When was the hmas sydney discovered

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Relatives react Royce Laycock was son of an engine stoker who worked on the ship and was only four when his father died. Kormoran wreck found off WA. More on:.

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It also enabled the enquiry to understand how the unique features of the disguised commerce raider Kormoran enabled this ship to avoid identification as HMAS Sydney II approached it to point blank range.

Most importantly of all, the discovery of HMAS Sydney II and HSK Kormoran using intelligent reassessment of data to allow targeting of high-tech search equipment in the vast ocean reaches has highlighted the ongoing importance of finding reasons for the destruction of these vessels. The location, interpretation and memorialisation of these shipwrecks have proved an ongoing importance for the wider Australian community, veterans, defence personnel, as well as closure for the grieving families.

This account is quoted from the following official history by G. Just before 4. A broken piston rod was soon to reduce this to 14 knots. The approaching warship, the light cruiser HMAS Sydney, had sighted the Kormoran and increased speed to intercept her. If fighting became unavoidable, however, the raider was best served by luring her opponent as close as possible before revealing her concealed armament.

The Sydney repeatedly demanded that the signal be hoisted clear, and, when the Kormoran eventually complied, the letters PKQI could be discerned. This was the call sign of the Dutch freighter Straat Malakka. The Sydney was an outstandingly successful warship, the most famous of the RAN's ships in November Aesthetically elegant, she had created headlines with her exploits in the Mediterranean, especially the brilliant action off Cape Spada. On the other hand, the Kormoran 's mission was to shun the limelight.

Converted from a freighter she was well armed with guns, torpedoes and mines, but this armament was carefully disguised so that only the closest scrutiny would reveal that she was not a merchant ship.