MV Krait

Krait in Broken Bay during World War II
History
Australia
Name	MV Krait
Captured	1941
Fate	Museum ship 1985
General characteristics
Tonnage	68 gross tons
Length	21.33 m (70 ft)
Beam	3.35 m (11 ft)
Draught	1.5 m (5 ft)
Propulsion	Gardner 6LW diesel
Range	8000 miles

The MV Krait is a wooden hulled vessel famous for its use during World War II by the Z Special Unit (Z Force) of Australia during the raid against Japanese ships anchored in Singapore Harbour. The raid was known as Operation Jaywick.

As at 02 January 2017 the MV Krait was not on display at the Australian National Maritime Museum. The vessel has been moved to an unknown location for restoration works, potentially for its planned dry display in Wharf 7. Staff were unable to give a date of its return to the ANMM.

History

Krait was originally a Japanese fishing vessel based in Singapore called Kofuku Maru. Following the outbreak of war the ship was taken over by Allied forces and used to evacuate over 1,100 people from ships sunk along the East Coast of Sumatra. The ship eventually reached Australia via Ceylon and India in 1942 and was handed over to the Australian Military. In Australian service she was renamed Krait after the small but deadly snake and also the fact that it sounds like the word 'crate' which described its appearance to some.

In September 1943 Krait transported members of Z Special Unit to Singapore where they successfully raided the city's harbour, sinking seven ships. She returned to Australia in October. Krait was used by the Australian military throughout the war and was present at the surrender of the Japanese forces on Ambon in September 1945.

The "Krait" was later used as transport for intelligence gathering missions to islands in the area including Buru, Aru, Ceram, Banda and Saparua. During this period the Krait carried several Japanese prisoners as well as army survey teams and a naval intelligence officer.

At Ambon the boat acquired a monkey as a mascot. He was named Peter and had lost his tail. Peter remained with the crew until the Krait finished her service and was towed to Morotai. The Krait was then sailed to Labuan where she was sold and handed over to the British Borneo Company and where Able Seaman Robert Harry Easom of Perth kept its ensign as a souvenir. That ensign is now on display at the Australian War Memorial.

After its sale Krait was operated off Borneo until she was purchased for use as an Australian Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol vessel in 1964. On Anzac Day 1964 the "Krait" was formally dedicated as a War Memorial by the Governor of NSW. A plaque was affixed to the wheelhouse and is shown below. She was then acquired by the Australian War Memorial in 1985 and was loaned to the Australian National Maritime Museum where she has been displayed to the public since 1988.

From 2015 there were plans for reservation,and as of 2017 the vessel is under restoration.

Since the success of Krait on Operation Jaywick, Australian Commando Unit vessels have traditionally used the names of venomous snakes. This tradition continues today with Red Viper and Coral Snake as current examples.

• 
  Krait on display at the Australian National Maritime Museum in 2008
• 
  The Plaque affixed to the wheelhouse in 1964 dedicating the "Krait" as a War Memorial

Affiliations

• TS Krait, Australian Navy Cadets

See also

• Australian commandos
• Operation Jaywick
• Z Special Unit

References

• Australian Department of Veteran's Affairs OP Jaywick website, background and photos
• Includes map of route taken and detail of raid
• Australian War Memorial
• Post war service with Volunteer Coastal Patrol
• HNSA Web Page: Commando Boat Krait

External links

• Media related to Krait (ship, 1934) at Wikimedia Commons