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 25

Conflict:

Second World War, 1939–45

Subject:

Official Records

Status:

Open to contributions

Accession number:

AWM2022.1720.28641

Difficulty:

13.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
27/5/42	350°	E to SE mod to fresh breeze with swell from Easterly direction		Sky partially overcast, sea mod to rough with fair swell. Wind freshening during day.
	295°		0650	[Crew] putting awnings away making ready for sea.
	260°	Sky overcast cloud on to 6/10, clearing in late afternoon	0720	Started engine.
	[280°]		0734	Under way 600 revs. Have to to pick up two green back turtles in Port Langdon.
	270°		0745	Course 360
	Thence various courses to anchorage; proceeding with lead line.		0940	Breeze freshening; squalls on all sides; [?] to 295; over to starboard tack.
			0950	Weather clearing to E & SE but heavy clouds ahead in NW.
			1000	North point Is about [1/4] mile away to port.
			1030	Chasm Is. close on port quarter, course [260°].
			1040	Wind now true SE Course 260 Magnetic; on starboard tack with jib and mainsails only.
			1130	Alt. course to 280 to pass between Low Sandy Is and W edge Rock Low Is. now 5 miles off on port bow.
			1330	Burney Is abeam to starboard.
			1400	Off NW of Blokerton; stopped to take surroundings; [58] fathoms.
			1425	In Lowrie Channel Course 270 for Cape Barrow.
			1430	Stopped engines to sound.
			1510	Entering Bennett Bay. Anchored in Bennett Bay in [8 F]. approx 1600.
29/5/42		5K off land Viz. good; fine and clear No natives; no signs recent occupation.		At anchor Bennett Bay. Good anchorage inshore in Bennett Bay; mud bottom. Native patrol sent ashore yesterday. Camped ashore; reported no natives seen, nor any signs of recent occupation. Old grass still unburned, water scarce, region very arid. Exceptionally dry conditions. Turtles numerous in Bennett Bay; turtle eggs plentiful on eastern side of Cape Barrow. Work on ship: Advantage was taken of quiet anchorage to carry out necessary routine work on ship as under: Holds. Main hold restowed and tidied. Mast hoops fitted on main mast to replace several broken hoops & all re-lashed. Main mast, mizzenmast, jihoom, gaffs and booms] all stripped of ropes and oiled. Main sail. Seam resewn. Weapons. Rifles, guns, 1 TSMG etc cleaned and inspected. All patrols reported no signs recent occupation by natives. Fires observed all day to NNW over Morgan Island, Blue Mud Bay.
	18°... 110°.... Thence various courses when maneuvring to anchorage	....E light breeze. Typice NE ....day, Vis. good - ...		Bennett Bay. Weather clear and fine.... anchorage; slight swell ... .. Cape Burrow into Bay.

14.

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Last edited by:

Michelle

Last edited on:

14 September 2024, 9:14 am

Last updated: 22 October 2024