WHEN is a ship not a ship? When it’s HMAS Kuttabul. HMAS Kuttabul is a land-locked, high-rise building and Royal Australian Navy admin base at 14-18 Wylde Street, Potts Point. The site was compulsorily acquired by the Commonwealth government during World War II. Its name derives from the ferry used to house navy personnel sitting alongside the harbour which was torpedoed by Japanese midget submarines on the night of 31^st May 1942.  21 sailors went to their watery grave.

Its primary role today is to provide administrative, training and logistics support to defence personnel, both uniform and civilian, employed within the Sydney area. This onshore “ship” is where Officers take their meals and live. It also provides a medical centre as well as short-term accommodation for those attending courses and training and those in transit waiting for their ship to come alongside.

As service accommodation at HMAS Kuttabul is limited sailors have the choice of living ashore in private accommodation on a rental allowance. A meal allowance is also payable.

Inside this high security complex the Officers, Warrant Officers and Senior Sailors enjoy a combined mess, or lounge and eating area, “with a well stocked bar, comfortable chairs, quiet/reading room and TV lounge,” according to their official website. For junior sailors, HMAS Kuttabul has the ‘Port Jackson Club’ with prime real estate views of Sydney Harbour.

Occasional calls for the Navy to vacate the historic Garden Island site to provide cruise ships berths and private high-rise development have been spurned by the government due to  expensive relocation costs.

By Andrew Woodhouse, Director, Heritage Solutions