Wireless Telegraphist 1st Class Ronald Reynolds

Ronald James Reynolds

14 Oct 1924 - 16 Dec 2016
Service #: PA/2957 Wireless Telegraphist 1st Class
Enlisted RANR 1 Dec 1942
Discharged 25 July 1946.

The Real Weapons on HDML 1321

On Board HDML 1321 "On Board HDML 1321 "You can see one of the soldiers boots as he sleeps next to the guns base (20mm Oerlikon canon), those on the bridge are my father (Ernie Palmer) and one of the Officers" Bro Palmer
photo taken by Ron Reynolds HDML 1321's radio operator

Initial armament was purportedly a Hotchkiss 2 1/2 pound quick firing canon. The QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss is pictured below.

The Hotchkiss was replaced with a 37mm T9 canon from the Bell Aircobra.

Motor Launch 1321 Armament

Only a wooden hull stood between the ship and the enemy but that didn't mean HDML 1321 was defenceless.

According to Wikipedia the HDML 1321 was fitted with the following.

37mm Vickers autocannon aka: pom pom

By Andrew Gray - Flickr http://flickr.com/photos/shimgray/2403357396, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3905050

HDML 1321 Out of Jeopardy

WE'VE DONE IT!!! HDML 1321's future is looking brighter thanks to Paspaley Pearling Company.

Progress Report 22 November 2016

Currently on shore HDML 1321 now needs to be relocated to a more permanent location for restoration work. The team is working overtime to this end.

HDML 1321 On Dry Land

HDML 1321 is on dry land however her future remains uncertain.

The 1321 is currently on the shoreline at the Darwin Bhagwan Marine East Arm facility where she is getting drenched with every high tide. Other salvaged wrecks are being burned just meters away from her.

Bhagwan Marine have given a deadline of Friday 25th to have the ship removed from the facility.

Salvage - Progress Report 12 November

After almost 23 days on the bottom of Darwin harbour, HDML1321 (MV Rushcutter) reached the surface on 11 November - Remembance Day.

The salvage crew will now move HDML 1321 to shore where it will be placed on hard standing and a full inspection made.

More information coming soon.

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Rembrance Day 11 November

Seems the old war vessel has a sense of history...

HDML 1321 is afloat!

LEST WE FORGET

Tributes to Z-Special Unit

Salvage - Progress Report 10 November

After a battle to overcome the bottom’s grip on the vessel, lifting continued slowly most of Wednesday, great care being taken to avoid stress to the hull of HDML 1321. Near the surface a pause was made for the night and lifting will continue today.

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Salvage - Progress Report 8 November

Work continues. The salvage team is taking great care to ensure that HDML 1321 survives the lift with minimal damage.

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Update as at 8AM, divers have been on site this morning and continue to inflate bags to lift the vessel. A constant adjustment of slings to balance the vessel during the lift continues to be ongoing. This is to reduce the potential for damage to the vessel. 

Salvage Work Has Begun - Progress Report 8 November

From the Harbour Authority - Salvage of HDML 1321 is Underway

The work undertaken Monday has been successful with all the build up of sand etc removed from the around the hull. The salvage team were able to pass messengers under the hull and reported little resistance. This would indicate that suction may not be significant and hence less pressure on the hull as the air bags inflate.

Progress Report 5 November

Important news!

Without your help we couldn't have done it!

Today Bro Palmer spoke with Landbridge executives and we have come to an agreement for the first stage of this project. Landbridge have been co-operative and confirmed that they realise the historical significance of HDML 1321 and advise (weather permitting) that this Monday the vessel will be raised, placed on a barge and moved to temporary storage while her fate is determined. (Stage 2) 

Letter from a Save 1321 Supporter

Thank you Derek for you adding your voice to our appeal, your words are both elegant and poignant. 


