Thanks for your reply Chris.
Chris G wrote:
Mr. Dunleavy the man who was on the crew of Exeter when sunk said the ocean was suprrisingly warm and they didnt see any sharks which was a blessing.
Yes the Java Sea is warm, and nowadays completely shark free (fished out), back then probably not though. I didnt see one in eight years of diving there. Whereas in some locations you see them on almost every dive. Before all those ships sank and became 'artificial reefs' there was little there in the 'central' Java Sea in the way of reefs to attract the smaller fish the sharks feed on; except right next to some of the few islands there, which are mainly to the far north west, save for Bawean.
Chris G wrote:
I am not sure how he got picked up, i dont think he was captured by the Japanese...dont remember that being the case.
I think he would have had to been, as I don't recall any Exeter chaps surviving any other way, i.e. except from being picked up either that day or the next by the Japs.
Chris G wrote:
.......could be wrong about what i remember he showed me as his action station it may have been on the other side of the ship. I am lucky I remember as much as I do for it was now 45 years ago.
Please don't think for one minute I am questioning your / his account, as I am not. He may certainly have been one of the lucky ones in the left hand gun crew by all means.