| Specials |
Special K IX Plaque Launch |
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| Specials |
Special K IX Plaque Launch |
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For additional photos and information please check the 'related pages list' at the bottom of this page.
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Minister launches plaque to historic submarine wreck in NSW |
Media release from Seal Rock Press.
23 March 2001
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A plaque launched today remembers the loss of a Dutch (ex Australian) submarine off the NSW coast at Seal Rocks during the final stages of World War II.
"This is an exciting and important recognition event," said Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Heritage, Dr Andrew Refshauge.
"Maritime Archaeologists from the NSW Heritage Office located the historic shipwreck remains in 1999, leading to the first scientific study and recording of the archaeological site during 2000.
"The wreck was last sighted in 1984, but its exact location forgotten until the NSW Heritage Office undertook a successful remote sensing search.
"Subsequently, the shipwreck became partially exposed in mid 2000 sparking local and international interest.
"Submarines are always intriguing archaeological sites, and the K-IX is of particular interest for its association with the Japanese midget submarine raid at Sydney Harbour on 31 May 1942.
"Then a unit of the Royal Netherlands Navy, the submarine was damaged when an enemy torpedo passed under it and destroyed the ex-ferry HMAS Kuttabul, killing 21 sailors on board.
"The submarine was later commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy as an anti-submarine training vessel before becoming lost in a towing accident in 1945.
"The Heritage Office has previously released a Shipwreck Conservation Management Plan that documents the discovery of the site. There is also information about the K-IX on the Heritage Office web site at http://maritime.heritage.nsw.gov.au/
"Today I have unveiled an information plaque to the wreck at the Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse at nearby Seal Rocks, said Dr Andrew Refshauge.
"The plaque commemorates the service of the vessel as a member of the allied fleet in the Pacific campaigns of World War Two. It also recalls the submarines’ service as a unit of the Royal Australian Navy between 1943-1944 - the only Australian submarine commissioned during the war.
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K-IX remembered at Seal Rocks |
Pictured at the unveiling were past crew member of the vessel towing the K IX in 1945, Mr Joop van den Haak, NSW "wreck spotter" Leanne Legge, Deputy Premier Dr Andrew Refshauge, Netherlands Consul General Ed Reitsma, and Iris Atkinson, who appears in one of the images of the submarine depicted on the new plaque at Seal Rocks.
More than 100 people gathered in the wind-buffeted grounds of Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse, Seal Rocks, to witness the unveiling of a plaque commemorating a submarine beached nearby in 1945. The plaque to the Dutch/RAN sub, the K-IX, was unveiled by Deputy Premier of NSW and Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning, Dr Andrew Refshauge.
The submarine saw service with both the Dutch and Australian navies but ran aground at Seal Rocks during a towing accident in 1945.
The gathering was welcomed by Senior Maritime Archaeologist with the NSW Heritage Office, David Nutley, who outlined the work of the Maritime Heritage program. A Seal Rocks Shipwreck Information Sheet and Shipwreck Guideline Notes were also launched at the function, which was attended by the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Australian Naval and Netherlands ex-servicemen and women, and around 30 pupils from the nearby Bungwahl Public School. Special guests included Leanne Legge, from Green Point, who rediscovered the sub's remains when they were uncovered by tidal movements, and Iris Atkinson, who is pictured, on the plaque, standing by the wreck in 1946.
K IX related pages K IX boat history Historic submarine K IX found The K IX Club K IX photos Photos of the search for K IX The towing of K IX by Hr.Ms. Abraham Crijnssen The K IX plaque K IX wreck photos Dutch Submarine Service Memorials K IX related books none Off-site NSW Maritime Heritage Office
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