A coloured Photograph of a specially constructed 'up armoured' Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) being used to explode anti personnel mines buried in the 'Barrier' minefield from the village of Dat Do to the sea, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam. Each driver only spent and hour in the APC.photograph, apc, 3rd cavalry regiment, dat do, phuoc tuy province, gibbons collection catalogue

A blue coloured cardboard cover with black information on the front. Under the Australian Army Insigna are the details of the booklet. There are two punch holes on the left hand side of the booklet.australian army, training, information bulletin, minefield

A blue coloured cardboard cover with black information on the front. Under the Australian Army Insigna are the details of the booklet. There are two punch holes on the left hand side of the booklet.australian army, training, information bulletin, minefield

The book provides an insight into the impact of PTSD on the lives of everyone in the veteran household, including partners and their families.Soft cardboard cover, gold & black print on front, white print on back. Front background has a black & white photo of a group of soldiers boarding HMAS Sydney & a coloured ribbon bar at the bottom. Back has a brown background with a black & white photo of soldiers disembarking HMAS Sydney. Front & back covers folded in. 54 pages, cut, plain, glossy white, black & white & brown photos & illustrations.ptsd, book

Extract from army newspaper 1979 titled "LZ Was A Minefiled" extract desribes the actions of helicopter pilot Capt James Campbell that earned him the DFC during operation Renmark in 1967document, capt james campbell, dfc, operation renmark souix a1-404

In 1967, Brigadier Stuart Graham issued the calamitous order: First Australian Task Force would construct an 11 kilometre 'barrier fence and minefield' containing over 20,000 powerful M16 landmines in Phuoc Tuy Province, Southern Vietnam. The purpose of the 'barrier' was to separate and to shield the majority of the population in the south-west province from his enemy's regular forces in the north and east.australia. army. australian task force (vietnam), land mines -- phuoc tuy (vietnam : province), m16 landmines, brigadier stuart graham, phuoc tuy province, operation leeton, operation pinaroo, first australian task force

In 1967, Brigadier Stuart Graham issued the calamitous order: First Australian Task Force would construct an 11 kilometre 'barrier fence and minefield' containing over 20,000 powerful M16 landmines in Phuoc Tuy Province, Southern Vietnam. The purpose of the 'barrier' was to separate and to shield the majority of the population in the south-west province from his enemy's regular forces in the north and east.australia. army. australian task force (vietnam), land mines -- phuoc tuy (vietnam : province), first australian task force, m16 landmines, phuoc tuy province, brigadier stuart graham, operation leeton, operation pinaroo

In 1967, Brigadier Stuart Graham issued the calamitous order: First Australian Task Force would construct an 11 kilometre 'barrier fence and minefield' containing over 20,000 powerful M16 landmines in Phuoc Tuy Province, Southern Vietnam. The purpose of the 'barrier' was to separate and to shield the majority of the population in the south-west province from his enemy's regular forces in the north and east.australia. army. australian task force (vietnam), land mines -- phuoc tuy (vietnam : province), 8rar, 8 rar, operation hammersley, m16 landmines, brigadier stuart graham, operation pinaroo, operation leeton

Minefields & Miniskirts. Australian Women in the Vietnam Wardocuments, vietnam, general

