It was a sight that brought back to elderly Sydney Harbour watchers the vivid memories of May 31/June 1, 1942, the night midget submarines attacked Sydney and sent the ferry Kuttabul to the bottom claiming 21 lives.

There, heading for Garden Island, on May 13 was the conning tower and part of the hull of one of the three submarines.

This time the sombre relic of World War 11 was lashed to the deck of a large barge.

Since students at the Wagga TAFE College refurbished it, the conning tower had been in an exhibition hall on Spectacle Island, the RAN's repository for memorabilia. It will become a permanent under cover exhibit at the northern end of Garden Island. Beforehand it will be a focal point in the city of Sydney.

On May 29 the three-tonne tower will be transported to Hyde Park where it will highlight a public exhibition marking the 60th anniversary of the attack by the Japanese on Sydney.

Photographs, news clippings and small items of machinery recovered from the submarines will support the conning tower display.

"The display will in be place for two weeks," the commanding officer of HMAS Kuttabul, CMDR Vicki McConachie said.

"It will be under constant guard," she pointed out.

Waterway Construction along with the tug Skeeta and the RAN's Sydney Port Services combined to load the tower on to the barge at Spectacle Island and unload it at Fleet Base 4. There was also support from CSIG and Kuttabul's staff.

The annual Kuttabul memorial service will be held on June 1 at the spot where the ferry was sunk, and because it is the 60th anniversary, is expected to attract increased interest and attendance. Three survivors of the attack are expected to attend. A special wardroom dinner will follow.

By Graham Davis