Showing 14 items matching "armed merchant cruisers"
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Bendigo Military MuseumPhotograph - PHOTOGRAPH, FRAMED, HMAS MANOORA, Post 1945
... Requisitioned by the RAN on 11.10.39 and outfitted as an Armed Merchant Cruiser. Commissioned 12.12.39 and Decommissioned 6.12.47 and refitted back to original use. ...SCHILLING" On front states HMAS MANOORA, armed merchant cruiser. 1939 - 1945....SCHILLING" On front states HMAS MANOORA, armed merchant cruiser. 1939 - 1945. Framed photo of "H.M.A.S. ...Requisitioned by the RAN on 11.10.39 and outfitted as an Armed Merchant Cruiser. Commissioned 12.12.39 and Decommissioned 6.12.47 and refitted back to original use. Battle Honours, Indian Ocean 1941-42, Pacific 1942-45, New Guinea 1944, Leyte Gulf 1944, Lingayen Gulf 1945, Borneo 1945. Framed photo of "H.M.A.S. Manoora" Black and white photo of full length of ship. Sydney Harbour Bridge is in the background. The frame has stylised branch and leaves. Heavily printed over with cream paint.Marked on rear of frame, "L. SCHILLING" On front states HMAS MANOORA, armed merchant cruiser. 1939 - 1945.photography, hmas ran -
Lara RSL Sub BranchBook, HMAS MK III - The RAN's Third Book, 1951
... ...armed merchant cruisers...This volume is a further unfolding of the story of WWII which because of its nature as a world wide conflict, is so largely the story of sea power and its influence on the final outcome wwii royal australian navy sea power germans europe japanese communications rear admiral v.a.c. crutchley, v.c., d.s.c destroyers corvettes frigates escort duties motor launches aircraft carriers battleships battle cruisers cruises armed merchant cruisers sloops submarine sweepers mediterranean warspite valiant pacific american forces dneiper bend solomon islands makin tarawa h.m.a australia h.m.a shropshire h.m.a arunta h.m.a warramunga h.m.a.s westralia arctic h.m. jamaica h.m.saumarez u.s. marines h.m.a.s benalla h.m.a.s shepparton royal australian navy reserves Tribute - Grey she is and stately Young alive and shapely Lissome, yes, and graceful, With perfect lines of elegance and dignity Her noble, lovely head She nods and shakes, With confidence to face Whatever may come. ...This book tells of the mounting sea power of the Allies told by men of the RAN who with their ships have added the weight of their blows to the common effort. It tells stories of which the Royal Australian Navy may be proud.This volume is a further unfolding of the story of WWII which because of its nature as a world wide conflict, is so largely the story of sea power and its influence on the final outcome HMAS MK III - The RAN's Third Book. Green hardcover with black text and Navy insignia on front cover, text on spine. Inside front and back cover green sepia drawing of a fleet of Navy ships. Graphs, drawings, photographs, maps, poems.Tribute - Grey she is and stately Young alive and shapely Lissome, yes, and graceful, With perfect lines of elegance and dignity Her noble, lovely head She nods and shakes, With confidence to face Whatever may come. She nurses me And nourishes; Shields me, gives me courage. Alone I have been with her, when afraid. And in a crowd of friends, both hers and mine. Through conflict tense, with element or foe; through danger from above and from below. Through anguish keen Of loss, of death, of pain. Through gaiety, through joy victorious and safe She is my life, my only love, My ship.wwii, royal australian navy, sea power, germans, europe, japanese, communications, rear admiral v.a.c. crutchley, v.c., d.s.c, destroyers, corvettes, frigates, escort duties, motor launches, aircraft carriers, battleships, battle cruisers, cruises, armed merchant cruisers, sloops, submarine sweepers, mediterranean, warspite, valiant, pacific, american forces, dneiper bend, solomon islands, makin, tarawa, h.m.a australia, h.m.a shropshire, h.m.a arunta, h.m.a warramunga, h.m.a.s westralia, arctic, h.m. jamaica, h.m.saumarez, u.s. marines, h.m.a.s benalla, h.m.a.s shepparton, royal australian navy reserves -
Mission to Seafarers VictoriaArtwork, other - Stained glass window, Brooks Robinson & Co, Jervis Bay, 1947
