On this the 73rd anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea , which inflicted severe losses on the Japanese in 1942 , the neglect of this unique Australian link with the epic South Pacific war is a Townsville disgrace.
It is a huge anchor from the American aircraft carrier , USS Coral Sea , presented to Townsville by the US Navy to mark the great naval battle which involved US and Australian forces from May 4-8 . Today there are rust patches on the anchor , paint is lifting and faded ; the plaque attached to the memorial is badly weathered, the text exceptionally hard to read.
The plaque which is headed USS CORAL SEA ANCHOR tells how it was presented to Mayor Tony Mooney, May 3,1992, marking the 50th anniversary of the battle , by Vice Admiral Stanley R. Arthur, Commander of the US 7th Fleet , a former commanding officer of the USS Coral Sea . The Midway Class carrier had been in operation from 1947-1990. The memorial was erected by the Townsville City Council and Townsville Port Authority .
Also sadly neglected at the memorial is another illegible plaque and apparent aerial maps, above, held on by rusty screws, presented by the Townsville Port Authority , commemorating the role of the port in defending Australia in two world wars.
Another view showing rust spots, peeling paint , corroding plaques. The anchor is a short distance from Townsville Enterprises who apparently did not notice the anchor on the doorstep is in need of repair , not far from the ferry terminal . Townsville also happens to be a large military base, naval ships move in and out , some American.
BATTLE BLUE: The Townsville Bulletin carried a report about the Coral Sea Battle 73rd anniversary ceremony at Cardwell which honoured "more than 600 fallen American and Australian soldiers" . This error attracted a response by one Barry Rissel, whose father had been aboard HMAS Australia during the battle , who pointed out that those involved had been sailors, not soldiers .
BATTLE BLUE: The Townsville Bulletin carried a report about the Coral Sea Battle 73rd anniversary ceremony at Cardwell which honoured "more than 600 fallen American and Australian soldiers" . This error attracted a response by one Barry Rissel, whose father had been aboard HMAS Australia during the battle , who pointed out that those involved had been sailors, not soldiers .
