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 27

Conflict:

Second World War, 1939–45

Subject:

Official Records

Status:

Awaiting approval

Accession number:

AWM2022.1720.28641

Difficulty:

33.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
27.8.42			0635	Hove up and left under power. Revs. 600
			0715	Abeam No1Isld, depth 7 Fth. L.W.S. Increased Hove 900
	N.10°E N.40^oW	E1.1.C. NE2.2.BC.	0750	Clear of Entrance 0915 Clear Flinders Point. N.40°W. Set main and headsails 1050 Buckingham Bay Pt. abeam. Alt. Co.
			1040	Entering Cadell Str. Took in sail. Rs. 600
			1105	In Clear Channel. Increased Revs 900
		NWE. 1. C.	1345	Anchored NW Entrance Cadell Str. in 2 Fth.
28.8.42	N.W.	nil O. C.	0615	Hove up and left under power. Revs 900
	N.87^oW	" " "	0710	Clear Cadell Str. 0945 Alt. Co. N. W.
	S.45^oW	NW1. 1. C.	1100	Mooronga Isld. abeam. Alt. Co. S. 45^oW.
			1100	Aircraft landed Millingimbi. 1210 Air craft left Millingimbi.
		MKS.0.BC.	1315	Millingimbi Mission abeam. 1350 Reduecd speed 500 Revs.
	Various		1345	Increased speed 900 Revs Clear of Entrance Derby Creek.
			1358	Aircraft (Lockheed) circled Mission and left in SW. direction.
			1430	Vessel dragged on mud bank for a few yds.
			1445	Anchored Derby Creek in 2 7th.
29.8.42			0530	At Derby Creek Crew drilling
		NE1.C.BC.		Treating hatch covers. Cleaning and over- hauling Vickers .503 and Browning .50
	Various	NW1.1.BC.	1720	Hove up and left under power. Revs 700
			1820	Stranded on mud bank Creek entrance,
			1830	Refloated and resumed.
			1905	Stranded on bank. 1915 Refloated & Res'd
			1940	Anchored Millingimbi in 2 7ths.
			2000	S/L Thomson and Lt. Palmer ashore.
			2200	S/L Thomson and Lt. Palmer returned.
30.8.42			0630	Hove up and left under power. Revs 700
		nil.C.BC.	0700	Stranded on bank entrance to Creek.
			0710	Resumed under power. Revs. 700
			0745	Anchored Derby creek in 2 Fths. Landed S/L Thomson and native detachment.
			0845	Hove up and left under power. Revs 700
			1030	Anchored Millingimbi in 5 Fths.
			1055	Resumed under power Revs. 700.
			1100	Revs increased 900 clear
	W. S. W.	N1.S.BC.	1205	Clear Raboma. Set course /Cape Stuart.
	N.	NW2.S.BC	1420	Sandy Isld abeam. Alt. Course.
			1700	Alt. Co. SW. pass between Haul Round and Entrance Isld.
			1815	Anchored Entrance Isld. Landed two natives.

