The Neptune Association

Finding HMAS Sydney - Progress in the search for HMS Neptune continues - 17 March 2008

Finding HMAS Sydney - Progress in the search for HMS Neptune continues - 17 March 2008

Progress in the search for Neptune continues to come from the most unexpected direction and members may be fascinated that the wreck of the Australian cruiser HMAS Sydney has been found 150 miles off the Western Australian coast in very deep water (2800 meters).  Her disappearance in November 1941 has been an even bigger mystery story than Neptune's since there were no survivors from her 645 Australian crew to explain what had happened.  She was surprised and sunk after a battle with the German disguised merchant ship Kormoran who was also sunk with 320 survivors - see website http://presspass.findingsydney.com. The Germans became POW's and the disappearance of all Sydney's crew was never satisfactorily explained. The one Sydney raft was found to be riddled with machine-gun bullets and the Australian authorities wanted to prosecute the Kormoran Captain for war crimes but there wasn't enough evidence.

Both wrecks were found by the wreck finder David Mearns using sophisticated side scan sonar towed by a special ship. I have known David for 5 years now and I have kept him fully briefed him on Neptune and it is possible that he will be involved in the actual search if it can be arranged with the Libyan Diving Federation.
 

 

 

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