... To the Glory of God and in loving memory of the heroism of the Captain and Ship’s Company, of the Armed Merchant Cruiser ‘Jervis Bay’ and the Men of the Merchant Navy November 5th 1940....(AR1947) Unfortunately it is lost. altar st peter chapel flinders street mission to seafarers seamen's mission mission to seamen st peter sailors seamen anchor stained glass windows WIN memorial chapel hope jervis bay crew lucas girls ballarat branch hlg Jesus To the Glory of God and in loving memory of the heroism of the Captain and Ship’s Company, of the Armed Merchant Cruiser ‘Jervis Bay’ and the Men of the Merchant Navy November 5th 1940. ...This window, in memory of the crew of the ship Jervis Bay, was unveiled on the 14 December 1947 by Mrs Johnson, wife of the Bishop of Ballarat. As mentioned on the plaque below the window, it was a gift of the Ballarat branch of the HLG and the Lucas Girls from Ballarat. E Lucas & Co was a textile company in Ballarat. The "Lucas girls" are known Ballarat-wide for their commitment to philanthropic work during the period of the Great War. From Bronwyn Hughes report: The window was designed and made by Brooks, Robinson & Co. Melbourne, from an old cartoon that was ‘touched up’. The size (24 1⁄2 x 17 1⁄4 inches) precluded the inclusion of any ornamental borders or other decorative features. The order was not received until 1947. Below this window is the plaque from the donors: the Ballarat Branch of the Harbour Lights Guild and Lucas Girls. On the same occasion the mallet, used to launch the ship Manunda was donated to the Mission. (AR1947) Unfortunately it is lost. Arched stained glass windows depicting Jesus floating on the surface of the sea holding out his right hand to seamen who on a raft, their ship sinking in the background.To the Glory of God and in loving memory of the heroism of the Captain and Ship’s Company, of the Armed Merchant Cruiser ‘Jervis Bay’ and the Men of the Merchant Navy November 5th 1940.altar, st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, anchor, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, hope, jervis bay, crew, lucas girls, ballarat branch, hlg, jesus -
Bendigo Military MuseumPhotograph - PHOTOGRAPH, HMAS KANIMBLA
... HMAS KANIMBLA was a converted passenger ship to an armed Merchant Cruiser during WW2 and later converted to an Infantry Landing Ship. ...Bendigo Military Museum 37 - 39 Pall Mall Bendigo goldfields HMAS KANIMBLA was a converted passenger ship to an armed Merchant Cruiser during WW2 and later converted to an Infantry Landing Ship. ...HMAS KANIMBLA was a converted passenger ship to an armed Merchant Cruiser during WW2 and later converted to an Infantry Landing Ship. Image taken of ship docked at Draeger Harbour.Black and white photo of HMAS Kanimbla at Draeger Harbour in Pacific during WW2. Shows dock workers inspecting the ship at the dock.Written on back "HMAS KANIMBLA - AT DRAEGER HARBOUR" "WW2". hmas kanimbla, draeger, ww2 -
Bendigo Military MuseumPhotograph - PHOTOGRAPH, FRAMED, c.1945-46
... Armed Merchant Cruiser 1940/42 - Landing Ship Infantry 1943/45 Battle Honours Indian Ocean 1940/42 - Pacific 1941/45 - New Guinea 1943/44 - Leyte Gulf 1944 Lindayen Gulf 1945 - Borneo 1945...Bendigo Military Museum 37 - 39 Pall Mall Bendigo goldfields Photography framed HMAS Westralia RAN WW2 Armed Merchant Cruiser 1940/42 - Landing Ship Infantry 1943/45 Battle Honours Indian Ocean 1940/42 - Pacific 1941/45 - New Guinea 1943/44 - Leyte Gulf 1944 Lindayen Gulf 1945 - Borneo 1945 Rectangular framed black & white photograph of HMAS Westralia. ...Rectangular framed black & white photograph of HMAS Westralia. Wooden frame, glass front, white mount.Armed Merchant Cruiser 1940/42 - Landing Ship Infantry 1943/45 Battle Honours Indian Ocean 1940/42 - Pacific 1941/45 - New Guinea 1943/44 - Leyte Gulf 1944 Lindayen Gulf 1945 - Borneo 1945photography framed, hmas westralia, ran ww2 -
Mission to Seafarers VictoriaPhotograph - Photograph, Sepia, P.O. Maloja, 1928
