Solemn Seas for Warramunga
HMAS Warramunga transited the Sunda Strait on Remembrance Day, where Australian light cruiser HMAS Perth I was lost in 1942.. Ship’s company fell silent to reflect on the loss and the sound of the engines and the crashing of the waves could be heard. Commanding Officer Warramunga, Commander Dugald Clelland led the at sea commemoration. “We are within 17 nautical miles of where HMAS Perth I, was lost and 375 of her 680 strong crew,” he said. Perth I, the American heavy cruiser USS Houston and a major Imperial Japanese Navy task force were involved in the Second World War action. Both Allied ships and five Japanese ships were sunk. Those who survived became Japanese prisoners of war. liberated in 1945.
Hanjin Aqua Aground in Sunda Strait
The container ship Hanjin Aqua (4,500-TEU) ran aground off Sangiang Island in Indonesia's Banten, Sundra Strait. The ship with 2303 containers on board is en route from Adelaide Australia to Jakarta, including hazardous cargo class A. Vessel (249m length overall and beam of 37m) has a portside list 3 degrees, grounded by bow part, hull is understood to be breached, details unclear. Indonesia patrol ships are on grounding site, crew remaining on board, as there is no danger of sinking. Local reports say that though the hull has breached, there is no danger of the ship sinking. The local coastguard is on the scene assessing the situation. “There is no reported casualties or marine pollution and the cause of the accident is currently under investigation,” the spokesperson said.
US, Australian, Indonesian Navies Commemorate Battle of Sunda Strait
Senior officials from the United States, Australia and Indonesia paid their respects to the crews of USS Houston (CA 30) and HMAS Perth (D 29) during a wreath laying ceremony March 1, commemorating the 73rd anniversary of the Word War II Battle of Sunda Strait. In the early morning of March 1, 1942, the cruisers Houston and Perth were sunk by the Japanese Imperial Navy in the Sunda Strait, about 60 nautical miles from Jakarta, Indonesia. During the battle, in which both ships fought to the last of their fuel and ammunition, 696 U.S. Sailors and Marines aboard Houston and 375 Australian sailors aboard Perth, including the captains of both ships, lost their lives. The wrecks remain their final resting places as war graves beneath the sea.
Today in U.S. Naval History: July 31
Today in U.S. 1815 - Commodore Stephen Decatur concludes agreement with Bey of Tunis to compensate U.S. for seizure of merchant ships during the War of 1812. 1865 - East India Squadron established to operate from Sunda Strait to Japan. 1874 - Commissioning of USS Intrepid, first U.S. 1912 - First attempt to launch an airplane by catapult made at Annapolis. 1964 - All-nuclear task force with USS Long Beach, USS Enterprise, and USS Bainbridge leaves Norfolk, VA to begin voyage, Operation Sea Orbit, to circle the globe without refueling. They returned on 3 October.
Today in U.S. Naval History: July 31
Today in U.S. 1815 - Commodore Stephen Decatur concludes agreement with Bey of Tunis to compensate U.S. for seizure of merchant ships during the War of 1812. 1865 - East India Squadron established to operate from Sunda Strait to Japan. 1874 - Commissioning of USS Intrepid, first U.S. 1912 - First attempt to launch an airplane by catapult made at Annapolis. 1964 - All-nuclear task force with USS Long Beach, USS Enterprise, and USS Bainbridge leaves Norfolk, Va. to begin voyage, Operation Sea Orbit, to circle the globe without refueling. They returned on October 3.
Fairmount Glacier Delivered Rig La Muralla IV in Mexico
Tug Fairmount Glacier has delivered rig La Muralla IV in Bay of Campeche, Mexico. The rig has been towed from Okpo, South Korea, via Sunda Strait and Cape of Good Hope. La Muralla IV is a brand new semi-submersible drilling rig for ultra deep water operations, owned by Mexican Grupo R. The rig is constructed by Deawoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in South Korea. La Muralla IV is designed to drill up to depths of 10.000 meters. The rig has a length of 118,6 meters and a width of 96,7 meters.
Detained Chemical Tankship a Safety Threat Say Operators
The ship 'Norgas Cathinka' remains detained in Indonesia following a September 2012 collision. In a statement, the operators, Singapore-based Norgas Carriers said that the ship, the Norgas Cathinka, was still carrying 3,045 metric tons of the highly flammable and explosive chemical propylene, which was vaporizing every day, creating a buildup of pressure in the cargo tanks. The Singapore-bound ship was ordered detained by Indonesian authorities after it collided with a passenger Ferry, the Bahuga Jaya, in the Sunda Strait on Sept. 26. Forty-three people on board the ferry are believed to have been killed when the ferry capsized after the accident, reports the Jakarta Globe.
Lifejacket Whistles Save Lives in Sunda Strait Rescue
AMSA officials congratulate captain & crew of a container ship on their rescue of 15 asylum-seekering survivors from a Sunda Strait casualty. The APL Bahrain recovered 15 survivors following the sinking of a passenger vessel on 29 August 2012 off the southern Sunda Strait, including six people who were rescued in the dark. The vessel also acted as on scene coordinator for much of the operation, coordinating up to five merchant ships and aircraft over two days. AMSA’s Emergency Response Division General Manager Mr John Young…
This Day in Naval History – July 31
1815 - Commodore Stephen Decatur concludes agreement with Bey of Tunis to compensate U.S. for seizure of merchant ships during the War of 1812. 1865 - East India Squadron established to operate from Sunda Strait to Japan. 1874 - Commissioning of USS Intrepid, first U.S. warship equipped with torpedoes 1912 - First attempt to launch an airplane by catapult made at Annapolis. 1964 - All-nuclear task force with USS Long Beach, USS Enterprise, and USS Bainbridge leaves Norfolk, VA to begin voyage, Operation Sea Orbit, to circle the globe without refueling. They returned on 3 October. (Source: Navy News Source)
This Day in Naval History - July 31
1815 - Commodore Stephen Decatur concludes agreement with Bey of Tunis to compensate U.S. for seizure of merchant ships during the War of 1812. 1865 - East India Squadron established to operate from Sunda Strait to Japan. 1874 - Commissioning of USS Intrepid, first U.S. warship equipped with torpedoes. 1912 - First attempt to launch an airplane by catapult made at Annapolis. 1933 - USS Constitution commences tour of principal U.S. seaports. 1964 - All-nuclear task force with USS Long Beach (CGN 9), USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and USS Bainbridge (CGN 25) leaves Norfolk, Va., to begin voyage, Operation Sea Orbit, to circle the globe without refueling. They returned October 3. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil.
