ML PEDANG (ex KRAIT)

Date1954

Object number00055181

NamePhotograph

MediumSilver gelatin print on paper.

DimensionsOverall: 90 × 135 mm

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Rosemary Horn

Terms

DescriptionBlack and white photograph of ML PEDANG (ex- MV KRAIT) taken at Sandakan Harbour in 1954. A handwritten annotation on the photograph's reverse confirms the vessel's identity, as well as the date and location where the photograph was taken.HistoryBuilt in 1934 in Japan and originally named KOFUKU MARU (Happiness or Good Fortune), KRAIT collected fish from fishermen and ports around the Rhio Archipelago and took the catch to the Singapore markets. It took food, water and other supplies to the fishing fleet. Confined to port early in World War II, the boat was used by Captain Bill Reynolds to evacuate hundreds of civilians to nearby Sumatra and when the Japanese continued to advance he took it to Colombo. It was soon proposed that the vessel be used as part of a covert operation. Renamed KRAIT (after a deadly species of snake) its most famous hour came in 1943 when a 14-strong company of British and Australian army and naval personnel set out on a daring commando night raid on shipping in the Singapore Roads. Codenamed Operation Jaywick, KRAIT was disguised as a Japanese fishing boat and successfully taken to within 20 miles of Singapore itself. Three pairs of operatives in folboats (folding canoes) attached limpet mines to and blew up or damaged seven Japanese tankers and freighters totalling some 37,000 tonnes. KRAIT then operated out of Darwin as a coastwatch and intelligence support vessel in Indonesia. Commissioned HMAS KRAIT in 1944, the vessel witnessed the Japanese surrender at Ambon in September 1945 and after the war was handed to the British Borneo Civil Affairs Unit. KRAIT was bought by a British sawmiller for the Borneo timber trade - and renamed PEDANG (Sword). In the late 1950s two Australians recognised KRAIT whilst on a timber-related business trip. A public appeal followed and the KRAIT Trust Fund was formed to purchase the vessel and return it to Australia - which it did successfully in 1964. The vessel was operated by the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol for patrol, search and rescue, boating courses and school visits. It was transferred to the Australian War Memorial in 1985 and has been cared for by ANMM since 1987. SignificanceThis photograph is extremely significant because it is a rare depiction of MV KRAIT operating in the waters of Borneo during the 1950s. Several photographs exist that show the vessel prior to 1945 and after the 1960s, but no other images are known to depcit it during this intermediary period. Consequently, this photograph offers a very rare glimpse of KRAIT during a 'missing' phase of its history, and is extremely valuable for interpreting the vessel and telling its broader story.