Harbour Defence Motor Launch 1321 (HDML 1321) is known for her extraordinary service during WW2 behind enemy lines with Z Special Forces. During the 1950's HDML 1321 was used as a training ship and renamed Rushcutter. In 1971 she was sold to a private owner. HDML 1321 sank at her moorings in Darwin Harbour at 7.55am 19 October 2016 and efforts to save her for future generations is underway.

Monday, 24 April 2017

Tuesday, 18 April 2017

Removing Ballast from HDML 1321's Hull

Inside HDML 1321 US Marine Rotational Force Darwin remove lead ballast

Lead Weight

HDML 1321 Progress Report 10 April 2017 


The arduous work to remove the 6 tons of original BHP lead ballast ingots finally got underway.

All of the ballast had to be removed by hand from the dangerous, and rather unpleasant conditions inside the hull of HDML 1321. 

Our gratitude to the hard work of the young men of the US Marine Rotational Force Darwin cannot be expressed sufficiently.