"S.S. Iron Crown"Print Page

In commemoration 

Captain and crew of the "S.S. Iron Crown"

1922 -1942

On June 4th 1942, the S.S. Iron Crown carrying a cargo of manganese ore was sunk by the Japanese submarine I-27 with the loss of 38 lives. Five men survived the torpedo attack SSW of Cape Howe at 4.45pm and were rescued after several hours in the water by S.S. Mulbera with strong support from a R.A.A. F. bomber patrol. 

This plaque honours the memory of the 38 men who went down with the ship and whose grave lies east towards the horizon from this point. 

May they forever rest in peace

The Merchant Service was under relentless attack around the Australian coastline between June 1942 and June 1943. Thirteen Japanese submarines operating off the East coast resulted in the loss of 22 allied ships; twelve of which were Australian owned - with the loss of 194 lives. 

Killed:
Captain A. McLellan,  A .Anderson,  S. Bartlett,
R. Bennett,                B. Bokenham,  D. Burns,          F. Chamminhs, 
E. Conway,                R. Costa,         J. Darragh,       J. Davies, 
P. Ferguson,              H. Giles,           E. Griffiths,      J. Hand,                       J. Hay,
G. Innell,                    J. James,         A. Jobson,        K. Kanerva - Karavas,
J. Maccarron,             V. MacDonald, P. MacGregor,  M. Miller,
R. Ormiston,               J. Poulton,       A. Quinn,          W. Rushford,
C. Sandison,               T. Scott,           J. Smith,          J. Smithies,                F. Stewart,
J. Sutherland,             R. Taylor,         S. Taylor,          M. Tracey.

Survivors: 
G. Fisher, N. McKelvie, B. Meils, J. Roach, A. Sabiston.