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

Accession Number P06090.001
Collection type Photograph
Object type Black & white - Print silver gelatin
Maker White, Alan Wallace
Place made At sea
Date made 14 October 1951
Conflict Korea, 1950-1953
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

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, boat and forklift truck were lost overboard, while other aircraft and boats suffered major damage.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.' (See Reference image for back of photograph). (For image from original negative see P05890.069)