Ships from different eras.

Today anyone visiting the bay will have the opportunity to see two completely different modes of transport. One being a modern war ship equipped to travel the seas with the latest that technology has to offer.

Australia’s newest war ship HMAS Canberra - 2015

The other transports us back to a time when travelling vast distances by sea presented sailors with life challenges modern sailors very rarely get to experience.

The James Craig anchored off Callala Beach – Oct 2015

The Mangrove forest - a whole different world.

 

The museum gives the visitor a unique opportunity to see some wondrous things, and for the anyone looking for another adventure may I suggest a walk along the elevated timber platform that winds it’s way through the mangrove forest on the eastern side of the museum. Take your time, walk quietly and with as much stealth as possible,  and you will be rewarded with colour, texture, and all sorts of life.  Observe the small things, take the time to absorb the sounds, Id be very surprised if you didn’t enjoy the experience. During the different tides the experience is totally different,  so come back on the opposite tide and have a whole new adventure. I went on a walk this morning and shot just a few of the textures, colour and life that await the observant. There is much, much, more. - enjoy!

“This is the story of the homecoming of a Lady of the Sea, and of the many people who dreamed a dream and gave it their all”

 

Just in case we all forget why this museum exists in the first place.

Anyone that doesn’t know the story behind the Lady Denman and why and how she came to be where she is today,  Id suggest you get yourself a copy of the locally produced book called  “No way to treat a Lady”.   Written by “Ross Saunders”,  it contains photographs and information gained from many hours of research and interviews with the people involved.   It’s a truly fascinating story, containing passion, intrigue, personal sacrifice, and the ultimate victory of those years of hard work is one of the premium regional museums in Australia. Once known as the Lady Denman Heritage Complex and now known as the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum. I had a person recently say.  It’s just a museum about old boats isn’t it”.  She was very surprised once i explained to her what the museum has to offer the local community and how it came about..”and no it’s not just about old boats”.  That’s just part of the story. Here are a few shots from the decks of the “Lady”

What was happening 100 years ago in Huskisson.

Jervis Bay Items January 1915

Wet weather has visitor in bad humour.. The very inclement and unseasonal weather experienced throughout the Christmas holidays put the usual holiday visitor to the bay in very bad humour.  Setting in early Christmas week,  the floodgates of Heaven poured incessant rain and accompanied with gales which caused rough seas,  made the usual places of pleasure unapproachable. The disastrous war being waged has had it's effect on the holiday traffic,  and although the accommodation houses had their compliments they were not overtaxed.  The bad weather which seemed to have no end,  was also responsible for many cutting their visit short. The bay was honoured with a visit from the Hon. J.H.Cann M.L.A for Canterbury. Arriving during the rain for the purpose of testing the fishing ,  but "Old Hughie" was still sending down,  so the fish were spared,  and the Chief Secretary packed his traps and boarded his motor car, en route for Nowra. The state of the roads came up for particular attention.  The same old holes are still evident only much larger, and many more of them. People complained that since the inauguration of local government very little had been done.  It seemed much better work was done when the highways were in the control of the Works Department. It seems the man who used a motor car for his trade needed to have a big heart placed in his body to face the many pitfalls that await him on the roads.  Seems the government at the time wasn't much different to the present day Government,  for it taxed the motor car driver and promised to spend the money on bettering the local road works. 100 years since these words and we are still waiting! A regatta was held on  Boxing Day on Currumbene Creek and was as successful as a thunderstorm which fell in the afternoon would allow. More money for Naval the College . The new year is to see the advent of  increased activity at the Naval College,  and an additional vote of money is to be expended in finding work for the unemployed. Steamers from Melbourne have been arriving,  transporting material from the temporary college at Geelong,  and all is being made snug for the cadets,  who are to arrive shortly. The buildings,  completed with their red tiled roofs, present a pleasing appearance,  and local residents feel proud that the authorities thought fit to make this the base for training the future protectors of Australia's shores. New cottages for Huskisson. Three or four new cottages have been erected in Huskisson during the past twelve months,  and the erection of the buildings at the Naval College would seem to have bought a spirit of emulation to light at Huskisson. Commercial interest in Huskisson flounders. There seems to be nothing doing here commercially.  with the exception of fishing. The timber industry is dead,  and no boat building is proceeding.  Still everyone seems to be prosperous,  so what use to worry ? The rains finally stop. Finally the rains stopped and was the signal for the issuing forth of all and sundry to the beaches to enjoy a little fresh air after confinement.  Some parties tried fishing with success,  whilst others availed themselves of the opportunity for swimming,  oystering,  etc. Pioneer of a new industry. A young man equipped with a forked stick and a bottle of self made antidote,  came along and asked where he would be likely to drop across snakes.  He was directed along Currumbene Creek,  but returned empty handed. He said he was a pupil of the late Professor Fox,  who plied a similar trade round La Perouse an little time back. Fox met his death in India,  owing to one puncture inflicted by a Cobra being neglected. The snakes,  which must be venomous,  are sold to the University of Sydney at one shilling and inch.  Death Adders are also accepted at the same price.  Perhaps one day will come when our old enemy the snake will receive it's proper recognition,  and take it's place amongst the assets of the State.

