Official Press Releases

On this Wednesday 19th of November 2008, the Finding Sydney Foundation and the Naval Association of Australia will launch an internet based Virtual Memorial at www.sydneymemorial.com, to commemorate the 645 men lost with HMAS Sydney II on 19th November 1941.

The Finding Sydney Foundation, a group of five committed Australian volunteers, managed the highly successful search for Sydney in March 2008, an historic event and one which has been of immense comfort to the relatives of the brave men lost with Sydney.  Having found the wreck, the Foundation now lives up to its second promise of creating a permanent, web-based memorial to tell the stories of the men, their families and friends.

The Naval Association of Australia began its life in 1920 as the Ex-Navalmen's Association and is the premier organisation outside of the Navy looking to the interests of both serving and ex-naval members.  The Naval Association has agreed to manage the site throughout its lifetime.

The Virtual Memorial launch is timed to coincide with services all over Australia, especially the historic Sunset Memorial Services at Geraldton, WA and on HMAS Manoora at sea over the wreck site on the first anniversary of the ship’s loss since the discovery of her wreck.  The formal launch will be at a function to held by the Mayor of Geraldton following the Sunset Service, in the company of the Governor General and representatives of the Federal and State Governments, families and friends.

Foundation Director Bob Trotter said:

“We are providing a unique experience accessible globally for those wanting to learn more about the human loss of HMAS Sydney II and honour the memory of the individual sailors through shared stories and images.  We are very grateful to the Naval Association for accepting the task of carrying the ‘Sydney’ banner into the future. ”

Les Dwyer, National President of the Naval Association said

“It is a great honour for the Naval Association to provide the perpetual means for future generations to remember ‘Sydney’ and her brave crew, as well as share in the unique personal histories of the sailors who died in Australia’s greatest maritime tragedy.”

The website located at www.sydneymemorial.com features an Honour Roll with individual pages of information for each of the 645 sailors lost.  Families are invited to submit stories, images and other related content to feature on each sailor’s pages.

The website will also house HMAS Sydney II historical information and an extensive set of archival photographs courtesy of the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian War Memorial.

Video footage can also be viewed.  It includes previous commemorations; the search for the wreck; scenes of the ship and crew in Queensland (1936); Egypt (Jul 1940) after the successful engagement with the Italian cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni; the triumphant welcome home to Sydney (Feb 1941); and scenes aboard the ship taken during the months before her loss.

Website:  www.sydneymemorial.com

Print Version of this Media Release: http://www.sydneymemorial.com/mediareleases/vmrelease1.pdf  (412Kb) (Requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader) 

Media Images:
http://www.sydneymemorial.com/press/vm.zip  (jpg high resolution)

Media Contacts:

Naval Association of Australia
Les Dwyer, National President
Phone: +61 1300 780 054
Email: NationalPresident@NavalAssoc.org.au
Web: www.navalassoc.org.au

Finding Sydney Foundation
Bob Trotter, Foundation Director
Phone: +61 8 9261 7749
Email: media@findingsydney.com
Web: www.findingsydney.com

A Commemorative Sunset Service will be held at the HMAS Sydney II Memorial - Geraldton, Western Australia, commemorating the HMAS Sydney II and her 645 crew on the 67th anniversary of the ship’s loss.

Service starts on Wednesday November 19 2008 at 6.30pm sharp.

For further information please view PDF files below (free Adobe Reader required):

Flyer
http://www.cgg.wa.gov.au/SydneyMemorialService/Sunset_Service_2008_Flyer.pdf

Order of Service
http://www.cgg.wa.gov.au/SydneyMemorialService/Order_Of_Service_2008.pdf

Media Contact

Trish Palmonari for the City of Geraldton-Greenough
Event Coordinator
0409 915 506

Port Pays Homage to HMAS Sydney on Remembrance Day

World War II veteran Ean McDonald from Gooseberry Hill, who served on the HMAS Sydney II, will be among hundreds of people attending a moving Remembrance Day Service at Fremantle’s St Patrick’s Basilica starting at 5pm, to commemorate the crew of the ill fated navy ship.  

The 11th of November 2008 will be the 67th anniversary of the ship’s final departure from Fremantle (on November 11), 1941 from which is never returned.

For further information click here.

Media Contacts:

The Finding Sydney Foundation is pleased to advise that the report on the Search for HMAS Sydney II can be downloaded from its official website findingsydney.com.
 
The report contains a précis of the Foundation, search records including research and supporting wind and current leeway analyses, offshore records from deep tow sidescan sonar, all equipment and personnel, and search results.
 
