Built on Brisbane Water, Gosford, NSW in 1940
and sunk by a Japanese aircraft in 1943
and sunk by a Japanese aircraft in 1943
HMAS PATRICIA CAM
The Patricia Cam was built at George Beattie's ship yard 'Palermo'
on the Brisbane Water, on the New South Wales Central Coast.
Launched in 1940, it was requisitioned by the Australian Navy
in 1942 and sent to Darwin.
On 22 Jan 1943 Patricia Cam was attacked and sunk
by an IJN Aichi E13A (Jake) sea plane.
A number of events took place around January 2018
to mark the 75th anniversary of the event.
Here is the story of the building, the launch, the sinking,
the construction of a scale model and
commemoration events in the history of Patrica Cam.
Historic photographs of Pat Cam from the collection of Gwen Dundon OAM
and some via Central Coast City Library.
on the Brisbane Water, on the New South Wales Central Coast.
Launched in 1940, it was requisitioned by the Australian Navy
in 1942 and sent to Darwin.
On 22 Jan 1943 Patricia Cam was attacked and sunk
by an IJN Aichi E13A (Jake) sea plane.
A number of events took place around January 2018
to mark the 75th anniversary of the event.
Here is the story of the building, the launch, the sinking,
the construction of a scale model and
commemoration events in the history of Patrica Cam.
Historic photographs of Pat Cam from the collection of Gwen Dundon OAM
and some via Central Coast City Library.
In early 2017 Peter started to think of ways to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Patricia Cam and by mid year work commenced on the project.
The project involved respected Central Coast historian Gwen Dundon OAM, Darwin based Mike Owen and his Past Masters group, Marine architect Bill Bollard and model maker Keith Elder.
The project came together under the guidance and assistance of Rotary Club of Kincumber. The local historical societies of Gosford and Wyong.
Central Coast Council came to the party clearing the archaeology on the old Palermo Shipyard site and Peter Rea's Area History Tours and Central Coast Ferries ran a special history tour with proceeds going to the Rotary Club of Kincumber History Project.
The project involved respected Central Coast historian Gwen Dundon OAM, Darwin based Mike Owen and his Past Masters group, Marine architect Bill Bollard and model maker Keith Elder.
The project came together under the guidance and assistance of Rotary Club of Kincumber. The local historical societies of Gosford and Wyong.
Central Coast Council came to the party clearing the archaeology on the old Palermo Shipyard site and Peter Rea's Area History Tours and Central Coast Ferries ran a special history tour with proceeds going to the Rotary Club of Kincumber History Project.
On 6 June 2017 after an exchange of a number of emails, Peter sent a number of photographs and the dimensions of the vessel from Gwen Dundon's book 'Shipbuilders of the Brisbane Water NSW' to Bill Bollard. Peter had already asked Bill Bollard to produce drawings of stern-wheeler, General Gordon based only on the basic dimensions also from Gwen's book.
Six weeks later during a telephone conversation, Bill apologised to Peter when he announced he had over stepped his brief. Bill, you see, had produced not only a full set of drawings but a model of the whole hull, bulwarks and aft cabins. The photo shows Bill with the model he has produced.
Peter took the basic model and asked Keith Elder if he would like to complete the model, this Keith was eager to do.
Six weeks later during a telephone conversation, Bill apologised to Peter when he announced he had over stepped his brief. Bill, you see, had produced not only a full set of drawings but a model of the whole hull, bulwarks and aft cabins. The photo shows Bill with the model he has produced.
Peter took the basic model and asked Keith Elder if he would like to complete the model, this Keith was eager to do.
Keith Elder with the model to date 6 September 2017, a lot of gradual filling and sanding of the hull has taken place. It had been painted with a waterline in place. Inside the bulwarks has also been painted.
The forecastle, main deck and aft deck have all been planked.
Hand rails have been installed, but all still require a bit of tidying up. Veneered sides with port holes fitted had been made for the cabins but these have not yet been fixed in place.
The forecastle, main deck and aft deck have all been planked.
Hand rails have been installed, but all still require a bit of tidying up. Veneered sides with port holes fitted had been made for the cabins but these have not yet been fixed in place.
Keith Elder was asked if he would part with the model so it could be displayed as a 'work-in-progress' at the Erina Fair 30th Birthday History Exhibition. Keith, however, was reluctant to hand over the model for the full eight day exhibition period.