... The ship was requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as an Armed Merchant Cruiser upon her arrival at Aden...The ship was requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as an Armed Merchant Cruiser upon her arrival at Aden steam ships world war 2 p.o. maloja ss maloja p & o peninsular and oriental steam navigation company fan album Handwritten in black ink beneath lower edge of image on album page as "P O Maloja" (this may be misnamed) see notes below B & W landscape photograph with view from the dock of nearside port bow and superstructure of a moored ship. ...The SS Maloja was a passenger liner operated by The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation between 1923 and 1954. The ship was requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as an Armed Merchant Cruiser upon her arrival at AdenB & W landscape photograph with view from the dock of nearside port bow and superstructure of a moored ship. Men at dockside level are loading or unloading with net in foreground. railway vehicles are lined alongside under a shed. A faint series of letters can be made out near the portholes towards top of bow. This could be name of the vessel. Handwritten in black ink beneath lower edge of image on album page as "P O Maloja" (this may be misnamed) see notes belowsteam ships, world war 2, p.o. maloja, ss maloja, p & o, peninsular and oriental steam navigation company, fan album -
Bendigo Military MuseumSouvenir - CRUISE SOUVENIR, 10.1937
... M V Kanimbla coastal liner requisitioned in Australia August 1939 to become armed merchant cruiser 1943. It was converted to a landing ship for infantry, saw service at Hollandia, Borneo, Morotai & Phillipines....Bendigo Military Museum 37 - 39 Pall Mall Bendigo goldfields M V Kanimbla coastal liner requisitioned in Australia August 1939 to become armed merchant cruiser 1943. It was converted to a landing ship for infantry, saw service at Hollandia, Borneo, Morotai & Phillipines. photography - photos souvenirs military history - navy Handwritten on back: Melb to Adelaide 10.37 Troopship L K Morgan Painted on front: Souvenir 10.1937 M V Kanimbla Photo of H V Kanimbla mounted in a frame the shape of a lifebelt depicting the Australian Merchant Flag with red Scottish Lion. ...M V Kanimbla coastal liner requisitioned in Australia August 1939 to become armed merchant cruiser 1943. It was converted to a landing ship for infantry, saw service at Hollandia, Borneo, Morotai & Phillipines.Photo of H V Kanimbla mounted in a frame the shape of a lifebelt depicting the Australian Merchant Flag with red Scottish Lion. Shoelace attached to hang it.Handwritten on back: Melb to Adelaide 10.37 Troopship L K Morgan Painted on front: Souvenir 10.1937 M V Kanimblaphotography - photos, souvenirs, military history - navy -
Mission to Seafarers VictoriaPhotograph - Photograph, Sepia, P. O. Maloja, 1928
... During WWII the ship was requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as an Armed Merchant Cruiser....During WWII the ship was requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as an Armed Merchant Cruiser. One of two photographs in the collection of a vessel named Maloja, which operated between London and Sydney via Ceylon (Sri Lanka as it later became). steam ships world war 2 fan album ships piers port melbourne Hand-written on album page along lower edge in black ink: " PO Maloja" small landscape sepia photograph adhered to an album page. ...Named after another ship operating from 1911, RMS Maloja was a passenger liner of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, operating between 1923 and 1954. In 1924: London/Colombo/Melbourne/Sydney service. During WWII the ship was requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as an Armed Merchant Cruiser.One of two photographs in the collection of a vessel named Maloja, which operated between London and Sydney via Ceylon (Sri Lanka as it later became).small landscape sepia photograph adhered to an album page. Depicts 2 vessels an ocean going 2 stack ship in the distance and a smaller vessel (ferry or coaster) moored against a pier.Hand-written on album page along lower edge in black ink: " PO Maloja"steam ships, world war 2, fan album, ships, piers, port melbourne -
Wangaratta RSL Sub BranchPrint - Framed print, The Great Grey Raider
