Written Records, AWM54 741/5/9 PART 2 - [Patrols - Reconnaissance:] Report on Northern Territory Special Reconnaissance Unit, by Sqn Ldr D F Thomson RAAF [Report minus maps] - Part 23

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Official Records
Status:
Open to contributions
Accession number:
AWM2022.1720.28641
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

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13.

Date Courses Winds Time 

Remarks
2/2/42





 		       At No. 3 Buoy Port Darwin
Torrential rains from W & NW force
6 Sea 3.
Private Richardson to Hospital for 
test for malaria.
Impossible to do any loading or
refuelling.
3/2/42
 		       At Darwin. Wind N.W.6.  heavy rain.
Ashore at D.F.O. and Ordnance.
4/2/42


 		       At Darwin. Overcast and cloudy,
with fresh winds from N.W. 5.
Native crew received pay.
Arrangements for refuelling unsatisfactory.
5/2/42




 		   N.W.4
O.C.R.		 1930 At Darwin. Fuel and oil landed on
wharf by A.A.S.O.
Shifted vessel from buoy to Francis
Bay.
Loaded 100 gals petrol 20 gals
kerosene, 15 gals lub. oil.
6/2/42

 		   N.W.3
O.C.R.		   At Darwin. American armourers
working on .50 guns.
 
7/2/42
 		   N.W.3 O.C   At Darwin.
Loaded 20 X 44 gals drum diesoline.
8/2/42

 		   N.N.W/ 3
O.C.
1650
1820		 At Darwin.
Alert sounded.
All clear sounded.
9/2/42


 		   W.3
B.C.		   At Darwin. Occasional rain squalls.
Loaded rations from Vesty's.
Crew filling water tanks
Armourers on gun mountings.
10/2/42




 		   W.2  B.C.   At Darwin
King's Harbour Master reports sea
and weather conditions not
favourable outside.
Gun mounting still unsatisfactory
taken back to workshops.
11/2/42


 		   W.1.
S.C.
 

1800		 At Darwin
Gun mounting still in hands of
mechanics
Gun mounts returned from workshops.
12/2/42









 

Various
N. N.XE.


 



 

 

 W.1
Sea 1 B.C.
Sea 1/B.O.
W1

[[?]]

 
0720
0800
0845
1150
1210
1220




 		 Hove up and left under power.
Clear boom Gate.
Alt. Course.
South Vernon Is. abeam.
Reduced to half speed.
Vessel touched. 1240 Vessel refloated
Anchored lee of S. Vernon Isld. In
5 fathoms. O.C ashore in launch
for some hours on reconnaissance.
Distance travelled 32'
 

 

14.

Date Courses Winds Time 

Remarks

13/2/42

 


 

 

 

 

 [[?]]
N.E.
E.N.E.

W1 Sea 1 C.
 

W2 B.C.
W3 Sea 3

 0110

0810
1030
1045
1300
2000
 		 Sentry reported single aircraft
over Vernons.
Hove up and left under power.
Cape Hotham abeam. Alt. Co.
Alt. Course.
Beacon abeam to port
Anchored 3 miles West of Mogogout
Isld. in 10 fathoms.
 

14/2/42





 

 

 

 




 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 


N.N.E.






S.W.


 


N.W.X.N.









 

W.3 Sea 3



 


W.3


N.W. 4 Sea 3
O.C.R.

 





 

 

 

 

 

0800


1100

1200
1245

1500

1620

[[17?]] 


1845
2010





 

 Hove up and left under power. Half
speed.
Anchored in unnamed river and
landed Sqd/Ldr. Thomson and
[[Raiwalla?]]
Resumed under power, half speed.
Impossible to get vessel over sand
bank off Mogogout Isld. 1330
Anchored taking sounding in launch.
Resumed under half speed between
Endygout Isld and  Mogogout Isld.
Resumed under full speed at clear of
banks.
P.D.Y. passed low overhead flying
in S.W. Direction.
Altered Course.
Anchored lee of Greenhill Isld. in
8 fathoms.
Distance travelled 28'






 

15/2/42

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 S.E.X.S.
S.W.
NWXN½N

N.E.
N.
[[EX/?]]
S.E.X.E.


 

N.W. [[?]] Sea 2
C.C.
NW4 Sea 4 OC
 

N.W.2 Sea 2 BC
BC

N.W.3 Sea 2
C
 

 0730
0800
1125
1245

1345
1545
1600
1850

2025
 		 Hove up and left under power.
Alt. course. 0845 Alt Co. N.W.½W.
Alt. Course.
Cape Don abeam. Alt. Course Set all
sail.
Course altered.
Port Essington abeam.
Alt. Course
Altered course. jibbed sails
Entering Bowen Straits.
Anchored Bowen Straits in 8 fathoms.
Distance travelled 96'

16/2/42



 


 

 

 

 

 

SEXE
S.W.