34.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
31.8.42			0830	Hove up and left under power, after con- tacting Liverpool River natives who have nothing to report, either sighting of aircraft or ships. Revs. 700
	E.	NE1.1.CC.	0815	Increased Revs. 900 1230 Cape Stuart abe- am Alt. Co. ENE.
			1450	Sighted vessel off Raboma. Challenged. Vessel answers "Southern Cross" R.A.N.
	SW.		1540	Alt Co. to SW. 1615 Put about and returned to Southern Cross, who was following us and had gone aground on
		NW1.2.BC.	1550	bank. Hove too off Southern Cross. Lt. Palmer aboard.
			1640	Lt. Palmer returned and Resumed.
			1750	Hove too Mission at Millingimbi.
			1830	Resumed under power.
			1845	Vessel grounded on bank. 1850 vessel Res'd.
			1915	Entering Derby Creek.
			2015	Anchored. S/L Thomson here.
1.9.42	Various	NE3.0.BC.		At Darby Creek. Checking Gas and Antigas equipment. 1445 Hove up and left under power.
	Various	N3.1 C.		Revs.700 1450 Revs. 900. 1455 Revs. 700
			1515	Aircraft (Lockheed) circled A.O.B.
			1535	Revs. 700 1540 Revs.900
		E3.1.C.	1645	Anchored Mission 3 Fths. Southern Cross anchored here. Crew watering ship. 2400
2.9.42			0750	At Millingimbi. Lt. Palmer to Southern Cross to deliver safe hand.
		ESE5.1.CC.	0855	Hove up and left under power. Revs 900
			0945	Clear Rabooma Isld.
	N22°E		1030	Alt. Co. 60° at 1000 Revs.
			1200	NE. Pt. Mooroonga Isld. abeam.
			1410	Alt. Co. 95° ENE wind E.
			1415	Alt. Co. to pick up canoe at sea.
			1530	Picked up canoe took it in tow Revs.700
			1545	Reduced Revs.600 1530 Anchored Elcho Isld. near Pt. Bristow in 3 Fth.
3.9.42		ESE3.0.BC.		At Elcho Isld. Overhauled and cleaned M.G's.
4.9.42			0500	Picked up two natives with local know- ledge from native camp.
			0730	S/L Thomson and Lt. Palmer ashore.
			0830	Returned vessel. 0845 Hove up and left under power.
	N 22°E	ESE3.1.BC.	1545	Clear channel between Drysdale and Stratton Isld. N.58°E Set main and head sails 1545 Took in sail.
			1900	Anchored Bay. NW. side Rorakalla Isld.

35.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
5.9.42	S.45°E	ESE1.O.BC.	0745	Hove up and left under power. Revs 600
			0815	Anchored small inlet bottom of bay. Perfect/∧ all weather anchorage.
			0855	A/L Thomson and Lt. Palmer ashore.
			1145	A/L Thomson and Lt. Palmer returned to vessel.
			1600	Gas drill and instruction on anti-gas treatment.
6.9.42	Various	SE1.0.BC.	0715	Hove up and left under power. Revs 600
			0755	Anchored Japanese watering place in 3 Ft
	N.30° E	NNE3.1.BC.	0925	Hove up and left under power.
	"	" "	1100	Cumberland Straits abeam. 1300 Alt. Co. 50° E
			1300	Anchored Jensen Bay in 5 Fths. Wind changed to SSE, 3. F.O Buxton and signaller on board.
7.9.42		SSE3.1.C.	1600	At Jensen Bay. Wessel's Islands. Crew chipping and painting iron stanchion∧s. W/T operator ashore to effect repairs W/T at outpost.
8.9.42	S.E47°	SSES.1.C.	0645	Hove up and left under power. Revs 1000
			0845	Reduced speed 500 Revs. 0850 Anchored Japanese Creek in 5 Fths
			1130	Resumed under power. 1155 Anchored in small bay south of Japanese Creek.
			1300	Light rain squall from S.E.
			1330	Resumed under power. Revs. 1000. Set main and head sails.
	E40⁰	E3.1.C.	1445	Cumberland Straights abeam.
			1535	Anchored Large Bay NW side Roorakalla at Japanese watering site.
9.9.42	122⁰	SSE3.1.BC.	0645	Hove up and left under power. Set main and head sails.
			0810	Leaving Brown Straits, Alger Isld, abeam to starboard. Co 156^otook in sail
		SSE.S.BC.	1015	Flinders Point abeam Alt Co 180^o
			1235	Reduced speed 500 Revs.
			1335	Anchored Lee Everett Isld. 3 Fths. Vickers stripped down and cleaned, Vickers bolts checked.
10.9.42	N.29⁰E.		0820	Hove up and left under power. Revs. 1000
			0850	Set main and headsails
		NE3.2.BC.	1030	Flinders Point abeam.
			1040	Alt.Co. 260^o Entering Buckingham Bay.
			1211	Reduce speed 600 Revs.
			1240	Anchored SE. Corner Buckingham Bay in 3F. Landed Raiwala ashore in launch.
			1440	Launch returned Resumed under power R.600
	N.	NE.3.2.BC.	1500	Increased Revs. 1000
			1535	Anchored in small cove SE. side Napier Peninsular.