... . & Later H.M.A.S as armed Merchant Cruiser.... & Later H.M.A.S as armed Merchant Cruiser Brown timber frame housing white mount and dark blue print with grey ship in the centre above list of names below and top right and left corners. ...On the night of August 24, 1941 HMS Kanimbla, with 300 Indian troops on board led a flotilla in a surprise attack on the Iranian port of Bandar Shahpur capturing eight German and Italian merchant vessels all containing valuable cargoes, as well as two Iranian gunboats and a floating dock. Kanimbla went alongside the burning Italian tanker Bronte and fought the fires while engaging a train with her main armament and with her 3-inch guns. She remained in the region until October 11, supervising the port and carrying out salvage work on the captured vessels, including salvage work on the German freighter Hohenfels. After further work in Indian waters during the latter part of October and November, Kanimbla proceeded to Singapore and escorted the first convoy out of that city after the Japanese attack on Malaya. She arrived in Melbourne on Christmas Day. She carried out further convoy work off the Australian coast and in both the Indian and the Pacific Oceans. At the end of the war HMAS Kanimbla was employed in repatriating Australian servicemen from the Pacific Islands and also in returning Dutch dependents to the East Indies (Indonesia). Between October 1946 and June 1948 she sailed between Australia and Japan transporting British Commonwealth Occupation Forces. MS Kanimbla was unique for many reasons, she was the only passenger liner in history to have a fully operational radio broadcasting station built into the ship at the time of construction. The equipment was manufactured by AWA in Australia and had been shipped to Ireland for installation whilst the ship was still under construction.Brown timber frame housing white mount and dark blue print with grey ship in the centre above list of names below and top right and left corners.THE GREAT GREY RAIDER Captured 22 Ships, / Floating Dock, / 1Train Ships captured: Weissenfels, Wildenfels, V. Mayakovsky, Sheng Wha, Marienfels, Karakoram, Hathor, Winford, Sturmfels, Hohenfels, Store Nordiske, Tonjer, Chahbaaz, Barbara, Talisman, Corona, Carboto, Dah Pu, Sygna, Gabon, Bronte, Agnes Pre War: M.V. Kanimbla, McIlrath McEachern Line, 12000 Tons War: Commissioned as H.M.S. & Later H.M.A.S as armed Merchant Cruiserkanimbla, great grey raider, hohenfels, bronte, ww2, 1941 -
Wangaratta RSL Sub BranchPoster - Framed Poster, HMAS Sydney, Unknown
... On 19 November 1941, while returning from convoy duty in Java, HMAS Sydney was engaged by the German armed merchant cruiser Kormoran 130 miles off the West Australian coastline. ...On 19 November 1941, while returning from convoy duty in Java, HMAS Sydney was engaged by the German armed merchant cruiser Kormoran 130 miles off the West Australian coastline. ...The striking image on the poster shows men crowded on the deck after the successful action against the Italian Cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni on 19 July 1940. On 19 November 1941, while returning from convoy duty in Java, HMAS Sydney was engaged by the German armed merchant cruiser Kormoran 130 miles off the West Australian coastline. The faces of many of the 645 servicemen who died in Australia’s greatest naval tragedy feature on this special poster produced to commemorate the anniversary of the loss of the HMAS Sydney. For more than six decades the location of the Sydney had remained a mystery until the wreckages of both HMAS Sydney and the German Armed Merchant Cruiser Kormoran were discovered around 112 nautical miles off Steep Point, Western Australia. The sinking of the Sydney and the loss of all her crew in the Second World War is the single greatest naval tragedy Australia has experienced in Australian waters.Black plastic frame with grey mount containing poster/photograph of Navy crew on ship and in foreground. top left corner - Lest We Forget Bottom of print - HMAS SYDNEY 19 November, 1941 hmas sydney, ww2, 19/11/1941, kormoran, ran -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)Document - Steerage Passenger Ticket for RMS Orvieto, John Herron, 1 May 1926
... During World War I the ship was used a minelayer and converted into an armed Merchant cruiser. In 1919 under the P&O line the ORVIETO resumed the passenger run between England and Australia, operating until 1930 when it was scrapped....During World War I the ship was used a minelayer and converted into an armed Merchant cruiser. In 1919 under the P&O line the ORVIETO resumed the passenger run between England and Australia, operating until 1930 when it was scrapped. ...John Herron immigrated to Australia aboard the Royal Mail Ship Orvieto leaving the Port of London on 6 May 1926 and arriving in Melbourne on 1 June 1926. The ORVIETO was built by Workman Clark at Belfast in 1909. It was chartered by the Orient Steam Navigation Co until 1919 when it was taken over by the P&O