HMAS Sydney (III), with Sea Fury and Firefly aircraft lashed to the deck, rides out Typhoon Ruth ...

HMAS Sydney (III), with Sea Fury and Firefly aircraft lashed to the deck, rides out Typhoon Ruth in Korea Strait between Japan and Korea. The accompanying support ship in the background is the Royal Canadian Navy destroyer Athabaskan. The Sydney had been lying at anchor in Sase Bo Harbour, Japan, replenishing for her next Korean War operational patrol. After a message was received warning of the approaching typhoon, and in view of the restricted and crowded nature of the anchorage, HMAS Sydney and other large ships were ordered to put to sea. Sydney experienced the most critical phase of the typhoon from 5pm to midnight on 14 October, with winds exceeding 68 knots being encountered. A Firefly aircraft, a boat and forklift truck were lost overboard, while other aircraft and boats suffered major damage. During his Korean War service from 31 August 1951 to 22 February 1952, R29942 Chief Radio Electrician Alan Wallace White RAN was an authorised photographer on board the Majestic class light aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney III (R17). The Sydney was mainly involved in patrolling off the western coast of Korea, while its Hawker Sea Fury aircraft of No. 805 and 808 Squadrons, and Fairey Firefly aircraft of No. 817 Squadron, carried out strikes against North Korean units and supply lines. (See also P05890.069). Also held in the Australian War Memorial's collection (P06090.001) is a photographer's print of P05890.069. On the reverse side of the print is the photographer's copyright stamp, which reads 'COPYRIGHT ALAN W. WHITE, CH R. E. Authorized Photographer H. M. A. S. SYDNEY'. Below the stamp the photographer has written 'TYPHOON RUTH. SOLD OVER 1000 PRINTS SO FAR OF THIS SHOT ALONE, WITH ORDERS STILL COMING IN AS WE'RE OUT OF PRINT OF THESE AT PRESENT.'