An article from a Magazine called Broadcast in 1936 opened with the message
that there's is now in Australian Waters and on Australian service the first
vessel in the British Mercantile Marine to carry on board a radio station.'
The station operated on the ship to shore band and transmitted, following
the words of the journalist, a so called 'sea to shore program'.
Surprisingly I found out years ago that they used a ship which was brand new
and came over from Belfast to Sydney a week before transmissions began. A
call sign '9MI' was used for the broadcasts, with speech and music.'

The MV Kanimbla was for those days a most modern ship equipped with a 1,5 kW
valve transmitter and special studios. The transmitter was crystal
controlled, and was designed to operate on any wavelength between 20 and 50
metres. Mostly the signals went out on 25.54 and 49.47 metres. It was
possible to maintain in contact with the Australian listeners during the
voyage along the coasts of Australia as well as over considerable ranges
during any voyages 'overseas'. For this last purpose the ship was also
equipped with a short wave transmitter. Another newspaper mentioned that
'this apparatus which in her run from Belfast to Sydney enabled the owners
to keep in touch daily with the commander of the vessel. Also during the
maiden voyage the chairman of the Amalgamated Wireless, mr Fisk, who's
company manufactured the apparatus at the MV Kanimbla, had almost a constant
contact versus short-wave with the commander on the ship.'

The special studios on the ship were replicas of the most modern ones
overseas and the chief announcer was Eileen Foley from Sidney in Australia.
'During the ship is at sea the programmes were also available for the people
on the ship by a wide range of loud speakers and all the programs were made
live on the Kanimbla. Even three different programs could be heard at the
same time at the system. Some loudspeakers carried sport results which were
picked up from land stations. Also artists were engaged for a certain trip
to entertain the passengers as well as the listeners of the radio programs.

Another piece on the station could be found back in the proceedings of the
World Radio Conference, which was held in Sydney in April 1938. 'On the
evening o f 9MI's inaugural broadcast on May 28, during her maiden voyage to
Australia, we were about 1000 miles from Sydney. Excitement was running high
on board pending the success of the broadcast, and the possible temper of
atmospherics. The program was relayed throughout the national stations of
Australia at 8 pm. At 20 minutes to 8 atmospherics were very bad, and the
possible success of this pioneer effort hung in the balance. However,
optimism won the day - the elements cleared and the broadcast was considered
very successful. Although the Kanimbla had not yet, at that stage, had bad
weather, there have been times when she has given a heavy roll during a
broadcast. Things have gone flying over the table.'

Eileen Foley commented on the rolling of the sea to her listeners: "I have
then asked my listeners to please stand by, while I have freed myself from
the studio furniture and the chosen records. So you see one needs a sense of
balance - and well, the show must go on. On these occasions, I recall to
mind the optimist who fell from the ten store building, and at each window
shouted to his friends: 'All is well, so far'."

She had more to tell about the programming and artists: "In addition to
compiling programmes from the large record library, the Kanimbla Quartette
of girls, and often talented artists traveling with us, take part in the
broadcasts. Many distinguished speakers have broadcast from 9MI, including
Sir Ernest Fisk, who's manner at the microphone is incomparable and who has
the fine sense of humor which makes his talks a delight to listen to. Among
other well known personalities, I recall Sir Edward Cunningham, Sir Wallace
Bruce, ex Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Professor Charteris from Sydney University
and many others. Amongst world famed artists I recall Richard Crooks who
gave an interesting interview when traveling with his family on the ship
from Sydney to Melbourne. Richard Crooks was specially fascinated with our
floating broadcasting station, and I thought at the time that, with a little
persuasion, he would sing. However, I remembered perhaps in time, that he
was on holidays, so curbed my desire to hear that great voice."

There were other artist who chose to travel with the ship as Foley recalled:
'It is interesting to see that a number of radio artists have purposely
chosen the Kanimbla for their holidays. It would seem that the microphone
they have left behind is still with them, as it were - and they, as 'busmen,
apparently want to spent their holidays close to their work! Those
passengers are very welcome in our studios. Passengers traveling on the
Kanimbla have a unique opportunity of 'trying' themselves out over the 'mike
'. Each trip we organize is amplified through our public address equipment
to the various speakers on board. This innovation creates interest, and
often good talent is discovered. Recently one of our entrants in the
Nautical Parade was offered a 'shore job' by a manager of a station,
traveling with us, who at once spotted a pleasing quality in the voice."

But Eileen Foley was not the only one presenting on the station. Also
Captain Smith was a regular voice to be heard as he was always keeping his
weather eye open for interesting things to tell to the listeners. Of course
in those days less people had their own receiver but those who had one and
picked up the signals of the station were truly not unhappy. Hundreds of
letters from the listeners came in stating excellent reception from 9MI,
both direct, on short-wave, and via the national stations. During the voyage
out, while the MV Kanimbla was off the west east coast of Africa, the test
programs were heard in a good volume in Australia, Great Britain and other
parts of Europe. Reception reports were answered with a QSL card.

Used publications:

The Australian Radio World July 1936
The Broadcaster Australia 1936
Proceedings of the World Radio Convention, Sydney, April 1938
Knot, Hans: History on Offshore Radio 1907-1973, Foundation for Media
Communication, Amsterdam, 1993.

(Hans Knot)