Having left Wyndham, Western Australia last night, we sailed through Cambridge Gulf, Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and into the Timor Sea, through which we will pass throughout the day. Bounded to the west by the Indian Ocean and to the east by the Arafura Sea, this shallow body of water is bisected by the Timor Trough which reaches a depth of 3,300 meters. Sizable petroleum deposits lie beneath the surface, leading to inevitable territorial disputes and, eventually, to the Timor Sea Treaty, between Australia and East Timor, signed in 2002.
During World War II the Japanese navy launched air raids on Australia from the Timor Sea. On February 19, 1942 Japanese navy air strikes against Darwin sank nine ships. This began the Battle of Timor. While Japanese forces controlled the island until the end of the war, they incurred disproportionally heavy loses inflicted by Australian troops. This campaign also tied up a large number of Japanese troops which were sorely needed in New Guinea.
Advancing our clocks by one hour last night was of little consequence to our morning, as we are at sea today and we can make up for the hour by rearranging the schedule. Brunch is delicious! There is a bit of ocean motion to remind us that we are on board a ship. Throughout the day our conversations take us back at the many experiences that we have shared as we have explored the Kimberley. We each have our favorite moments and reflections.
Throughout the day, the staff offered presentations. National Geographic's Jeff Mauritzen led off with “Landscapes and Wildlife,” sharing his insights as a professional photographer into the blending of artistic vision with technical skills. Naturalist Cristiana Damiano followed with “Oceanography in the Kimberley.” Cristiana’s wide-ranging program touched on tides, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, climate change and more. Naturalist Anthony Capogreco presented “Captain Courageous” telling the compelling story of Captain Jack Eggleston and the M. V. Koolama (a ship very close in size to our own National Geographic Orion). This was followed by the film “Malice or Mutiny” which went into further dramatic detail of the incident.
Viennese Tea, a tour of the bridge conducted by Captain Vincent, a greatly enjoyed gourmet dinner and Glenn’s tunes after dinner filled out a most enjoyable day.