Camping De luxe

Illawarra Mercury - 1919

29 years before the S.S. Merimbula went ashore and drew the attention of Sydney people to the little known coastal resort of Currarong,   it was best known by Shoalhaven locals as a great camping and fishing spot,  the township was small and isolated,  the early roads were rough and took many hours to travel from Nowra. 1919 - Despite the Local Clive Shire Councils opposition, Henry Halloran a local land developer paid for and constructed a new road to Currarong and Culburra, the Shire Council then agreed it was a great thing for the area and tourism,  Mr Halloran wished they had made their minds up earlier and avoided the many delays. Mr Halloran had grand visions for the area. He tried in vein for many years to see his dream of a new modern city, A city he would name “St Vincent's City, ” an area from Crookhaven River to the shores of Jervis Bay,  encompassing Lake Woollumboola.

St Vincent’s City. Suburbs will extend from Crookhaven to the northern shores of Jervis Bay.  It will be traversed by a railway, having numerous stations for the convenience of the residents yet to settle there.   Provision has been made for industrial, commercial, educational, and residential areas, for a national park, racecourse, and recreation reserves, and due attention has been given to the details suggested by modern town-planning ideas.  Even Lake Wollumboola will be connected by a canal with Jervis Bay, and possibly ship-building on a huge scale will be conducted there in the sweet by and bye.

One group from Wollongong took advantage of the area, and often camped on the shores at Abraham’s Bosom,  they produced and published a paper called the “Abraham Bosom Times” and from reading one of their stories,   they certainly made the most of their stay.

During the Easter holidays a party of gentlemen from Wollongong camped at Abrahams Bosom, Jervis Bay, and camp life was evidently short of many discomforts,  judging by the accounts published in the "Abraham's Bosom Times," a daily record of the camp life which has been printed and published. The dining tent was illuminated with acetylene light,  and two cooks served up the camp fare in most appetising form.  The days passed to hurriedly for the campers,  who wiled the time in fishing,  shooting,  and robbing wild bees nests,  from forest giants,  which had to be felled before honey could be procured.  In one instant the gad and drill was requisitioned in order to secure honey from the nests amongst the rocks,  but the venture did not prove a success.

Abraham’s Bosom is a beautiful area now part of the Jervis Bay National Park,  it has spectacular scenery, clear blue water, sea caves, clean beaches and hidden coves,  anyone who hasn’t been to the area should take the time to visit this beautiful part of our coast. While your there visit the scattered remains of the S.S Merimbula now strewn across the rocks ,  and wonder what it must have been like for the passengers and crew to suddenly find themselves thrust unceremoniously upon the reef in the cold inky blackness.

Continue reading about the S.S. Merimbula.

Meaning:  Gad - A pointed tool, such as a spike or chisel, used for breaking rock or ore.

Through stress of weather

During my many hours of research into the relationship between the coasting vessels and Jervis Bay , the words “through stress of weather”  appear many times in reference to the ships from the great days of sail, right through until the time of steam that came into Jervis Bay seeking refuge. This part of the coast was well known by ancient mariners for it’s quickly changing weather. Very basic weather forecasting equipment meant many vessels could be caught in rapidly changing sea conditions,  the ocean could go from a pleasant calm state to mountainous seas in a matter of hours,  whipped by strong southerly gales, bought on by quickly moving and deepening east coast low pressure systems that frequently hit this part of the coast.

Below are just a few of the many references that can be found.

1864 – Steamer Balclutha. Caught in mist and high seas, unsure as to where off the coast she was and shipping large quantities of water the Balcutha drifted dangerously close to the coast, when the mist cleared she found herself just off Cape St George, she was low on wood and not responding to her sails,  gathering everything on board that could be burnt, she waited all night,  in the morning she managed to use what wood she had to steam into Jervis Bay and set anchor.

