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First to die is NOT the place anyone wanted
History is a little mixed up at times. The Ultimate sacrifice is sometimes forgotten or Dished. Our Vietnam Veits for example! Yesterday I saw a memorial that was worth remembering I thought.
AUSTRALIA. 1940. THE AUXILIARY MINESWEEPER, HMAS "GOORANGAI" WHICH WAS SUNK IN A COLLISION WITH THE MV "DUNTROON" IN PORT PHILLIP BAY, VICTORIA, ON THE 20TH NOVEMBER, 1940, WITH THE LOSS OF HER FULL COMPLEMENT OF 24 OFFICERS AND MEN. THIS WAS THE FIRST ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY SHIP TO BE LOST IN WORLD WAR II.
Investigation
The initial Court of Marine Inquiry found both ships to be at fault for the collision and the captain of the Duntroon was asked to “show reason” to retain his master’s certificate and Port Phillip pilot exemption.
At the “show reason” hearing the perceived poor positioning of side navigation lights aboard Goorangai was identified as the main cause of the collision. The fact that there were no survivors from one vessel led to what many thought was a “friendlier” verdict in favour of the surviving vessel and her crew, with the captain of the Duntroon being exonerated at the inquiry.
https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws....en/4106057.JPG
Attachment 193606
RIP Sailors
I will go for a swim as its very close by