German Luftwaffe (Land Forces) minefield warning flag from WWII.originally intended to be gas markers, rather than mines, but as it turned out, the use changed .they were mounted on a red metal pole & there were 12 to a set in a leather pack. This Flag was presented to the Treasurer of Waverley RSL. It is a souvenir from Bardia in Libya The Battle of Bardia was fought over three days between 3 and 5 January 1941, as part of Operation Compass, the first military operation of the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. It was the first battle of the war in which an Australian Army formation took part, the first to be commanded by an Australian general and the first to be planned by an Australian staff. Major General Iven Mackay's 6th Division assaulted the strongly held Italian fortress of Bardia, Libya, assisted by air support and naval gunfire, and under the cover of an artillery barrage. The 16th Infantry Brigade attacked at dawn from the west, where the defences were known to be weak. Sappers blew gaps in the barbed wire with Bangalore torpedoes and filled in and broke down the sides of the anti-tank ditch with picks and shovels. This allowed the infantry and 23 Matilda II tanks of the 7th Royal Tank Regiment to enter the fortress and capture all their objectives, along with 8,000 prisoners. In the second phase of the operation, the 17th Infantry Brigade exploited the breach made in the perimeter, and pressed south as far as a secondary line of defences known as the Switch Line. On the second day, the 16th Infantry Brigade captured the township of Bardia, cutting the fortress in two. Thousands of prisoners were taken, and the Italian garrison now held out only in the northern and southernmost parts of the fortress. On the third day, the 19th Infantry Brigade advanced south from Bardia, supported by artillery and the Matilda tanks, now reduced in number to just six. Its advance allowed the 17th Infantry Brigade to make progress as well, and the two brigades reduced the southern sector of the fortress. Meanwhile, the Italian garrisons in the north surrendered to the 16th Infantry Brigade and the Support Group of the British 7th Armoured Division outside the fortress. In all, some 36,000 Italian prisoners were taken. The victory at Bardia enabled the Allied forces to continue the advance into Libya and ultimately capture almost all of Cyrenaica. In turn this would lead to German intervention in the fighting in North Africa, changing the nature of the war in that theatre. Bardia boosted the competence and reputation of the Australian Army. Perhaps most important of all, it raised confidence in the possibility of an ultimate Allied victory around the world, which would lead to the Lend-Lease Act being passed in the United States http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_BardiaCloth Flag bearing a skull and cross Bones on a metal spike mounted on a square varnished wooden basebardia, land mine, marker flag, minefield, mustard gas

1947 an after-effect od WW2Laminated A3 Map plus A4 map in pocket (copies of original)shows location of minefields to be cleared in 1947 and names of minesweeping ships!947 ran history

A black and white photograph of the M16A Anti-Personnel Mine used in the 'Barrier Minefield' from Dat Do to the sea, to prevent NVA/VietCong infiltration into the hills east of the 1 ATF base at Nui Dat. The mines were regularly stolen from the minefield and used against 1 ATF units (February 1967)photograph, 1 atf, nui dat, m16a anti personnel mine, barrier minefield, dat do, gibbons collection catalogue, nva/vc

Terrain and vehicles used to clear Australian constructed minefield in Phuoc Tuy Province. Three tanks and one recovery vehicle. A tarpaulin eclosure and barbed wire fence.169099 38D, 169122 38D, 169072 38D on tanks. White star on recovery vehicle.diorama, phuoc tuy province, mine clearing

A black and white photograph of a 161 (Indep) Recce Flt 'Possum' rotary wing helicopter flies over the remains of Lt Ross Hutchinsons' 'Bent Possum' lying crashed, in a minefield, as a maintenance mechanic from the unit waits for the arrival of an American recovery vehicle.photograph, 161 reconnaissance flight, lt ross hutchinson, gibbons collection catalogue

Ektachrome slide image. Photograph of 7 soldiers unloading an army helicopter (a stretcher)I was a chopper crewman in vietnam 1971. I remeber bringing in a gadly bloodstained chopper for a multi-casualty ARVN minefield and you cleaned it up for me. that has stuck with me as I'd had enough that day. Thanks again.1st australian field hospital, arvn

After 2 years of negotiation between VVAA Representatives and the US Army, the Huey Cobra has landed in Melbourne. The exercise needed the support of our local Member, Mr. Greg Hunt, to ‘clear the way ‘ through the Customs and GST minefield. The helicopter, valued at $7.9 million is complete with full armaments and was brought to Museum standard while ensuring that no weaponry could ever be reactivated. The Museum paid for the helicopter to be ‘brought to museum standard’. This meant in part that the weaponry was rendered innocuous and various structural members were weakened to ensure that the craft would never fly again. Fortunately the alterations are not apparent to the display, and while there are two other Cobras in Australia, this is the only one with full armament. A heavily armed ground attack helicopter with single Lycoming T53-L-13 turbine engineused by the U.S. Army in Vietnam to support Australian & U.S. army ground operations. In addition to the M197 three barrelled 20mm Gatling gun, it carried eight anti-armour missiles and forty eight 2.75mm unguided air to ground rockets. This particular aircraft served in Vietnam from 1968 until 1971 and was damaged twice in combat. The aircraft is currently finished in a low visibility all-over mid green which includes the full US Army insignia and carries the Serial No. 69-15092helicopters, bell, weaponry, cobra, us military equipment, gunship

