Pictures of HMAS Sydney

[asnrobert]

Some photos of the newly discovered wreck of the Sidney can be found at http://findingsydney.com/ if anyone hasn't seen them yet.

[Campy]

Any evidence on why she went down with all hands? She was rather close to the Germans, they ought have noted an explosion. Although, they did have problems of their own at the time.
Frank

[Ed Rotondaro]

Some photos of the newly discovered wreck of the Sidney can be found at http://findingsydney.com/ if anyone hasn't seen them yet.

Thanks Robert. Hats off the Australian governement and their navy for this accomplishment.

[Ed Rotondaro]

Any evidence on why she went down with all hands? She was rather close to the Germans, they ought have noted an explosion. Although, they did have problems of their own at the time.
Frank

Campy:

The ship looked too intact for a major explosion. I wonder instead if she capsized, but then the turrets would have fallen off. I know that the German raider carried torpedoes, but I don't recall if her crew claimed any torpedo hits.

[asnrobert]

Any evidence on why she went down with all hands? She was rather close to the Germans, they ought have noted an explosion. Although, they did have problems of their own at the time.
Frank

Well, considering the punishment she took at the hands of Kormoran(plus I believe when the Germans saw her last she heavily on fire), probably most of the crew perished with her. As for any survivors, sharks and exposure would take care of the rest. When the cruiser Juneau went down in 1942, about 100 men got off, but by the time rescuers found them eight days later, only 10 were left. How long did it take for the Australians to learn of the demise of the Sydney? By the time they found out and started looking (assuming they knew where to look) any survivors might be already gone.

[john964]

Campy:

The ship looked too intact for a major explosion. I wonder instead if she capsized, but then the turrets would have fallen off. I know that the German raider carried torpedoes, but I don't recall if her crew claimed any torpedo hits.
From what I have read the germans claimed at least one torpedo hit that apperantly knocked out some of the main guns. They also state that Sydney was on fire frome bow to stern. They also stated that they watched the ship go over the horizen and heard an explosen some time after dark.

[Campy]

From what I have read the germans claimed at least one torpedo hit that apperantly knocked out some of the main guns. They also state that Sydney was on fire frome bow to stern. They also stated that they watched the ship go over the horizen and heard an explosen some time after dark.

Thanks, john964. I had read several accounts of the action. I don't recall mention of an explosion in any of them. However, I assumed that was the reason.

Frank

[Ed Rotondaro]

From what I have read the germans claimed at least one torpedo hit that apperantly knocked out some of the main guns. They also state that Sydney was on fire frome bow to stern. They also stated that they watched the ship go over the horizen and heard an explosen some time after dark.

John:

Good work sir! Thanks.

[asnrobert]

Here's a video clip:
http://findingsydney.com/video.asp

[tony_glazebrook]

Thanks, john964. I had read several accounts of the action. I don't recall mention of an explosion in any of them. However, I assumed that was the reason.

Frank

As an Aussie I have been following this story of course and if my recent memory serves me correctly underwater photos appear to strongly support the theory that the Sydney suddenly lost her bow while steaming away, which then caused the rapid sinking and the loss of so many men as the bulkheads failed extremely rapidly. Quite probably the bow was lost as a result of torpedo damage.

[asnrobert]

Here are some more pics, including one of her lifeboats.

http://presspass.findingsydney.com/blogs/search_reports/archive/2008/04/07/5th-april-2008-daily-report.aspx

[Ed Rotondaro]

Here are some more pics, including one of her lifeboats.

http://presspass.findingsydney.com/blogs/search_reports/archive/2008/04/07/5th-april-2008-daily-report.aspx

Robert:

Fascinating stuff, thanks as always! Kinda erriee eh?:eek: