Nelson reached the Australia Station in 1881 but did not become its flagship until 1885. Commodore James Erskine knew that his successor would be a rear admiral, worked extensively ashore, and left the new ship unused in that role. Once the station received its first rear admiral, Nelson moved directly to the centre of its business. George Tryon arrived with a political brief as well as a naval command: persuade the separate colonies to cooperate and encourage the framework that could support Australian federation, an Australian squadron, and eventually an Australian navy. The ship gave him a conspicuous and mobile platform from which to pursue that mission.
Chapter · 23:54-26:34
Nelson as Tryon’s political flagship in Australia
Rear Admiral George Tryon used Nelson’s arrival on the Australia Station to advance cooperation among the colonies and the foundations of an Australian naval force.