New theory for end of HMAS Sydney - The West Australian

Another theory has emerged about what exactly happened in the final, fatal moments before the sinking of the HMAS Sydney in 1941 - but the Royal Australian Navy says it is not interested in investigating further.

On the 72nd anniversary of Australia's worst maritime tragedy on Tuesday (November 19), which cost 645 lives, maritime author Greg Bathgate and journalist David Kennedy claim more research has uncovered evidence that casts doubt on the official findings of the Cole Commission.

That major inquiry concluded that the Sydney and its German nemesis Kormoran were both doing 14 knots when Kormoran, disguised as a Dutch freighter, de-camouflaged, showing her battle flag before opening fire.

But more study of the navigation reports of both ships by Mr Bathgate now suggests the German ship had virtually stopped, and ambushed the HMAS Sydney with a wakeless underwater tube torpedo.

And the navy is being urged to re-open the inquiry for the sake of the bereaved.

"This evidence, coupled with the navigation, now paints an entirely different picture of the pre-battle events that are plainly dismissive of the commission of inquiry findings," Mr Bathgate said.

"For the sake of the bereaved, the navy has an express obligation to properly investigate new evidence that may throw new light on the circumstances of Sydney's demise."

Last week, the new research was passed on to the Royal Australian Navy for consideration, with the head of the Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs asked to respond.

"VADM Griggs has previously responded to an interlocutor for the researchers regarding this matter. He remains very happy for researchers to pursue further inquiry, but he is not willing to assign additional navy resources," a navy spokesman said.

The authors of the research say they would like a fuller response from the navy, explaining why they wish to stick with the 2009 Cole Commission findings.

"The fact that Germany is now our ally should not prevent us establishing that there is a strong case that the underwater torpedo tube played a significant role in the sinking of Sydney," Mr Kennedy said.