WWII and Cyclone Tracy
The World War II Shipwrecks are a direct result of the first Japanese air raid on Australia, which occurred in Darwin on 19 February 1942. This raid was predicated by Darwin's integral position in the fluid geopolitical and strategic situation in the Pacific and Southeast Asian theatres of war during December 1941-February 1942.
The wrecks are memorials to those who lost their lives in the first bombing raid on Australia and for those who defended Darwin. The wrecks provide an insight into Australia's maritime history depicting the type of vessels and equipment used for defence purposes in World War II.
Thirty two years later, Darwin was again attacked, this time by a devastating cyclone. On Christmas Day 1974 Cyclone Tracy struck Darwin and caused major havoc. Ninety percent of the housing in Darwin (and suburbs) was destroyed, and 55 people lost their lives including 16 officially missing at sea. Twenty nine vessels were wrecked, mostly fishing boats. The last two vessels from that tragedy, the Booya and the Darwin Princess were only located in October 2003. For 29 years the location and fate of the boat and their respective crews had remained a mystery.
Today the Booya is a protected shipwreck under the Northern Territory’s Heritage Conservation Act 1991. It has a protected zone around it and while the public is encouraged to visit and dive on the site a permit is required. The site has significance not only in terms of the historic nature of the wreck, but also as regards the flora and fauna that have colonised the site. It stands today as a living memorial to all those who lost their lives in Cyclone Tracy.
WWII
- British Motorist
- Don Isidro
- SS Ellengowan
- Kelat
- I-124
- Mauna Loa
- USS Meigs
- Neptuna
- USS Peary
- Zealandia
Other WWII maritime sites of interest
Cyclone Tracy
