In February 1918, the call went out for volunteers to participate in a special mission to close the port of Zeebrugge using blockships.Stevens, in Stevens, The Royal Australian Navy, p. 51 Although many aboard Australia volunteered their services in an attempt to escape the drudgery of North Sea patrols, only 11 personnel—10 sailors and an artificer engineer were selected for the raid, which occurred on 23 April.Jose, The Royal Australian Navy 1914–1918, p. 281 The artificer engineer was posted to the engine room of the requisitioned ferry .Stevens, in Stevens, The Royal Australian Navy, p. 52 The other Australians were assigned to the boiler rooms of the blockship , or as part of a storming party along the mole.Jose, The Royal Australian Navy 1914–1918, p. 282 All of the volunteers survived—Australia was the only ship to have no casualties from the raid with one awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), three the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM), while another three were mentioned in dispatches.Jose, The Royal Australian Navy 1914–1918, p. 593 The five sailors were listed in the ballot to receive a Victoria Cross, but did not receive the award.
