James Goldrick

Retired from RAN as Rear Admiral. Analyst of contemporary maritime affairs and naval historian.

[James Goldrick @GoldrickJames]

Doesn't Daniel Mannix deserve a mention?

[Frank Bongiorno @fbongiornoanu]

What about Jack Dyer?, @RodTiffen

[Richard Dunley @redunley]

“‘the basic foundation of [Australia’s] defence problem was the protection of the merchant ship’. This has not changed in the intervening 80 years.”

This, and a few other home truths about 🇦🇺 defence in my latest @ASPI_org piece

https://t.co/cxc6AMHgrm

[James Goldrick @GoldrickJames]

@warinhistory @NavalAirHistory @BCMH_ECR_ @AC_NavalHistory @navalhistorian @NavalHistWar In addition to Andy Boyd's two books on the RN in the FE and his latest on British naval intelligence, I suggest Joseph Moretz 'The Royal Navy and the Capital Ship in the Interwar period'. Submarines tend to be under-done, so I recommend a look at my own https://t.co/LirjfKHqja

[James Goldrick @GoldrickJames]

Thanks, Peter. One of the challenges we face is getting people to understand that there has to be more to Australia's defence strategy than the obsession with continental defence that fails to recognise both our real interests and our key vulnerabilities.

[Peter Dutton @peter_dutton]

@redunley @GoldrickJames Yes, good point. And thank you for making it. But offensive mining is not how this was described. If the mines are for offensive purposes, to be deployed in waters distant from Australia, I have a clearer picture of how they might fit into Australia’s more traditional strategy.

[James Goldrick @GoldrickJames]

Thanks, Richard, just my point. There are situations in which closing the opposition in is much better than trying to shut them out - notably if the geography involved is not in their favour. 'Echidna' and similar concepts may be necessary for Oz - but can never be sufficient.

[Richard Dunley @redunley]

@peter_dutton I would suggest that your analyis of the value of mine warfare is a little narrow. Most of the major mine warfare campaigns have been conducted by the power seeking to exercise command of the sea.

A good read by @GoldrickJames

https://t.co/u6HvVfLe1D

[James Goldrick @GoldrickJames]

@SteveRDunn @SeaforthPub @penswordbooks Um...only a temporary jump - he wasn't made a permanent Rear Admiral until it came to his 'turn' in December 1919 - after all those who were ahead of him on the Captain's List.

[James Goldrick @GoldrickJames]

@SWDWilliam No - it should be a separate civil force in peacetime, working with Navy on CMS but clearly separate. Different branding can have benefits o/s while the common operational chain of command is already there in MBC. See for further thoughts: https://t.co/gsBT06j1GH

[James Goldrick @GoldrickJames]

@SWDWilliam An Australian Coast Guard could be a civil uniformed force in peacetime but have the legislation to allow it to be mobilised in a major conflict - its members normally being on a special dormant reserve list which can be activated by Executive Council Order in emergency.

[James Goldrick @GoldrickJames]

@SWDWilliam The time is right to create a Coast Guard but the symbiotic relationship with Navy's raise, train & sustain needs to be worked out so Navy doesn't foot the bill. I think at least one senior APS has been trying to get Defence to carry Home Affairs' can here for some time.

[James Goldrick @GoldrickJames]

@SWDWilliam Well, that deserves a reply. The real problem is that the recent government never addressed the total resource requirement for both civil maritime security and the navy's work in addition to that (warfighting, diplomacy &c). Until resource needs are addressed, no model will work.

[James Goldrick @GoldrickJames]

@SRDMaguire I think the picture is actually of the CHALLENGER in rough seas in the Great Australian Bight in 1910. She was serving on the Australia Station at the time.

[James Goldrick @GoldrickJames]

@SWDWilliam I take your point, but I fear $450m per unit is a gross underestimate, notwithstanding British plans for the Type 31. For a start, I suspect their 250m pounds ceiling does not include a great deal of the GFE needed for the 'potential fit' shown in your following tweet.

[James Goldrick @GoldrickJames]

@simonharley Since the 1953 Coronation was the only time full dress was worn after 1939, perhaps it's Prince Philip's or Sir Rhoderick McGrigor's as FSL and 1st & Principal Naval ADC. McGrigor borrowed Sir Ragnar Colvin's tail coat and added a ring as an AF - we have Colvin's uniform in Oz.

[James Goldrick @GoldrickJames]

@OnthisdayRN That's either USS NORTH CAROLINA or WASHINGTON on the left. Admittedly also triple 16" gun battleships built to Treaty limits, while WASHINGTON served with the British Home Fleet for a period. But it's neither NELSON nor RODNEY.

[James Goldrick @GoldrickJames]

@BadSocialism @EoMProject Perhaps to disillusion you, this is what I thought about the book when it was first released: https://t.co/uR3n2eqCK8

[James Goldrick @GoldrickJames]

@CiarliniKoerner The RN officer behind Beatty's left shoulder is Captain Barry Domvile, then Director of Plans on the naval staff. As a retired admiral he was interned for much of WW2 as a Nazi sympathiser (with pronounced anti-semitic views which he did not hesitate to air then or later).

[James Goldrick @GoldrickJames]

@Canadian_Errant Not a PERRY class FFG - I'd put my money on it being either HMNZS WELLINGTON or OTAGO, offshore patrol vessels.

[Richard Dunley @redunley]

Reinforces concerns over the opportunity cost of AUKUS that I have discussed a little more fully here

https://t.co/kwa9O7c17q

[UNSW Canberra @UNSWCanberra]

🚢 The final episode of the Australian Naval History podcast is now out! 🚢

Prof Rob McLaughlin, Prof Tom Frame, RADM James Goldrick & VADM Peter Jones reflect on the 101 episodes and the Royal Australian Navy’s history.

https://t.co/VmM5OUMLwp

[James Goldrick @GoldrickJames]

@yulenbilbao I think you mean HMCS Ontario - the navy and the name under which the ship commissioned and operated for her entire life.