Historical information
In the evening of 20 November 1940, while en route from Queenscliff to Portsea in Port Phillip Bay where she intended to anchor for the evening, she collided with the 10,364 ton, outward bound passenger liner, MV Duntroon, which struck her amidships on the port side. Duntroon’s captain had believed that she was on a parallel course to Goorangai and overtaking her. By the time he realised Goorangai’s true course, with Duntroon travelling at more than 17 knots, it was too late to avoid the collision. Goorangai was cut in two and sank in less than a minute with the loss of her entire crew of 24. Just six bodies were recovered in subsequent salvage operations. She was the first ship lost by the RAN in World War II.
Significance
This event is still remembered by the community at an annual ceremony in Queenscliffe. The hat band holds Victorian Heritage Register number S294 / 151982
Physical description
A hat band of Signalman Jack Herbert RAN mounted on a display board containing a copy of a signed photograph of the HMAS Goorangai ships company and an extract of his service record.
Subjects
References
- HMAS Goorangai The men who lost their lives in HMAS Goorangai on 20 November 1940 were: Commissioned Officer from Warrant Rank D McGregor, RANR(S) Warrant Officer KJ Matheson, RANR(S) Lieutenant Commander GW Boyle, RANR, Minesweeping Advisor Steward B Buchanan, RANR Ordinary Seaman A Carter, RANR Signalman CC Cox, RANR Signalman JH Dungey, RANR Able Seaman NL Farquharson, RANR Engine Room Artificer H Gilroy, RANR Chief Engine Room Artificer CW Green, RANR Ordinary Seaman FR Hack, RANR Stoker H.H. Johnson, RANR Ordinary Seaman WV Johnston, RANR Leading Seaman A Kemp, RANR Able Seaman ATR Ladlow, RANR Ordinary Telegraphist A MacDonell, RANR Stoker E McLaughlan, RANR Cook, MW Madden, RANR Stoker LWK Mainsbridge, RANR Leading Stoker J Moxey, RANR Engine Room Artificer RP Redman, RANR Able Seaman J Sanders, RANR Petty Officer FH Wadds, RANR Able Seaman R Wadrop, RANR