HMAS Sydney and a Fishy Treat

Western Australia is the largest state in Australia. One place I visited recently was Geraldton, 424 kilometres north of Perth. It is now a city and has grown in size and population. (Approx 26,000 people).

Over the years, I went there on a few camping trips. On the foreshore, there was a yellow submarine, unfortunately it has gone. It is my mission to find out what happened to it!

Western Australia has an amazing coastline and many ships have succumbed to the reefs over the years.

One story you may have heard was the finding of the HMAS Sydney and the Kormoran.  In 2008, David Mearns an American born, long time English resident, oceanic scientist and deep water search and recovery expert, led a team to find the Australian warship HMAS Sydney and the German Commerce Raider, Kormoran.

David Mearns first heard the story of the Sydney in 1996, and it left an indelible impression in his mind. One of the world′s foremost shipwreck hunters, David had successfully located dozens of wrecks in much deeper water. Hunting the Sydney, a challenge he accepted in 2002, proved his toughest quest yet. It tested his skills as detective, engineer, marine scientist and navigator. David′s quest, over six years, took him around the world. From war archives in Germany, to the homes of Kormoran survivors, then Fremantle, Western Australia and out into the Indian Ocean. He encountered conspiracy theories, clues, cyclones and a myriad of mechanical problems. On March 17th, 2008, he finally said with excitement, "HMAS Sydney found!"

The initial search for the ships began on 24th November, 1941 after Sydney failed to respond to radio messages. Royal Australian Air Force aircraft patrolled off the West Australian coast and all high powered radio stations in Australia were instructed to continuously broadcast to Sydney. After the British tanker, Trocas rescued survivors from the Kormoran at approximately 120 miles (192 km) west-north-west of  Carnarvon on 24th November, six nearby merchant ships were instructed to search for survivors. Four auxiliary Royal Australian Navy vessels were dispatched from Fremantle. 315 survivors from the Kormoran were rescued by 30th November. The only confirmed trace of Sydney found by searchers was a single empty lifeboat recovered by HMAS Heroes.

Finally, the relatives of the servicemen that served on the HMAS Sydney and the Kormoran have closure. For many years, the location of the vessels was unknown.

A memorial is now on top of Mount Scott in Geraldton. It is made of four major elements. Steel based on the ship's prow, a granite wall listing the ships company, a bronze statue of a woman looking out to sea waiting in vain for the HMAS Sydney to return, and a dome made of 645 stainless steel seagulls . 

This mystery of the sea brings my next recipe to you. Try this tasty dish.


Salmon, Spinach, Asparagus and Avocado Salad 

Ingredients

1 bunch of asparagus, ends trimmed
200g of roasted salmon fillet, flaked 
150g baby spinach leaves 
1 avocado, peeled, deseeded and flesh sliced 
1 tablespoon of olive oil 
2 tablespoons of lime juice 
2 teaspoons of brown sugar 
Salt and pepper to taste
Sesame seeds, to garnish

Method 

Blanch the asparagus in a pan of boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain, refresh under cold water, then drain once again. Pat dry.

For the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice and sugar in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

Place the asparagus, salmon, spinach and avocado in a large bowl.

Toss the dressing through the salad and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Serve with fresh crusty white bread!