HMAS Sydney vs Typhoon Ruth

Following the conclusion of the first extended patrol of HMAS Sydney III from the 1-13th of October 1951, the Australian aircraft carrier returned to port at Sasebo, Japan. It dropped anchor and prepared to refit for a second upcoming patrol. On the 14th, whilst anchored in the harbour, Sydney received word that a powerful typhoon would soon make land fall where they were currently positioned.

Typhoon ruth was a category 4 storm that formed on the 4th of October in the Pacific Ocean Southeast of Japan. At its height it would have winds reaching 220km/h would run the length of Japan before dissipating on the 15th to the north.

Images: Damaged aircraft on the flightdeck of the HMAS Sydney III, 15.10.1951

Sydney and other large ships in the harbour prepared as best they could with what little time they had, and to avoid crowding in the harbour were ordered to take to the sea. Storm struck it was brutal and battered the Sydney as well as the British carrier HMS Glory. Several aircraft on the Sydney’s deck were nearly blown overboard and were held on to the ship by a thread. The Sydney received the worst of the storm at around midnight on the 14th, but despite the violent winds and sea she stayed afloat.

When all was said and done, the damage was counted.  As a result of the storm a Firefly aircraft, a 16-foot motor dinghy and a forklift truck were lost overboard from the flight deck and several more aircraft were seriously damaged. None of Sydney’s crew were lost, however, some 572 people lost their lives during Ruth and a further 371 were missing, presumed dead. Some 2,600 were injured and local hospitals were flooded with casualties. It was only 3 days after the storm, on the 18th of October, that the Sydney commenced her second war time patrol, and was back in the fight.

HMS Glory and HMCS Cayuga near Sasebo Harbour, October 1951.

Ariel photograph of aircraft RN277 which was damaged and unable to be flown to safety. As a result, Ruth smashed it ashore by Typhoon Ruth near Iwakuni, Japan. 

All photos from this article are from the Morthen Collection