Sydney, 25 September
1908. The British Admiralty answered the Australian premier Alfred Beakin that
the Commonwealth was allowed to purchase and maintain a navy consisting of 6
destroyers, 9 submarines and 2 dept ships. The costs were around 1,250,000 pound
sterling and there were 1,204 officers and sailors needed who were part of the
Royal Navy strength but as long as they served in Australian waters they were
supervised by the Commonwealth. The yard at Sydney was as in the past only to be used by
the British government. Except for the direct costs would the Australian navy
cost the Commonwealth an annual sum of 345,600 pound
sterling.
