HMAS Sydney

GREAT news, finding the German Kormoran. Patron-wise, maybe this is a mission far better suited to St Anthony than St Patrick but, either way, it's hard not to be optimistic about a fruitful, albeit sad, outcome to a 67 year search. For it now seems more likely the wreck of HMAS Sydney - resting place for that ship's entire crew of 645 men - will be found, ending part of the mystery surrounding Australia's worst ever naval tragedy. (And the largest ship lost with all hands in World War II). Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders: "The Navy is jubilant that we've got to this point. This is unresolved business and has been now since the 19th of November, 1941." A now very hopeful Barbara Craill is the daughter of a Sydney gunner: "Now they have to find the prize, and the prize is the Sydney," Ms Craill said. "I'm after the truth to be told ... Having the truth told would bring me closure but it would be a great relief because then I would have a visual picture of my father's grave." Till then, and forever, this lady will be here waiting for them.

Update: Wonderful news - the wreck of the Sydney has been found:

This morning searchers from the Finding Sydney Foundation confirmed they had found the wreckage of the Sydney, less than 24 hours after finding the wreckage of the Kormoran.

The Kormoran was found about 100 nautical miles off Steep Point, more than two kilometres below the ocean's surface, and the Sydney was found just 10 nautical miles west.

The Australian ship is more than two kilometres below the surface of the sea but the Finding Sydney Foundation says it is upright and largely intact.

It's a shame You Know Who had to interpose himself into the story.