On Sunday 27 August the Diggers RSL Club at The Entrance, held a History Expo. A fair amount of arm twisting was exerted and Keith finally relented, providing we picked up the model in the morning and dropped it back by that evening. Peter and Dora were therefore able to take the model from Keith's workshop for the day. At the History Expo the model and its story attracted a lot of interest, Peter also had the opportunity to inform Emma McBride, Federal member for Dobell, all about the Pat Cam project.
Above: Emma McBride and Peter Rea at The Entrance Diggers, the model of the Pat Cam is in the foreground.
On Sunday 27 August the Diggers RSL Club at The Entrance, held a History Expo. A fair amount of arm twisting was exerted and Keith finally relented, providing we picked up the model in the morning and dropped it back by that evening. Peter and Dora were therefore able to take the model from Keith's workshop for the day. At the History Expo the model and its story attracted a lot of interest, Peter also had the opportunity to inform Emma McBride, Federal member for Dobell, all about the Pat Cam project.
Above: Emma McBride and Peter Rea at The Entrance Diggers, the model of the Pat Cam is in the foreground.
1 October 2017 a special Rotary sponsored History Ferry Tour of Brisbane Water NSW took place, Peter took along the still unfinished Pat Cam model. Also on the tour was was Agatha, a Rotary exchange student from Norway. Peter thought it appropriate to have someone with Viking ancestry unveil the work-in -progress as a surprise sneak pre-view. And so while standing off the Palermo ship yard of Gordon Beattie, where Pat Cam was launched 77 years earlier the almost finished model had its first public display.
Below: The Patrica Cam 1:50 scale hand made model finished.
Below: The Patrica Cam 1:50 scale hand made model finished.
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BUILDING PATRICIA CAM
Photos of Pat Cam and ship builders are from Gwen Dundon Collection
For a hundred years over 500 registered wooden vessel were built in Brisbane Water, on the NSW Central Coast about 100 klm north of Sydney.
Gordon Beattie's Yard Palermo is the only site which today shows evidence of that industry. Now named Palermo Park, Daleys Point.
The hill side was excavated out and a rock retaining wall built where the bows of numerous vessels would take shape. (Photo - Peter Rea)
Gordon Beattie's Yard Palermo is the only site which today shows evidence of that industry. Now named Palermo Park, Daleys Point.
The hill side was excavated out and a rock retaining wall built where the bows of numerous vessels would take shape. (Photo - Peter Rea)
Photo - Dora Rea
The Pat Cam was one of the last of a great tradition.
Following selection of an appropriate tall straight hardwood tree by George Beattie', the log was dragged to the water and floated to the Davistown waterfront where was man-handled ashore.
With George Beattie overseeing it all, the keel was shaped on the Davistown waterfront. It was then re-floated and taken to Palermo, where it was pulled onto the slip and construction began.
The building extreme right still stands.
The building extreme right still stands.
Peter and his killer Cavalier King Charles Spaniel stand on the spot where Gordon Beattie stood 78 years earlier.
The building to the left remains but the one on the right, which is actually the western side of Davistown Road is long gone.
The building to the left remains but the one on the right, which is actually the western side of Davistown Road is long gone.
Three buildings to the east of Davistown Rd including the old Davistown Store and the Progress Hall.
Below the site 2018.
Below the site 2018.
A wider view of the shot of above, the site today, the three buildings, right, were all there to witness the shaping of Pat Cam's keel in 1940
Back in the 1970s some residents wouldn't admit to living at Davo'...
To-day waterfront reserve properties are getting close to '2 mill'
Back in the 1970s some residents wouldn't admit to living at Davo'...
To-day waterfront reserve properties are getting close to '2 mill'
Pat Cam's early construction stage at Palermo.
Pat Cam at Palermo Yard, the house on the left is the Beattie's family home.
Pat Cam at Palermo Yard, the house in the background is the Beattie's family home.
See below for a current photo of the site.
See below for a current photo of the site.
The place where the slipway once was, a rock retaining wall is still in evidence where the bows of numerous wooden vessels once took form. Beattie's classic home was demolished and complex of residential units with dubious architectural merit called 'Palermo Gardens' now overlooks the site.
While an introduced vine, the Quisqualis Rangoon creeper is taking over the incredibly important archaeological slipway area. (photo Dora Rea)
While an introduced vine, the Quisqualis Rangoon creeper is taking over the incredibly important archaeological slipway area. (photo Dora Rea)
Pat Cam on the stocks at Palermo Yard, Cockle Channel and St Hubert's Island are in the background.
