MV Krait

Krait in Broken Bay during World War II
History
Australia
Name: MV Krait
Captured: 1941
Fate: Museum ship 1985
General characteristics
Tonnage: 68 gross tons
Length: 21.33 m (70 ft)
Beam: 3.35 m (11 ft)
Draught: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Propulsion: Gardner 6LW diesel
Range: 8000 miles

The MV Krait is a wooden-hulled vessel famous for its use during World War II by the Z Special Unit (Z Force) of Australia during the raid against Japanese ships anchored in Singapore Harbour. The raid was known as Operation Jaywick.

As at 02 January 2017, the MV Krait was not on display at the Australian National Maritime Museum. The vessel was moved to Michael Bartley Shipwrights for restoration works, potentially for its planned dry display in Wharf 7. Staff were unable to give a date of its return to the ANMM.

History

Krait was originally a Japanese fishing vessel based in Singapore called Kofuku Maru. Following the outbreak of war, the ship was taken over by Allied forces and used to evacuate over 1,100 people from ships sunk along the east coast of Sumatra. The ship eventually reached Australia via Ceylon and India in 1942, and was handed over to the Australian military. In Australian service, she was renamed Krait after the small but deadly snake, and also because it sounds like the word "crate", which described its appearance to some.

In September 1943, Krait transported members of Z Special Unit to Singapore, where they successfully raided the city's harbour, sinking seven ships. She returned to Australia in October. Krait was used by the Australian military throughout the war, and was present at the surrender of the Japanese forces on Ambon in September 1945.

Krait was later used as transport for intelligence-gathering missions to islands in the area, including Buru, Aru, Ceram, Banda, and Saparua. During this period, she carried several Japanese prisoners, army survey teams, and a naval intelligence officer.

At Ambon, the boat acquired a monkey as a mascot. He was named Peter and had lost his tail. Peter remained with the crew until Krait finished her service and was towed to Morotai. She was then sailed to Labuan, where she was sold and handed over to the British Borneo Company and where Able Seaman Robert Harry Easom of Perth kept its ensign as a souvenir. That ensign is now on display at the Australian War Memorial.[1]

After its sale, Krait was operated off Borneo until she was purchased for use as an Australian Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol vessel in 1964. On Anzac Day 1964, Krait was formally dedicated as a war memorial by the governor of NSW. A plaque was affixed to the wheelhouse and is shown below. She was then acquired by the Australian War Memorial in 1985 and was lent to the Australian National Maritime Museum, where she has been displayed to the public since 1988.

From 2015, plans for restoration had been made,[2] and as of 2017, this work has begun.[3]

Since the success of Krait on Operation Jaywick, Australian Commando Unit vessels have traditionally used the names of venomous snakes. This tradition continues with Red Viper and Coral Snake as current examples.

Affiliations

See also

References

  1. ↑ "White ensign flown from HMAS Krait : Able Seaman R H Easom, Services Reconnaissance Department".
  2. ↑ Denyer, Winsome MV Krait: Unassuming fishing boat to be restored and memorialised after crucial role in WWII's Special Operations April 6, 2017 abc.net.au Retrieved April 24, 2017
  3. ↑ Denyer, Winsome MV Krait: Top-secret WWII vessel under restoration for Maritime Museum memorial April 24, 2017 abc.net.au

Coordinates: 33°52′6″S 151°11′59″E / 33.86833°S 151.19972°E / -33.86833; 151.19972

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