November 30, 2021
Written by Captain Brent Wilkinson
The disappearance of the HMAS Sydney II on November 19, 1941 is still Australia’s largest maritime mystery and disaster. At 171 M and capable of speeds in excess of 32 knots the HMAS Sydney II was the Pride of the Royal Australian Navy.
From February to May 1940 the HMAS Sydney II was responsible for patrol and escort duties on the west coast of Australia; often escorting convoys across the Indian Ocean. Coincidentally she transited very similar routes as to what the ADV Ocean Protector currently does; albeit much quicker. In May 1940 she was requested to join the Royal Navy’s 7th Cruiser Squadron operating in the Mediterranean.
In January 1941 after a successful Mediterranean campaign HMAS Sydney II was instructed to head home. She proceeded along the north coast of Africa and linked up with any Australian-bound merchant ships she encountered. The recall was attributed to the need to bring her in for a major refit and give her personnel leave. Shortly after arrival at home Sydney’s next posting was to protect Australia against the German merchant raiders operating in the area, particularly following their attacks on Nauru. Sydney II was once again assigned to escort and patrol tasks in the Indian Ocean. This primarily involved meeting convoys off the Southern Australian coast and escorting them on the next leg of their journey, either westbound to the Middle East and Europe, or northwards to the Dutch East Indies often via Cocos Island.
November 19th 1941 the Southbound HMAS Sydney II encountered a German Raider disguised as a Dutch cargo vessel. The ensuing battle left Sydney II on fire and adrift and the German Raider HSK Kormoran severely disabled. As a result 645 Australian Seafarer’s were lost from HMAS Sydney II. Neither vessel would be seen again for 67 years. In 2008 the dedicated “Finding Sydney Foundation” successfully located and identified HMAS Sydney in 2468 m of water approximately 100’ nm WSW of Dirk Hartog Island, Western Australia.
For those that don’t know the ADV Ocean Protector is an Australian Navy owned asset operated by a combination of Merchant Seafarer’s alongside Naval and Border Force Officers. Coincidentally it was the Ocean Protector under the previous operator that conducted the ROV survey of HMAS Sydney II wreck after it was discovered.
Almost 80 years to the day after Sydney was sunk we found ourselves transiting the same stretch of coastline. To make things even more coincidental, one of our longest serving crew members, Murray Verhoeff, lost his Grandfather who was a Telegraphist on board Sydney II the day it was sunk. With some initiative from multiple people aboard and ashore we were given permission to slightly deviate from our intended passage to the wreck of the HMAS Sydney II. With this in mind the last minute on signing crew members organized a wreath and the transport of Murray’s Grandmother’s Ashes and Urn to the ship.
At 08:00 In DP mode at the Sydney’s final resting place the ship’s complement conducted a memorial service; laid a wreath and spread the ashes of Murray’s Grandmother. Upon resuming passage for Fremantle the feeling among the crew was that of a realisation that we had just been given a unique opportunity.
Thank you to Captain Brent for relaying this story. We also acknowledge Chief Steward Murray Verhoeff for his work coordinating the ceremony.