Found in garden shed of Mr Harry Barratt [WWI Gallipoli] and donated by his grandson. In 1877 Swan island was designed to defend shipping in Port Phillip and Hobson's Bays. The scheme, involving massive expenditure, comprised a forward defence system of forts at Port Phillip heads dominated by Fort Queenscliff and South Channel Fort (artificial island), and a network of coastal batteries. Some development of fortification had occurred in the 1850s, but it was the impetus of the Jervois-Scratchley reports which led to major work being undertaken in the 1880s. The overall defence plan involved a combination of guns, mines (known as electric torpedo) and ships to defend the entrance to Port Phillip Bay. Swan Island Fort would be used to protect the minefields in the harbour, Naval observation countermine charge 500lbs wet G.C Standard mine from 1877 to 1905 when charge was removed and mines used as buoys. In 1914 mines were recharged and used for defensive mining until Armistice.Brass plaque inscribed with information on naval countermineNaval observation or countermine charge 500lbs wet G.C. Standard mine from 1877 to 1905 when charge was removed and mines used as buoys. In 1914 mines were recharged and used for defensive mining until the Armistice.sea mine, plaque, pre wwi, naval countermine, swan island

Gunn was Stated Clerk of the Victorian Presbyterian Assembly until 1976. In 1986 he had been ordained 50 years. Gunn was ordained on February 12, 1936 in New Zealand. He served in three parishes before chaplaincy with the 20th Armoured Regiment in WW2. He was awarded the MBE for devotion to duty and recovering wounded soldiers across a minefield under mortar fire. He was called to St Andrew's Gardiner in 1955 and became the Stated Clerk of the Assembly in 1969, and in 1970 was also Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of Australia. He was Moderator of Victoria in 1965 and 1967. He chaired the Joint Constituional Council and the commission set up to prepare the interim constituion of the Uniting Church. He presided over the inaugural assembly of the UCA on June 22 1977 and made the declaration of inauguration.Gunn meets Greek Orthodox leaders at the Victorian Presbyterian Assembly 19 October 1976.Name.gunn, l. farquhar, victorian presbyterian assembly, general assembly of australia

Gunn was Stated Clerk of the Victorian Presbyterian Assembly until 1976. In 1986 he had been ordained 50 years. Gunn was ordained on February 12, 1936 in New Zealand. He served in three parishes before chaplaincy with the 20th Armoured Regiment in WW2. He was awarded the MBE for devotion to duty and recovering wounded soldiers across a minefield under mortar fire. He was called to St Andrew's Gardiner in 1955 and became the Stated Clerk of the Assembly in 1969, and in 1970 was also Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of Australia. He was Moderator of Victoria in 1965 and 1967. He chaired the Joint Constituional Council and the commission set up to prepare the interim constituion of the Uniting Church. He presided over the inaugural assembly of the UCA on June 22 1977 and made the declaration of inauguration.Head & shoulders of Gunn looking to his left.Name.gunn, l. farquhar, victorian presbyterian assembly, general assembly of australia

Gunn was Stated Clerk of the Victorian Presbyterian Assembly until 1976. In 1986 he had been ordained 50 years. Gunn was ordained on February 12, 1936 in New Zealand. He served in three parishes before chaplaincy with the 20th Armoured Regiment in WW2. He was awarded the MBE for devotion to duty and recovering wounded soldiers across a minefield under mortar fire. He was called to St Andrew's Gardiner in 1955 and became the Stated Clerk of the Assembly in 1969, and in 1970 was also Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of Australia. He was Moderator of Victoria in 1965 and 1967. He chaired the Joint Constituional Council and the commission set up to prepare the interim constituion of the Uniting Church. He presided over the inaugural assembly of the UCA on June 22 1977 and made the declaration of inauguration.Gunn seated at his desk holding the telephone.Name.gunn, l. farquhar, victorian presbyterian assembly, general assembly of australia

