Usually the domain of seagulls and shore birds, this little-known beach just north of Batemans Bay receives few visitors in high summer, let alone during the depths of winter. However, today is an exception.

I'm here to meet Richard Fisher formerly of Canberra and now of Mossy Point. A keen amateur historian, Fisher is here to pay his respects to three innocent trawlermen who lost their lives when their small fishing boat, the Dureenbee, was destroyed by a Japanese submarine almost 75 years ago to the day.

I find Fisher perched on a rock above the low tide mark. He is gazing seaward and in deep contemplation.

"Not many people, even locals are aware of the tragedy which occurred off the coast," says Fisher, ever the optimist in T-shirt and shorts despite the cool conditions.

"I grew up in Canberra with no idea that Australians were killed in World War II just a few kilometres from where I'd gone surfing for many years," reveals Fisher who first became aware of the wartime disaster back in the 1980s.

Although the rusting wreck of the Dureenbee lies submerged just off this beach, Fisher explains that the fishing vessel's fate was sealed further south, "about 25 km off Moruya Heads".

"In the early hours of August 3, 1942, the 35-metre steam trawler was attacked by the Japanese submarine I-175," explains Fisher, adding, "the cannon fire was so loud it awoke the residents of Moruya."

According to Fisher, "the trawlermen were busy setting their nets and unaware the submarine was even there until a flash of light was quickly followed by an explosion."

"Immediately upon realising their situation the wireless operator, a fella called Wilson, sent out a distress signal," explains Fisher, adding "but before Wilson could signal again, the submarine's machine guns opened fire and his hand was blown off."

The Dureenbee's skipper, Captain William Reid, who had served as a Royal Navy volunteer in World War I desperately attempted to contact the submarine to let them know his fishing boat was unarmed, but the guns continued to fire.

"The submarine fired more shells into the Dureenbee's superstructure which destroyed the wheelhouse and badly damaged the main steampipe, bringing the vessel to a stop," reports Fisher.

"Once the sub disappeared, Reid checked his crew to find one dead, two seriously injured and his remaining crew sheltering behind machinery suffering various minor injuries," explains Fisher.

Reid then sent up flares hoping to attract assistance, but the distraught crew of the Dureenbee was forced to endure another five hours on their stricken vessel before she was located with the assistance of an RAAF aircraft stationed at Moruya

The rescue vessel, another trawler, the Mirrabooka ferried the survivors and two dead, Able Seamen Archibald McPherson and Arthur Scrobles to Moruya. A third crewman, Chief Officer Alexander Reid, died from wounds two days later.

"After the crew were taken off, the wreck drifted to north of Batemans Bay before foundering on rocks off this very beach," explains Fisher glancing seaward again.

Although he has no direct connection to those who lost their lives, Fisher hopes this week's 75th anniversary of attack on the Dureenbee will serve as a reminder of the day the horrors of World War 2 came to Batemans Bay and surrounds.

"Although unarmed, the Dureenbee was catching fish to put in tins to take for the soldiers fighting the Japanese in Papua New Guinea," says Fisher, explaining "so in that sense she was a casualty of our war effort".

"We cheered the troops for bombing German factories but in the same way the Japanese were attempting to disrupt our logistics by destroying our merchant ships," reflects Fisher, adding "throughout 1942 and 43, the Japanese made a concerted effort to disrupt trade shipping along Australia's south east coast, sinking seventeen vessels."

Following the war, parts of the Dureenbee wreck were souvenired by collectors. These included the steam whistle, which for several decades was used to signal factory shifts at Perry's Mill in Batemans Bay.

According to an article penned by Tony Abbey and Shirley Clifford for The Canberra Times (27 December, 1980), "at one of the caravan parks in Batemans Bay you will find the Dureenbee's wheel adorning the front entrance and an abalone diver has one of her anchors in his front yard".

I wonder if these relics are still in situ and whether there are others stashed away in private collections.

Watery Grave: The wreck of the Dureenbee lies on a bombora, located just off Richmond Beach in Murramarang National Park.

Wreck relics. The whistle salvaged from the Dureenbee is now on display at the Old Courthouse Museum (3 Museum Place, Batemans Bay, open Tuesday Thursday from 10am to 3pm and the second Sunday of the month 10am - 1pm. Ph. 4472 1635 or oldcourthousemuseum.com.

Did You Know? Arthur Scrobles, one of the victims of the attack, received 22 bullet wounds while trying to launch a lifeboat. The grave of Scrobles and his two fatally-wounded colleagues are in the Moruya Cemetery.

More: The attack of the Dureenbee is featured on Richard Fisher's website: brouleebayfolklore.weebly.com

CONTACT TIM: Email: timtheyowieman@bigpond.com or Twitter: @TimYowie or write c/- The Canberra Times, 9 Pirie St, Fyshwick.