This record has been compiled from primary sources where available, including records from the National Archives of Australia, Australian War Memorial and other institutions. I have used records of interviews where these have been relevant, together with the memoir written by my father, John Miller Blunt. Where primary source information has not been available, I have used available secondary sources. All sources have been documented in the extensive Footnotes and Bibliography.
Whilst compiling this historical record, I have endeavoured to trace and gain permission from holders of copyright. If I have been unable to find you, please contact me so I can make amends in future editions.
Where sources refer to imperial measurements, I have used those to provide authenticity and where appropriate, I have provided metric values to assist the reader. Where currency is referred to in pounds, I have retained that currency as there is little point in endeavoring to reflect the current dollar values. I have however, included advertisements from the period in the Appendices for comparative values. For readers unfamiliar with shipping, naval terms and abbreviations, I have included details of their meanings where I have thought it appropriate to do so.
In 2002, the 285 year old publication, Lloyd’s List, abandoned the use of the pronoun ‘she’ for vessels and decided to refer to vessels in future as ‘it’. However, the Royal Navy (RN) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) have always referred to their vessels as ‘she’. For sailors, the ship was said to be the only woman allowed at sea and she was treated with deference and respect. Others said it was because crews believed their ships represented their mothers, or because early ships were dedicated as goddesses. Others have referred to the personal relationship between the ship and their owners, commanders and crews, where ‘she’ reflected that relationship. Whilst respecting the changing views, I have decided to refer to the ships in this historical record as ‘she’, as they would have been referred to at the time they were launched, and the time they served during wartime.
With regards to the term ‘rating’ to indicate a naval seaman or petty officer, as distinct from an officer, where appropriate I have adopted the term currently used in the Royal Australian Navy of ‘sailor’.
Records held by the Australian War Memorial (AWM) are included in the National Australia Archives (NAA) searchable database. I have therefore listed those as NAA records, eg: NAA: AWM78, 418/1: Sydney Log. (Note the AWM78 is the Series and 418/1 is the Control Symbol). Where Records have been scanned and include page numbers, I have included the relevant page numbers. However, virtually all non-scanned Records do not have page numbers and unfortunately a search will require locating the relevant page. To assist your search for NAA Records (including AWM Records), I have included the name or a shortened version of the name for each Record - as recorded by Archives.
If you find any errors, I would welcome your corrections, just as I will welcome any further information you may wish to share regarding the vessels of the Hollywood Fleet and the officers and men who served on them. My search will continue.
Email: hmaslolita@gmail.com
In compiling this history, I have received the warm support and assistance from many people. In particular, I would like to thank the staff at the many institutions including; State Library of New South Wales, National Archives of Australia, Australian War Memorial, National Library of Australia for their wonderful Trove facility, Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney Heritage Fleet and the Royal Australian Navy Sea Power Centre. I also acknowledge the contribution of authors Steven Carruthers and Peter Grose for their research and accounts of the Battle of Sydney Harbour and the inspiration those accounts provide.
Two people, however deserve a special thank you, Ken Brown and Marty Grogan for the opportunity to chat about our Lolita and other common interests.
And in particular, I must thank my brothers and my lovely partner and many others for their interest in reading and editing my early drafts.