RAN Reading List
Naval Administration
(including Finance, Personnel, Logistics, Dockyards, Materiel and Engineering)
Australian Naval Administration 1900-1939
by Robert Hyslop published by The Hawthorn Press, Melbourne, 1973
Robert Hyslop, once a senior administrator within the Australian Department of Navy, presents Australia's naval defence policy and its execution from Federation to the outbreak of WWII. It deals with relationships between ministers and their advisers in the formulation and execution of policy, as well as relations with the Royal Navy and the Admiralty. It discusses the major themes in naval administration including organisational structures, financial management, personnel care, and the building and maintenance of ships. Much of this information remains relevant today.
Aye, Aye Minister, Australian Naval Administration 1939-1959
by Robert Hyslop published by Australian Government Printing Service, Canberra, 1990
Continuing from his earlier volume, Hyslop presents Australia's naval defence policy and its execution from WWII to the late 1950s. The book examines both the methods and the administrative arrangements for formulating and implementing Australia's naval policy, including, the acquisition and manning of three aircraft carriers, and the Australian naval structures that allowed Australian participation during the early part of the Cold War.
Defense Logistics for the 21st Century
by William G. T. Tuttle, Jr.
published by Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, 2005
In the 45 years since the last major study of defence logistics was published, a revolutionary change in information technology and defence strategy has swept the field and mandated a new understanding of the objectives and principles of military logistics. This comprehensive work addresses all aspects of the subject. Written by a renowned US defence logistics expert, it covers force projection, force sustainment, and minimising the logistics 'footprint' in battle spaces. General William Tuttle examines five principles that are employed to assess the effectiveness of the processes and identifies shortfalls and remedies. He also illuminates the major influences of culture and politics on defence logistics and proposes ways to minimise their adverse impact on combat readiness. This timely volume is certain to become a hallmark in the field of defence logistics for those currently coping with such challenges, and for logisticians aspiring to lead, as well as for those involved in the complexities of planning and strategy. This book is published in cooperation with the Association of the United States Army.
Garden Island
by Tom Frame
published by Kangaroo Press, Australian Naval Institute, Kenthurst, 1990
This book describes the use of Sydney's Garden Island for naval purposes from 1788, through the protracted negotiations that led to the Navy's return, and its subsequent development as one of Australia's most important and strategically valuable naval facilities. Set within the context of the waning fortunes of British naval power, the growth of the city of Sydney and the creation of a New South Wales government, this comprehensive account analyses the forces that led to the formation of an Australian Navy, the difficulties it encountered in operating as an independent naval unit, and the problems faced by the Navy with its Fleet based in a city with enormous urban pressures.
Cockatoo Island, Sydney's Historic Dockyard
by John Jeremy
published by University of NSW Press, Sydney, 1998
This history of Cockatoo Island provides fascinating detail and spectacular archival photographs of Sydney Harbour's industrial heart. For over a century Cockatoo Dockyard employed thousands of workers to build warships, remodel passenger liners, perform general ship repairs and later to modernise submarines. The Australian naval ship building programme started at Cockatoo Island and many famous ships, such as HMAS Vampire, were built at Cockatoo Dockyard. WWII put great pressure on the dockyard with the building of destroyers, frigates, minesweepers and cargo ships, and the conversion of passenger liners into troop ships, including the elegant Queen Mary. The RAN Oberon class submarines dominated the last twenty years of maritime industry on Cockatoo until the closure of the dockyard in 1991.
Evolution of Engineering in the Royal Navy, Vol. 1: 1827-1939
by P. M. Rippon
published by The Institute of Marine Engineers, London, 1998
A description of the evolution from paddle-wheel vessels to the geared steam turbine power plants that reached their technological peak during WWII. This volume discusses the development of propulsion plant and auxiliary machinery, the introduction of oil fuels, high calibre guns with their associated hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical systems, the introduction of aircraft and earliest aircraft carriers, as well as developments in submarine and mine warfare. Engineering support for the fleet, including dockyards and British industry is discussed along with the officers and men trained to operate and maintain all the diverse machinery in the Royal Navy's ships. Background knowledge of how naval technologies have changed in the past improves our understanding of future technological change.
Evolution of Engineering in the Royal Navy, Vol. 2: 1939-1992
by P. M. Rippon published by The Institute of Marine Engineers, London, 1998
During WWII and the post-war period new operational requirements and unexpected hazards arose to challenge the country's designers and developers. This second volume reviews the responses to this challenge including: remedies to shock and battle damage, new types of ships, new weapon systems, improvements to steam power plants, the introduction of gas turbine and nuclear propulsion, habitability improvements and responses to the increasing demands of the Fleet Air Arm. Background knowledge of how naval technologies have changed in the past improves our understanding of future technological change.
