H.M.A.S. NizamPrint Page
The monument commemorates 10 sailors who drowned when the H.M.A.S. Nizam was hit by a king wave in February 1945.
In February 1945, HMAS Nizam was hit by a heavy squall as she rounded Cape Leeuwin in Western Australia. A huge sea from the starboard quarter caused the ship to keel over an estimated 60 to 70 degrees, burying the whole of her port side in the water. The ship was travelling at 21 knots and the water swept down the ship sweeping boats, davits and sailors overboard.
The ten sailors who drowned were : -
Ordinary Seaman John Sydney Wallace Barnett
Ordinary Seaman Garnet Joseph Hill
Ordinary Seaman Leslie Alexander Holloway
Able Seaman Alfred George Kerr
Able Seaman Victor Charles Joseph Keys
Able Seaman Allen Wilfred Milich
Ordinary Seaman Keith James Mills
Stoker (II) John Poulton
Able Seaman Vincent Gordon Richardson
Acting Leading Seaman Colin Samuel Ryder
Location
Address: | Leeuwin Road, Adjacent to Lighthouse, Cape Leeuwin, 6290 |
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State: | WA |
Area: | AUS |
GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -34.375 Long: 115.136389 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
Monument Type: | Monument |
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Monument Theme: | Disaster |
Sub-Theme: | Maritime |
Actual Event Start Date: | 11-February-1945 |
Actual Event End Date: | 11-February-1945 |
Dedication
Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Thursday 11th February, 1993 |
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On the night of February 11, 1945 the destroyer HMAS Nizam was struck by a freak wave at 2215 hours, 11 miles due south of this point. Tragically, 10 Ratings were swept overboard and lost at sea.
They wWere
L. S. Colin S. Ryder O.D. John S. W. Barnett
A. B. Alfred G. Kerr O.D. Garnet J. Hill
A. B. Victor C. J. Keys O.D. Leslie A. Holloway
A. B. Allen W. Milich O.D. Keith J. Mills
A. B. Vincent G. Richardson STO. John Poulton
This memorial was erected in their memory by the "N" Class Destroyers Assn. of Australia.
Lest We Forget.
Plaque :
Dedicated on 11th February 1993 by Captain W. F. Cook, L.V.O. R.A.N. (RTD) who was Commanding Officer of HMAS Nizam.