Unlicensed copyright, Australian War Memorial
Australian newsreel footage of sunken ferry HMAS Kuttabul in 1942.
The sub had fired two torpedoes; one missed, but one hit a sea wall. The explosion wrecking an old ferry boat nearby. The other end floated for half an hour but this part disintegrated. Many naval ratings aboard all had weird experiences. Some were thrown out of windows and doors by the blast. Some were trapped in the sinking hull and only hauled out at the last minute.
[Dramatic music]
Daylight found the survivors in dry clothes and smiling. Landsman J Cummin saved three men, repeatedly diving into the water after them. Some were less fortunate and lie in hospital recovering from minor injuries. It's a miracle how they survived such a blast.
[Music]