36.

Date	Courses	Winds	Time	Remarks
11.9.42	N55⁰E	ENE2.1.C.	0645	Hove up and left under power
			0915	Flinders Point abeam. Set main and head sail. Co.180^o 1000 wind failed took in sail. 1020 Engine stopped (air lock)
			1030	Resumed under power Revs, 600
			1045	Anchored lee of Everets Isld. in 5 Fth. Overhauling small arms and machine guns.
12.9.42			0545	Hove up and left under power. Revs. 600
	45°	nil. 0.0.	0555	Revs. 1000.
	N.50°E	nil.0.0.	0730	Cape Newbold abeam.
			0830	Ship grounded uncharted bank. Stopped engine and sounded.
			0905	Resumed under half speed. 600 revs.
			0915	Revs. 1000. 1250 Cape Wilberforce
	130°	NW1.E.BC	1255	abeam. Set main and head sails.
			1515	Bremer Isld. abeam
	120°		1540	Anchored Yirrkalla in 4 Fths Crew watering ship.
13.9.42			0550	Crew ashore getting water.
	130°	NNE1.2.BC.	0655	Hove up and left under power. 0830 Cape Arnhem abeam. Alt. Co. Revs. 1000. 1320 Dudley Isld abeam.
	200°	NNE1.BC.	1445	Alt.Co.N. 1545 Revs. 800.
	280°	NE5.1.BC.	1655	Anchored Caledon Bay in 2 Fth. Pte. Kapui had nothing to report re sightings.
14.9.42	135°	ENEE.1.BC.	1540	In Caledon Bay, unloading surplus stores at depot. 1300 S/L Thomson ashore at O.P. 1330 Hove up and left under power. Cape Grey abeam set main and headsails Co. 150°
			2030	Alt. Co. S. to enter Port Langdon.
			2130	Challenged ship anchored in Fairway. Replied A/F Kurinaran.
			2145	Anchored in 3 Fths.
15.9.42				At Air Base. Sgt Elkington cleaned out and refilled oil reservoir 16 gals. Mr. Walker radio operator on board to overhaul AWA Transmitter. Picked up 38 gals Cg oil from Shell
			1100	Lt. Palmer ashore in launch to Grays camp. 1540 Lt. Palmer returned having been delayed 2½ hrs by launch refusing to start.
	350°	NE1.1.C.	1530	Hove up and left under power.
			1915	Clear Jagged Head. Set main and headsail
	300°	[[?]]	2030	Anchored lee Chasm Isld.
16.9.42	315°	NNE.1.OC.	0510	Hove up and left under power.
			0545	Alt. Co. to 300° Set Jib & main sail
			0600	Connexion Isld. abeam Alt. Co. 235°
			1015	Anchored AOB Groote. Lt Palmer & Sgt Harvey ashore to arrange W/T skeds with O.P. Sgt. Elkington loading 9 drums fuel. 1520 Sgt. Harvey returned with one receiver from RAAF. also 2 G/S AF .303 and picked up Vickers Tripod.
			1545	Finished loading fuel returned drums.

37.

