RAN Station 285

RAN STATION 285
INDICATOR LOOP & CONTROLLED MINING STATION
HUNGRY BEACH, HAWKESBURY RIVER, NSW
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

The Royal Australian Navy had an Indicator Loop and Controlled Mining Station located at Hungry Beach, on the Hawkesbury River near Broken Bay in New South Wales during WWII. The Indicator Loop and Controlled Mining Hut at Hungry Beach is constructed from red bricks rather than being constructed fully from reinforced concrete. I assume that because of its very remote location it was easier to carry in small red bricks. There are stairs which go down to the beach from the hut. There are also the remains of a small ornamental garden nearby.

The indicator loops ran across from Hungry Beach to Juno Point at Patonga.

Lieutenant John Alsop Tait was appointed Officer in Charge OIC of RAN 285 on 18 December 1942 until about 8 December 1944. Sub Lieutenant Edward Valentine Bindon Higgins was transferred to RAN 285 on 1 April 1943 and left there on about 1 August 1943.

A government auction sale run by Norman H. Whitfield was held on Saturday 11 August 1945 at Hungry Beach. Items included a 61 foot long by 27 foot wide mess hut, a 42 foot long by 21 foot wide sleeping hut, hot water boiler, four 1,000 gallon tanks and stands, a 300 gallon tank and stand, fuel range 4 foot by 6 foot with double oven, and various doors, windows and linings. As well as fittings from the brick control hut, a 14 foot by 12 foot latrine, two moorings and a 25 foot by 7 foot boat. See advertisement below.

The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 4 August 1945