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 26

Conflict:

Second World War, 1939–45

Subject:

Official Records

Status:

Awaiting approval

Accession number:

AWM2022.1720.28641

Difficulty:

23.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
27.6.42				Awaiting tide to rise sufficiently to
				refloat vessel. 0600 sent out kedge ahead
			1030	Vessel Refloated Co. SE. 1100 alt. Co. N.E.
		ni1 0 BC.	1115	Julnairo Bluff bearing 310°Alt. Co.
				when picked up channel. 1320 Hove too picked up native detachment.
			1240	Resumed under power. M.G. practice.
		SE.3.1.BC.	1316	Anchored No. 1 Camp landed natives.
28.6.42		SE.2.0.BC.		At No. 1 Camp S/L Thosson & Lt. Palmer
				ashore making recce. for cattle & water. Plenty of local water. conditions improved since April.
			1400	Unit 4 native parties to try and locate
				cattle.
			1600	Natives returned with one beast.
29.6.42	Various	SE.2.1.BC.	0650	Hove up and left under power.
			0750	Anchored Pt. Ross. Sgt. Elkington nothing
				of importance to report.
			1100 1430 1500 1645 1720 1820	Resumed under power. Revs 1000 Clear Pt. Roper sand bar. Kangaroo Island bar cleared. Hove too spoke A/V “Hurricane” Anchored Mission Stn. In 4 fth. Resumed under power after landing
				Dieselene 7 drums.
			1900 2050	Reduced speed 700 Revs. Anchored 4 mile landing in 3 fth.
30.6.42			0600	Took vessel alongside bank.
				Unloaded all stores and cargo to clear hold and check what rations are being held.
		SE.1 0 B.C.	0915	Capt. Corvay & Capt. Thompson aboard.
			1100 1630 1630	Capt. Corvay & Capt. Thompson left. S/L Thomson & Lt. Palmer to Bar in launch. Returned with truck and stores from
				Depot at Bar/ Crew painting ships hull.
1.7.42				At 4 mile. 0700 crew drilling
		Nil. 0. BC.	0600	S/L Thomson left with trunk for stores
				at Depot. Crew washing paint work preparatory to painting.
		SE.1.0.B.C.		Painted Starbd. side of ship. Checked
				stores on hand.
2.7.42				At 4 mile landing. 0700 Crew drilling
				ashore.
		nil. 0 B.C.		Cleaning rifles and reloading cargo on
				board.
			0630	Four engined bomber passed over, heading
				East. Removed cache from River Bank at 4 mile landing.
3.7.42				At 4 mile. Crew drilling in a.m.
		SE. S. BC.		Reloaded vessel with all cargo and took
				detailed list of same. Notified Capt. Thomson we were leaving for Culnai Bluff in the morning.

24.