Gunn was Stated Clerk of the Victorian Presbyterian Assembly until 1976. In 1986 he had been ordained 50 years. Gunn was ordained on February 12, 1936 in New Zealand. He served in three parishes before chaplaincy with the 20th Armoured Regiment in WW2. He was awarded the MBE for devotion to duty and recovering wounded soldiers across a minefield under mortar fire. He was called to St Andrew's Gardiner in 1955 and became the Stated Clerk of the Assembly in 1969, and in 1970 was also Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of Australia. He was Moderator of Victoria in 1965 and 1967. He chaired the Joint Constituional Council and the commission set up to prepare the interim constituion of the Uniting Church. He presided over the inaugural assembly of the UCA on June 22 1977 and made the declaration of inauguration.Gunn holding tea cup and talking to two people also holding tea cups, at the celebration of his 50 years of ordination.Name.gunn, l. farquhar, victorian presbyterian assembly, general assembly of australia

In 1940, German minefields were laid in east and west Bass Strait which quickly claimed merchant ships Cambridge (British) and the City of Rayville (American). HMAS Goorangai had finished mine sweeping duties and after resupply was crossing from Queenscliff to Point Nepean to seek better anchorage due to impending bad weather. At around 20:30 on the 20th of November 1940 the 10,400-ton MV Duntroon was transiting the South Channel on her way to Sydney from Perth via Melbourne carrying 65 passengers and general and perishable cargo. It struck HMAS Goorangai forward of the funnel on the port side and cut her in two. At about 20:45 HMAS Goorangai sank in less than a minute resulting in the loss of her whole ship’s company, a complement of 24 officers and sailors.HMAS Goorangai was the first Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ship lost in WWII, the first RAN surface ship lost in wartime, and the first RAN surface ship lost with all hands. A memorial cairn was erected at Queenscliff in 1981 and a service of commemoration is held there every year.A severely damaged and corroded aluminium teapot recovered from the wreck of HMAS Goorangaihmas goorangai, wwii, collision at sea

Trench art letter opener cut into the shape of a scimitar from a section of a shell case. The handle for the letter opener is made from a discharged British or Australian MK VII .303 calibre rimmed cartridge. The blade of the letter opener is attached to the handle via a bullet which has been sliced through the middle HMAS Uralba was an auxiliary minefield tender and armament stores carrier operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) during World War II. She was launched in 1942 by Ernest Wright, Tuncurry, New South Wales as Uralba for the North Coast Steam Navigation Company. Requisitioned by the RAN while under construction on 13 July 1942 and commissioned on 22 November 1942. After being returned to her owners and being sold and used for a number of purposes she was sunk on 4 November 1971 to create an artificial reef off Carrum Creek, in Port Phillip Bay.Stainless steel blade with handle made from 303 round/cartridgeHMAS Uralba inscribed on bladehmas uralba, ran, ww2, letter opener, paper knife

The biscuit locker came from the vessel the "City of Rayville", an American motor-driven freighter constructed in 1920. The ship was the second victim within 24 hours of an extensive minefield laid by German raiders in October 1940, during World War Two and the first American ship to be sunk in world war II. She was under the command of Captain Cronin and bound from Adelaide via Melbourne to New York, carrying a cargo of 1500 tons of lead from Port Pirie along with a cargo of wool and copper from Adelaide, when she struck a mine in the Bass Strait, six miles south of Cape Otway at 7:45 pm on 8th November 1940. The explosion was heard on shore at Apollo Bay; the force of it tore out the foremast and the ship sank within 25 minutes. There was a crew of 38 and all but one survived. A rescue crew of fishermen from Apollo Bay left shore in the dark and picked up the survivors from the dangerous sea taking them back to safety. The US Secretary of State Cordell Hull at the time wrote individual letters of thanks to all the rescuers involved. The biscuit locker is of historical and marine archaeological significance because of its association with the wreck of the City of Rayville. The vessel is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register No VHR S126. Additional significance is that the ship was the first American vessel sunk in the second world war and is still socially significant to the descendants of the City of Rayville crew and the Apollo bay fishermen who took part in the rescue.The external surfaces of the cupboard and the inside of the door are painted brown. The interior is painted blue the door has 2 metal hinges attached on the outside, each with 6 single-slotted screws and a wooden rotating door latch attached to the side of the door. There is a round eyelet on the door near the latch, the cupboard sides are each made from wood joined vertically and sit within a slightly wider, flat base and top. The frame of the cupboard is split with the paint on the outside of the cupboard scratched and chipped revealing a darker paint underneath. There is also a rough slash of white paint from the side of the cupboard going to about the Centre of the door. “PI/298” is hand written in black pen, paint or ink on the inside panel of the door in neat letters. "MS CITY OF RAYVILLE" stamped on back of cupboard in black paintcity of rayville, cupboard, locker, biscuit locker, 1940, world war ii, wwii, cape otway, german mines, american ship, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, rayvill

