Hidden Tragedy by Andrew Campbell

The untold story of Australia’s first Royal Navy wartime loss – revealed in full for the first time.
While the thunder of overseas battles often dominates the narrative of Australians in World War Two, a forgotten tragedy unfolded in the quiet waters of Port Phillip Bay. In 1940, less than 100 km from Melbourne, the humble minesweeper HMAS Goorangai was on a vital mission, clearing German-laid sea mines in Bass Strait, when she was catastrophically struck by the much larger merchant vessel, MV Duntroon.
Within minutes, the Goorangai was gone, taking all 24 of her crew to their watery graves. This little-known collision, often overlooked or misrepresented, is finally brought to light in a meticulously researched and fully referenced account.
Discover the untold story of the collision, the desperate search, the challenging salvage operations, and the puzzling aftermath. Uncover why the Duntroon’s master, despite causing the disaster, evaded all charges, and why one sailor remains unidentified to this day. This book cuts through the inaccuracies and vested interests of past accounts, offering a compelling and definitive narrative that reveals the true events of that fateful night.

About the Author: Andrew Campbell served with the Royal Australian Naval Reserve for over 40 years, including work in Mine Warfare Group 54 – the same group from which the HMAS Goorangai’s ship’s company was drawn. A technical naval specialist, he has worked in defence procurement and explosive ordnance for the Department of Defence.
His published articles on naval history have appeared in Navy News, Australian Warship, The Australian Reservist, and The Australian Naval Institute. He is the recipient of the Orchard Prize and a commendation from the Captain of HMAS Cerberus for his research into Goorangai’s unidentified sailor.

30 Dec 2025
 

A Hidden Tragedy: The Sinking of HMAS Goorangai by Andrew Campbell ISBN 9781923514164