Please find a contents listing below with links to downloadable archives, in PDF format.  Free Adobe Acrobat Reader available here.
 
Media Contact:
 

Ted Graham
Chairman
The Finding Sydney Foundation
media@findingsydney.com

 
 
HMAS SYDNEY II DOWNLOADABLE REPORT CONTENTS:
 
VOLUME 1
Final Report
 
http://www.findingsydney.com/report/volume1.zip
4.1Mb
 
 
VOLUME 2
Appendices A & B
 
http://www.findingsydney.com/report/volume2.zip
28.8Mb
 
Appendix A  Leeway Analyses
 Appendix A1 Len van Burgel Report
 Appendix A2 CSIRO Report by Dr David Griffin
 
Appendix B  Offshore Search Logs
 Appendix B1 DoEWH&A Historic Shipwrecks Act Permit
 Appendix B2 Offshore Search Diary
 Appendix B3 Daily Operations Search Reports
 Appendix B4 Survey Runline Logsheets
 Appendix B5 ROV Dive Logs
 Appendix B6 Search Directors Daily Log
 Appendix B7 Williamson & Associates Party Chief & Watch Lead Daily Log
 Appendix B8 ROV Supervisor Log
 Appendix B9 Survey Engineer Log
 
 
VOLUME 3
Appendices C to G
 
http://www.findingsydney.com/report/volume3.zip
48.6Mb
 
Appendix C1 to C2 Side Scan Sonar Wreck & Debris Field Image
 Appendix C1 HMAS Sydney II Wreck & Debris Field
 Appendix C2 HSK Kormoran Wreck & Debris Field #1 & #2
 
Appendix D1 to D2 Equipment Calibration
 Appendix D1 Gyrocompass Calibration Results
 Appendix D2 Veripos GcGPS Verification Results
 
Appendix E1 to E4 Specifications
 Appendix E1 Survey Vessel Specifications
 Appendix E2 Equipment Integration Flow Chart
 Appendix E3 W&A Equipment Specifications
 Appendix E4 DOF Subsea ROV Specifications
 
Appendix F1 to F2 Safety
 Appendix F1 DOF Subsea Management Plan
 Appendix F2 Safety Incident Reports
 
Appendix G1 to G7 The Finding Sydney Website
 Appendix G1 HMAS Sydney II
 Appendix G2 Roll of Honour
 Appendix G3 Media Releases
 Appendix G4 The Foundation
 Appendix G5 The Management Team
 Appendix G6 Featured Sponsors
 Appendix G7 Credits

end.

CPA 134/08                                                         Wednesday, 14 May 2008

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE LOSS OF HMAS SYDNEY II – INITIAL HEARING

What:  Initial hearing of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the loss of HMAS Sydney II.

Who:  The President of the Commission, The Hon. Terence Cole AO, RFD, QC, will convene the initial public hearing of the Inquiry. The President will make an opening statement. Administrative arrangements will be addressed as will any applications for leave to appear before the Inquiry.

When:  10am on Friday, 30 May 2008.

Where:  Hearing Room 1, Level 5, 55 Market Street, Sydney.

Background

The Commission was appointed by the Chief of Defence Force to inquire into and report upon circumstances associated with the loss of HMAS Sydney II in November 1941 and consequent loss of life and related subsequent events.HMAS Sydney II was lost with all 645 crew on 19 November 1941 following an engagement with the German raider, HSK Kormoran off the Western Australian coast.  HMAS Sydney II was found on 16 March 2008 following the discovery of HSK Kormoran, approximately 112 nautical miles off Steep Point, Western Australia, lying in 2,560 metres of water.Media Notes:  A pooling arrangement will be organised prior to the hearing for Mr Cole’s opening address.  No other television cameras will be granted access inside the hearing room.   Pooling arrangements will be advised closer to the date by Public Affairs Regional Manager – NSW, Raveena Carroll-Kenney.  Media will be advised of final arrangements prior to the hearing. Navy will provide still images via the Defence website at www.defence.gov.au/media/download. Further information is available on the Inquiry’s website at www.defence.gov.au/sydneyii/
 
Media Contact:

Defense Media Liason: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 489 664
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/AlertTpl.cfm?CurrentId=7724

The Australian Broadcasting Network (ABC) will be broadcasting the HMAS Sydney II Commemorative Service for the crew of the HMAS Sydney II, on Thursday 24th of April 2008. The service will be on air nationally between 10.59.a.m. and Midday.  During which the The Finding Sydney Foundation has provided permission for the broadcaster to display images taken during the recent search and find of the HMAS Sydney II.