Date	Courses	Wind	Time	Remarks
4.7.42			0830	Capt. Thomson arrived.
			0930	S/L Thomson left with 5 natives 1 crew
				for A.H.Q.
	Various	SE.4 BC.	1100	Hove up and left under power.
			1310	Anchored H.R.M. 5 fth. Made arrangements
				for Pilot to McArthur River. Sent natives for one Caledon Bay native whom deserted before. Picked up kerosene and bitumen.
			1700 1730	Resumed under power. Anchored Old Mission in 3 fth.
5.7.42			0100	Wind still blowing hard from S.E.
		SE. [[?]]	0400	Wind eased a bit hove up and left under
		C1.		power.
	[[?]]		0550	Clear Maria Isld. course for Pellew
				Group
		SE.[[?]].C SE. [[?]].BC	0830 1400	Beatrice Isld ahead. Wind and sea increas' Wind and sea eased down making better progress.
	S.E.		1630	Black Isld. Alt. Co. S.E. (Pellew Gp.)
			1730 1815	White Isld. ahead Alt. Co. E. Anchored lee of Shell Isld in 3 fth.
6.7.42	S.E.	[[?]] C, BC.	0700	Hove up and left under power. 700 revs.
				Proceeding up Centre Channel.
	S.		0900	Clear Rocky Pt. Alt. Co.
			1030	Picked up persons on bar. Reduced speed
				dead slow.
			1045 1050	Grounded on Bank inside [[?]]. Refloated and Resumed 1130 Clear of Bar
	Various	SE. [[?]]	1200	Entering McArthur River. Revs 700
			1500	Anchored vessel Off Anchey Isld as could
				not find channel with sufficient water to take Aroetta Sent out party sounding to find a channel. Tide falling rapidly.
7.7.42				In McArthur River trying to find sufficient
				water to take vessel over sand bar.
			0800	Lt Palmer in launch to Borroboola. Sgt.
				Elkington drilling area and Reccs of East bank.
		SE.3 mesQ. BC		Lt Palmer returned from Police Station no
			2200	wire from S/L Thomson. Made arrangements
				for Police Station to contact vessel by W/T on a [[?]] per day.
				At McArthur River. Crew drilling in a.m.
11.7.42				Painted cabin aft also steering gear and
				wheel box.
		S[[?]] D. BC.		Cleaning out launch and overhauling engine.
				No word from Police Station on a.m. sked
				Sgt Elkington over to Kangaroo Is. Recce for water.
			1600	No news from C.O. of arrival at Police Stn.
			1800	Moved vessel up to junction of River where
				it branches off to the sea forming Kangaroo Isld. Sgt. Elkington reported good water SW. and Kangaroo Isld. Abundant game on both sides of the river but very little water. All billabongs and water holes dry on E. bank.

25.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
12.7.42				At Kangaroo Isld. Crew drilling in a.m.
				Overhauling and checked all rifles including sporting rifles and shot guns. Also Machine guns and .30 cal. Browning Ammn for Machine guns also checked.
		SE.2 O. B.C.		Sounded River and found not sufficient water
				for vessel to proceed past junction of Carrington River.
			1500	No news of O.C.'s arrival at Police Station.
				Crew loading water from store. Unable to contact Police Station on 1730 shed.
13.7.42				At Kangaroo Isld. Crew drilling in a.m.
			0930	Lt. Palmer recce, on West bank of River to
				Batten Crk.
		SE.E O.BG.		Sgt Elkington overhauled auxillary engine
				and compressor. Checked oil and injectors main engine. Received news that OC. reached Police Stn 10th June.
			1745	Lt Palmer returned back to ship.
14.7.42				At Kangaroo Isld. Crew drilling a.m.
				Overhauling davits and falls, also mizzen
		SE.1 0.BC		rigging fitted new sheer poles. Crew filling
				water tanks native detachment on firewood.
			1730	Sgt. of Police reported party had arrived
				Borrobools.
15.7.42				At Kangaroo Isld.
			0600	Lt. Palmer left for Police Station.
		SE.3 O.BC.		Crew sanding decks, painting covering board.
			1330	Lt. Palmer Returned. S/L Thomson not arrived
				yet at Borobools. Mistake made by Sgt. of Police.
16.7.42				At Kangaroo Isld. Crew musketry in a.m.
				At Kangaroo Isld. Crew musketry in a.m. No word from Police Station in 0730 asked. Crew tarring hatch covers and preparing
		SE.3 O.BC.		timber for repairs on launch.
				Checked Machine guns and ammunition.
			1100	Heard from [[?]] S/L Thomson's arrival
				would be delayed owing to breakdown of WT.
			1400 1930	Lt. Palmer made patrol up Batten Creek. Lt Palmer returned vessel. Blowing hard
				from SSE. all day. Fine clear weather.
17.7.42				At Kangaroo Isld. Crew drilling in a.m.
			0700	Dismantled small engine in launch as it is
				not running satisfactorily. Crew scraping main spars overhauling all running gear. No letters from S/L Thomson on a.m. sked.
		SE.4 sea O.BC		Blowing hard from SE fine clear weather.
			1130	No news of O.C.'s arrival at p.m. sked.
18.7.42				At Kangaroo Isld. Crew drilling in a.m.
				Lt. Palmer Recce on W. bank of Batten Crk. Crew working on blocks and running gear. No word from S/L Thomson on a.m. asked. Native detachment on fire wood and water.
		ESE.4 sea		Machine guns overhauled and checked.
		O.BC.	1200	Heard work S/L Thomson had left [[tion?]]
				of Elsey due Boroboola anytime tomorrow.
				Fresh ESE winds weather fine and clear.