Date	Course	Winds	Time	Remarks
17.9.42	315°	NE2.1.C.	0400	Hove up and left under power. Shaped
			0730	Co. Caledon Bay N.14°E
	17°	NE1.1.BC	1500	1430 Cape Grey abeam. Alt Co. 330°
		NE1.1.BC	1645	Anchored Caledon Bay at O.P. in 2 Fths.
18.9.42			0600	At Caledon Bay. Crew drilling in a.m. Landing surplus stores and equipment, for O.P. under Sgt. Elkington.
		NE1.1.BC	1200	Sgt. Harvey ashore installing W/T gear.
19.9.42				At Caledon Bay O.P.
			0800	Ashore for T.S.M.G. practice. Listing all stores, and equipment ashore at O.P. Sgt Harvey installing W/T gear. Crew cutting firewood.
			1510	Received P.L. signal from Groote A.O.B. also 2 other signals. 2000 Operational Order 9 issued to Sgt. Elkington.
20.9.42			0100	Hove up and left under power.
			0110	under way 0114 Revs. to 1000.
	150°	nil.o.c.	0220	Vis. [[?]] Vis moderate.
			1350	Cape Grey abeam.
	165°	nil.2.c1.	0740	Alt Co. 170° 0830 Alt. Co. 180°
			0915	Jagged Head abeam.
			1015	Anchored Shell Base Groote Eylandt, 3 Fth. S/L Thomson and Lt Palmer ashore. 1350 landed 4 drums Diesolene
			1640	Returned 5 empty drums to Shell Co. [n
			2100	Landed all T.S.M.G. magazine and ammunition at Air Base to be held by Control Officer
21.9.42			0430	Sighted light which appeared to be air- craft. Reported H.Q. Norforce.
			0500	Lt. Palmer ashore to Control Officer at Air Base.
			0840	Lt. Palmer returned ship. 0910 Hove up and left under power. 0920 Increased Revs to 1000
		NNEE.2.OC	1010	Jagged Head abeam visibility bad. Co. 340°
		NWS. 3. COC	1230	Chasm Isld abeam Co. 240°
			1400	Connexion Isld abeam Co. 150°
			1630	Vessel struck patch of reef approx. 6 miles N of Mission Anchorage.
		nil.1.C.	2145	Vessel refloated and anchored in 2 fth. 1 Kedge lost in refloating vessel.
22.9.42	180°	N1.1.C.	0600	Hove up and left under power. Revs. 600
			0625	Revs increased 1000. 0700 Anchored Mission in 8 Fths. Lt. Palmer ashore to interview sentries who had reported lights to Flt/Lt. Rutter on nights of the 17, 18, and 19 of September. Crew filling watertanks. 0930 one air- craft "Anson" left AOB, in W direction passing astern of ship. Safe hand land- ed here for Darwin. 1600 Hove up and left under power. Co. S.45°W.
			1705	Alt. Co. 180° 1800 Alt. Co. 350°
			1855	Anchored xx side of Groote Eylandt in 8 Fath. Wind nil.

38.

Date	Course	Winds	Time	Remarks.
23.9.42			0300	Wind from E force 3. Paid out extra 15 fth of chain. Weather fine and clear.
			0630	Hove up and left under power. Co. 110° Wind NNE1, sea 1. Sky 0. Revs. 600
			0635	Increased revs to 1000
			0900	Low Isld. abeam Co. 80° set main and head sails.
			1155	Cape Beatrice abeam. Co. 70° ENE1 slight swell. Shaped Co. for Gera Head.
			1800	Going well. Slight swell from N. Wind nil Sky C. Co. N70°E. Ships clocks altered to E.S.T.
			1900	Slight swell visibility good. Slight clouds. woolpack clouds.
			2010	SE. wind force 2 set main headsails and mizzen. Ship running well.
24.9.42	70°	E to ESE. 0	0001	Slight swell wind light.
			0040	Took in main and mizzen as wind failed. Sky clear sea calm.
		nil. O.C.	0200	Going well 0430 wind light from N. Set mizzen and headsails.
			0500	Slight swell breeze dropped. Took in sail visibility good. Sky clear.
			0600	Light breeze SE. set main and headsails BC. 0918 stopped engine to clean filters
			0930	Resumed under power. 1300 Alt. Co. 60° as/ ^ being set to the south. 2010 Breeze from SE. set jib. 2200 Took in jib as wind pulled to ENE overcast 9/10th
			2315	Wind from E force 3 Sky O.C. Visibility poor.
25.9.42			0025	Alt. Co. 40° to set to South and keep off the land. Wind ENE force 3.
			0310	Land sighted on Stbd. bow dist approx. 5' Reduced speed 600 Revs. Co. 40° E.
			0315	Alt. Co. 50° Sky clear sea 8. Visibility gd.
			0330	Alt. Co 60° Reduced revs 550 0610 Land sighted port bow. Alt. Co. to 340° to clear Albatross Bay and Duifken Pt. Increased revs 1000. E.T.A. Cullen Pt. 1530
			0730	Alt. Co. 350° set jib and mainsail E.3 sea 8 Sky C. 0740 2 fires Duifken Pt. apparently as sighting signals.
			0750	Signal RAAF NEA to pass to NOIC, Thursday Isld. so ETA, Mapoon. 0605 Alt. Co. N.
			0830	Alt. Co. 10°E 0935 Alt. Co. 20°E wind ENE5. sea 8 . Sky C. 1125 Coen River abeam dist 4 Took soundings. 1135 Leach on mainsail carried away. Took in sail crew repairing. 1200 Alt. Co. 20°E. Wind E.4 sea 2. Sky C. 1300 Last Point abeam close to Cullen Pt. Alt. Co. 30°
			1305	Alt. Co. 40° Sounding continually 7 fth.
			1340	Alt. Co. 45°E. Wind eased slightly
			1400	Alt. Co. 60° sounding 7 to 5 fth
			1510	Anchored Mapoon Mission in 4½ Fths.