Don Lange, State Editor, for the ABC (NSW) stated:

"Thank you for giving permission to use some of the Finding Sydney Foundation's images during this Thursday's live broadcast of the memorial service for the crew of HMAS Sydney. They will considerably enhance the coverage and the ABC appreciates your generosity in allowing us to use them."

Media Contact:
 
Ted Graham
Chairman
The Finding Sydney Foundation
media@findingsydney.com
(+)61-8-9261 7749

Determination of Location of HSK Kormoran (and HMAS Sydney II)
 
HMAS Sydney Search Pty Ltd, as Trustee for The Finding Sydney Foundation utilised the search box determined by the Search Director David Mearns and his research, when searching for the HMAS Sydney II.
 
This search box included the location of the secondary target the HSK Kormoran, which provided an excellent datum point for the subsequent locating of the Sydney nearby.
 
There have been numerous researchers, academics and related professions such as oceanography and drift analysis, both in Australia and overseas that have worked on the determination of the area of the search box and ultimately the location of both vessels.
 
In the late 1990s/early 2000s academics Kim Kirsner and John Dunn of the University of Western Australia specified a location for the HSK Kormoran, this proved to be close to the actual location of the Kormoran when found by the Foundation.
 
Their work included a paper provided to the HMAS Sydney Search team in 2003, nominating their location for the HSK Kormoran.  This work, together with that which was done by David Mearns and Peter Hore in the United Kingdom, independently of Kim Kirsner and John Dunn, was crucial to obtaining the Australian government's support for the Foundations search.
 
The Finding Sydney Foundation acknowledges the work undertaken by Kim Kirsner and John Dunn of the University of Western Australia and all Australian and Overseas researchers and related disciplines.  Their valuable research contributed to the determination of the position of the HSK Kormoran and subsequently the location of the HMAS Sydney II.
 
Media Contact:
 
Ted Graham
Chairman
The Finding Sydney Foundation
media@findingsydney.com
(+)61-8-9261 7749

THE FINDING SYDNEY FOUNDATION SEARCH TEAM RETURNS HOME - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED 

The Finding Sydney Foundation will hold a media conference in Fremantle following the successful filming of the wrecks of HMAS Sydney II and HSK Kormoran.

Where:  NWS Shipping Theatre, WA Maritime Museum, Victoria Quay, Fremantle

When:  12.30 hrs Thursday 10th April 2008

Background

HMAS Sydney II was tragically lost in November 1941 in the Indian Ocean off Western Australia with its entire crew of 645, following a fierce engagement with the German raider HSK Kormoran.  HSK Kormoran was damaged and consequently scuttled, with 317 of her nearly 400 crew surviving the engagement.

On Wednesday 12th March, the wreck of HSK Kormoran was located approximately 112 nautical miles off the West Australian coast.  Subsequently on Sunday 16th March the wreck of HMAS Sydney was located some 12.2 nautical miles from the German wreck.  Filming of HMAS Sydney and HSK Kormoran was successfully completed 8th April and the vessel is currently in transit back to Geraldton to complete demobilisation activities.

Media Notes

1. The Directors of The Foundation (Ted Graham, Keith Rowe, Bob Trotter, Don Pridmore and Mrs Glenys McDonald); Commodore Rick Shalders, RAN, Senior Naval Officer WA; Ms Diana Jones, Acting CEO WA Museum; David Mearns Foundation Search Director; Dr Michael McCarthy, Curator Maritime Archaeology, WA Museum; and Lieutenant John Perryman, RANR, will be available for interview after the media conference.

2. The SV Geosounder is returning to the Port of Geraldton on Wednesday 9th April, following the successful discovery and filming of the HMAS Sydney II and HSK Kormoran.  Filming of this will be completed by WIN TV and made available on a pool basis.  No media interviews will be conducted onboard the vessel or at the quayside upon arrival. 

Media Contacts: 

Ted Graham
Chairman
The Finding Sydney Foundation
media@findingsydney.com
(+)61-8-9261 7749

Mr Gary Booth
Defence Public Affairs (WA)
+61-418 223 807

Ms Caroline Lacey
WA Museum
+61-417 970 239

First Photographs Of the Wreck Of the Sydney

Media Release from The Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel 

The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon today congratulated the Finding Sydney Foundation following the release of the first pictures of HMAS Sydney II.

