H.M.A.S. SYDNEY LOST

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 59, 3 December 1941, Page 8

H.M.A.S. SYDNEY LOST

Action With Raider SINKS ENEMY SHIP BY GUNFIRE (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) SYDNEY, December 2. The Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin, announced in Canberra that the Australian cruiser H.M.A.S. Sydney (6830 tons), which carried a complement of 645 (42 officers and 603 pther ranks) was missing and was presumed lost. The Sydney had been in action with a heavily-armed merchant raider which she sank by gunfire. . \ . , ' The' place of the action was not named in Mr. Curtin s statement, but in an official announcement from his department on the Sydney s career it was stated that she had remained on duty on the Australian Station since early this year. Captain Joseph Burnett took over the command of the Sydney itoni Captain J. A~ Collins in May last. Launched in 1934, the Sydney cost £2 j 00.000. Mr. Curtin’s statement was:— “Information has been received from the Australian Naval Board that H.M.A.S. Sydney has been in action with a heavy-armed enemy merchant raider which she sank by gunfire. The information was received from survivors from the enemy vessel who were picked up some time after the action. No subsequent communication has been received from the Sydney and the Government regrets to say that it must be presumed that she has been lost. . “An extensive search by air and service units to locate suivuois continues. The next-of-kin, to whom the Government and the Naval Board extend their deepest sympathy, were informed last V\ ednesday. “Though this action took place some few days ago the announcement of it was not made earlier for three reasons. For strategical reasons, including the safety of other ships, it was not desnable to publish the information earlier than now. There was a remote yet not impossible eventuality of the Sydney still being afloat and of thq hop that a version could be obtained from one of her personnel. Time was taken in the very desirable direction of informing the next-of-kin. The Government and the Naval Board had, however, kept the Press formed of developments as the information was received and aie sensible, o the co-operation of the Press in withholding publication.. “While regretting the loss of a fine ship and hei gallant co plement the people Australia will be proud that she and they upheld the traditions of the Royal Australian Navy and completed dorious career in a successful action against the enemy.