1864 – The Steamer S.S.Hunter. When the Balcutha entered the bay she saw the S.S. Hunter was also at anchor through stress of weather.

1874 – Barque Waterwitch. Engaged in whaling operations, she put into Jervis Bay through stress of weather, she reports a long continuance of heavy weather.

1875 – Barque King Oscar and Schooner Malcome - both southward bound had to put into Jervis Bay through stress of weather.

1877 – A heavy gale and large seas saw the steamers Cheviot, Adele along with to unidentified Barques and a Schooner seek refuge inside the bay.

1883 - The City of Adelaide, from Sydney, was compelled by sheer stress of weather to put into Jervis Bay until the weather abated. Shortly after clearing Sydney Heads on Wednesday the vessel en countered a heavy gale with a tremendous south-cast sea, and reached Jervis Bay with difficulty on the evening of the 10th. The passengers presented an address to Captain M'Intosh, testifying the courage and skill he displayed in the trying circumstances in which he had been placed.

Old houses of Huskisson

Tent City – Jervis Bay

Below we find an interesting article describing the style of the “tent city” that was erected at Captains Point and housed the many workers engaged in the construction of the Australian Naval College,  know today as H.M.A.S Creswell.

The Shoalhaven News and South Coast Districts Advertiser - 1913

A tent city, however small, cannot be set going without a considerable outlay. In view of the interest already shown it may not be out of place to describe a tent, city which we already have in our State, but which, by the way, is only geographically, in"our State", for it is situated on Jervis. Bay, which is Federal territory. A recent visit to that little known and out of the way spot enabled, me to glean a fairly good idea of what it feels like to live in a tent, and to be one of a whole community so dwelling. Workers with a motorised buggy, during the earliest stages of clearing the bush around 1912. The men building the Naval College at Jervis Bay are all housed on the spot at Captain's Point, in a very workmanlike construction camp, which, is mostly built of canvas, where it is not, it is built of corrugated iron.  It is comfortable and adequate, but it was not remarkably cheap to build. In round-numbers, 300 men, some with, wives, and families, are fairly well housed, and even in the rainy weather, they are snugly watertight. Jervis  Bay is decidedly remote, Huskisson, the chief centre of population, is the best part of a good bit away from anywhere, and Captain's point, where they are building the college, is about seven miles farther than that. By far the largest number of inhabitants of Jervis Bay do not dwell there, for in old days, when the men-of-war went there for target firing. there were many men occasionally seen strolling along the grass-grown street of Huskisson, but now such is not the case. Captain's Point is the populous place  But still to a casual, observer, it is very evident that the great future of our coming Federal port is still a long way ahead of it. Very few Sydney people know anything about Jervis Bay, so,  speaking roughly, and without giving distances between points with any accuracy,  it gives one a fair idea of the lay of the land to think of the two Heads as corresponding in position to Port Jackson Heads. Then Captain's Point would lie about where Point Piper is in the harbor, and Huskisson would be, say, at Paws Point.  The bay between Captain's Point and the Heads is called the  Hole in the Wall,  and this is where the whaling station is situated. This part of the country is said to be "the" spot for future building.  The Naval College is going up on the Point itself,  while the construction camp lies further inland. Bullock team drawing timber for the college during the construction. This tent city boasts a series of tents all properly boarded as to the floors, and with the sides, also boarded up to some height from the floor.  There is a large mess room, and also there are a boarding-house and a school of arts with a library,  where concerts and meetings are held.  All the drains,, sanitary arrangements, etc have been well planned.  Supplies come from Sydney by steamer, and from Nowra and: Tomerong by land. Nowra is the terminus of the railway, and from thence- to. all parts of' the Bay the road, in, the rainy season is simply unspeakable. The college buildings themselves, which are as yet in a very unfinished state, already give signs of being, most graceful and attractive.  There is nothing of the barrack or gaol style about them  So many large and bungalow-like places in course of construction give the impression that a fashionable residential suburb is in building, and not the home of our infant navy The mean, squalid appearance inseparable from a collection of canvas dwellings, is mitigated at Jervis Bay by the fact that in such an empty place it is a cheerful sight to see a dwelling of any kind, and also by the thought that this camp is only a temporary affair.   Yet it cost time money and thought ,  all well laid out, to get this tent city into being. If a holiday camp of any size big enough to be dubbed a tent city is to be undertaken, near one of our surf  beaches it ought to be taken in hand by people sufficiently imaginative to be able to eliminate the squalid.  We are to fond of mean humpies as it is. Tent City. Our magnificent coastal scenery, both north and south of Sydney, is disfigured by the uniformly petty and contemptible style of  architecture to be seen on both sides of the roads, It is quite a delightful change to come on a place like Stanwell Park, which has at least neat little cottages and villas to recommend it,  after viewing some of the dreadful eyesores only too frequent along that South Coast road.   A tent city, unless carefully planned, and capably worked, may very likely become an eyesore.  And one more eyesore  will be one too many.