26.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
19.7.42				At Kangaroo Isld. Crew drilling in a.m.
				Sanding decks and washing paint. No word from S/L Thomson on 0630 sked
			1200	Report through 8SQ. via 5TO that S/L
				Thomson had had a further accident and ETA Boroboola would be delayed.
		E4. sea.C.		In p.m. instructions to crew on TSMG and
				hand grenades also aiming with rifle.
			1230	No further news of S/L Thomson.
20.7.42				At Kangaroo Isld. Crew drilling in a.m.
				Getting water from Lagoon on Kangaroo Isld.
			0630 1200	No news of S/L Thomson on sked. Heard from 69G that another party of 3 had
		E.5 C.BC.		contacted S/L Thomson's party and were
				returning to STO. In p.m. Crew instructed in use of T.S.M.G. and Hand Grenade. Practice with T.S.M.G. both sense of direction and from the shoulder aiming 50 rds expended. Also instructed in use of Hand Grenade. 6 expended.
21.7.42			0600	At Kangaroo Isld. Crew drilling in a.m.
				No news of S/L Thomson on a.m. sked.
			1200	Heard that party to help S/L Thomson had
				passed STO at 1530 hrs 20/7/42 due to reach him tonight. Instructions to crew on TSMG and Vickers M.G. in a.m. Musketry in p.m. Lt. Palmer took down and
		NE.4 O.BC.		overhauled completely all parts of .50 cal.
				Fresh NE winds with fine clear weather. exceptionally heavy mists in morning reducing visibility to about ½ mile, this did not clear till 1000 hrs.
22.7.42				At Kangaroo Isld. Crew drilling in a.m.
				Crew filling water tanks and painting out deck houses.
			1100	Lt.Palmer and Sgt. Elkington traverse of
				Carrington River.
			0830	No news of S/L Thomson on this sked.
		NE.4 O.BC	1300	Heard the relief party had passed through
				SFW 1530 on 21/7/42. Strong breeze from NNE with fine clear weather.
23.7.42				At Kangaroo Isld. Crew drilling in a.m.
				Filling water tanks from Lagoon.
			0630	No further news of S/L Thomson this sked.
		NE.3 O.BC	1200	Lt. Palmer doing Traverse of West McArthur
				River. 1915 Lt. Palmer returned ship. Fine clear weather.
24.7.42				At Kangaroo Isld. Crew drilling in a.m.
			0530	All Bren magazines checked. No news of S/L
				Thomson movements. Traverse of Lower reaches of McArthur River.
		NE.4 O.BC	1200	Neither 8 WP or 8PO can give us movements of
				S/L Thomson. Filling water tanks and cutting firewood. Fresh NE wind fine clear weather. Heavy mist in am, which did not clear till 0900.

