the ‘Centaur’, as it was approaching the Queensland coast, which was sunk with heavy loss of life.
Merchant Navy Day, was declared in 2008 by the Prime Minister as the day to thank Merchant mariners for their service. The day marks the anniversary of the first attack on an allied merchant ship on September the 3rd 1939, soon after Britain declared war on Germany. On this day a German submarine attacked an unarmed British cruise liner the ‘Athenia’ outward bound from the United Kingdom to America. The ship which was carrying American, Canadian families and European refugees home, was sunk with a torpedo whilst in sight of Ireland, with many lives lost and merchant crew members killed.
The Australian Red Ensign
‘The Australian Red Ensign designated in 1947, is the official flag to be flown at sea by Australian registered merchant ships. In 2016, in recognition of the Merchant Navy’s contribution to the war effort, the Red Ensign was officially paraded alongside those flags at the head of the Anzac Parade, and the Merchant Navy Crest was included in the new Anzac Commemorative wall on Kintore Street, Adelaide, alongside the armed forces and nurses in memorial.
Since September 3rd is both Merchant Navy Day and Australia National Flag Day, the Australian Red Ensign can be flown by organisations and individuals commemorating this day as a mark of respect. In 2022 the Red Ensign was flown from the Diver Derek Bridge in Port Adelaide, at the Honourable MP Mark Butlers office and at the former Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor, Gary Johanson commercial building, as well as at many of SA’s RSL buildings to recognise the service performed by merchant mariners.
Falie, South Australia's Cargo Ketch
The Falie (image above) has been significant for Merchant Navy as members and members passed, served on this ship and would have many a tale to tell, consequently have also spent hours of their free time restoring this proud vessel. Including the late Keith Ridgeway, former Navy President who was one of the major people responsible for both the restoration of the Falie and the training of youths wishing to have a life at sea.
Falie, South Australia’s only remaining original Cargo Ketch played an important role for the inter-coastal trade for South Australia. She also acted as a War Ship, protecting the waters from Sydney to North of Australia in World War II. Falie was restored in 1982 for the Centenary Celebrations. Modifications were made over the years to accommodate varied cargo expectations.
The Ketch was later to accommodate passengers to stay on board. After the Falie’s usefulness was exhausted and the Ketch was no longer needed to transport goods, she was left to deteriorate. Two Port Adelaide locals, the late Keith Ridgeway and Errol Ford began to clean up and restore the Ketch to prevent the loss of this important Historical Asset and the volunteer base has grown over the years, with Falie well on the way to restoration.
The Falie was berthed at the Queens Wharf opposite the Navigator Memorial and was a major attraction of the Merchant Navy, however since March 2021 is currently slipped adjacent Adelaide Ship Construction International (ASCI).
If you would like to know more, visit The Merchant Navy Association of SA .