The college has played a vital part in the development of the Jervis Bay region. Before the construction of the Naval College, people in Sydney and beyond new virtually nothing about this beautiful area,   Once the decision was made to build the college at Jervis Bay the media coverage created a tremendous amount of interest in the area.    Many more visitors made their way to Jervis Bay fascinated by the many articles that began to appear in Sydney and regional papers describing the natural beauty of the area, the great possibilities for development and the opportunity to make money from investing in the local area.

Holy Trinity Family Church - Huskisson, NSW

 

The building was at the time regarded as a distinct ornament to the architecture of Huskisson.

A weatherboard church which was opened in April 1931 during the Great Depression.

Long Description: The church was built during the Great Depression, an achievement not lost on the Rural Dean of Wollongong who commented "on their enterprise and devotion in erecting so fine a building in a time of depression". The church was designed by Cyril Blackett, a son of Edmund Blackett one of Australia's most important colonial architects. Cyril also designed the Nowra School of Arts & the War Memorial Gates at Nowra Showground. Local boat builder Alfred Settree donated the only stained glass window in the church as a memorial to his late wife. Originally it had a stringy bark shingle roof which was replaced by iron in 1956. The building is of wood, with brick foundation, inside measurements being 42ft by 20ft. The contract price for its erection, without windows, lining, etc., was £372, and the necessary, work to complete the building will probably cost another £100.

Although the church furnishings weren’t yet completed, the church was opened on April 4th at 3p.m, by the Rural Dean of Wollongong, Rev E, Walker. Community spirit. Local donations helped with the furnishings. Miss Grace Dent donated a complete 4-light “Victor” lighting system. Mr. Harold Raunch presented a Leetern in memory of his brother Bert. An Alter cloth is the gift of friends at Sans Souci,  per Mr’ Shambler. The Nowra Church gave the hymn-board and matting runners. The pews were donated singly. One was from Mrs. Pitinay. After the opening the Church ladies dispensed afternoon tea at a small charge. Money to build the church was raised by holding local dances,  decorated with palm-flags, balloons and streamers. Some of the evenings music was supplied by the Naval College jazz band, who generously donated their services. Other fund raising events were sports and picnic days held on the Huskisson recreation ground, attracting people from other parts of the district. A big programme of sports was carried out, children being especially catered for with races for varying ages, both boys and girls, sack races, egg and spoon races, and several events for adults.  The prizes for which were trophies.  Tea and refreshments were dispensed by local ladies, stalls did fair business, while young ladies disposed of sweets.

Jervis Bay storm front

Spring and the early rise saw a large dark mass drifting from the south, accompanied by distant rolling thunder,  10 minutes later the sun was totally enveloped by the dark cloud and the late risers woke to an overcast day.

Jervis Bay Spring rise

A SOUTH COAST DISTRICT.

The Journey to Jervis Bay 1915. Jervis Bay, which is only known to the great majority of Sydney citizens as the place where the weather comes from.