39.

26.9.42	At Mapoon Mission Crew getting wood and water. Picked up damaged guns from crashed B.17. Wind N.E. sea 1. sky C. Cpl Raiwala and Pte. Kapiu leave 0830-1300 hrs. Cleaned and dismantled damaged .50 cal. Browning MG. Wind E 45 Sky O.C. sea 2.
27.9.42	At Mapoon Fresh E to NNE wind force 4-5 Sky O.C. sea 8. Waiting instructions AirIntel. Crew filled 88 gals. fuel into bulk tanks. 0900 Ptes. Tial and Tannie leave 0900 - 1200 hrs. Landed 150 lbs. flour to feed searchers for missing American Airman.
28.9.42	At Mapoon. Two mission luggers anchored. Crew chipping iron work and routine duties. Wind from E force 4 with squalls from ENE force 6. Sky O.C. sea 2.
29.9.42	At Mapoon. Routine duties. 0630 Mission lugger from Thursday Isld. anchored. Wind from N force 5. O.C. sky sea 2. 1500 Heavy Rain squall from ENE force 9. 1600 wind from NNE force 7 with light rain showers. Sky O.C.H. sea 2. Request for houses from Mission to assist in search for missing airman.
30.9.42	0740 Hove up and left under power. Co.F. sea 1 sky O.C. wind ENE4 Revs. 500 0750 Alt. Co. 345° Sounding 7 fth. 0815 Alt. Co. 320° Sounding 5 fth. 0840 Alt. Co. 345° sounding 5 fth. 0915 Sounding 5 fth. Co. 345° revs 1000. 0930 slowed and checked sounding 6½ fth. Revs 1000. 0845 Vicinity of Kerr Reef Set main and headsails Co. 300° 1130 Alt. Co. E took in sail. 1340 Reduced speed to 500 revs. 1350 Anchored 3 fth. Wind E4 squalls from ENE force 5. 1455 Small naval launch passed steer- ing south(unable to distinguish) signals by Aldis. 1515 Sighted Lugger under sail Co. SW. 2020 Sky clear and sea calm in shore wind 1 from E.
1.10.42	1415 Hove up and left under power. C.N. Sky C. Wind ENE1. set all sail
0530	Alt Co. 310° Wind NE. sea 1 sky C. 0615 Alt. co. 356° wind ESE3. force sky C. Visib. medium.
1030	Sighted high land strbd. bow. (approx dist. 15') Alt Co. 350° Fine clear weather. 1305 Alt. Co. 10° Reduced revs 600
13XX	Alt. Co. 10° Increased revs 1000. 1350 Alt. Co. 350° No sign of land reported by lookout from mast. 1420 Alt. Co. 40°.
1440	Put ship about Co. 180° 1500 Lookout report Isld. on port bow.
1625	Booby Isld. bearing 90° about 5° took in sail. 1630 Alt. Co. 100°
1730	Spoke Booby by Aldis. 1750 Booby Isld. abeam. Reduced Co. to 80° to Goode Island. 1930 reduced speed showed light as instructed.
2000	Anchored Black Pt. in 5 Fth. All lights extinguished sentries posted.

