Currawong was one of four Bronzewing-class harbour tugs constructed for the Royal Australian Navy. The ships in the class were:
Bronzewing (HTS 501) Currawong (HTS 502) HTS 503 (to Papua New Guinea in 1974) Mollymawk (HTS 504)
They were constructed by Stannard Bros, Sydney, except for HTS Mollymawk (504), she was constructed by Perris Engineering, Brisbane.
Bronzewing and Currawong are currently on loan to the Sydney Heritage Fleet, where they are often used in support of the James Craig and other heritage ships in the Fleet.
HMS Bronzewing was one of four Bronzewing-class harbour tugs constructed for the Royal Australian Navy. The ships in the class were:
Bronzewing (HTS 501) Currawong (HTS 502) HTS 503 (to Papua New Guinea in 1974) Mollymawk (HTS 504)
They were constructed by Stannard Bros, Sydney, except for HTS Mollymawk (504), she was constructed by Perris Engineering, Brisbane.
Bronzewing and Currawong are currently on loan to the Sydney Heritage Fleet, where they are often used in support of the James Craig and other heritage ships in the Fleet.
Covering Australia’s maritime history from pre-colonial times to the present, the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney has an excellent collection of ships and artefacts on display. The most obvious displays are the ships and boats of the heritage fleet docked on Darling Harbour, but those inside also deserve a lot of attention.
Indigenous Watercraft
As the oldest users of the Australian coast and waterways, a large section is devoted to indigenous watercraft and heritage. Displays of canoes from around Australia and the Torres Strait are on display.
Aboriginal Bark CanoeIlma from the Bardi Jawi people
Kay Cottee and Blackmores First Lady
In 1989, Kay Cottee became the first woman to circumnavigate the world alone, without stopping, without assistance, by way of both hemispheres and the five southernmost capes. It took her 189 days in Blackmores First Lady, in a time before Social Media and with poor communications.
Visitors are able to enter the boat and experience how small it is. Getting on board really makes you realise what an incredible achievement it was.
Blackmores First Lady in which Kay Cottee became the first woman to perform a single-handed, non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation of the worldInside Kay Cottee’s Blackmores First Lady
Model Ships
One section of the Museum has beautifully made ship models relevant to Australia. As the museum is based in Sydney most of the Royal Australian Navy’s shops named HMAS Sydney are displayed. The largest and most impressive is the aircraft carrier, which has amazing detail.
Other models range from sailing ships to bulk iron ore carriers. All were important either for exploration or trade.
Model of The Royal Australian Aircraft Carrier HMAS Sydney (III)A model of BHP Pacific IronSailing Ship Model
Other Exhibits
Interesting displays located throughout the museum include the ships bell from USS Canberra (AG-2) which was named after HMAS Canberra, a heavy cruiser sunk during the Second World War. A 40mm cannon from a Royal Australian Navy ship lets you get a close up look at this important anti-aircraft weapon.
The Bell of USS Canberra CAG-2Spirit of Australia – The World’s Fastest Boat 1978Bofors 40mm cannonDeep Sea Diver Statue
HMAS Vampire
HMAS Vampire (II) D11 was a Daring class destroyer operated by the Royal Australian Navy. Launched in 1959 and decommissioned in 1986. Entry to Vampire and the other ships is included in the ticket cost of the Maritime Museum (as of March 2024).
HMAS VampireHMAS Vampire 4.5″ Guns Sick Bay of HMAS VampireSenior Ratings’ Lounge HMAS Vampire
HMAS Onslow
HMAS Onslow was an Oberon class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy. Commissioned 1969 in and decommissioned in 1999. Walking through the submarine makes you realise how cramped the conditions are. This isn’t somewhere I would want to live months on end.
The historical fleet contains ships that have importance to Australia’s maritime heritage. Possibly the most impressive to still be preserved is the Krait. This ex-Japanese fishing boat was used by Australia Special Forces during the Second World War to sneak into Singapore Harbour where they damaged 37,000 tonnes of Japanese ships.
