Esther Williams Trophy

Origin

The Esther Williams trophy comprised a framed, signed photograph of Hollywood screen and swimming star Esther Williams. It was destined to become one of the most unique, enduring and “competed for” unofficial trophies in the history of the RAN fleet.

The trophy originated in 1943, onboard the destroyer HMAS Nepal while attached to the British Eastern Fleet. Lieutenant Lindsay ‘Georgie’ Brand had been gifted a photograph of the Hollywood starlet, which he jealously guarded. His friend (and later Chief of Naval Staff) David Stevenson took the photograph inscribing it “To my own Georgie, with all my love and a passionate kiss, Esther”.

Thereafter the photograph hung above Lieutenant Brand’s bed until it mysteriously went missing. It had in fact been commandeered by a fellow officer and removed to another ship, reportedly to “protect Esther’s honour”. The photograph was later stolen back from that ship, beginning a tradition involving hijinks and skull duggery in order to secure the morale-boosting prize. Word of the unorthodox trophy soon spread, resulting in the photo changing hands over two hundred times between four separate navies over two decades.

Conduct

The practice of attempting to liberate ‘Esther’ saw raiding parties from the RAN, United States Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Navy, regularly compete for the trophy throughout the Pacific theatre. Cunning, zeal and subterfuge became the hall-mark of raiders intent on securing the trophy which had become a source of national pride to Australia and a great morale booster for the ship's company who possessed it.

Over time, measures were taken to preserve the coveted trophy. The original photograph was framed and secured under lock and key for posterity. In its place, a duplicate, waterproofed ‘fighting copy’ was produced and prominently displayed in the wardroom of the ship concerned for all to see. ‘Rules of Engagement’ were also established as outlined below:

1. The trophy is to remain unsecured and in full view.
2. The trophy may only be removed by force (preferably of the brute variety) or by exceedingly low cunning and vile stealth.
3. Use of enlisted personnel in any fashion is prohibited (the contest was strictly between competing wardrooms).
4. The only other restriction is against firearms and clubs.
5. Unsuccessful suitors are to be given haircuts and lodging.

The contest was spirited and not for the faint of heart. Several people were hospitalised after officers from USS Boxer conducted a raid on HMAS Warramunga (I). Stealth attacks were popular and creating diversions and raising false alarms proved a reliable way to create a distraction and opportunity to secure the most coveted of prizes.

Legacy

Esther Williams was well aware of the trophy and said to be highly encouraging of the competition it stimulated among Allied navies. She would occasionally write letters of support and encouragement to the wardroom of the ship holding her photograph and often poems or signals were passed between ships heralding its liberation and whereabouts.

The contest continued amid much fanfare throughout the 1940s and well into the following decade. In 1957 ‘Esther’ was returned to the Royal Australian Navy and retired, having been in the custody of the USN for some time.

The trophy was re-introduced to the world in 1997 after being ‘borrowed’ from the Naval Historical Repository at Spectacle Island, Sydney, by officers from the guided missile destroyer HMAS Brisbane (II). It was temporarily reunited with its original owner, Lindsay Brand, in 2004, the fourth time since 1943, and he was amazed that the tradition had again been reinstituted.

Commander Glen Miles and the officers of HMAS Collins recorded their liberation of Esther from planning through to execution in a dashing raid on Fleet Base West, circa 2006.

Following the death of Esther Williams in June 2013 at the age of 91, the trophy was officially retired. The last unit to capture ‘Esther’ was RAN Clearance Diving Team Four, which presented the trophy to HMAS Stuart (III) for the voyage to its final destination, the Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre at Spectacle Island.

R 070750Z JUN 13

FM CN AUSTRALIA

SIC LAA/VZQ/Z4P

SUBJ: THE PASSING OF ESTHER WILLIAMS

I WAS THE MERMAID OF THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY

THE DESIRE OF ALL WHO GO TO SEA

WHOSE PRAISE I LOUDLY CHANT

THROUGH THE WATER I DID GLIDE

MY FACE CHARMED ALL ALONGSIDE

AND I TRAVELLED ACROSS MANY CHARTS

BUT NOW THE SUN HAS CEASED TO SHINE

YOUR ATTENTIONS I MUST NOW DECLINE

AND SEEK THE SECLUSION THE HERITAGE CENTRE GRANTS

FOR THE FINAL TIME

ESTHER WILLIAMS SENDS

1. THE SWIMMER AND ACTOR ESTHER WILLIAMS PASSED AWAY ON 6 JUNE IN

CALIFORNIA.

2. IN LIGHT OF HER FINAL REQUEST, THE ESTHER WILLIAMS TROPHY IS,

AFTER A FINAL DECOMMISSIONING VOYAGE, TO BE LAID TO REST AS A MARK OF

RESPECT TO THE LADY WHO GAVE IT LIFE.

3. COMAUSFLT IS TO MAKE APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TROPHY TO BE TRANSFERRED BY SEA ON A ROUTINE TRANSIT OF A SHIP FROM FLEET BASE

WEST TO FLEET BASE EAST.

4. OIC CDT4 IS TO RETAIN CUSTODY OF THE ESTHER WILLIAMS TROPHY UNTIL

REMOVED FROM HIS POSSESSION BY THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE SHIP IN

WHICH THE TROPHY EMBARKS FOR THE DECOMMISSIONING VOYAGE.

5. ON ARRIVAL AT FLEET BASE EAST THE TROPHY IS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO

THE NAVY HERITAGE CENTRE WHERE THE TROPHY WILL BE LAID TO REST.

6. ALL THOSE WHO HAVE CHASED AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE HELD SEND.

BT

Lieutenant Brandon Ikimau from HMAS Coonawarra holds the Esther Williams trophy after making a quick getaway from HMAS Shepparton.