HMAS Sydney II

HMAS SYDNEY II was laid down in 1933 for the Royal Navy as HMS PHAETON. SYDNEY was purchased (before launching) by the Australian Government in 1934 and was commissioned on 24 September 1935 at Portsmouth.

SYDNEY arrived in Australia on 2 August 1936 and remained in home waters until the outbreak of WW2. She remained on local patrol duties until April 1940 when she sailed from Fremantle as part of the escort for a large Middle East bound convoy.

On 19 May 1940 she proceeded to the Mediterranean and arrived in Alexandria on 26 May where she joined the 7th Cruiser Squadron of the Mediterranean Fleet. Here SYDNEY experienced her first action when she took part in the bombardment of Bardia on 21 June 1940.

SYDNEY sailed from Fremantle on Armistice Day, 11 November, 1941 to escort the troopship ZEALANDIA to Sunda Strait. The voyage was without incident and SYDNEY then proceeded back to Fremantle where she was expected to arrive on the afternoon of 20 November 1941. She did not arrive as expected and on 23 November she was instructed by the Naval Board to report by signal. There was no reply.

Out of the 42 officers and 603 ratings there were no survivors. The only material evidence recovered from SYDNEY was an Australian naval type Carley life-float recovered by HMAS HEROS and an Australian naval pattern life-belt recovered by HMAS WYRALLAH.  Her disappearance and whereabouts still remains a mystery.

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