HMAS Aware - the final chapter

For many years, the former Attack Class patrol boat , “HMAS Aware” has been rusting away in the Burnett River between the Sugar Terminal and the Bundaberg Port Marina. Launched in Brisbane in 1967, the “HMAS Aware” was based at Darwin for a time, seeking Vietnamese refugee boats, and later transferred to Adelaide. It was decommissioned and sold to private ownership in the 1990′s. For sometime it was used as a dive boat and then arrived in Bundaberg in 2006.  It had been an ugly sight – it was listing to one side and there had been some very unsympathetic additions above the deck (believed to have been added in Melbourne). At one point, it was advertised for sale for a mere AUD$85,000. See photo below, courtesy of http://www.boatsamillion.com/

In 2010, the surviving owner, a former crewman from the vessel, was fined $10,000 for failing to keep the vessel insured. This action has probably prompted the removal of the vessel from the river. Here are a couple of photos I took today of the 33m beauty as she lay awaiting the cutting torches.

What absolutely beautiful lines - the former "HMAS Aware" 22 Nov 2011 © JoWo12

 

The last resting place of the "HMAS Aware" 22 Nov 2011 © JoWo12

 By crikey, I just got those first photos in the nick of time – have a look at this …………………  

The stainless steel driveshafts beside the stern section ©2011 WoJo12




HMAS Aware - the following day

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Mystery Object at Dr May's Point

When I walk north from Coonarr Beach towards the mouth of the Elliott River, It is amazing how nature periodically buries and unburies the relics from the past. Those of you following this blog will remember my post about the bus from Dr May's property.

About 440 metres south of that site, I had previously discovered a metal cylindrical object but lately it had completely been covered by sand. It is now uncovered again. It is about 1 metre long and probably 500mm in diameter. The end that is still intact is rounded, and it has been constructed using at least one row of rivets. It has a "shaft hole of about 80 or 90mm at each end, but they are offset by 90 degrees.

Can anyone offer any suggestions as to what it was????

In the same vicinity, another concrete trough has revealed itself. I have no idea what they were used for. Does anyone have any ideas???

Finally, on my return walk to Coonarr Beach, I found this poor turtle washed up on the beach.

Last Week in Bundaberg Port

On 13 Dec 2011 at the morning high tide, "Doris" left for Melbourne with a load of raw sugar, aided by the tug "Ballina". The tug "Wilga" returned to Brisbane a couple of days earlier. Our next sugar ship is not due until the middle of January 2012.





 

Last mooring line is gone, and "Doris" sails off to the Coral Sea - 13 Dec 2011  ©2011 WoJo12

The dredge "Everglade" came to  Bundaberg from Port Douglas in April this year to restore the shipping channel following the floods. It appears that the dredge is now being prepared to leave Bundaberg following completion of the works. The spud poles have been removed and the cabin is sporting a new lick of paint



The business end of the dredge "Everglade" earlier in the week ©2011 WoJo12

And now finally, in earlier post I related and illustrated the demise of the former navy patrol boat "HMAS Aware". Now there is nothing left at all. Here are a couple of photos of the last pieces being carried away.



The rear section, showing the rudder mechanism ©2011 WoJo12



Below - the last piece of history, off to the scrap yard ©2011 WoJo12