27.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
25.7.42				At Kangaroo Isld. Crew drilling in a.m.
			0630	No further news of S/L Thomson on this sked.
		SSE.3 O BC.		Crew filling water tanks.
			1100	Received from [[?]] that Raiwale would be at
				Black Rock 1400 hrs.
			1250 1845	Lt. Palmer left in launch for Black Rk. Returned ship 1910 The natives arrived
				from S/L Thomson's detachment with a letter.
			1945	Lt Palmer left in launch to contact S/L
				Thomson.
26.7.42				At Kangaroo Isld. Launch and dinghy
				lightening stores from Black Rock.
		ESE.3 O BC.		Lt. Palmer to Borroboola with S/L Thomson
				in W.T.
27.7.42				At Kangaroo Isld. Launch and dinghy
				lightening cargo from Black Rk.
		ESE.3 O BC.	1445	S/L Thomson returned to ship.
				Stowing and checking all stores brought overland by S/L Thomson in W.T.
28.7.42				At Kangaroo Isld. Stowing and checking
				stores.
		ESE.3 O BC.		Native detachment on water for ships tanks.
				Issued extra blankets and great coats to
			1312	crew. Hove up and left under power.
				Chain fouled large submerged log. Slow [[?]].
			1350 1355	Small yawl sighted ahead. Stopped vessel. Lt. Palmer returned after boarding [[?]]
				The "Grenpue" from Wearyan River to Borroboola with yalt in charge of Rations 1 native aboard.
			1520 1550	Resumed under half speed. Anchored near Mouth of River in 3 fths.
				Vessel touched twice on sand bars in River but not delayed or damaged.
29.7.42				In McArthur River.
			0630	Crew and native detachment drilling ashore.
				Awaiting tide to negotiate bar. Working on Reports and Traverse of McArthur River Area.
	Various	ESE. 3 O BC.	1310	Hove up and left under power. Slow speed.
				700 revs. 1415 Clear of River Mouth.
	N [[?]] E [[?]]	SE.3.2. BC.	1450	Ship touched on bar at last beacon.
			1515	Centre Isld. stead to port dist. ½ mile.
				Centre Isld. out of position Revs 1000 On Admiralty Charts about 1 mile.
			1600	Brown Isld. ahead. Alt.Co.
			1620	Anchored lee Vanderlin Isld. 2 fths.
30.7.42				At Vanderlin Isld.
		S.[[?]] 2. B1.	0530	Blocked out 1st fth chain as wind and sea
				making up.
				S/L Thomson and Sgt. Elkington ashore
				making recce. of island.
		SE.3 1. BC.	1200	Wind changed to SE and eased slightly.
			1345 1730	S/L Thomson returned to vessel. Sgt. Elkington returned to vessel.

28.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
31.7.42			0530	Sent boat ashore for native detachment.
	N.300°	S1. O. BC.	0647	Hove up and left under power. 700 revs.
	N.E20°	S1. " "	0800	Clear Centre channel Stony Point ahead.
			0810	Increased Revs 1000. Set main sail.
	N.E47°	SE.3 2. BC.	0850	Set mizzen sail.
	N.E47°	SE.3 4. BC.	1000	Fair sea running out of proportions
				with strength of wind also the fact the that it was flat calm lest might.
			1600	Land sighted from nest head on Starbd
				bow.
	N.W.		1850	Alt. Co. N. 1715 Alt Co. to NW. Tide
				set to Eastward.
			1900	Took in main and mizzen sail.
	N.E.	S.1 1. C1.	1915	Reduced speed to 700 revs. Vis. poor.
			2000	Anchored lee Sandy Cape. Groote Eylandt
				7 fths.
1.8.42	N.E.	S.1 O. BC.	0630	Hove up and left under power. 1000 revs
			0730	Anchored at Mission Station in 2 fths.
				Landed detachment ashore unloading deck cargo.
			1200 2200	F/Lt. Rutter and P/O Stevenson on board. Landed S/L Thomson ashore with detachment
				of natives.
	SW.xW	NE.1 O. C1.	2310	Hove up and left under power.
2.8.42	S.45°W	NE.1 2. C1.	0015	Alt. Co. as clear of Sandy Cape. Revs
				900
			0500	Reduced speed 500 Revs.
	N.x E.	NE.2 2. C .	0615	Low Rock on Stbd. Quarter Dist. 4' Alt
				Co. 1000 Revs.
			0715	Anchored Low Rock 2 Fths. Landed 4
				natives (mainland) with water and rations to collect guano.
	S xW	ESE.3 3.BC.	0815	Resumed under power. Set main and jib.
				Revs. 1000
			1040	Anchored Maria Isld. Picked up native
				detachment landed here on 7 and also patrol and deck cargo and boat.
	N x E	ENE3 3.BC.	1415	Hove up and left under power. Set
				mainsail.
			1330	Alt. Co. N.45°E as being set to East.
	N.45°E	ENE3.3. C,	1630	Anchored Low Rock 2 Fths. Picked up
				native and guano.
	N.45°E	ENE3.2.C1.	1830	Hove up and left under power. Revs 900
3.8.42	ENE.	E.1 O. C1.	0530	Sandy Cape abeam. Alt Co.
			0700	Anchored at Mission Station in 2 Fths.
				S/L Thomson came aboard. Loading cargo and water.
			1200	S/L Thomson and Lt.Palmer to Mission.
			1400	Accident to Motor Launch-Tailshaft
				fractured.
	W.	SE.5 2. BC.	1630	Started engine and hove up Revs 600
				Standing by awaiting boat.
			1645	Picked up boats with native detachments.
				Resumed full speed Revs 1000
	N.N.W.		1700	Set main sail and jib.
			1840	Took in sail. 1845 Reduced speed 500 R
			1900	Anchored lee N.W. Pt. Groote Eylandt.
				Native detachment landed ashore.