Line. The passenger ship of 12,133 tons could accommodate 1117 people. Its maiden voyage in 1909 was from London to Sydney and Melbourne via the Suez Canal. During World War I the ship was used a minelayer and converted into an armed Merchant cruiser. In 1919 under the P&O line the ORVIETO resumed the passenger run between England and Australia, operating until 1930 when it was scrapped.John Herron was the husband of Isa May (nee Kennedy). Isa was the granddaughter of one of the oldest residents born in Bentleigh in 1857, James Jones.Third Class Passengers Contract Ticket for John Herron aboard the Royal Mail Steamship ORVIETO to Australia departed London 1 May 1926 two sided First day of May 1926 - John Herron, aged 17. - Melbourne - This ticket is available at the Company's option for a berth in a six, eight or ten berth cabinjohn herron, immigration, rms orvieto, ship, travel, moorabbin, bentleigh, london, steerage ticket, orient line, mail -
Mission to Seafarers VictoriaDrawing - Artist sketch, Gerry Cummins & Jill Stehn Pty. Ltd, 1980
... In WW2 she was an armed merchant cruiser and served in Indian waters and escorted the 1st convoy out of the Singapore after the Japanese invasion. ...In WW2 she was an armed merchant cruiser and served in Indian waters and escorted the 1st convoy out of the Singapore after the Japanese invasion. ...The window in this photograph was commissioned by the Sandringham Yacht Club in conjunction with a Masonic Lodge and work carried out by Gerry Cummins in 1980. In the background is the S.S. 'Kanimbla' built 1935, Belfast for McIlwraith McEacham and was the last large passenger ship built specifically for Australian owners. Designed to carry 400 passengers , she plied her trade around the Southern and Eastern Ports of Australia. In WW2 she was an armed merchant cruiser and served in Indian waters and escorted the 1st convoy out of the Singapore after the Japanese invasion. She later operated in the Pacific after the war and after repatriation duties she was decommissioned and subsequently sold to be renamed 'Oriental Queen' which eventually caught fire and sank. . The small yacht in the foreground refers to the Sandringham YC. Window measurements: 600mm x 900mmShows the link with Freemasonry.Sketch in pencil and ink on cream paper for an arched stained glass window depicting a yacht.Bottom left corner: Proposed Stained Glass Window, Mission to Seamen. (Scale: Full Size) Right Left corner: Gerry Cummingsfreemasons, st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, gerry cummins, jill stehn, stained glass window, sandringham yacht club, hearts of oak lodge, yacht, symbols, square, compass, ss kanimbla -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and VillageCraft - Ship Model, S.S. Orotava, ca. 1930-1974
... In World War 1 (Dec 1914 – June 1916), the vessel served as HMS OROTAVA, an armed merchant cruiser. It was broken up in 1919....In World War 1 (Dec 1914 – June 1916), the vessel served as HMS OROTAVA, an armed merchant cruiser. It was broken up in 1919. The model shows a visual description of the SS Orotava, which was used for commercial and government purposes from 1889 to 1919. ...This is a ship model of the SS Orotava, a British Screw Steamship built at Barrow-in-Furness, county of Lancashire, by the Naval Construction and Armaments Company (NC & A Co.) in 1889. The gross tonnage was 5552.10 tons, length 430 feet, breadth 49.3 feet and depth 34.2 feet. It was built for the Pacific Steam Navigation Company (of 31, James Street, Liverpool) and used as a passenger liner. The vessel was launched in 1889 and made two voyages for the Pacific Steam Navigation Company during 1889. Then, under the new management of the Orient Line, its first sailing was 6th June 1890 from Liverpool to Australia via Suez. During the Boer War (1889 – 1903), Orotava served as a troop ship, but apart from this, it remained in the Orient Line’s Australia service until 1906. On 14th December 1896, the Orotava sank at Tilbury Docks after being serviced on her return from Australia, becoming unstable and taking in water. Five men lost their lives. The ship was then raised to dry dock and repaired for service again, and an investigation was launched into the cause of the sinking. Between 1901 – 1906, the name Orient-Pacific Steam Line was used due to the close ties between the Pacific and the