40.

2.10.42
0630	Hove up and left under power. Co. Various.
0730	Anchored Thursday Isld. In 4½ Fths. NE2, sea 1. Sky C.
0800	S/L Thomson ashore to call on Fortress Commander.
0950	S/L Thomson returned with Col Thirkell and M/C.
1700	Loaded 6 drums fuel oil 1 drum lubricating oil and fresh vegetables.
1840	Hove up and left under power. Co. Various sea 1 ESE 3 Sky O.C.
1925	Anchored off jetty Horn Isld. 1930 S/L Thomsen ashore 2000 loaded 6 C/S amm at .50 cal. 2030 S/L Thomson returned on board.
3.10.42
0500	S/L Thomson ashore to arrange about identification signals.
0530	Returned ship. 0555 Hove up and left under power. Co. E sea 2 Sky C. Wind ESE 3. Revs 500 0830 Increased Revs 1000.
0700	Scott Rk abeam. Alt. Co. 110° 0815 Alt. Co. 100°.
1000	Cape York Light abeam. Alt. Co. 155° 1045 Passed M/V "Hamon" in Albany Passage. 1050 Reduced Revs to 600 1110 Anchored Somerset in 7¼ Fths. /Crew getting wood and water. ESE wind 3. Sea 1 Sky B.C. Fine Clear weather.
1320	Hove up and left under power. Co. 150° 1401 Co. 140°
1450	Reduced Revs 850. 1510 [[Br?]] Isld abeam. ESE 4. sea 4 Sky BC.
1500	Reduced Revs. 750 1645 Increased Revs 1000. 1700 Reduced Revs 600. 1830 Unable to make Cairns Cross Isld. before dark prepared line to anchor. 1840 Stopped engine let go anchor and paid out line. 1845 Line parted. 1850 Let go port anchor. 45 Fath. chain. sea 4 Wind 4-5 2400 wind increased 5-6.
4.10.42
0650	Hove up and left under power. Revs 500 0535 Anchor catted Increased revs 800 Co. 140^°sea 3 Sky B.C. wind ESE. 4.
0830	Alt. Co 170^°0925 Cairns Cross Isld. abeam. Set all sail going well
0925	Alt. Co. 180^°1000 passed small motor vessel.
1045	False Orfordness abeam to Stbd. Alt. Co. 185^° to clear rock in vicinity. 1130 Alt. Co. 150^° for Hannibal Isld. Took in sail.
1215	Increased Revs 1000. 1250 Anchored Hannibal Isld. in 9 Fths.
5.10.42
0550	Hove up and left under power. Revs 600. 0600 Increased Revs 1000 SE. 5 sea 3. Sky B.C. 0710 Co. 152^° Alt. Co. 0715 135^°
0730	McArthur Isld. abeam Dist. 5' approx:
0805	Small Motor Vessel passed to Stbd. 1½' Dist. 0845 Bird Isld. abeam. small vessel passed going North dense black smoke.
1130	Clear Cape Grenville Co. 180^° set all sail.
1200	Moody Reef beacon abeam. 1230 Piper Light abeam. Co. 155^°
1435	Atl. Co. 130^° 1525 Eel Reef beacon abeam. Alt. Co. 140^°
1530	Alt. Co. 160^° 1630 Alt. Co. 170^°to bay NW Cape Weymouth.
1650	Sighted two ships anchored Portland Roads. 1700 Alt. Co. 180^° to Portland Road Anchorage.
1745	Anchored Portland Roads in 3 Fths.

41.

