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12th march 2008
David Mearns - Search Director, The Finding
Sydney Foundation
A few days ago I wrote about the rhythm of a search expedition - how
a good rhythm consists of a search line followed by a turn to the
next line repeated many times over with monotonous regularity. We
are finally starting to get into such a rhythm and this bodes will
for the location of Sydney. Excluding the time lost to technical
problems and Cyclone Ophelia we have only been searching for less
than 4 days so we are still in the very early stages of a search
that I expect could take 30 to 35 days, possibly more.
One
of the most exciting aspects in any shipwreck search, but
particularly this one, is that the wreck(s) in questions can be
found at literally any time. We have three different image
processing computers and monitors displaying the sonar imagery in
real time, in addition to one very large screen that we mounted in
the survey room especially for this expedition. So everyone can
easily monitor the results of the search and there is no chance any
important targets can be missed. But just to be safe, we also review
the images on our two off-line systems at the end of each line to be
absolutely sure.
For
a number of reasons I favoured the eastern side of the search box,
which is why we are concentrating our efforts there first. We will
be spending the next week searching there before shifting to the
less fancied western side of the box. Unfortunately, the weather
gods are still being uncooperative and we are expecting a surge of
25 to 30 knot winds tomorrow. We can't afford to lose any more time
because of bad weather but we will just have to see the cards we are
dealt tomorrow.
John Perryman - Senior Navy Historian (Observer)
Yesterday was a good day, during which we received some tantalizing
underwater side-scan imagery of contacts which were later assessed
as being geological features. We completed our south-north run in
the early hours of this morning and with our tow-fish streamed
astern of us on approximately 4500 metres of cable, we then
commenced our long turn in order to position ourselves for the next
run down line number 9. Each of the survey runs are recorded and
scrutinised at least twice by both David Mearns and an analyst from
the Williamson crew to ensure that no contacts of interest have been
missed.
Historical anecdote
HMAS Sydney's main armament consisted of eight 6-inch Breech Loading
Mark XXIII guns, mounted in four twin barrelled mark XXI turrets.
Two of these turrets were mounted forward of Sydney's bridge and
main superstructure and were designated 'A' and 'B' turrets. The
remaining two turrets were mounted aft of Sydney's main mast and
were designated 'X' and 'Y' turrets. These guns had a maximum range
of 24,800 yards at a maximum elevation of 60 degrees. In layman's
terms they could fire a projectile weighing approximately 51
kilograms almost 22 kilometres which is roughly the distance from
Central Station in Sydney to the city of Parramatta.
Glenys McDonald - Director, The Finding Sydney Foundation
(Observer)
Yesterday after our fire drill, I spent many hours looking at sonar
screens. For a novice it was fascinating watching the geology, fault
line and depressions as they appeared more than 3000m below us. We
had a few heart stopping moments as interesting geology was
scrutinised and dismissed.
The
fact that we are out here searching is of paramount importance. We
are here because of the hard work of the HMAS Sydney relatives and
researchers who have kept this story to the forefront of the
nation's conscience. We are also here because the Finding Sydney
Foundation Directors never gave up.
I
think it only fair to acknowledge the amount of work the five
volunteer Directors of FSF have put in, particularly since the
Commonwealth funding was signed off in October 07, especially our
chairman Ted Graham.
I
know when I joined FSF I had no idea of the workload, and I'm a bit
of a workaholic. it was with great relief when we welcomed our
Project Manager, Patrick Flynn on board in mid November. The
complexities of the tender process and the awarding of numerous
contracts all had to be finalised expeditiously to enable us to be
in the water in the optimum search weather window of the first
quarter of 2008.
We
are funded by many individuals and relatives of the crew, but
obviously we would not have made it to sea without the enormously
generous support of the Commonwealth Government and the Western
Australian and New South Wales Governments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the area that the engagement between Sydney and Kormoran is
believed to have taken place ?
Exhaustive research by, but not limited to, The Finding Sydney
Foundation, ship-wreck investigator Mr David Mearns and Captain
Peter Hore RN, RAN Sea Power Centre - Australia, the University of
Western Australia and the Western Australian Maritime Museum,
favours a search area off Western Australia's Coral Coast. The
search area will encompass over 1800 square nautical miles of ocean
in approximately 2,000 m to 4,000 m water depth some 120 nm offshore
from Australia's most westerly point, Steep Point.
