Newcastle Merchant Mariners Memorial

North anchor

In memory of all Merchant Mariners lost in time of war 

"Hark Do You Hear The Sea" Shakespeare

"Lest We Forget"

North east plaque

This Memorial was unveiled by The Hon. Peter Morris, MP. with the assistance of Mrs. J. Roggers and Captain L. Packman on Friday 17th June, 1994. The anchor used was the spare bow anchor from the Newcastle built dredge E.O.K. Green. The flag was formerly located outside the Administrative Building of the State Dockyard. The plaque, dedicated to the two BHP vessels was located at the BHP Newcastle Steel Works. Captain J. Fair, Secretary.

North west plaque

Australia Remembers 1939-1945

During World War II the sea was the main transport route, bringing to Newcastle the raw materials needed by its industries and taking away the industries products, as well as Hunter coal. Japanese submariner operated along the east coast of Australia from 16 May to 3 August 1942 and 18 January to 16 June 1943. They sank 18 vessels and attacked another 15, killing 277 merchant mariners and 223 medical personnel, as well as attacking Sydney and Newcastle. In 1940-41 German mines sunk 4 vessels, killing 16, and a German submarine sank a vessel in 1944, killing 2. 14 men from Newcastle were among 23 lost when 'Iron Crown', en route from Whyalla to Port Kembla, was sunk by submarine I-27 on 4 June 1942; earlier it had damaged 'Barwon'. On 22 July 1942 Allara' was damaged by enemy action. It was repaired in Newcastle but 5 fatalities of that action are buried in Sandgate General Cemetery. Submarine I-21 which sunk 'Iron Knight' had previously sunk 'Kalingo' on 18 January 1943.

This Australia Remembers Plaque was sponsored by Newcastle Port Corporation.

South west plaque

North Coast Steam Navigation Co Ltd

For decades this company operated a fleet of small ships to navigate NSW North Coast river and bay ports but sadly it ceased trading in 1954. Two of its ships that had called regularly at Newcastle for cargoes and bunkers were sunk by enemy action during World War II. This plaque is dedicated to the memory of the officers and crew of those ships who lost their lives. M.V. Nimbin Sunk by a German mine off Norah Head on 5th December 1940 7 lives lost S.S. Wollongbar Torpedoed by a Japanese submarine off Crescent Head 29th April 1943 32 lives lost.

South plaque

In commemoration of members of Mercantile Marine who lost their lives at sea. S.S. 'Iron Chieftain' 3rd June 1942

[Names] (refer below)

S.S. 'Iron Knight' 8th February 1943 

[Names] (refer below)

1939 World War II 1945

The Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd.