Allan a Murray

Down 700 Metres Allan a Murray

This book is the story of the SS Iron Crown, the second merchant vessel sunk by Japanese submarines off the south-east coast of Australia in World War II; she was sunk on 4 June 1942. The loss of 38 men was, at the time, the greatest loss of Australian merchant seamen in the War. Her sinking confirmed the belief amongst the merchant seamen that the laden vessels on the 'black and tan run' between Whyalla and Newcastle were 'death ships', deliberately targeted by the Japanese; she sank in 60 seconds. After some early conjecture, it is now the consensus view that the Japanese submarine I-27 sank the SS Iron Crown having deployed to a position off Gabo Island following the attack upon Sydney Harbour; I-27 was one of three 'mother ships' that launched midget submarines into the Harbour during the Battle for Australia.

The sinking off Gabo Island was more than just a single torpedo striking a vessel in the dead of night as the submarine slipped away. It was a daylight attack that developed into a minor engagement between the Japanese submarine, an Australian Hudson bomber and another merchant vessel firing its 4-inch gun.

For 77 years, the story of the SS Iron Crown ended there, her final resting place a mystery. Then, in 2019 Australian researchers found her wreck on the sea floor - down 700 metres - finally bringing closure for the relatives and family of those who were lost at sea.

The Foreword to this book is by Allan's Duntroon classmate, Brigadier David Westphalen, whose grandfather was among those merchant seamen who were lost when the SS Iron Crown was sunk.