| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | ART40027 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | Sheet: 32.5 x 43 cm |
| Object type | Work on paper |
| Physical description | coloured wash, pen and ink on grey paper |
| Maker |
Norton, Frank |
| Place made | At sea |
| Date made | 5 July 1952 |
| Conflict |
Korea, 1950-1953 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
HMAS Warramunga off Sok To from USS Sarsi III
Description
From 29th June to 9th July 1952 official war artist Frank Norton was on patrol with HMAS Warramunga (I) as part the Chodo-Sokto Unit (TU 95.12.1) code named CIGARRET (patrol area from Sokto to Choppeki Point) in the defence of the islands of Sokto and Chodo. This multi national naval force under the command of the Royal Navy included ships from American, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the Repubilc of Korea.
Naval records show that overall this was a uneventful, routine patrol during which HMAS Warramunga (I) didn't carry out any bombardments (except a set piece on 4th July). As a result Norton was able to spend time on some of the other ships in the group. This portrait of HMAS Warramunga (I) at anchor off Sokto was painted by the artist from the USS tug Sarsi. Tug boats were assigned to the unit to be available to carry out rescues in the case of accidents. Several months later the USS Sarsi was sunk when it hit a mine that had come adrift during typhoon Karen on 20th August 1952.
Sokto was one of 6 islands off the west coast of Korea that the UN considered startegically important. It's location only 3,000 yards from the mainland ensured that naval defence of the island was complex.