Upon what sources is this conclusion based ?
In
2001 the Sea Power Centre - Australian sponsored a seminar to
determine the most likely area in which the battle took place.
Despite some disagreement amongst those in attendance, the northern
position emerged as the most likely area for the engagement to have
taken place. To arrive at a search area of high probability David
Mearns and Peter Hore conducted extensive research of existing
primary sources regarding the battle. These included Captain
Detmer's account of the battle and interrogation records of Kormoran
survivors following their capture. There are many theories about
where the engagement between Kormoran and Sydney took place,
however, the search area chosen is the only one that has any
supporting evidence. It is for that reason that it has been chosen
as the area that is to be searched.
What is the depth of water that the wrecks are thought to be lying
in ?
The
depth of water is very deep, somewhere between approximately 2,000
and 4,000 metres.
Why
is the search focused on locating the Kormoran first ?
The
search for the wreck of Sydney can only be conducted after the wreck
of Kormoran is found. The simple reason for this is that the
navigational coordinates recorded by Kormoran's Captain Detmers, and
other physical clues such as the location of floating debris
recovered by Australian ships days after the sinking, are all
referenced to the position of Kormoran and not Sydney. While there
is reasonable information about where Sydney may have sunk and thus
where to begin the search for her wreck, this information is
relative to the final position of Kormoran and thus dictates that
the wreck of Kormoran is found first. Once Kormoran is found the
search for Sydney can begin in earnest.
What are the chances of finding Sydney ?
As
with any search of this nature there are absolutely no guarantees of
success. The best case scenario is that the search will be executed
and the wrecks will be located. the worst case scenario is that
nothing is found but the search field is narrowed having eliminated
one of the most likely battle areas.
Why
was the Finding Sydney Foundation selected as financial beneficiary
of this grant ?
The
Finding Sydney Foundation (FSF) is a not for profit group which was
established as a foundation to raise funds with the sole intention
of locating the wreck of Sydney and honouring those lost in her.
Their alliance with the highly successful ship wreck investigator Mr
David Mearns has seen them emerge as a group with the wherewithal
necessary to mount a search operation.
What role is Navy taking in the search for Sydney ?
During the search the Royal Australian Navy will be represented by
Lt John Perryman, who will be present on board as an observer and
advisor on historical aspects of the action. Up to and throughout
the search, Navy will continue its close engagement and support
through the Seapower Centre - Australia, which monitors the progress
of the Foundation and advises Navy Headquarters of its progress.
Supplementary weather support is also being provided to the search
vessel by the Royal Australian Navy's meteorological section based
in Fleet Headquarters in Sydney.
What does the search process involve ?
The
search is to be carried out in two phases. The first phase involves
using deep tow side scan sonar imaging equipment to sweep the seabed
for any wreck site indicators such as debris fields, other seabed
anomalies or the wreck itself. Should any of these indicators be
found a more detailed sonar imaging process will be implemented that
will more accurately identify the anomalies of wreckage fields
discovered. Subject to budget, phase two may commence. This involves
deployment of a remotely operated vehicle to investigate and confirm
the sites and to record video and photographic records of the
wreckage field(s). In the cast of Kormoran, the submersible will
only be used to sufficiently identify the ship to maximise the
search time for Sydney.
Who
will manage the wreck sites should they be found ?
The
wreck sites will be managed by the Dept of the Environment, Water,
Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) in accordance with the Historical
Shipwreck Act 1976 (the Act).
What protection does the Historical Shipwreck Act 1976 offer ?
A
wreck that is declared an historic shipwreck under the Act is
granted legal protection. This means the wreck itself, any human
remains, and its relics are protected from damage, disturbance or
removal. in addition, to further protect the site the Act allows the
Minister to declare a protected zone of up to 200 hectares. It is an
offence to engage in any underwater activity within the protected
zone. The penalty for breaching the Act is a fine of up to $10,000
or imprisonment for a period of up to five years.
Will the search team be taking any artifacts from Sydney ?
The
Royal Australian Navy is the recognised legal owner of the wreck of
HMAS Sydney. It is not planned at this stage to removed any
artifacts from the wreck of HMAS Sydney II or HSK Kormoran. If
removal of artifacts is considered, the appropriate approvals would
nee to be sought from the Dept of Environment, Water, Heritage and
the Arts (DEWHA).
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