The Royal Australian Engineers (RAE) is a corps of the Australian Army (although the word corps does not appear in their name or on their badge). The RAE is ranked fourth in seniority of the corps of the Australian Army, behind the Staff Cadets, Armoured and Artillery Corps. The Corps was formed by the amalgamation of the various colonial engineer corps of the States and territories of Australia in 1902[2] and since then has served in various conflicts including World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War. The Corps has also served on numerous peacekeeping operations and is currently involved in the Australian contribution to the war in Afghanistan. The RAE provides combat engineering, construction and other technical support to the Australian Defence Force. One of the main roles of the Corps is to provide mobility and counter mobility capabilities to the Australian Army and its allies. This means enhancing the ability of friendly forces to move while denying movement to enemy forces. In order to provide these capabilities, engineers are required to conduct many tasks including penetrating minefields, locating and disarming booby traps, purifying water and building roads and bridges. The Corps also performs the majority of the Australian Army's demolition tasks and is trained to fight as infantry if needed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Australian_EngineersWooden Plaque 15cm x 13cmRoyal Australian Engineers

IAN ALFRED (Joe) LYONS MBE Born 16.2.1915 in Bendigo enlisted in the RAAF aged 25 years on 27.5.1940, No 400095. Starting in the ranks as an LAC, he rose to Flt/Sgt pre-embarkation. He embarked for the Middle East on 2.11.1941before dis-embarking to serve with No 3 Sqd RAAF. During heavy action on 8.1.1942, his plane was forced down due to engine damage. It landed in an enemy minefield and when it came to a halt, its wheels were straddling a mine. After being rescued by a British officer, dozens of mines were located and dug up. On return, some 15 miles from base, the vehicle Lyons was travelling in hit a mine (on 9.1.1942), resulting in 5 KIA or WIA. Lyons spent 2 weeks in hospital with severe concussion and deafness. Lyons the embarked for Australia on 11.3.1942 before disembarking on 18.4.1942. He was posted to Townsville with 82nd Sqd on 27.6.1944. Subsequently he was posted to Noemfoor Island on 21.9.1944 as Operational with 82nd Sqd and promoted to Flt/Lt (Temp.) on 3.1.1945. On 6.1.1945 he was posted to 77Sqd as Operational on Morotai. This deployment ended on 9.7.1945. Records show that he flew 26 Strike/Attack missions and 13 others with both squadrons. Post WW2, Lyons remained with the RAAF with a new service number (033072). On 2.2.1948 he was posted to Japan before returning to Australia on 28.8.1948, apparently for medical reasons. He was appointed Flt/Lt on 23.9.1948 before returning to JApan and Korea on 22.8.1950. He was awarded an MBE as Operations Officer with 77Sqd for 'Outstanding enthusiasm and energy at 3 Korean bases'. A US Bronze Star was awarded to Lyons for 'Distinguished and meritorious service as Operations Officer in Korea during the period 14.10.1950 to 17.2.1951'. After Korea, Lyons received a number of posting from Victoria to Western Australia. He was awarded the Air Efficiency Medal in 1964. At his own request, Flt/Lt Ian Alfred 'Joe' Lyons MBE, retired from the RAAF HQ OP COM on 15.12.1967. The photograph is part of the Ian A. 'Joe' Lyons MBE Collection.Framed hand tinted colour head and shoulders photograph of a man in an RAAF uniform. The photograph is bordered with a light brown matt. THe wooden frome is painted white and gold. A white printed label bearing the name of the man is located below the photograph. Clear perspex covers the photograph. The photographer's name also appears below the photograph. The rear of the frame is covered in brown paper secured with masking tape. Two eyes and white cord are attached for hanging purposes.Handwritten in black below the photograph: 'VINCENT KELLY, Bendigo'.raaf uniform, photograph, flight lieutenant ian a. lyons

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