Historical information
Life Buoy from HMAS Sydney II - On 19 November 1941, Sydney was involved in a mutually destructive engagement with the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran, and was lost with all hands (645 aboard).
Significance
Three Australian warships have carried the name Sydney. Following the tragic loss of HMAS Sydney II and all 645 crew members in 1941 the Life Buoy was found in poor condition discarded in a bin at Spectacle Island in Sydney and later restored. The Life Buoy made from kapok ceased to be used by the RAN in the early 1950's.
Physical description
Solid white circle surrounded by attached rope
Inscriptions & markings
HMAS SYDNEY