 

N x E

N.W.

 Sea 0 N1
W.1 Sea 1
B.C.

W.1 Sea 1 OCR

0725
1000

1015
 

1045
1115
1135

1200
1300

 Hove up and left under power.
Alt. Co. S.W. Entering Mount Morris
Bay.
Sent launch to pick up Sqd/Ldr
Thomson
Anchored Mount Morris Bay in 3 fathoms
Hove up and left under power.
Heavy N.W. Squall with rainforce 4.
Sea 3.
Put aboard.
Anchored under lee of Corker Isld. in
3 fathoms.
Distance travelled 30'
17/2/42




 

N.E.

 


 

Nil Sea C Sky

 


 

0810
1040

 

1500

 Hove up and left under power.
Anchored Mission Station Croker Isld.
in 3 fathoms.
Crew getting firewood and water.
N.W. Squall force 6 and heavy rains.
Distance travelled 14'
 


 15.

Date Courses Winds Time 

Remarks
18/2/42





 		 S.E. N.W.2  Sea 1 OCR
W2 Sea 2 B.C.		 0610

1200
1600
 

At Croker Isld. Mission.
Hove up and left under power.
Set mainsail and headsails.
Anchored Malay Bay in 3 fathoms.
Rain squall from N.W. Force 3.
Distance travelled 22'

 
19/2/42







 		 [X.E.?] W.1 Sea 1 BC 0730
0805

0900
1000
1050
 		 At Malay Bay
Hove up and left under power. Co. E
Anchored West side of Bay. Landed
Sqd/Ldr. Thomson.
Resumed under power.
Anchored point SE of De Courcey. Is.
in 6 fathoms.
Distance travelled 17 '
 
20/2/42


 		 E.S.E.

E
 		 W.1 Sea C BC

W.1 Sea C BC
 		 0615
1030

1110
 		 Hove up and left under power.
South Golbourn Isd. abeam to port.
Alt. Co. to E.
Anchored Mission Station in 2 fthms
Distance travelled 37"
21/2/42










 		 SE W.1 Sea 1 C1


W.2 Sea 1 BC

W3 Sea 2 BC
S

 		 0515

0630
0830

1200
1430
1435
1515
 		 Hove up and left under power. half
speed.
Full speed ahead.
Alt Co. NE 0930 Alt. Co. SEXE.
Fine clear weather, steady westerly
wind.
Nolling Bay abeam
Haul Around Isld. abeam. Alt. Co.
Reduced speed to half.
Anchored Mouth Liverpool River in
3½ fathoms.
Distance travelled 55"
22/2/42
 		   W 3. Sea 2 BC   At Liverpool River
Sanding decks, checking Bren
magazines.
23/2/42
 		   W 3. Sea 2 BC   At Liverpool River
Launch up River on recce. trip.
24/2/42







 		 N

NEXN
# X N

Various		 Nil. Sea O BC

Nil. Sea O BC


Nil. Sea O BC
 

0620

0640
0800
0840
1340

2155
2310

 Hove up and left under power.
Anchored Entrance Isld. in 3 fathoms.
Resumed under power.
Altered Course.
Anchored Milinginable in 2 fathoms.
Landed mail filled water tanks.
Hove up and left under power.
Anchored Derby Creek in 2½ fathoms.
Distance travelled [[?]]
25/2/42





 		   NE1 BC

1530		 At Derby Creek
Sent natives inland.
Struck Wireless nests. Working on
same.
Sqd/Ldr. Thomson left in launch for
Cape Stewarts to contact natives.
Distance travelled 25'


 

 

16.

Date Courses Winds Time 

Remarks
26/2/42   N.E.1  B.C.   At Derby Creek
Native Crew drilling ashore
27/2/42 Various N1 Sea 0 SC 1330
1400
1445
1500

 

At Derby Creek. Working on ships
lauch.
Hove up and left under power.

Reduced speed to half.
Increased speed to full.
Anchored Millingimbi in 2½ fathoms.
Filling fresh water tank. Picked
up fuel.
Distance travelled 6'
 

28/2/42

 


 

 Various
N50o
N158o
N1 B.C. Sea 1

SE2 Sea 1 BC


 		 0610
0755
1105
[[1700?]]
 		 Hove up and left under power.
Alt. Co 0635 Alt. Co. N158OE.
Anchored SE side Banyan Isld. in 9 fathoms.
Heavy SE rain squall force 5.
Distance travelled 34'

1/3/42



 




 

 N
NE
N68oE






 		 S.E.1 Sea 0
BC

S E 2 Sea 2 BC





 

1155
1215
1340
1545
1600
[[1645?]]

