| Accession Number | P03901.009 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Print silver gelatin |
| Place made | New Guinea1: Papua New Guinea, Papua, Milne Bay |
| Date made | 24 February 1943 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
A makeshift buoy and an oil slick marks the position where 6 Squadron Lockheed Hudson A16-245 ...
Description
A makeshift buoy and an oil slick marks the position where 6 Squadron Lockheed Hudson A16-245 sank after ditching 360 metres off the northern shore of Milne Bay in approximately 15-20 metres of water after poor weather delayed the aircraft long enough for it to run out of fuel, forcing pilot 415152 Flt Lt Ray Kelly to perform a ditching nearly 60 kilometres from base. After watching their plane sink, after floating for five minutes, (and after spending 15 minutes in the water). The four crew were rescued by locals in lakatois (outrigger canoes). They were eventually picked up by a US PT Boat from the nearby PT base at Kona Kope, and taken to the Asheville class patrol gunboat, USS Tulsa, which returned them to Turnbull Field the following day.