In the early hours of Christmas Day in 1974, HMAS Arrow’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Robert Dagworthy, decided to beach his boat in Frances Bay after Cyclone Tracey worsened.
Although Arrow was separated from her mooring buoy, the starboard engine failed and the boat struck Stokes Hill Wharf, bow first at 0400. Immediately following this the order to abandon ship was given. Most of the crew were washed ashore suffering only minor injuries. However, two of the crew were lost: Petty Officer Leslie Catton and Able Seaman Ian Rennie.
Almost fifty years later, on 28 November 2024, the 1st Lieutenant of HMAS Coonawarra, Lieutenant Commander Mark Bunnett RAN, addressed the gathering in remembrance of the anniversary of the loss of the patrol boat.
The ceremony was held in Coonawarra, with members of the Naval Association of Australia community and the RAN, gathered at the Arrow Club and Officer’s Mess.
As part of the ceremony, a wreath was laid at sea to commemorate the two lost sailors.
