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Lifesaver shaped frame featuring MOUNT STEWART
Lifesaver shaped frame featuring MOUNT STEWART

Lifesaver shaped frame featuring MOUNT STEWART

Datec 1920
Object number00056313
NamePhotograph
MediumWood, glass, plastic, paper, cotton, metal, rubber
DimensionsOverall: 220 × 220 × 22 mm
ClassificationsToys, games and souvenirs
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Gift from Anne Marie Ingham and Becky Ingham-Broomfield
Collections
DescriptionWooden frame in the shape of a white lifesaver.reading 'MOUNT STEWART' and 'D.R & Co. ABERDEEN.' Within the frame is a black and white image of the port side of MOUNT STEWART at sea. At the age of 15, Dudley’s father, without consulting him, signed him on as an apprentice on the four masted, square rigged Scottish registered wool and wheat vessel, MOUNT STEWART. A fellow apprentice was Clive Henderson who was later the master of the Sydney pilot vessel CAPTAIN COOK. HistoryDudley Charles Northam was the commissioning officer and first commanding officer assigned to the Bathurst-class minesweeper HMAS COLAC. COLAC was built at Mort's Dock and Engineering Co in Sydney, and commissioned into the RAN on 6 January 1942. The minesweeper's first mission was to transport Allied troops to Papua New Guinea in December 1942. This was followed by escort and patrol duties off the Australian coast, as well as between Australia and Papua New Guinea. In April and May 1945, COLAC participated in shore bombardment against targets in the Wewak area of Papua New Guinea, including Muschu Island, Kairisu Island, Cape Samier and Wewak. It subsequently deployed to the Solomon Islands and took part in operations to prevent Japanese troops on Choiseul Island from evacuating to Bougainville. Following cessation of hostilities, COLAC served as a training ship and later as a tank cleaning vessel. Its final role was as a target, and it was sunk by a torpedo fired by the Oberon-class submarine HMAS OVENS in March 1987. Northam's other service vessels included HMAS WESTRALIA, HMAS DOOMBA and HMAS WAREGO II. SignificanceThe Dudley Charles Northam collection relates to his naval career during the Second World War when he was an officer with the Royal Australian Naval Reserve (Sea-going) [RANR(S)].