Although land locked Diamond Creek township does have nautical connections in twelve of its street names. Galatea Street was named by surveyor Barge when he mapped out Diamond Creek in 1867: The war ship “Galatea” carried Queen Victoria’s son, Prince Albert, on the first Royal visit to the Australian colonies in 1867.
The name Galatea comes from Sicilian mythology. Galatea, the daughter of Nereus, was a sea goddess, a milk white maiden who lived in the sea. She was loved by Polyphemus, the Sicilian Cyclops, but she was in love with Acis.
Polyphemus caught them embracing in the sea and in a jealous rage conked poor old Acis to death with a huge rock. Galatea turned Acis into a sparkling creek.
Leaving the ancient world behind we move on to the politics of 1854 when Britian was at war with Russia.
America authorised construction of some powerful new battle cruisers. Britain wanted to keep her position as a major world power so not to be topped off by the Americans Britain did the same. “Galatea” was one of a new group of cruisers built to keep the Royal Navy ahead in the arms race of the day. “Galatea’ went into service in 1862. At 280 feet in length she was one of the Royal Navy’s longest wooden vesselsand was square rigged on 3 masts.
With her 2 funnels and a steam engine that could drive her single screw to 11.8 knots and her 24 ten inch guns “Galatea” was a vast improvement on the ships of the Nelson era. She could face any navy’s best with confidence.
“Galatea’s” sails were still her main propulsion. At this period of steam technology the engine was only used in fighting mode or windless days. Those early boilers gobbled coal which had to be constantly replenished at coaling stations throughout the Empire. “Galatea’s” service life ended.in 1882 when she was broken up but her spirit lived on in “Galatea” mk 2, launched in 1887 , but what a difference 25 years made. No sails for Mk 2. Twin screws giving 18.5 knots and 12 guns.
In 1912 “Galatea” Mk 3was laid down, with 4 screws and 8 guns. She was scrapped in 1921. “Galatea” Mk 4, a frigate, was launched in 1963 with twin screws giving 28 knots. No guns this time but with an anti submarine missle launcher and 2 helicopters she survived till 1984.
by Kevin Patterson, Nillumbik Historical Society
Image: By Thomas Whitcombe , Public Domain, via Wikimedia
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