6.10.42
0540	Hove up and left under power. 0545 Revs 1000 Sky O.C. SE. 3-4
0630	Restoration Light abeam. Co. 145^° 0710 Alt. Co. 140^°
0800	Alt. Co. 135^° 0845 Cape Direction abeam. set jib and mizzen. ESE. 3
0925	Chapman Light abeam. Co. 170^° 1010 End. Red Rocky point abeam. Lugger close hauled on Stbd. bow.
1030	Ordered Trenton. 14B4 to heave too. Dark green hull white ball on bows bulwarks white. Darnley Isld. natives aboard. Crew 31. 5 dinghies. Said when boarded "They were sent out in company with another vessel Galton to fish trochus and report Cairns".
1045	Resumed under full speed. 1235 Bow Reef Co. 150^°
1315	Alt. Co. for Heath Reef 175^°1405 Stopped to examine large Ketch under sail. White hull jib and stay sail. 1440 Resumed under power.
1510	Alt. Co. 162^°for Hay Isld. 1520 Heath Reef abeam. 1700 Anchored lee Fife Isld. in 9 Fths. 1710 Two luggers coming down wind sighted.
1750	Both luggers altered course on sighting Aroetta and anchored lee of Hay Isld.
7.10.42
0540	Hove up and left under power. Co. 170^°sea 3. ESE 4-5 set jib and mizzen. 0725 Anchored lee Hannah Isld. to locate leak in bulk fuel tank. 1035 Resumed Co. 150^° for Burkett Isld. Bomber passed going North did not approach or challenge.
1040	Burkett Isld. abeam. 1055 Alt. Co. 135^° for Princess Charlotte Bay
1230	Abeam Fabry Reef Alt. Co. 115^° 1500
1340	Alt. Co. 080^° 1425 Alt. Co. 110^° for Stokes Bay.
1650	Blowing fiercely. 1700 Anchored Stokes Bay, Stanley Isld, in Flinders group. Overhauled port Vickers.
8.10.42
0530	Hove up and left under power. Revs. 600 0544 Revs increased 1000
0545	Stern gland heating. 0547 Stopped 0550 Slow ahead.
0552	Increased Revs. 1000 0605 Co. 150^° for King Isld.
0615	Cape Flinders abeam. 0630 Clack Isld. abeam Co. 060^°
0730	Alt. Co. 095^° for Pipon Isld. 0730 Alt. Co. 100^° 0830 Alt. Co. 110^°
0900	Stern gland leaking badly, power bilge pump not working.
0930	Anchored lee Pipon. On inspecting found outer gland to have carried away. 0950 Hove up and left under sail. Put back to Princess Charlotte Bay and at 1400 Anchored Bathurst Bay in 2 Fth. Put stern line shore and hauled ship in until lightly aground. Wind ESE 4-5 sea 1 sky B.C. 1530 Repaired stern gland and cast off stern line at 1700. Working on stuffing box.
9.10.42
0600	Hove up and left under power. Revs. 600 to try stern gland and packing.
0610	Increased 750 Revs. 0850 Increased to 800 Revs. Shaft and collar cool. 0700 Alt. Co. 100^° Pipon Light abeam. 0720 Alt. Co. 110^°
~~xxxx~~	Alt. Co. 145^° 0920 North Point Bay abeam. 0935 Examined stuffing box and shaft with Lt. Palmer. Increased speed to 900 revs. to take advantage of calm sea. 1020 Barrow Point abeam.
1025	Passed small ship on port hand [[Pulman?]] bound North 1100 Alt. Co. 130^°
1130	Alt. Co. 150^° 1350 Small Ketch anchored lee of Legatt Isld.
1345	Warship apparently U.S. passed steaming North without challenging ESE wind Sky B.C. sea 2. 1355 Alt. Co. 125^° 1445 Small tug towing two punts passed steaming North.
1745	Anchored lee of Turtle Group in 4½ Fths. Examined shaft, and bilge water 2200 hrs. and at 0001 hrs. pumped vessel at 0001 hrs.