 		 At Goyder River

Hove up and left under power.
Altered Course
Altered Course
[[?]] [[?]] Island abeam
Entering Gadell Straits.
Anchored lee of Kicho Island in
3 fathoms.
Distance travelled 28'
2/3/42




 		 E




 		 SE1 Sea 0 BC
ESE 2 Sea O
BC


 
1345

1545
1635


 		 At Cadell Straits
Hove up and left under power.

Reduced to half speed
Anchored Eastern Entrance Cadell
Straits 4 fathoms.
Distance travelled 15'
3/3/42








 		 Easterly


SEXE		 SE1 Sea C BC



SE1 Sea 1 BC



 

0640
0815
 

1530
1540
1730
1900
 

 Hove up and left under half speed.
Anchored Napie Peninsula in 3 fathoms.
Fine clear S.E weather.

Natives arrived from Elcho Island.
Hove up and left under power.
Flinders Peninsula abeam Alt. C.
Anchored Arnhem Bay in 2 fathoms
Distance travelled 36' 
 
4/3/42



 		   SE1 [[?]] Sea O 0630
0700


 		 Hove up and left under power.
Anchored lee of Hardy Island in
3 fathoms.
Discharging all deck cargo and
heavy stores.
5/3/42








 		   Wind from
NE with rain
in a.m. clear
ing up in [[?]]





 		 0830

1400






 		 Took vessel ashore and prepared
[[?]] preparatory to tide falling
Low tide commenced cleaning copper
and replacing damaged sheets.
5 sheets replaced. Copper is [[?]]
condition. On inspection 3



 
 

 

17.

Date Courses Winds Time 

Remarks
5/3/42
(Contd.)










 		     1900 coachscrews were discovered to be
missing from Sten bearing. X
These were replaces by brass lugs
driven into the deadwood. The Sten
tube also appeared to have been
fractured.
All work on ships hull completed.

X Was informed that spare parts
ordered by Mr. Hayes, Commonwealth 
Engineer and ship surveyor had
not been loaded and had therefore
to order that the brass lugs as
above be employed as a makeshift.
6/3/42


 		   NNE 2 BC
Sea C		 0100
0700		 At Arnhem Bay
Refloated vessel without incident.
Commenced reloading all stores sent
ashore and refuelling tanks.
7/3/42







 		 E X S.

Nil Sea C BC
 



S1 Sea 1 BC


 

 1130
1145

1705
1915

 		 At Arnhem Bay
Hove up and left under power.
Anchored off Nardy Island in 2
fathoms.
Hove up and left under power.
Anchored East side Arnhem Bay in
2 fathoms.
Landed natives ashore.
Distance travelled 20'
8/3/42















 		 NW

NEXE
SEXE
 
SE1 Sea 1 BC

SE2 Sea 2 BC



 		 0830

0910
1120
1245
1615

1900
2025
 		 Landed Sqn/Ldr Thomson with 36
natives ashore with provisions>
To meet him Caledonian Bay.
Hove up and left under power.
Mallison Isld. abeam.
Alt. Co. NEXE. Strong head tide.
Cape Wilberforce abeam to stabd.
Att. Co.
Bremer Island abeam.
Anchored Yirrakala in 2½ fathoms.
M/v Larrapan anchored here.
Landed all cargo for Vessel Islands
aboard Mission vessel which was
returning to Millingimbi, informed 
by Mr. [[Horsell?]].
Distance travelled 65'
 

9/3/42






 







 

E.S.E.
S.S.W.


[[?]]








 

 

E.1 Sea 2 C1



NE3 O BC



 




 


 

0310
0430
0510
0540

0945
 

 

1145
1915




 

 Hove up and left under power.
Cape Arnhem abeam. Dist 4' Alt Co.
Sighted light on starbd bow.
Passed M/V Larrapan enroute to
Groote Island.
Alt.Co. to enter Caledon Bay.
Crew cutting firewood and chipping
ironwork.
Rowlock sockets fitted to launch and
engine painted.
Anchored Caledon Bay in 2 fathoms.
Sqd/Ldr Thomson arrived from overland
patrol with large detachment of
natives for unit to be formed for
scouting and guerilla fighting.
Distance travelled 62'

 
 

18.

Date Courses Winds Time 

Remarks
10/3/42




 		   SE2 Sea C BC   At Caledon Bay
Crew filling water tanks
Rifle drill and musketry in p.m.
Second detachment of natives from
Arnhem Bay arrived under [[Haiwalls?]]
who had not been able to keep
up with the main body yesterday.

