These activities caused major disruption to transport in the Indian Ocean, drawing the attention of 78 warships from four different navies.

[1] On 9 November 1914, SMS Emden opened fire at 9 kilometres (10,000 yd) with her starboard guns, knocking out Sydney's range finder.

Prisoners of war taken from SMS Emden were interned at the disused sandstone Berrima Gaol in the Southern Highlands of NSW.

[1] The destruction of SMS Emden, the first cruiser duel of the war, represented the first ship-to-ship battle and victory for the Royal Australian Navy.

The crew of HMS Cadmus commenced formal salvage of relics in 1914 when it collected flags, steaming lights, the boat's compass, plans and other smaller items.

Some of the medals and medallions were eventually melted down and the silver recovered and sold to the mint after interest in them waned as the war dragged on.

The Lord Mayor remarked to all present that "the Australian who visits the spot and reflects on this trophy, will feel proud of a land which has turned over the virgin page of its naval history by an imperishable act of splendid courage graced with superb magnanimity".

[2][1] Mr J Cook, Minister of the Navy, stated at the unveiling that the memorial reminded them, above all else, "of the wonderful fabric of self-government, which was the very mainspring and very condition precedent of the successful government of this mighty Empire of Ours.

[1] Australians quickly took to the idea of collecting war trophies and they fought to keep those items of victory they believed rightfully theirs.

[1] Unlike statues on a plinth or similar style monuments, the trophy guns came to be seen as highly egalitarian and representative of the collective rather than the individual effort.

While it was recognisable as being related to recent military events, it named the people who died and singled out those who served with distinguished service.

[1] During and after the World War II, commemorative activity shifted from the symbolic to the practical with parks, halls and swimming pools being constructed.

However, the erection of the HMAS Sydney Mast Memorial on Bradley's Head in 1934 by Mosman Council took over as the main site for commemoration of the Emden action and the Australian seamen involved.

[1] Mounted on an octagonal Bowral trachyte base with the muzzle facing Whitlam Square, the memorial is encircled by an iron palisade fence on stone kerbing.

The base is inscribed in gold with the date and purpose of the opening of the memorial and the names of those killed and wounded from the HMAS Sydney in the Emden battle, officers on board and those who received the distinguished service medal.

The pedestal has a wide circular plate bolted to the base with a mounting supporting the barrel of the gun allowing it to swivel vertically.

As at 29 October 2009, the gun is in very good condition, having undergone conservation works to remove old, damaged paintwork and corrosive products and repainting in 2005.

Its retrieval was a symbol of victory and proof of the success that could be achieved with the strength and patriotism that accompanied self-government and loyalty as part of Empire.

[1] HMAS Sydney I – SMS Emden Memorial was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 27 February 2015 having satisfied the following criteria.

The Emden Gun has state historical significance as an element of the first ship defeated in ship-to-ship battle by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The sinking of the German SMS Emden was a significant naval achievement for the fledgling RAN and initiated the concept that Australia was capable of defending its interests in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, thereby contributing to the development of an independent identity for the nation.

The Emden Gun has state significance for its historical association with World War I Armed Forces, specifically the Navy and its German East Asiatic Squadron.

[1] The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

The Emden Gun has local aesthetic significance as a publicly visible item and distinctive monument at the entry point to the south east corner of Hyde Park.

The battle contributed to the perception of World War I as being a major contributor to the development of an independent identity for the nation by demonstrating Australia's capacity to have its own successful naval fleet.

In this regard the Emden Gun is likely to have significance for a specific community of interest including the Australian navy and also to naval and war historians.

[1] The Emden Gun also has state significance as a symbol of the birth of the Royal Australian Navy and what was perceived as the rewards of self-government (being victory and power).

The Emden Gun has state significance as a resource for the study of early 20th century naval armaments of foreign navies, in particular iron 10.5 cm/40 calibre (4.1 inch) German Naval breach loading guns of the period (as fitted to the German raider SMS Emden).

It is also believed to be the first gun to be utilised for memorial purposes and has rarity value at a state level as a sizeable relic from the Royal Australian Navy's first ship-to-ship action and victory.

[1] This Wikipedia article was originally based on HMAS Sydney I - SMS Emden Memorial (moveable heritage item), entry number 1946 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence, accessed on 14 October 2018.