Former Degaussing Station - Bradleys Head, NSW, Australia
S 33° 51.115 E 151° 14.846
56H E 337864 N 6252881
On the eastern side of the tip of Bradleys Head is the sparse remains of the former Naval Base.
Waymark Code: WM11CPN
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Date Posted: 09/28/2019
Views: 0
Down on the beach below the basic Bradleys Head Walking Track is a printed sign with a Perspex covering set at a 45° on a rusty steel stand in the foreshore grass. It has a couple of historic photos and the following text:
"All that remains of the Degaussing Range, commonly known as the D.G. Range, are a few brick foundations and some old pipes. Originally, the range was a two storey timber building covered in camouflage, with a long jetty that allowed motor boats to come alongside.
"Out from the jetty were two testing ranges, marked by a fixed flashing dolphin and two buoys, one for small ships and the other for the larger ones. A fence, topped with barbed wire enclosed the building, the generator room and a small area of land.
"The front of the building overhung the water, so that out on the signal deck with its mast, flag locker, twelve inch signal projector and telescope, it felt very similar to being on board a ship.
"The U.S. Navy established and manned the range for a short time, while training Australian Naval personnel to take over it operation. The whole installation was handed over - fully equipped - under a Lend-Lease Agreement.
"The first WRAN (Women's Royal Australian Navy) instrument operators commenced work in December 1942, followed by WRAN visual signallers who arrived a short time later.
"Degaussing is a system whereby electric wire coils are placed within a casing, around a ship's hull and an electric current passed through them to alter the ship's magnetic field. This makes the ship safe from magnetic mines laid on the seabed that may be detonated, should it not be degaussed. Thus degaussing saved and continues to save many ships from being sunk." [From the Historic marker on the beach]
Visited: 0828, Wednesday, 4 September, 2019
Era: WW II
General Comments:
The two-storey building was removed in 1947
Related web site: [Web Link]
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