The R.A.N. was formed in the year 1911 with two destroyers, the H.M.A.S. "Parramatta" and "Yarra", and five similar ships. By 1918 it had 21 naval vessels in service and a brilliant record, including the sinking of the German cruiser "Emden". At the end of World War 2, the R.A.N. had 317 ships.