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Collection of 30 documents relating to Captain Burnham Dun

Date1921 - 1975

Object numberANMS1351

NameArchive series

MediumPaper

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from the family of Burnham Walker Dun

Terms

DescriptionThis collection of 30 documents relates to the appearances of Master Mariner Captain Burnham Walker Dun as an expert in court. The series includes one letter and one summons to Captain Dun to appear in court over BASS TRADER and WYUNA collision; one set of Captain Dun's personnel records; two newspaper clippings on the LAKE ILLAWARRA sinking after it struck the Tasman Bridge in Hobart; five court decisions; five court reports; one booklet commemorating the opening of the Tasman Bridge; one enquiry paper into the grounding of WANGARA; one diagram and 12 photographs of the TASMAN bridge pre and post the collision by the LAKE ILLAWARRA. The documents span the period 1921 - 1975.HistoryBurnham Walker Dun 1905-1992 began his apprenticeship with the Australasian Steam Navigation Company in 1921 when he was just short of his 16th birthday. After four years in the coastal ships of AUSN he gained his Second Mate's certificate in Sydney and joined the Eastern & Australian Steamship Company (E&A) as Fourth Officer on the TANDA. He served 43 years with this Company sailing to ports between Australia and eastern Asia, retiring in 1967. He gained his Master's Certificate in 1929, at the age of 24. In 1942, while he was Chief Officer onboard SS NANKIN, the ship was captured by the German raider THOR. He spent the rest of World War II labouring in Japanese POW camps with the other surviving crew. He returned to Australia in poor health and spent years trying to get compensation. Although he was an Australian resident employed by an Australian company (managing agents Macdonald Hamilton) the ship was British owned and registered, and he obtained only limited compensation. He went back to sea with E&A in 1946, had his first permanent command in 1947 on the second NANKIN, and served in the company's ships EASTERN, NELLORE, ARAFURA and ARAMAC until he retired. During this time he carried cargo regularly to Japan, where he established friendly relationships with his former captors. During his career he made a number of rescues at sea and survived several severe typhoons. On retirement, he became a Nautical Assessor and took part in marine Courts of Enquiry, including the enquiry into the collapse of the Tasman Bridge, caused by the cargo ship LAKE ILLAWARRA striking one of the bridge's piers.