Maori children onboard HMS Penguin; between 1902 and 1905 HMS Penguin was an Osprey-class sloop. Launched on 1876, Penguin was operated by the Royal Navy from 1877 to 1881, then again from 1886 to 1889. After being converted to a survey vessel, Penguin was recommissioned in 1890, and operated until 1908 commenced service on the Australia Station in 1890 and undertook survey work around the Western Pacific islands, New Zealand and the Great Barrier Reef. From 1896 to 1899 she was under the command of Captain Arthur Mostyn Field and her surveying work included deep borings on Funafuti atoll. She was demasted and transferred to the Australian Commonwealth Naval Forces for use as a depot and training ship in Sydney Harbour. After this force became the Royal Australian Navy, the sloop was commissioned as HMAS Penguin in 1913. Penguin remained in naval service until 1924, when she was sold off and converted into a floating crane. The vessel survived until 1960, when she was broken up and burnt.

Maori children onboard HMS Penguin; between 1902 and 1905

HMS Penguin was an Osprey-class sloop. Launched on 1876, Penguin was operated by the Royal Navy from 1877 to 1881, then again from 1886 to 1889.

After being converted to a survey vessel, Penguin was recommissioned in 1890, and operated until 1908 commenced service on the Australia Station in 1890 and undertook survey work around the Western Pacific islands, New Zealand and the Great Barrier Reef. From 1896 to 1899 she was under the command of Captain Arthur Mostyn Field and her surveying work included deep borings on Funafuti atoll. She was demasted and transferred to the Australian Commonwealth Naval Forces for use as a depot and training ship in Sydney Harbour.

After this force became the Royal Australian Navy, the sloop was commissioned as HMAS Penguin in 1913. Penguin remained in naval service until 1924, when she was sold off and converted into a floating crane. The vessel survived until 1960, when she was broken up and burnt.

H.M.A.S. Sydney - “… the Australian Navy’s new 7,000 ton cruiser of the Leander class, which has been commissioned by an Australian crew that recently arrived in England for the purpose…”. This photo appeared in the 2 November, 1935 edition of The Sphere

H.M.A.S. Sydney - “… the Australian Navy’s new 7,000 ton cruiser of the Leander class, which has been commissioned by an Australian crew that recently arrived in England for the purpose…”.

This photo appeared in the 2 November, 1935 edition of The Sphere