From Wollongong down to Nowra and even farther south, the district might be named Sydney-In-the-country. Cattle are feeding, butter factories are working vigorously, creameries are in active operation, and huge wagons bearing the names of city firms and full of heavy milk cans rattle along the road, beside the railway line, and everything seems to be going its hardest to feed the hungry city. Of course the South Coast feeds us and more besides, but we are a big customer. This has been a wonderful season. Never before within the memory of that celebrity "the oldest inhabitant," have the rains kept the paddocks green and springlike in 'the middle of February. It is a cheering and heart-encouraging sight to behold the quiet prosperity of all that district.   Men and women go on their way in peace and quietness, unaffected by war and war's alarms. That Is the first Impression. "These people have never heard of the war." But the first impression should not be trusted. As in other places, the influence of the great disturbance has penetrated here.  Red Cross work has been vigorously carried on by the Nowra women workers, and the society's funds have benefited by a very large sum from this centre. Even the horses of this part of the South Coast have answered to the world call, for many of them have been chosen as troopers' mounts, to say no- thing of the men who have enlisted. Leaving Nowra for Jervis Bay, a sturdy little horse draws us in a sulky. Womanlike, and not understanding the degrees of height, I refer to him as "a nice little pony." The horse seems to hear, for he shakes his head irritably and jerks the sulky forward. "He's not a pony," says the driver; "he's a horse, but he's just under the army standard. If he stood a little higher he'd be at the war now." The equine self-respect seems restored at that, and the horse pounds along very bravely and steadily. At a turn-off where two roads fork, stands a tiny fruit stall, kept by a buxom dame who is the wife of an adjacent farmer. She sells "soft" drinks, cool as if kept on ice, and grapes with the bloom on them. Two or three tiny houses nestle amid the surrounding landscape, which is mostly gum trees, and not another living soul beside herself is in sight. "Does it pay," I ask, and am told that the weekly profits run into two figures. This information, though vague, certainly leaves it clear that stall-keeping, apparently in the uninhabited wild, is profitable. But along this road and the branch road there is a steady stream of vehicles all day long, motor cars, coaches, sulkies, buggies, and bicycles. A few years ago there was nothing but the daily coaches and a few, very few, visitors' traps. The establishment of the Naval College at Captain's Point, Jervis Bay has made the change. Very glittering and gay are the college lights seen at night from a launch in the bay. Electricity in that part of the world is a rarity. By daylight the place is in the full swing of activity. The college now is administered by two departments, Home Affairs and Defence. Naturally, the former is diminishing in tho number of its representatives rapidly, now that the staff proper have arrived. But there will always be some Home Affairs officials there to look after buildings and so forth. Otherwise, the Defence Department rules supreme. The discipline of tho place resembles that of a man-of-war as much as may be. The isolation of Captain's Point is only realised after a visit to the surrounding districts. It is about six- teen miles from anywhere. This, of course, was purposely arranged for. Another determining factor in the choice of Captain's Point as a site for our navy training ground was that there is an abundant water supply. What woman does not love a middy's uniform,  gold braid and brass buttons have a never-failing charm. The boys in training look what they are - the pick of Australia. The newly-joined cadet midshipmen are easily distinguished by the untarnished look of newness about their blue serge and gold fixings. They liked Geelong, but they like this place better. For one reason, it is ever so much more spacious. The boys go everywhere "at the double," and from one building to another is a good step. This is part of their daily exercise, and helps to keep them fit. Visitors are very frequent at the college gates, but a pass is necessary before inspection is allowed. This "keep-off-the-grass" attitude is quite literally to be understood, for the authorities are trying their hardest to conquer their present enemy, the black, dusty sand of the point, and are coaxing binding-grass everywhere. First Jervis Bay Hotel – pre 1926  Memories of warships and whalers cling around Huskisson, the township on Jervis Bay, which, though so small, has been a settlement for over 70 years, in the old R.N. days, when the ships went to Jervis Bay for target practice, there was only one hotel and a blacks' camp. The hotel and the black fellows are there still, but a township has grown up. On the point stands a monument to a young sailor from the flagship, who was drowned in the bay. That and a tiny, red-painted shed, formerly used for storing target gear, are the sole relics of the British Admiralty at Jervis Bay, which is only known to the great majority of Sydney citizens as the place where the weather comes from. A VISITOR.

Trouble - Jervis Bay - 1924

She appeared a pitiful picture,  suggestive of a ship whose heart had been broken.

Ref : State Library of NSW.

The large 1750 ton Japanese steamer Honolulu Maru,  in command of Captain Kamataka, with 63 men and officers were bound from Melbourne to Sydney  carrying a cargo of 1400 tons of zinc plates, stowed in four holds was caught in a fearful storm south east  of Jervis Bay.

