Archaeologists from Heritage NSW have confirmed the discovery of SSWollongbar II, a coastal freighter torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in WWII, off Crescent Head on the NSW Mid North Coast.
Acting Minister for Veterans, Geoff Lee said the SS Wollongbar II was one of many vessels lost to enemy assault along the eastern coastline during WWII.
“In 1943 a Japanese submarine, the I-180, destroyed the freight vessel with two torpedos killing 32 people on board,” Mr Lee said.
“The ship sank in minutes with only five crew surviving the attack,” he said.
“This secret has been hidden at the bottom of the deep sea for decades and the find will give some closure for descendants and relatives of the 32 people who lost their lives.”
“We have just commemorated our brave veterans on Anzac Day but it’s also important to remember the toll of war for everyday Australians.”
Mr Lee said that when the vessel sank, it was carrying boxes of butter and bacon which eventually washed up on the shore resulting in a boom in cake making, which was normally restricted by wartime food rationing.
Director of Heritage Operations at Heritage NSW, Tim Smith said the discovery would reveal some amazing stories.
Mr Smith said Heritage NSW wanted to hear from the relatives of those who sailed on the SS Wollongbar II so it could share findings of the survey conducted by the Agency’s archaeologists.
Heritage NSW’s six-page shipwreck information sheet can be accessed at this PS News link.