42.

10.10.42
0530	Hove up and left under power. Revs 750 0600 Set Co. Cape Flattery. 150^° Increased to 900 Revs. SE wind slight swell with slight chop. Sky overcast.
0615	Light rain squall. 0700 M/V Karinaren passed steaming North.
0725	Look Out Point abeam. Alt. Co. 125^°0750 Decapolis Reef abeam. stern gland packing loose, slowed to tighten collar and resumed under 900 Revs. 0855 passed small ship. Red ensign and native crew on stbd. hand going North.
0920	Co. 130^° for Two Isles, to take advantage of SE wind.
1010	Alt. Co. 180^° set all sail. 1115 Low wooded Is. abeam to stbd.
1305	Passed Sth Cape Bedford. 1400 Indian Head abeam.
1515	Dawson Reef abeam. 1525 Hoisted B.O.F. 1530 Aircraft passed
1535	Coultshard Reef abeam. to port. Spoke Archer Point with Aldis.
1550	Took in all sail Alt. Co. 145^° 1615 Message received by Archer Point in passing. 1640 Alt. Co. 165^°
1750	Anchored in 5 Fth. Lee of Gubbins Reef.
11.10.42
0430	Hove up and left under power. 600 revs. Co. 154^° sea 0 Sky Cl. wind ∧SSW.1
0450	Co. 155^° Increased speed to 900 Revs. 0630 Light N.W breeze set all sail. 0635 Bloomfield River abeam.
0642	Wind S. Sky O.C. sea 0 Took in all sail.
0800	Alt. Co. 150^° 0820 Cape Tribulation abeam. 0940 Alt. Co. 165^°
1000	Alt. Co. 180^° 1840 Bearings from Low Isld. for position. Alt. Co. 150^° 1145 Alt. Co. 155^° 1300 Alt. Co. 160^° for leading 1413 Alt. Co. 145^° 1515 Coming in on leads
1600	Anchored in river in 5 Fth. S/L Thomson ^x and Lt. Palmer ashore.
1800	S/L Thomson ^x Lt. Palmer returned ship. x O.C arranged with Army to make replacement bolts for stern gland. [[?]] Lt. Col Elliot formerly M/G Darwin in Cairns.
12.10.42
	At Cairns. waiting arrival of engineers from shore.
0910	Lt. and W.O arrived on board. 0930 A.A.S.C. men left.
1015	S/L Thomson ashore. 1215 S/L Thomson returned ship Crew getting water from shore. 1630 Still waiting for stern gland bolts which were promised at 1400 and then later 1530
1715	Lt Godding of 64 Wkshop arrived with bolts.
1730	Fitted bolts and had trial run. 1800 Too late to leave for Townsville. 1900 Ships time altered from Eastern Standard time to eastern Summer time. In Cairns obtained current RAAF. recognition signals from AHQ to take ship to Townsville.
16.10.42
0630	Hove up and left under power. Revs 600. 0655 Revs. 750 0645 Clear jetty, Revs 1000 On leads 045^° sea 0 Sky Clear wind N.1.
0730	Alt. Co. 070^° 0740 Alt. Co. 090^° 0805 Alt. Co. 125^° 0835 Alt. Co. for Franklin Isld. 157^° 0900 Fitzroy Is. abeam. 0950 Slowed down and stopped to tighten collar on stuffing bar. 1150 Russell Isld. abeam Co. 154^° wind [[?]]1 sea 0 Sky D. 1245 Alt. Co. to clear N Barnard Is 165^° 1345 Alt. Co.160^° Heath Point abeam. 1350 passed UNTSD to prt
1445	Catalina approached gave letter for the day by Aldis received "R"
1505	Five US warships passing N. five miles to port. Aircraft sweeping channel. 1525 Set all sail. 1618 Alt. Co. 165^° 1620 St Bernard Is. abeam. 1805 Anchored Dunk Isld.

Last edited by:

Julie*

Last edited on:

27 March 2025, 9:50 am

Last updated: 25 March 2025