Orient lines. In 1906, the Pacific Steam Line Australian service was taken over by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Co., and the alliance between them and the Orient Line was dissolved in 1909. Orotava then served the West Indies service of the Royal Mail Line. In World War 1 (Dec 1914 – June 1916), the vessel served as HMS OROTAVA, an armed merchant cruiser. It was broken up in 1919.The model shows a visual description of the SS Orotava, which was used for commercial and government purposes from 1889 to 1919. The model is also an example of ship model-making, a skilled craft enjoyed for hundreds of years, demonstrating the evolution of ocean vessels. Ship model: SS Orotava. The model, without a case, has four masts and two funnels, and is mounted on a small timber base. The SS Orotave was a British passenger liner, launched in 1889. Inscriptions are painted on the hull. "OROTAVA" painted in white on each side of the bow. 'OROTAVA / LONDON" painted in white on the stern.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, ship model, ss orotava, naval construction and armaments co., n c & a co., pacific steam navigaiton company, passenger liner, orient line, orient-pacific steam line, royal mail line, hms orotava -
Geelong Naval and Maritime MuseumTeacup
... Some of them were converted to armed merchant cruisers and used for patrol work and escort duties in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. ...Some of them were converted to armed merchant cruisers and used for patrol work and escort duties in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. ...The Orungal was originally built in Glasgow in 1923 for the Khedival Mail Steamship & Graving Dock Company of Egypt and named the S.S. Fezara. Due to the effects on steamship companies of the Great Depression including the steep costs of building new ships and increases in running costs and port charges, no new passenger ships had been ordered in Australia since before World War One. To meet demand for passenger berths, the Fezara (5826 tons) along with its sister ship the Famaka (5856 tons, renamed Ormiston), were chartered by the Australasian United Steam Navigation Company Ltd (A.U.S.N.Co.) in 1927. Both the A.U.S.N.Co and the Khedival Mail Steamship Co. were part of the P&O Group. The Orungal operated in this role as an interstate passenger and mail steamer between 1927 and 1940, being used mainly on the Melbourne to Queensland and Western Australian runs, with 240 single class berths. Following the outbreak of World War Two six of the nine large passenger liners servicing mainland Australian passenger and mail trades were requisitioned by the Government to ferry equipment, troops and supplies. Some of them were converted to armed merchant cruisers and used for patrol work and escort duties in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The Orungal had originally been requisitioned by the government along with the Zealandia on 25 June 1940, to transport troops to Darwin, but was returned to commercial service because "of her unsuitability", perhaps too slow for the demands of the work. Despite being rejected for patrol and convoy duties the Orungal still had a vital role as one of only three passenger liners left to service the mainland Australian trade. Following its requisitioning by the Government shortly after war broke out, it had been fitted out with defensive armament. On its final voyage arriving at Port Phillip Heads from Sydney, Captain Gilling was attempting to enter the Heads ahead of a worsening south-westerly storm and, with a minefield known to have been laid in the area, had been warned by the Navy not to deviate from the swept channel. The captain and crew held fears that in the stormy seas a mine may have been carried away. In the worsening weather a blur of lights at Barwon Heads was mistaken for Port Lonsdale, and the Orungal steamed ashore onto Formby Reef, just east of the entrance of the Barwon River - instead of passing safely through the middle of the Rip. At the Marine Board Inquiry Capt. Gilling - who had been master of the Orungal since 1926 - stated that after becoming uneasy about his position and changing course to starboard one point: " At 10.21 pm I ordered the engine room to stand by and gave instructions for the patent log to be hauled in and for the sounding-gear to be got ready. Approximately