Australian National Maritime Museum commemorates the end of WWII

Commemorative logo from the ANMM. Reproduced courtesy Australian National Maritime Museum.

In the aftermath of the Second World War, life as we know it was permanently changed. Many of the world’s structures, systems, and mechanisms – particularly those surrounding global order – were established as a result of these tumultuous events. To mark the end of the Second World War in the Pacific, the Australian National Maritime Museum is delivering a series of programs, events, and initiatives. One of these initiatives is a highlights package on the Australian Register of Historic Vessels (ARHV).

Thirteen vessels which are listed on the ARHV have been highlighted due to their wartime operations and contributions to this significant chapter of global history. You can access the highlights package here.

Screenshot of the WWII highlights package on the Australian Register of Historic Vessels.

Notable examples include the fishing vessel Krait, used as part of a secret commando raid on Singapore Harbour in September 1943. This raid was known as Operation Jaywick, and is considered one of the most successful commando raids of the Second World War. However, it also had unforeseen consequences for the local civilian population.

You can read more about Krait on the ARHV, and see the ANMM’s website for more details on Operation Jaywick.

Krait moored at Refuge Bay and Camp X in mid-January 1943, in the configuration adopted for its clandestine activities. Reproduced for the Australian Register of Historic Vessels, courtesy Australian War Memorial (Negative Number 067338).

Another key vessel is Air View, a high-speed air-sea rescue vessel used by the Royal Australian Navy during the Second World War. It is one of 20 Miami-class anti-submarine vessels built in the USA and modified as a rescue launch. Air View is a typical example of wartime support vessels which conducted essential offshore operations, and is rare due its largely original condition as well as being one of the few Air-Sea rescue vessels remaining.

Further information about this vessel can be found on the ARHV.

Air View, date unknown. Reproduced for the Australian Register of Historic Vessels, courtesy of a private collection.

The World War Two highlights package was prepared with the assistance of Stirling Smith (Curator of Navy, Australian National Maritime Museum), and members of the ARHV Steering Committee.