To whom it may concern,

As you may be aware, the world and Australia are commemorating the centenary of the Great War. Commemoration events are being held all over the world during the period 2014 to 2018. The events are very special to millions of people around the world, in most countries, as all had suffered during this terrible  conflict. The educational displays by museums and other government and non-government organisations are working hard to educate the young in an effort to keep alive. They all suffer, however, from the passage of time robbing us all of the men, women and even the precious artefacts from the time. From Qingdao in China, south to Australia and both east and west to Europe and the Americas conflict raged and such things should be preserved in human memory forever.

Letter To Landbridge

Letter sent to the Landbridge Corp with our offer to solve this problem. We would appreciate it being distributed widely, we feel that the offer is a compromise that would demonstrate that Landbridge has some respect for us as Australians and would go a long way to avoiding what could develop into an unfortunate situation by a foreign owned company.


Dear sir,

I represent a group whose interest is in saving and preserving the ship you know as the MV Rushcutter which sank at her moorings in the small ships harbour on the 19th October.

Progress Report 3 November

We are attempting to get the message through to the foreign owned Landbridge Group, who now leases the Port of Darwin, however we seem to be striking cultural obstacles. We will continue pressing them until they understand.

We have a plan to put forward to them once we get approval from the owners. This would involve the SAVE 1321 fund paying for salvage fees until the debt is cleared, provided the vessel is quickly raised and secured on land in a safe area. This would involve extended credit and a certain amount of trust on Landbridge's behalf.

We ask people to contact Landbridge and politely request they co-operate in our effort to save HDML1321. By doing so it would go a long way towards easing community relations as the leasing of the port is now coming under criticism.


Online Form:
http://www.landbridgeau.com/contact-us.html 

Email:
info@westsidecorporation.co

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Progress Report 27 October

We're told that discussion became a little intense with the Port Authority and the Owners (Ms Geddes), with the port requiring the owners to remove the vessel, HDML 1321, otherwise the administration would step in and, if need be use explosives to prevent the boat becoming a navigation hazard. 

Luke Gosling, MP, was able to bring calm to further discussions and a plan is now being formulated.

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Progress Report 26 October

Awaiting advice from the team in Darwin as to whether the Port Authority will permit HDML 1321 to be raised by an outside contractor, rather than their nominated salvage operators as we may be able to negotiate a more affordable arrangement. 

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Progress Report 25 October

Tuesday Morning

After yesterday's attempt to examine the sunken vessel was called off, another is being scheduled.

Tuesday Afternoon 

An inspection of the HDML 1321 was made this morning, the Member for Darwin, Luke Gosling, and an ABC film crew were taken out by Rex Mitchell, a local businessman with equipment that can raise the ship.

They met with Tracy Geddes who was interviewed for a second time by Dijana Damjanovic.

This interview along with one with Luke Gosling will be aired on ABC TV tonight.

Progress Report 24 October

An inspection of HDML 1321 will again be made today, with a view to raising the vessel. Will advise when a report is received. 

Several Darwin businesses have come forward offering assistance and their help is gratefully acknowledged.

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Progress Report 23 October

We've been advised by the salvage company that HDML 1321 is in good condition and the cost to raise and transport her will be around $50K. 

So we urge those willing to help to make a donation so we can get this amount quickly and get the vessel onto dry land.

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Master Mariner Explains

Harbour Defence Motor Launch 1321 

An Important Part Of Our Military History. 

This vessel is the first Harbour Defence Motor Launch (HDML) built in Australia and the last existing example in the country. Of all the HDMLs to serve in the Australian navy during WW2, it is arguably the one with the most outstanding record.

Rushcutter's Demise

MV Rushcutter sank at her moorings in Darwin Harbour at 7.55am 19 October 2016. 

The Rushcutter is the 73 year old historic vessel formerly Harbour Defense Motor Launch 1321. The last representative of the whole class of Australian Motor Launches used during WWII, not just the HDMLs but also for the Fairmiles.

Efforts are being made to save the vessel from being scrapped by the Port Authorities as usual port safety procedures dictate when owners are unable to fund their own salvage operation.

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