King Street Wharf 3, Darling HarbourKing Street
Sydney NSW 2000
You are invited to join the Naval Historical Society of Australia for a three-hour cruise west of the Harbour Bridge. The Society is a non-profit organization run by volunteers to preserve and honour our naval history. The sites you will see and learn about include HMAS Waterhen, Cockatoo Island, Spectacle Island and Snapper Island. A comprehensive commentary is provided supported by information and photos on TVs to bring the commentary to life. A complementary booklet with lots of information and photos is provided as a souvenir. The Cockatoo Island Dockyard built over 38 RAN ships and during WW II completed 31 major battle damage repairs to warships. The Spectacle Island Armament Depot once held 1,000 tons of high explosive RAN ammunition and was central to resupply operations in Sydney. The Sea Cadet Company once based on Snapper Island provided training for young boys and girls with many joining the RAN.
The 1942 Japanese midget submarine attack on ships in Sydney Harbour remains a topical subject. However, many Sydneysiders know little about this watershed event. It was the first attack on Sydney and its impact changed Australia from a quiet backwater of the Second World War to a vital springboard for the defeat of Japan. This cruise will provide a detailed description of events leading up to and during the attack. This cruise will provide a detailed description of events leading up to and during the attack. Your cruise boat will take you to sites on the Harbour where key events occurred and a comprehensive description of how those events during the fateful night of 31st May & 1st June 1942 unfolded. The story will be told by expert narrators from the Naval Historical Society of Australia.