Champness, Eric Treeve



ENGINEER-LIEUT. ERIC \ CHAMPNESS. Of H.M.S. Queen Mary. . INTERESTING LETTER. Amongst the officers who were on the ill fated Queen Mary in the great naval fight was Engineer Lieutenant Eric Champness, ,vho was well-known to travellers on the Australian line of Orient steamers. When the ,war broke out Engineer Lieutenant Champness was an officer of the R.M.S. Orsova, and on returning to England joined the Queen Mary. Engineer Lieutenant Champness is. a personal friend of Miss Mylie, Egan, and since Miss Egan, returned from London she has received several let ters from him relating his experiences on the battle cruiser. Describing the Queen Mary, Engineer Lrieutenant Champness states:-"Sho i, one of our latest, and more than twice the displacement .of, the Orsova. Before going on the Queen Mary I completed a special course of training at Southsea. I have a cabin to myself, and everything is most pomfoxtable on the .great cruiser. Things are quite different to, the Orsova, as after dinner it is no use to. go u p' on deck to chat with passengers, as you - i:- C. Cruden, Sydney photo.)'-. Help - i:- C. Cruden, Sydney photo.)'-. only :.find guns- ani. other useful things in warfare. When at sea a sharp lookout is kept night and -day. 'Occasionally portion of the crew go ashore, and with the band they have a march in the country to keep them fit. On -Sundays church services are attended by all not on duty. There are some 50 officers, including captain, three commanders, four lieutenant commanders, three doctors, -four paymasters, one parson, about eight lieutenants, and six sub-lieuten ants, all having various duties, torpedo gunnery, navigation, engineering, etc. The engineering officers are Engineer Comman der, Lieuteiant Commander, Lieutenant, Sub-Lieutenant and mate. In addition, there are 50 engine room artificersand war rant officers, and 500 stokers. I often wish Australia was not such a long way off; you know, 13,000 miles is really a long way. I do not know quite what I shall do at the end of the war if I am alive. There may be a chance of staying on in the Navy, or if 'iot I shall be able to get that appoint -ment as an engineer and ship surveyor at Lloyds, for which I qualified." Engineer Lieutenant Champness states that the offi cers and crew are honorary members of alt and when they land indulge in a game to keep themselves fit. Engineer Lieutenant Champness is a son of a large manufacturer in London. While in the service of the Orient Company, he made many friends in Australia.
 * the golf clubs adjacent .to the naval bases,


 * 1) HMS Queen Mary Crew List (Photographs)
 * 2) HMS Queen Mary Crew List (updated in Real-time)