HMAS Sydney II: New images of HSK Kormoran’s 3D reconstruction revealed to mark 81st anniversary of battle

To mark the 81st anniversary of the sinking of the Australian warship HMAS Sydney II and the disguised German raider HSK Kormoran, Curtin University has revealed a large section of the Kormoran’s 3D reconstruction.

A model of the Kormoran’s engine room, measuring 31m x 25m and sitting upside down on the ocean floor, was showcased by the university.

The room, with its four diesel engines and thick hull plating, felt the pressure of 300 sea mines exploding when the crew set them off while abandoning ship.

Associate Professor Andrew Woods said the 3D model has helped give new insight into the wrecks which hold such historical significance.

“Having this 3D model of that section allows us to see it as one piece, when you’re underwater visibility is limited, you are lucky if you can see 10m ahead, so now we can start to understand the mechanics . . . it’s an important piece of the puzzle to understand what has happened to the two ships,” he said.

Especially interesting, according to Associate Professor Woods, is that one of the Kormoran’s bow anchors is embedded in the hull.

“Which raises the question, how on earth did that anchor, which would have been stowed at the front of the boat on the bow, how did that become embedded in what is normally the bottom of the ship?” he said.

The project, between Curtin University and Western Australian Museum, has been ongoing since 2015 when Associate Professor Woods’ team carried out scans of the wreck, collecting over 500,000 images and more than 300 hours of video, which have been used to construct 3D models of the wrecks over the last seven years.

Associate Professor Woods said he hopes to soon see the reconstructions in forms such as museum exhibitions, virtual reality, and 3D printed models when the wrecks of the two ships are fully complete..

He said giving Australians a greater understanding of the tragedy was important.

“The sinking of these two ships remains Australia’s largest loss of life from a single maritime incident and this project aims to help people remember the lives lost in this tragic event in Australian waters 81 years ago, and reflect on the futility of war.

“There are probably thousands of descendants of those who were lost in this event.

“Being able to see something with your own two eyes is the truth, the reality, you are able to understand it.”

The HMAS Sydney II tragedy claimed 645 lives, while more than 80 sailors on board the Kormoran also died in the WWII conflict.