Picture taken on 10 Dec. 2017, taken from about the same place as the above photograph.
The bridge from Daleyss Point to St.Huberts Island was constructed in the early 1970s, when Hooker Rex made the island into a Surfaces Paradise style canal development.
Neighbouring Rileys Island was save from a similar fate by community action, including that of Spike Milligan who took the issue International. (photo Peter Rea)
The bridge from Daleyss Point to St.Huberts Island was constructed in the early 1970s, when Hooker Rex made the island into a Surfaces Paradise style canal development.
Neighbouring Rileys Island was save from a similar fate by community action, including that of Spike Milligan who took the issue International. (photo Peter Rea)
Ship Yard workers on Pat Cam.
On the deck house L to R: Angus Beattie, Alan Davis, Noel Settree and Albert Davis.
On deck third left: George 'Trpper' Davis far right: Walter Davis.
On the deck house L to R: Angus Beattie, Alan Davis, Noel Settree and Albert Davis.
On deck third left: George 'Trpper' Davis far right: Walter Davis.
Over a years ago, Peter first conceived the idea of building a model of Patricia Cam and asked Marine Architect Bill Bollard to do the drawings.
On 6 June 2017 Peter sent the dimensions of the vessel, as specified in Gwen Dundon's book 'Shipbuilders of the Brisbane Water NSW', to Bill along with copies of available photos.
Bill not only did the drawings but by the end of July he also had the hull and deck houses built to 1:50 scale. (photo Dora Rea)
On 6 June 2017 Peter sent the dimensions of the vessel, as specified in Gwen Dundon's book 'Shipbuilders of the Brisbane Water NSW', to Bill along with copies of available photos.
Bill not only did the drawings but by the end of July he also had the hull and deck houses built to 1:50 scale. (photo Dora Rea)
Peter then asked Keith Elder if he could find the time to add the detail to the model, this Keith did.
On 10 Dec, 2017 Peter stood on the sight where Pat Cam was constructed and then launched. 77 years and 30 days after the launching of Patrica Cam Peter stands on the site with the completed model. (photo Peter Rea)
On 10 Dec, 2017 Peter stood on the sight where Pat Cam was constructed and then launched. 77 years and 30 days after the launching of Patrica Cam Peter stands on the site with the completed model. (photo Peter Rea)
Ship yard workers sitting on the timbers of Pat Cam.
An newspaper account of the launching of Patricia Cam, the paper erroneously implies the vessel is a tuna finishing boat. Pat Cam was a collier, built at Gordon Beattie’s shipyard ‘Palermo’ on Brisbane Water, Gosford, for Cam and Sons Pty Ltd of Pyrmont.
The owners leased a coal mine at Aberfield Colliery near Swansea on Lake Macquarie. The vessel to be employed carrying coal from there to the finger wharf at No.1 Bank Street Pyrmont. The coal was used to run the Cam fishing fleet.
Throughout the 125 years of shipbuilding in the area, the launching of a new vessel was a big event.
30 November 1940 was the launching day for Patricia Cam and the populace rolled out to witness it.
30 November 1940 was the launching day for Patricia Cam and the populace rolled out to witness it.
The crowd awaits the big moment.
The boy sitting far right is Ray McLoughy. See Ray 78 years later in the next picture.
The boy sitting far right is Ray McLoughy. See Ray 78 years later in the next picture.
Ray McLoughy (second left) January 2018, with ABC presenter Scott Levi (left) and Noel Riley who was also at Palermo for the launching. Noel was so inspired by the shipbuilding at Palermo he become a marine architect.
Also in picture from 4HR and the Rotary Club of Kincumber, is Peter Rea, who arranged the radio presentation.
Also in picture from 4HR and the Rotary Club of Kincumber, is Peter Rea, who arranged the radio presentation.
Pat Cam's launching did not go to plan, Patricia Cam for whom the vessel was named was to break a bottle of champagne on the bow.
It appears Minister for Customs, Harrison may have firstly gone to the wrong shipyard, Rock Davis's yard at Blackwall.
It appears Minister for Customs, Harrison may have firstly gone to the wrong shipyard, Rock Davis's yard at Blackwall.
Enough accounts of the day indicate the Minister's speech did go on and on as the critical high tide required for launching was quickly passing.
