HMAS Sydney (II) - it's watery grave

HMAS Sydney II and the disguised German raider HSK Kormoran met their fateful ends off the coast of Western Australian in 1941. It is considered as one of the worst naval disasters in Australian history. All 645 men on the Sydney were lost (though there has been talk over the years that there were Australian survivors in the water however they were then killed by the Germans) and only 81 of the 399 German crew were killed.

If you read my previous post about the prisoner of war huts and internment camps in WA, I did mention about the Germans being interned for a short time in Harvey before being transferred to Victoria. You read the post POW Huts and Internment Camps in Western Australia

For those that may be heading up the Coral Coast and stopping in Geraldton or going to the Golden Outback to Kalgoorlie, the Western Australian Museum has a free exhibition available showing a 3D film called “From Great Depths”. It is a joint venture between Curtin University and WA Museums with assistance from other supporters, they returned to the shipwreck site after the initial discovery in 2008 and captured amazing footage that we now see in this film.

It allows us to witness the results of a tragic moment in our Australian history, preserved in the depths of the Indian Ocean, over 2kms under water.

The exhibition is permanent in Geraldton Museum however it is only available as a temporary one in Kalgoorlie until 23rd August. It is free to view, however a donation is gratefully accepted.

Shipwreck location off Steep Point in Shark Bay, Western Australia

Kalgoorlie Museum: Museum of the Goldfields, 17 Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie

Geraldton Museum: Museum of Geraldton, 2 Museum Place, Geraldton

HMAS Sydney II Memorial Geraldton: Highly recommend a guided visit to the Memorial in Geraldton. Click on the following for more information HMAS Sydney II Memorial Geraldton

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