| Accession Number | P05303.022 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Australia: Northern Territory, Darwin |
| Date made | 19 February 1942 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
The SS Neptuna explodes at Stokes Hill Wharf, sending a column of debris and smoke hundreds of ...
Description
The SS Neptuna explodes at Stokes Hill Wharf, sending a column of debris and smoke hundreds of metres into the air. Directly in front of the explosion is the small Patrol Craft HMAS Vigilant which is undertaking rescue work. In the centre background the floating dry dock holding the Corvette, HMAS Katoomba is visible. In the centre foreground a lifeboat pulls away from the damaged SS Zealandia (right) which was dive bombed and later sunk. One of a series of photographs relating to the service of 5345 Norman Gaff. Born on 19 November 1899 in Queenscliff, Victoria, Norman Gaff enlisted on 11 August 1915 and served in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) during the First and Second World Wars. Seven days before the first Japanese air raid on Darwin, Gaff was posted to HMAS Melville, the (former) RAN shore base located there. He survived this event and subsequent raids on Darwin and was discharged on 2 January 1946.