29.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
4.8.42			0500	Heavy mist, reducing visibility
			0520	Loaded native detachment.
	N.12°W	nil. O C.	0625	Hove up and left under power. Revs 1000
	N15°W		0800	Rock Isld. abeam. Alt. Co. Set main and
				mizzen sail.
		SE.5 3 BC	1350	Cape Gray abeam to port dist 1 mile.
				A.C. S.N.W.
			1545	Vickers M.G. Practice
			1600	Anchored Caledon Bay. Unloaded Native
				detachment and all deck cargo.
5.8.42				At Caledon Bay.
				Natives detachment ashore preparing base.
		SE.1 1. BC.		Crew sanding down decks cleaning ship.
			1455	Air Craft sighted. Lockhead Bomber.
				Circled ship was challenged and replied ROX. 1505 Air Craft left in N.W. direction. Reported by W/T
6.8.42				At Caledon Bay. Crew drilling in a.m.
		SE.3 2. BC.		Native detachment ashore. Getting material
				for houses and working on garden. S/L Thomson and Lt. Palmer ashore.
7.8.42				At Caledon Bay. Native detachment ashore
				getting material for house. S/L Thomson Lt.Palmer ashore with native crew on
		SE.3 2. BC.		house building.
8.8.42				At Caledon Bay. Native detachment ashore
				getting material for house building.
		SE.3 2. BC.		S/L Thomson and Lt.Palmer ashore with
				native crew house building.
9.8.42				At Caledon Bay. Native detachment working
				on house and garden.
		SE.3 2. BC.		S/L Thomson Lt.Palmer ashore.
				Cargo landed from ship to be kept ashore.
				At Caledon Bay. Native detachment ashore
10.8.42				on house and garden. S/L Thomson and Lt.
				Palmer ashore. House completed.
		SE.3 2. BC.
11.8.42				At Caledon Bay. Native detachment on
				garden and unloading stores. Crew working on garden also.
		SE.2 1. BC.		Fine clear weather. Light SE breeze.
12.8.42				At Caledon Bay. Crew drilling in a.m.
				S/L Thomson ashore O.P. Compiling Reports Native detachment on garden. Crew unloading
		SE.2 1. BC.		cargo. Weather fine and clear. SSE wind.
			2150	S/L Thomson handed over mail and mailing
				instructions