11/3/42

 

 

   NE2 Sea 0 BC   At Caledon Bay
Crew on shore drilling.
Chipping iron work and painting
same. Cleaning and overhauling
Bren magazines and Vickers belts.

12/3/42
 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

SE

S
 

NW

 SE1 Sea 2 C1

SE2 Sea 2 C1

0230
0350
0505

0710



 

0815
0910
 

 Sent boat ashore to collect native
party.
Hove up and left under power (half speed)
Resumed under power (full speed) set
jib.
Cape Grey abeam to strbd. Alt.Co.
Reduced speed.
Note: Rocky Ledge, which dries at
L.W bears S (magt) approx. Dist. 1'
Deepwater channel between Rock and
Cape Grey.
Hove to landed party on beach.
Anchored Northern Corner Trial Bay
in 3 fathoms.
Distance travelled 50'

13/3/42

 

 


 

   SE1 0 C   At Trial Bay.
Crew chipping and painting ironwork.
Signal received from H.Q. notifying
Sgt. Palmer's promotion the
granting of his commission as
Lieutenant.
Distance travelled 0. 

14/3/42

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 SW
SSW

SWXW
SSE		 SE2 Sea 0 BC
SE3 Sea 3 BC

S1 Sea 0 OC

0530
0950
 

1115
1500
 

1830

 Hove up and left under power.
Clear Trial Bay. Set main and jib
sail.
Cape Arrowsmith abeam.
Connexion Isld. abeam. Heavy rain
squall in W.
Anchored Groote Isld. Mission in
3 fathoms.
M/V [[?]] anchored discharging
patrol for A.O. B. No attempt
made by them to conceal lights
until told to do so.
Distance travelled [[?]]
 
15/3/42


 		   SE2 Sea C BC 0110
1800		 M/V [[?]] left anchorage.
At Groote Island. Filling water
tanks.
Lieut Palmer left for C.A. Base in
Mission truck.
 

19.

Date Courses Winds Time 

Remarks
16/3/42
















 		  


SE3 0 BC




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


2000





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 At Groote Isld. Crew working on
vessel.
Lieut. Palmer arrived from C.A. Base,
Groote, having been delayed 8
hours through waiting for launch from
C.A.
Two unidentified multi-engined FB
over A.O.B. and later over ship
at anchor. Recalled Lieut Palmer
immediately to clear this anchorage.
A.C. Not identified later
and undoubtedly Japanese long
distance reconnaissance A.C.,
probably on photographic reconnaissance
of A.O.B. Groote Eylandt
and environs. Passed to W.N.W.
over Blue Mud Bay.
 

17/3/42
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SWXS
SW


 

 

 

 


 

Nil 0 C1
 

NE 1 2 BC






 

 0300
0430

1140


1705
1930



 		 Hove up and left under power.
Altered Co. 103o Maria Island
abeam Co. W.
Anchored on Bar to Roper River in 7 fathoms.
Launch ahead finding channel and
sounding to River mouth.
Resumed under power.
Anchored 1st point Southbank in
3 fathoms.
Distance travelled 75'

 
18/3/42






 

Various

 

 

 

 

 Nil 0 B.C.
SE 3 0 BC





 		 1115
1630

1700
1800
 		 In Roper River awaiting turn of tide.
Hove up and left under power.
Hove to and landed party on South
bank [[?]] Roper to lighten vessel.
Resumed under ½ speed.
Anchored West of Small Rock Island
in 6 fathoms.
Distance travelled 45'
19/3/42

 		 Various

 		 Nil BC 0

 		 0640
0940
 		 Hove up and left under power.
Anchored Roper River Mission Station.
Distance travelled 24'
20/3/42



 		   NE2 0 SC

 

2300		 At Mission Station
Crew drilling. Issuing equipment to
natives.
M/V Larapan arrived from 4 mile
landing.
21/3/42   NE2 0 SC
1100

1000

2040
 		 At Roper River Mission Station
M/V Larapan left for bar with
evacuees and Lt. Dower.
Civil Biplane circled Station Red
Cross markings VE-[[?]]
Capt. Hall arrived in police launch
from Roper Bar
 

20.

Date Courses Winds Time 

Remarks
22/3/42   NE2 0 BC 0730 At Roper River Mission Station.
Crew drilling ashore 2½ hrs.
Capt Hall left for Roper Bar in
police launch.
23/3/42 Various NE2 0 BC 1215
1230


1455		 At Roper River Mission Station
M/V Larapan left for down stream.
Hove up and left under power.
leaving sailing skiff and 5 natives
to follow up stream.
Anchored 4 mile landing Roper River.
 
