- Author
- Richardson, G
- Subjects
- WWII operations, Ship histories and stories
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- HMAS Warrnambool I, HMAS Australia II, HMAS Stuart I, HMAS Bungaree, HMAS Hobart I, HMAS Warrego II, HMAS Townsville I, HMAS Swan II, HMAS Cessnock I, HMAS Bendigo I, HMAS Ballarat I, RAFA Kurumba, HMAS Lithgow, HMAS Katoomba, HMAS Arunta I, HMAS Broome, HMAS Colac
- Publication
- June 1975 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
12.7.42. Weighed anchor at 0600 and pulled out for Townsville with the Mongola. Passed the Swan coming in with the Malaita. (Macdhui, Mangola and Malaita all belong to Burns Philp.)
13.7.42 and 14.7.42. At sea.
15.7.42. Went alongside Warrego at Townsville at 0730. Shifted to Ross Creek. Nice and handy to the city.
16.7.42-18.7.42. At Townsville.
19.7.42. Proceeded to meet the Bungaree and took her to Fitzroy Island where she laid mines.
21.7.42. At anchor off Fitzroy Island just inside Grafton Passage. Weighed and proceeded.
22.7.42. At sea with the Bungaree.
23.7.42. Arrived at Moresby, and anchored while the Bungaree laid mines. Back at sea by 1100.
23.7.42 – 25.7.42. At sea with Bungaree.
26.7.42. Arrived in Townsville. Alongside Ross Cr.
27.7.42. Air raid at 2300 and bombs dropped. We were fast on the mud, being low tide, and couldn’t get away. No damage.
28.7.42. Another raid about midnight and saw an enemy flying boat attacked by fighters. Brilliant moonlight nights just now.
29.7.42. Still at Townsville and what a dump this place is. We all hate the sight of it. Still no leave.
30.7.42 – 31.7.42. On A/S patrol in Cleveland Bay. They only send us out to make more room at the wharves. Proceeded to Cairns.
1.8.42. Went alongside at Cairns and remained until 10th.
10.8.42. Got underway at 1000 and took supplies out to a Yank submarine at Grafton Passage. Returned to Cairns with a sick man. Went alongside at 1700 and slipped again at 1730.
11.8.42. Arrived at Townsville, blast it!
14.8.42. Slipped and proceeded at 0600, and picked up a convoy with the Warrego.
15.8.42. Sailing merrily (!!?) over the Coral Sea.
16.8.42. Picked up Warrnambool at 1500 and passed fire-bricks to her by heaving line. She then carried on with a ship to Moresby, while we took the rest to Milne Bay.
17.8.42. Passed beautiful isle of Samarai, and turned the corner into Milne Bay. Looks like a Norwegian fiord, and clouds perpetually cover the peaks. Palm trees in much evidence.
18.8.42. At Milne Bay, or Fall River as we call the base. Plenty of aircraft, continued ‘Security Patrol’ carried out by Kittyhawks flown by Aussies.
19.8.42. Weighed and proceeded to sea.
20.8.42 and 21.8.42. At sea and bound for Townsville.
22.8.42. Went alongside at Townsville, oiled and left for Cairns.
23.8.42. Arrived at Cairns. Happy smiling faces everywhere.
24.8.42. At Cairns.
25.8.42. Sailed with one ship (troops) bound for Milne Bay.
26.8.42. Ordered to turn back as Japs have invaded Milne Bay. Some life.
27.8.42. At Cairns. This’ll do us. Ashore every night.
28.8.42. Patrolled Grafton Passage.
29.8.42. Returned to Cairns.
30.8.42. Slipped and proceeded to pick up Warrego with a convoy off Fitzroy Island.