The Tulagi was on a voyage from Australia to Colombo when she was torpedoed on the 27th March 1944 and sank in a matter of seconds. Many of the crew went down with the ship, but others were able to swim to rafts which had floated clear. Four of the rafts were tied together and stores were taken from damaged lifeboats. After drifting for about a month it was decided, in order to make better progress, to divide the 15 survivors between two rafts. One raft with 7 survivors was in charge of the Chief Engineer and after a voyage of 58 days land was sighted. Nothing more was heard of the other raft. The survivors were all in an extremely exhausted condition owing to the privations which they had suffered during the long period adrift. For part of the time they had existed on rainwater and fish and birds. Chief Engineer Officer Ward, with Second Officer Charles and Purser Jacobs showed determination and courage in the face of great privations during the 58 days the raft was adrift and did everything possible for the survivors. Quartermaster Sarawee and Fireman Bhooya were outstanding in managing the raft and did much to supplement the rations by their skill in catching fish and birds.