30.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
13.8.42			0005	Hove up and left under power. Revs 700
	E x S	[[?]]	0030	Increased Revs 900
	S 11° E		0230	Cape Gray bearing SW Dist 3 miles
				Shaped course.
			0600	Jagged Hand abeam.
			0930	Anchored off Civil Aviation Base Groote
				Eylandt. in 2 Fths.
			1000	Lt.Palmer ashore landed 25 Lee Enfield
				Rifles. Safe Hands. Loading 300 gals. fuel oil.
			1330	Lt.Palmer returned unable to arrange M.T.
				to A.O.B.
			1415	Lt.Palmer in launch to Greys Camp.
				Little Lagoon
			1800	Lt.Palmer returned. All fuel oil loaded.
				Unable to load water owing to shortage at Base.
14.8.42			0400	Started engine and hove up. Revs 700
	N.	nil O C1	0430	Increased Revs 900.
	SSE.	SW.2. 2 BC.	0600	Chase Isld. abeam.
	S.W.	SW.5.2.BC	1000	Connexion Isld. abeam. Co. S.W.
			1150	Anchored Mission Anchorage. Crew loading
				stores ashore at dump. Lt.Palmer to O.P. Launch loading water.
			1840	Lt. Palmer returned. Loaded 3 drums fuel
				oil. Loaded 2 drums. Motor Spirit at O.B. in charge F/Lt. Smith.
			2300	Finished loading water all tanks now full.
15.8.42	E.	NE.1 1. C1.	0430	Hove up and left under power. 700 Revs.
			0500	Revs. 900
	N. 14^°E	NE2. 2. BC	0600	Rock Isld. abeam set course Caledon Bay.
	N. 14^° W	NE1. 2. BC	1500	Cape Grey abeam. Alt. Co.
			1710	Anchored Caledon Bay in 2 Fths. Lt.Palmer
				ashore to report S/L Thomson and hand safe hand and mail over.
16.8.42				At Caledon Bay. Crew loaded remainder
				of deck cargo, sanded decks and then granted leave for remainder of day. Fine clear weather with light S.E. to E breeze.
		ESE1. 1. BC		S/L Thomson ashore at O.P.
17.8.42				At Caledon Bay. Crew working on
				garden and house at O.P. Lt.Palmer ashore on house. Hanging doors and windows.
		ENE3. 1 BC.		S/L Thomson ashore at O.P.
				Weather fine and clear. Fresh ENE wind.
18.8.42				At Caledon Bay. Crew drilling in a.m.
		ENE2. 2. BC		Native Detachment ashore on house and
				garden. Loading cargo from shore base.
19.8.42				At Caledon Bay. Crew and native detachment
				ashore working on garden and house. All small arms and machine guns checked.
		ESE2. 1. BC.		Also all ammunition for automatic weapons.
			1700	Benjarapuine and native detachment left
				for Arnheim Bay. Pte Lapiu ashore at OP.

31.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
20.8.42				At Caledon Bay. S/L Thomson with native
				detachment travelling overland to Port Bradshaw. Pte. Rapiu ashore in charge of O.P.
			0640	Hove up and left under power. Revs 700
	E.	SE2 2. BC.	0650	Revs increased to 900
	N 10^°E	SE2 2. BC.	0850	Alt. Co. Set main and headsail.
			0910	Dudley Island abeam.
	N 45^°E		1130	Alt. Co. 1150 Reduced Revs to 700
			1215 1300	Anchored Port Bradshaw in 3 Fths. Launch away with Sgt. Elkington to
				contact S/L Thomson.
21.8.42			0215	Launch arrived back with S/L Thomson.
			0700	Crew and native detachment on decks
				sanding.
		SE3 1. BC.	1040	Hove up and left under power. Proceeded
				at slow speed, to small bay NE of Main Entrance Anchored 2 Fths.
			1300	Native detachment ashore hunting.
				Sgt. Elkington also ashore, 1800 Sgt. Elkington returned. Fine clear weather with fresh SE breeze.
22.8.42				At Port Bradshaw. S/L Thomson and Lt.
				Palmer Traverse of small Bay.
			1120	S/L Thomson ashore with native detachment
				to proceed overland and rejoin ship at Yirrakalla.
			1155 1200	Hove up and left under power. Anchored NW side Port Bradshaw awaiting
				return of launch.
			1600 1605	Launch returned under oars, engine US. Hove up and left under power. Revs 700
	E x N	NE2. 3. C.	1700	Clear Port Bradshaw entrance. Revs 1000
	N.30^°E	NE2. 3. C.	1800	Rodrick Dhu abeam. Alt. Co.
	N. 45^°E	E.2. 3. C.	2010	Cape Arnhem abeam heavy tide rips
				2100 Revs, 800
			2130	Revs 600 2310 Anchored Yirakalla 2 Fth
23.8.42			0600	Crew watering ship.
		ESE3. 2. BC.	0645	S/L Thomson arrived with detachment from
				recce.
			0940	S/L Thomson and Lt. Palmer ashore. Fresh
				vegetables etc. obtained for ship at Yirrakalla.
	N.40°W	ESE2. 2. BC.	1515	Hove up and left under power. Revs 700
			1605	Increased Revs 1000.
	N.45°W		1915	Alt. Co. Entering Melville Bay.
			1745	Reduced speed to 600 Revs.
			1810	Anchored Melville Bay in 7 Fths between
				Gundes Pt. and Drimmie Head at head of Bay. Sandy bottom, strong tide.
			2030	Mach ine gun practice. Vickers and
				Browning to test tracer ammunition which appears to deteriorate rapidly under tropical conditions when load in belts. Made contact with group of Kumait natives. No reports of aircraft or ship sighting.