“The incredible photos of the underwater wreckage bring home how fierce the battle must have been for the brave men onboard the Sydney,” said Mr Snowdon.

“Seeing these pictures for the first time will be very emotional for the relatives of the crew of HMAS Sydney II and my thoughts go out to them.”

“The search team continues to work under difficult conditions, so to capture these revealing pictures with the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is an outstanding achievement.”

“The wreck-site and resting place of the crew of the Sydney continues to be treated with the respect and dignity it deserves and I can confirm that the ROV has not touched the wreck nor has anything been retrieved from HMAS Sydney II,” said Mr Snowdon.

Further examination of the wreck of the Sydney, the battle-field site and the Kormoran is expected to continue over the coming days, subject to acceptable weather conditions and operational issues with the ROV.  The search vessel is expected to return to Geraldton later this month.

“I am also pleased to announce that the Navy has received 536 registrations from relatives of 236 crew members of HMAS Sydney II via the toll free number and web site.”

Planning continues for a private Navy commemorative service onboard HMAS Anzac over the site of the Sydney and Kormoran on 16 April and the national memorial service on 24 April at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney.

Media note: Images of the HMAS Sydney II can be found at: www.findingsydney.com Vision of the HMAS Sydney II is expected to be available to Australian media networks later today. Further information on the HMAS Sydney II can be found at: www.navy.gov.au or by phoning 1800 005 867

Media contacts:

Kate Sieper (Warren Snowdon):  02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689

Defence Media Liaison:  02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664

Patrick Flynn (The Finding Sydney Foundation):  0488 555 008

Ted Graham, Chairman of the Finding Sydney Foundation, on behalf of his fellow Directors, Don Pridmore, Glenys McDonald, Keith Rowe and Bob Trotter and on behalf of the whole onshore and offshore team said he was elated to hear of the success in obtaining the first photographic images of HMAS Sydney II.

“ It’s a very pleasing afternoon, we have been plagued by weather and ROV technical problems for around 10 days – I wish to thank all on board our vessel for their tireless efforts and to all who have been patiently waiting for this to occur – well done all.  I also again acknowledge the ongoing support of the RAN and the Australian Government.”

“We are working in deep water – around 2600 metres – and its always very difficult to achieve success – it requires a major team effort and the weather to be kind to us. Since our search for HMAS Sydney II started we have experienced two cyclones, a third quite strong low pressure system and very rough seas”. We thought it would be challenging and were proven correct."

Media Contact:
Ted Graham
Chairman
The Finding Sydney Foundation
media@findingsydney.com
(+)61-8-9261 7749

What's Coming Up from the Finding Sydney Foundation

• Vessel demobilisation of the Williamson Sonar Spread in progress
• Mobilisation of an ROV team and specialist deepwater camera and lighting equipment commenced
• SV Geosounder expected to depart Geraldton late Easter weekend
• Imagery of the HMAS Sydney II and HSK Kormoran expected late next week
• Images to be published at http://www.findingsydney.com/

For further Media Background Information please download the pdf brief here.

Media Contact:
Ted Graham
Chairman
The Finding Sydney Foundation
media@findingsydney.com
(+)61-8-9261 7749

The Finding Sydney Foundation will hold a media conference after the return of SV Geosounder to the Port of Geraldton, following the successful discovery of the wrecks of HMAS Sydney II and HSK Kormoran.

Where:  City of Geraldton-Greenough Chambers, cnr of Mt Magnet Rd & Edwards Rd, Utakarra,  Geraldton. 

When:  10am Friday 21st March 2008

Background

HMAS Sydney II was tragically lost in November 1941 in the Indian Ocean off Western Australia with its entire crew of 645, following a fierce engagement with the German raider HSK Kormoran.  HSK Kormoran was damaged and consequently scuttled, with 317 of her nearly 400 crew surviving the engagement.

The Foundation’s chartered vessel SV Geosounder departed the Port of Geraldton, on 3 March to begin the mission, led by shipwreck investigator Mr David Mearns supported by a crew of thirty personnel including Foundation Director, Glenys McDonald and RAN Historian, Lieutenant John Perryman.

On Wednesday 12 March, the wreck of HSK Kormoran was located approximately 112 nautical miles off the West Australian coast.  Subsequently on Sunday 16 March the wreck of HMAS Sydney was located some 12.2 nautical miles from the German wreck.

Media Notes

1. The Directors of The Foundation; Commodore Rick Shalders, RAN, Senior Naval Officer WA; The Hon Alan Carpenter MLA, Premier of Western Australia; David Mearns and Lieutenant John Perryman, RANR, will be available for interview after the media conference.