April 4th 1924  - The gale hit so fast and with such force it caused the zinc plates to shift,  the ship developed a list of 40 degrees.  Examination of the cargo determined there was no chance of shifting the cargo in the horrendous conditions. Deluged by overwhelming seas, she found herself in a perilous state. The crew worked frantically to secure the ship,  the wireless operator put out a distress SOS call which was eventually picked up by the British Cruisers Dauntless. The Warship H.M.S Dragon on her way from Hobart was dispatched immediately to relieve the Dauntless. The Dauntless battling huge seas was the first ship on the scene,  she stood by the Honolulu Maru and was prepared to render assistance if things turned for the worse. She was badly beaten herself during the ordeal and was put into dry dock for repairs once she was back in Sydney. HMS Dauntless in dry-dock at Cockatoo Island Sydney.  HMS Dauntless -Ref: https://www.flickr.com/photos/anmm_thecommons/7600690914/ H.M.S.Dragon Ref: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HMS_Dragon_SLV_AllanGreen.jpg#/media/File:HMS_Dragon_SLV_AllanGreen.jpg The Dragon was nearly fully extended,  she has a top speed of 29 knots,  and was furrowing some of the worst seas the squadron had ever experienced at 24 knots, she covered 120 miles in 6 hours to get to the scene.   The Dragon had it’s own problems during the journey, mountainous seas washed right over her,  appearing to almost swallow her,  5 men were nearly washed overboard and it was only a miracle that they were saved. One seaman A.b. Brown fell over the side,  but was able to clutch at the sounding boom,  and saved himself,  receiving a crushed finger.  He was eventually pulled in by the legs by another sailor. Injuries. The steamers captain Kamataka lay on the floor for two hours after being knocked unconscious when a mountainous sea hit the vessel and he was thrown against the bridge box. Other sailors aboard the Honolulu Maru were also injured during it’s struggle. Sailors aboard the war ships also suffered injuries. H.M.S Dragon arrives at the scene. Attempts were made to get a hawser between the vessels, one attempt saw the line get caught under the propeller of the Honolulu Maru. Another line became enmeshed in the bows of the Japanese steamer,  and the men on the Dragon speak with pride of the spectacle of one of the Japanese seamen crawling over the side of the ship with a rope around his waist and freeing the line. The Dragon sent eight rockets to the steamer, with lines attached,  but the wind was in the wrong direction,  and they could not reach the vessel. The Captain and the crew of the Honolulu Maru had expectations their ship would turn turtle at any time. Trying to walk on the vessel was almost impossible, she was on such a steep list and moving so much in the sea,  the men  moved about in fear of sliding off,  they had to hold onto anything they could with one hand while trying to negotiate the ship and work with the other. Both vessels were shipping mountainous seas,  with each roll the men were nearly up to their knees in water The Dragon  kept vigil all Friday night over the steamer which was wallowing like some broken thing in treacherous seas. The Dragon swept the steamer continually with it's great searchlights and stood by prepared for any emergency. As soon as the situation was relayed to the authorities the Sydney tugs Champion and Heroic  left port in the full force of the gale,  even old sailors didn't think they had a dog's chance of getting through the monstrous seas with blinding squalls.  One skipper of many years of life at sea said he never saw such seas and weather. But he expressed his faith as such. "Good boats those tugs,  long since proven staunch and true,  and their skippers and crew are splendid seamen" April 5th. The Champion picked up the Dragon and the Honolulu Maru off Jervis Bay.  To add to the already dangerous situation,  it was found with such a list the Honolulu Maru would not steer The decision was made to attempt to get a hawser to the strained vessel to initiate a tow,  to attempt this in the horrendous condition was a daunting task, with great risk and difficulty they managed to secure the hawser.  At midnight on Saturday the Champion  managed to tow her battered charge to a safe anchorage inside Jervis Bay.   She appeared a pitiful picture,  suggestive of a ship whose heart had been broken. She had a terrible list and a long, ugly roll. Although  she was now inside Jervis Bay she was still in a venerable position. Concerned about the sea coming more into the bay, the vessel was moved to a more protected area. The war ship Dragon stood close by. A gang of stevedoring hands was dispatched from Sydney to re-stow the cargo of the Honolulu Maru, she would then be taken to a safer anchorage. Despite the ordeal, on inspection no damage was found to have occurred.   April 11th – The Honolulu Maru sailed safely into Sydney Harbour.

" Thus two proud ships battled with seas which know no fidelity to those who sail them,  and which in their bitterness and caprice and giant strength will betray a proud cruiser as readily as a hardy old carrier furrowing the trade routes."     An officer 'we never thought the Honolulu Maru would get into port'  "Everything was, of course in readiness to save the crew.  We were tossing about in the roughest seas we have ever struck on the cruise"

Ref : State Library of NSW.