description HMAS Perth (D29) Overview
HMAS Perth was a modified Leander-class light cruiser of the Royal Australian Navy that had originally served in the Royal Navy as HMS Amphion. After participating in Mediterranean and Pacific operations during the Second World War, she was sunk by Japanese naval forces during the Battle of Sunda Strait on 1 March 1942. Of the 686 people aboard, 353 were killed, while many survivors later died in captivity.
help HMAS Perth (D29) FAQ
Where was HMAS Perth sunk during World War II?
HMAS Perth was sunk during the Battle of Sunda Strait on March 1, 1942, by Imperial Japanese naval forces. She went down alongside the American cruiser USS Houston while attempting to intercept Japanese invasion forces near Java in the Dutch East Indies.
What was HMAS Perth before joining the Royal Australian Navy?
HMAS Perth originally served in the Royal Navy as HMS Amphion, a modified Leander-class light cruiser. She was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy in 1939 and renamed Perth shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War.
Can you dive the wreck of HMAS Perth today?
The wreck lies in the Sunda Strait and was historically accessible to technical divers. However, reports in recent years have raised concerns about unauthorized salvage of the wreck site, which has affected multiple WWII war graves in Southeast Asian waters.
Who was the captain of HMAS Perth when she was sunk?
Captain Hector Waller commanded HMAS Perth during her final engagement at the Battle of Sunda Strait and was among the crew lost when the ship sank. Waller was one of the Royal Australian Navy's most respected naval officers.
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