32.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
24.8.42	N.10°W	nil O C.	0615	Hove up and left under power. Revs 600
			0820	Revs 1000
	N.30°W	N.1 2. C.	0830	Alt. Co. to clear Cape Wilberforce.
	S.46°W		0915	Clear Cape Wilberforce. Set main and head
				sails. 1110 Reduced speed 600 revs. as sighted smoke and [[?]] to contact natives.
	ESE3	ESE3.1.BC.	1125	Cut out engine. Hove too under sail. Boat
				away to search for natives.
			1300	Natives aboard from mainland. No sightings
				of ships to report.
	S.60°W	ESE3.1.BC.	1315	Started engine and resumed under power and
				sail
	S.40°W	SE3. 2. BC	1515	Alt. Co. 1715 Anchored lee of Point E.side
				Everett Bay in 3 Fths. in inner bay. Landed native detachment Everett Peninsula and send two natives inland to make contact with Bindjarpuma who come overland with his group from Caledon Bay.
25.8.42			0130	At Anchor off Everett Island.
				Vessel grounded owing to extreme range of tides.
		SE3.1.BC.	0630	Shifted vessel into stream.
			1340	Ship taken into Bay for reconnaissance and
				Soundings.
			1440	Ship returned to Anchorage. Revs 500
				Crew on hatch covers and sanding deck. Two natives left to make contact with Bindjarpuma. Bindjarpuma and his section arrived p.m. Arranged to give medical treatment and routine injections for yaws to all those people who presented themselves in the morning. Learned that the small island to the NW of this anchorage was called Limba Blya and that it was the most important anchorage used by the Macassar Beche de mar Fishermen.
26.8.42	Various	NE1.O.BC.	1030	At Arthur Bay. Anchorage off Everett Is.
				Hove up and left under power. Revs 800
			1110	Anchored Limba Blya in 3½ Fths.
	Various	SE1.O.BC.	1250	Resumed under power. 1310 Anchored Lee of
				Point 800 Revs.
			1400	Took vessel inshore to facilitate cleaning
				copper.
		SE3.O.BC.	1850	Anchored vessel in stream in 3 Fths.
				Ashore in early a.m. and gave 14 routine NAB. injections to Bindjarpuma and his group as well as other medical treatment. Ashore Limba Blya with Lt. Palmer. Old but not very thriving grove of Tumarind. (T. indcue) ∧^types observed on low beach on NW side of Is. Noted also the stone fireplace with compartments for 8 boilers used by Macassers. Well preserved and said by the natives to be unaltered. Examined Island, took series of bearings and some soundings and return anchorage at Everett Is. Paid off Bindjarpuma and group.

Last edited by:

Deb Parkinson

Last edited on:

17 April 2025, 2:41 pm

Last updated: 17 April 2025