Someone ordered the chocks be knocked away and the ship slid into the water with the champagne bottle still hanging.
Someone ordered the chocks be knocked away and the ship slid into the water with the champagne bottle still hanging.
Two young men in a rowing boat grabbed the bottle and smashed it against the side of the boat. Soon after this Patricia Cam came aboard and performed the christening with a bottle of beer.
The newly launch vessel Patricia Cam in the water, the girl after whom the ship was named is standing in the foreground in the white hat.
Mrs Patricia Pinnock, photographed in 1984, 44 years after she christened the Patricia Cam, the vessel name after her.
Flags, pennants, politicians and crowds gone Pat Cam awaits fitting out at Palermo Shipyard.
To be Continued: The sinking of HMAS Patricia Cam and the 75th Anniversary Commemoration on the NSW Central Coast and the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.
Below: From January 2017 until August 2019 the model of HMAS Patricia Cam was on display in the Daleys Kitchen Cafe only a short walk from where the vessal was built.
Below: From January 2017 until August 2019 the model of HMAS Patricia Cam was on display in the Daleys Kitchen Cafe only a short walk from where the vessal was built.
Pete Builds A Jake
As part of the Pat Cam exhibition Peter decided to build a model of the aircraft that sunk Pat Cam. While there are those who would understandably, prefer to forget the aircraft, the E13A 'Jake' is now part of history. And so the project commenced and below is Peter's description.
To be the same as the ship model a 1:48 scale 'Jake' was required. The only kit available is a 'Nichimo' product. I'm not sure when this kit came to the market but it must have been late 70's/early 80's. I found one on ebay.
The original kit had an electric motor which rotated the prop. however, this kit omits that component. Kind of a shame as it would have added a good deal of interest.
For the age of the kit there is a lot of detail on the fuselage, wings, floats etc..The engine and cockpit, however, are not up to 2018 standard, although the latter is far better then the contemporary Airfix kits, that I remember. Although the 'Nichimo' box side advertises 'a very elaborate pilot pit', examination of the box contents show this, while ahead of its time in 1980 far below today's standards.
I decided to find a three seat cock-pit from another aircraft and adapt it to the old 'Nichimo' kit. About the only suitable victim for cannibalisation was a 'Hasagawa' kit of a Nakajima B6N2 'Jill'. I looked at the specifications and realised the B6N2 was wider across the fuselage than the E13A1. Hoping I could make it work and as I had plans for other parts in the kit, I purchase one.
The next problem in the old 'Nichimo' kit was the air-cooled Mitsubishi MK8 Kinsel twin-row radial engine. The 1,380 kW Kinsei 25 engine from the B6N2 kit did not match the 'Jake's' engine. I'm putting together a Pearl Harbour Diorama with Aichi D3A1 Vals diving on Battle Ship Row, as the Vals will be viewed from behind in the diorama, I could use the engine, so I purchased a 'Hasagawa' Val.
The Val's Mitsubishi Kinsei 44, 798kW engine was virtually the same as the Kinsi 43, 810kW engine in the 'Jake'.
The Jake's engine cowl had supports for the electric motor which came with the original kit, so some serious cutting and grinding was required to make space for the engine from the 'Hasagawa' kit.
The Jake's engine cowl had supports for the electric motor which came with the original kit, so some serious cutting and grinding was required to make space for the engine from the 'Hasagawa' kit.
The engine itself also required some removal of the outer plastic, being trimmed down to the tops on the valve covers. The new engine was a great improvement over the original one in the 'Nichimo' kit with the push-rod tubes and cooling fins reasonably well detailed. The original engine from the 1980s 'Nichimo' kit, left and right the 'Hasagawa' unit nestled in the cowl.
The 'Nichimo' kit had cleverly designed for the 'Jake's' wings to be folded or unfolded at will. This however did not provide a visually acceptable view of the inner wing when it was folded. I decided the cut out the folding mechanism and fit the internal wing detail from the B6N2 kit.
As the aircraft would be viewed from only the starboard side, some of the port side fuselage was cut away so the detailed cock-pit side from the B6N2 kit could be 'let-in'. The picture compares the untouched starboard side with the cut-away port side.The internal locating lugs for the original cock-pit 'pilot pit' have also been removed.
Right: The cock-pit detail of the B6N2 has been assembled and modified to fit in the Jakes fuselage.
Below: Close-up detail including seat-belts
Below: Close-up detail including seat-belts
TO BE CONTINUED...
