INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL NEWS
Commission of Inquiry into the loss of
HMAS Sydney (II) publishes final report
“RINA’s assistance was invaluable”
G
reg Combet, Minister for Defence computer models, an exhaustive analyses Australia, en route to Fremantle, Sydney
Personnel, Materiel and Science, of video imagery and photographs of the sighted a vessel and diverted from her
today commended the Defence wreck site, as well as historical documents course to investigate. The vessel was the
Science and Technology Organisation for and photographs, illustrated the extent of raider Kormoran which was disguised as
its work in support of the Commission the torpedo and shell damage sustained by MV Straat Malakka. Sydney and Kormoran
of Inquiry into the loss of Her Majesty’s the vessel. engaged in battle, and both sank.
Australian Ship Sydney. “While some World War II vessels Of the 645 officers and crew on board
Mr Combet praised the efforts of survived single torpedo hits or damage Sydney, no one survived. Of the 395
the Defence Science and Technology from larger calibre shells, the Sydney officers and crew and four Chinese
Organisation (DSTO) and the Royal endured sustained attack at close range,” laundrymen on board Kormoran, 318
Institution of Naval Architects (RINA) Mr Combet said. “I hope the publishing of survived. The rescued Kormoran survivors
whose reconstructive work was crucial in this report ends the controversy that has were interrogated but, there being no
uncovering the circumstances surrounding surrounded the loss of the HMAS Sydney. Australian survivors to confirm or deny
the loss of the ship. “The relatives of the crew can take some the Germans’ account of the engagement,
“Through the Commission of Inquiry’s comfort from the comprehensive and some people were unable to accept their
report we now have a better understanding dedicated work undertaken to determine version of the engagement. Controversy
of the circumstances which resulted in the final hours of the tragedy”. arose and has continued. At issue were
Australia’s greatest naval tragedy, the A copy of the report can be found: the location of the battle, why Sydney had
loss of HMAS Sydney and all 645 crew http://www.defence.gov.au/sydneyii/ been sunk by Kormoran, and why there
members,” Mr Combet said. “The expertise finalreport were no survivors from Sydney.
of DSTO and RINA was invaluable in Location of the wrecks in March 2008
assisting the Commission’s determination Background led to the uncovering of much new
of what happened to the Sydney.” On 19 November 1941 HMAS Sydney, evidence, which meant that rational
A key piece of evidence placed before under the command of CAPT Joseph answers could now be given to many of
the Commission was a computer- Burnett RAN, was returning from having the questions raised in the controversy.
generated simulation produced by DSTO escorted HMAT Zealndia to a location
to depict the final hours of the ship. The near the Sunda Strait. When about 200
simulation, based on extensive scientific kilometres from the coast of Western Institution gives
support to UK Schools
HMAS Sydney.
Powerboat Challenge
D
efence and security technology
company, QinetiQ, is
introducing schoolchildren to
ship design by organising the inaugural
QinetiQ Schools Powerboat Challenge,
supported by The Royal Institution of
Naval Architects. Details were published
in the July issue of RINA Affairs.
Further information, including the
general design brief and suggested plan
of action for the pupils are available on
the RINA website at www.rina.org.uk/
GraduatesandStudents Further details,
including rules of the competition for
teachers can be obtained from Andy King
at adking1@QinetiQ.com
8 Rina affairs September 2009
RA September 09.indd 8 28/08/2009 15:38:08
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