24/3/42   NE 2 0 BC 0515
0830


1145
1215		 At 4 mile Landing Roper River.
Sailing skiff arrived from Mission
Station.
S/L Thomson with Lieut Palmer left
in motor launch for Roper Police
Depot.
Returned to vessel.
Moved vessel alongside landing.
Unloading equipment and ammunition
for shore party.
25/3/42   NE3 0 BC   At 4 mile landing
Crew and natives drilling in a.m.
Unloaded and cleaned out forward
hold.
Painting dingey. Overhauling
main engines.

26/3/42

 

 

   ENE 2 0 B.C.



1800		 At 4 mile landing
Crew and natives drilling in a.m.
Painting boat. Overhauling main
engines.
Trial run with engine.

27/3/42


 



 

   ENE 3 0 B.C. 1245

2200

At 4 mile landing
Crew drilling in a.m. Painting boat.
Lieut Palmer left in launch for
Mission Station.
Returned vessel. Transports arrived
in p.m.

 
28/3/42   ENE 3 0 B.C


1000
 

1430
[[?]]
 

 At 4 mile landing
Crew and natives drilling in a.m.
Transports arrived from Bar.
One transport left for Bar with
personnel. 2 M.Ts remained.
Loaded 2 M.Ts with equipment for
shore party.
 


DECK LOG BOOK

OF THE

DEFENCE KETCH "AROETTA"

FROM THE PORT OF  "NORFORCE"
TO  SEA PATROL - COASTAL RECONNAISSANCE ARAFURA SEA - GULF
OF CARPENTARIA
 

COMMANDED BY
DONALD. F. THOMSON - Squadron Leader, R.A.A.F.

COMMENCING   March 29, 1942.
ENDING                November 9, 1942.
 

KEPT BY
A.E. PALMER, Lt. A.I.F.
 

 

2.

Date Courses Winds Time 

Remarks
29/3/42













 

Various
 

 

 

    "

 Nil 0. B.C.



NE 2.0 B.C.


0700

0745
 

0750
0935

1330
1810

1945
2400
 

 At 4 mile landing Roper River.
Motor transports arrived.
   "             "   left with Squadron
leader Thomson, and his party of 50 Natives
together with stores and equipment.
Started engine and cast off.
Anchored Mission Station in 3 fths.
Landed cargo. Mission Ketch "Iorena"
here at Station.
Resumed under power.
Anchored off Kangaroo Island.
Awaiting high tide.
Resumed under power.
Going well. Visibility good.
 
30/3/42











 		 Various
[[?]]

NEXN ½N

N.X.E.

 		 [[?]] 0.B.C.
[[?]]

[[?]]
SE2. 1. B.C.		 [[?]]

0845

0900
1200
1400
2140

2400


 		 Anchored first Bend in river in 5 fths.
Landed pilots (paid 3/-)
Clear River bar. Resumed under full
speed.
Alt. Co. N.E. Alt Co at 1000 ENE.
Alt Co NEXN½N.
Set All sail.
Alt Co NXE. 2300 Alt to E. 2350
Alt Co E X S
Alt Co ESE. Going well. Entering
Fort Langdon. Private Richardson
off duty (sick).
 
31/3/42







 		 N.X.W.
N. [[?]]
[[?]]		 N.2 . Sea [[?]]
B.C.

N.E.1.
Sea 1 C.1.		 0020

0915

1530
1700
2330
2400
 		 Alt Co S. 0100 Anchored Air Base
in [[?]] fths. Landed Safe Hand Mail.
Hove up and left under power.

Trial Bay abeam Alt Co
Anchored Dudley Isld. in 4 fths.
Resumed under power.
Going well. Visibility good.
Private Richardson off duty (sick)
1/4/42














 		 NW


NW
SW
[[?]]

[[?]]
W

Nil O.C.1

 

 

Nil. O.B.C.
SE2. B.C.

 


S.E.1 0/1  2

[[?]]
0515

 

0825
1000
1330
1645
1730

2100
2400

 

 Cape Arnhem abeam Alt Co.
Reduced speed to half 0545. Anchored
Yarrakala 5 fths.
Mt. Howell reported pilot to
[[?]] Signal 2240 Z/27.
Resumed under power.
Cape Wilberforce abeam. Alt Co.
Clear English Company Islds. Alt Co.
Clear Cunningham Isld.
Clear small channel between Drysdale
Isld.
[[?]] Coy Isld. abeam. Alt Co.
Mooroonga Island bearing WXN Dist 5'
Richardson still sick.

 




 

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