two minutes later, in a flash of lightning, I saw land off the port beam. I immediately recognised it as Barwon Heads, and ordered the helm to be put hard to starboard, but the vessel struck before she had time to answer the helm" Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove residents were startled to hear the shrill blast of the ship's whistle, followed by the bright flares and explosions of signal rockets. The Queenscliff lifeboat crew, who had responded to the tragic collision between the Goorangai and another passenger liner the Duntroon in Port Phillip Bay less than 24 hours earlier, were later praised for their efforts in safely taking off all the passengers and crew. Most of the passengers were asleep at the time of the wreck, and were woken up by the commotion, the ship shaking "from stem to stern" and stewards ordering them to lifeboat stations in driving rain. It was a dramatic time with the ship siren wailing and distress rockets being fired. It was reported that "When it was found the ship was safe, the passengers all went to the music room. There they sang and danced for several hours. The ship's orchestra played merrily, and amateur performers among the passengers clowned, danced and sang to keep the laughter going. In the early hours of the morning passengers went to their cabins, most of them to sleep soundly while the keel grated on the rocks". At dawn the Queenscliff lifeboat arrived at the scene having been launched at 2.30am, and cautiously approached the ship which was being "battered by mountainous seas". By 5am oil from a burst oil line was helping to calm seas around the Orungal sufficiently enough for the lifeboat to approach, and all the passengers and crew were taken off in several trips by the lifeboat. A Court of Inquiry later found that the wreck was caused by an abnormal set of current to the north-west and cleared the officers and crew of neglect of duty. The sight of a huge liner almost on the beach saw an unprecedented amount of traffic as people drove an estimated 10,000 cars, using some 60,000 gallons of fuel in a time of strict petrol rationing, to see the spectacle. Salvage operations began in an attempt to refloat the vessel, scheduled for the high tide on 15 December 1940. However, during these operations, at 2.30 am on 13 December 1940, a major fire broke out, believed to have been caused by spontaneous combustion in the boiler room. The ship was soon ablaze, with smoke pouring from its hatches and ventilators, and at mid-morning the magazine exploded fiercely. Of the 60 men working aboard the vessel two were severely burned and had to be taken to Geelong Hospital. The gathered spectators witnessed the eerie sight of the ship's hull glowing red when night fell. The well-known building demolition contractor Whelan the Wrecker bought the salvage rights, and methodically proceeded to dismantle the ship and its fittings. The drama was not yet over for the wreckers when - without warning - the burnt-out hulk was 'attacked' by RAAF for strafing practice. Salvage rights were transferred to another private owner in 1963. By 1945 the combined effects of the exposed location, fire and salvage had seen what was left of the wreck disappear beneath the waves. The site today is marked by two of the four Scotch type boilers sitting upright and exposed at low tide, just north-east of the small boats channel at the entrance to Barwon Heads. Large sections of steel hull plating and framing, and impressively large pieces of ships structure and machinery including masts, booms, deck winches, propeller shaft, flywheel, and a thrust block lie scattered about and make the site an interesting shallow dive. It is interesting to compare the site of the Orungal with the intact remains of similar large passenger ships scuttled in deep water in the Ships' Graveyard, such as the Milora and Malaita. The site is subject to waves and surge, and is best dived on flat calm days The teacup originated from the SS Orungal and was likely used heavily in the ship's life as a passenger, mail and cargo carrier around Australia. The teacup is significant for its connections to SS Orungal and of this ships connected story of being sunk in extraordinary circumstances in the local region. A.U.S.N. Co. Ltd. Teacup salvaged from SS Orungal ss orungal, fezara, world war two, barwon heads, ocean grove
