Ashtead Technology helps explain riddle of lost World War II ship

An Aberdeen-headquartered firm has donated specialist subsea equipment that has helped explain how one of the most tragic mysteries of the Second World War occurred. Ashtead Technology has been supporting work to re-examine the wreck site of Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney (II) – which was lost with all 645 hands on November 19, 1941. In addition, the leading independent provider of subsea equipment rental, sales and services to the offshore industry, has provided 3-D survey equipment to study the wreck and help inform conservation plans for this historically significant site. The vessel had gone missing following a battle with the German raider HSK Kormoran, which also sank. One of the big questions challenging researchers was why the Australian ship went down so quickly when it was pitted against a relatively small opponent. The final resting place of the HMAS Sydney was only discovered in 2008, 200km off the Western Australian coast at a depth of 2,500 metres. However, it was during an expedition back to the wreck sites in April this year that researchers – using significantly improved imaging and survey technology – discovered a 15cm shell hole through the compass platform at the bridge. This damage would have disabled the ship’s control systems and eye-witness accounts state this occurred during the first minutes of the battle, leading to catastrophic damage and the devastating loss of everyone on board. Ashtead became involved after being approached by DOF Subsea on behalf of the Western Australia Museum which has been working with Curtin University. The technical apparatus supplied by Ashtead allowed researchers to carry out subsea surveys with navigation at depth, studying water speeds, sampling water conditions and providing depth and distance information. The technology provided included an iXsea ROVINS System, Valeport BFM 803 Current Meter, Valeport MIDAS CTD, Valeport MIDAS BathyPack 3000m, Tritech PA500 Bathy Altimeter, Teledyne Blueview P900-130, PMAC CPacq single cell system and a laptop. Researchers are now assessing how the vessels have corroded and will use that information to prepare a heritage management plan for the sites. Wendy Lee, regional manager at Ashtead Technology, said: “The mystery of what happened to the HMAS Sydney has been a puzzle that led to many different theories over the years. I am glad we could help the families and descendants of those who died on that day to learn more about what happened. “The technology we supplied played a role in surveying the wreck, establishing the state it is in and what the sea conditions are around it. This is work we are well used to at Ashtead through our support for the offshore industry and the systems used have meant those investigating what happened to the vessel are able to build up a more accurate picture of the HMAS Sydney and its past.” The survey work on the HMAS Sydney was done from the outside of the vessel to protect the integrity of the site.

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