2. The SV Geosounder is expected to return to the Port of Geraldton on Thursday 20th March, though her exact ETA will be subject to completion of current work offshore.   Following discussions with Perth TV Networks, one cameraman will film the arrival of the Geosounder with vision being distributed on a pool basis to all networks.  Opportunities will also be made available for print media.  For further information contact Mr Gary Booth, Defence Public Affairs (WA) on 0418 223 807.

3. Please note the opportunity to board the vessel will not be possible due to re-mobilisation operations onboard.

4. No media interviews will be conducted onboard the vessel or at the quayside upon arrival. 

5. Timing for the media event may change due to operations onboard the search vessel or environmental constraints. A confirmation advice of the timings will be provided to all media who register with Gary Booth.

Media Contacts:  

Ted Graham
Chairman
The Finding Sydney Foundation
media@findingsydney.com
(+)61-8-9261 7749

Mr Gary Booth
Defence Public Affairs (WA)
+61-418 223 807

Media Release from THE HON. WARREN SNOWDON MP, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, 18th March 2008.

Work has begun on commemoration ceremonies for HMAS Sydney II, the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, announced today.

“The national response to the discovery of the final resting place of HMAS Sydney has been overwhelming, and incredibly moving,” said Mr Snowdon.

“The discovery and the tragic loss of life need to be marked in a manner befitting their significance to this nation.

“Navy is planning its own, private, ceremony in the near future.  It will include the laying of a plaque and wreath over the site of HMAS Sydney II,” he said.

Planning has also begun for a national memorial service in Sydney on 24 April.

“This will provide an opportunity for families and other members of the public to commemorate the tragic loss of HMAS Sydney II and its crew members,” said Mr Snowdon.

“We will be releasing further details about a venue and timings shortly.”

A national commemoration will be held on the 19 November, the 67th anniversary of the loss of HMAS Sydney II.

“Options being considered include a memorial service at the HMAS Sydney II memorial site in Geraldton, WA, and a commemoration onboard the current HMAS Sydney over the wreck site,” Mr Snowdon said.

“Family members of the crew will be invited.

“Simultaneously we are planning a ceremonial service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra,” he said.

The Australian Government is also liaising with the German government regarding appropriate recognition of the loss of their sailors and the HSK Kormoran site.

Media contacts:

Kate Sieper (Warren Snowdon):  02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689
Defence Media Liaison:   02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664

Link:

http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Snowdontpl.cfm?CurrentId=7513

Highlighted excerpt from House of Representatives,Votes and Proceedings regarding HMAS Sydney.  Hansard 18th March 2008

Link:: http://www.findingsydney.com/docs/HansardReps180308.pdf  (PDF Format)

The wreck of missing Royal Australian Navy cruiser HMAS Sydney (II) has been found.

HMAS Sydney (II) was tragically lost in November 1941 off Western Australia with its entire crew, following a fierce engagement with the German raider HSK Kormoran.

The discovery was announced today by the Prime Minister, the Hon. Kevin Rudd, the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon, MP, Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, Chief of Navy and Mr Ted Graham, Chairman of The Finding Sydney Foundation.

“I would like to congratulate The Finding Sydney Foundation and the Royal Australian Navy on this memorable discovery which will bring some peace to the relatives of the brave crew who gave their lives while serving our nation,” said Mr Snowdon.

“It is now hoped we may be able to piece together the events of that dark day in World War II when we lost 645 of Australia’s finest.”

The search first focused on finding the German raider Kormoran which was located on 12 March approximately 112 nautical miles off Steep Point, Western Australia lying in 2,560 metres of water.

The discovery of the main battle site, less than four nautical miles south of Kormoran’s position, was then used to direct the team’s effort in searching for Sydney.

The wreck of the Sydney was confirmed late last night, approximately 12 nautical miles off Kormoran , under 2,470 metres of water.

Mr Ted Graham said they were prepared for the search to take upwards of 35 days so to find them both in a matter of weeks has been a stunning achievement for the entire crew.

“A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with video filming capabilities able to operate in depths of up to 3,000 metres will be deployed in order to further examine both wrecks of the Sydney and Kormoran.”

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts will make a declaration to ensure HMAS Sydney (II) is protected under the Historic Shipwrecks Act.

Media Contact:
Patrick Flynn
Project Manager
The Finding Sydney Foundation
media@findingsydney.com
(+)61-8-9261 7749