Introducing The Flood
5/27/20261 min
In this four-part video and audio series, The Australian's Chief International Correspondent Cameron Stewart, executive producer Claire Harvey and editor Jasper Leak tell the incredible true story of how 60 Australian submariners saved their own lives – and their boat – when HMAS Dechaineux suddenly flooded at deep diving depth.
Exclusive interviews with the captain, crew and top brass reveal the terror and emotion that still haunts this group of proud warriors, who risked their own lives every day in the defence of Australia.
The Flood is a truly inspirational story of human courage, resilience, teamwork and ingenuity.
Subscribers hear new episodes of The Flood first. Listen at thefloodpodcast.com, in The Australian’s app or search for “The Flood” on Apple Podcasts to connect your subscription.
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Transcript
16 sentencesSpeaker 00:00
[suspenseful music] There was a sharp hiss and then an almighty explosion. Bang.
Speaker 10:11
We heard, "Flood, flood, flood, flood in the lower motor room."
Speaker 20:17
The Flood, the closest Australia has ever come in peacetime to losing a submarine and its entire crew.
Speaker 10:25
So we are at deep diving depth.
Speaker 00:28
It was fearfully cold, and there was a lot of water coming in.
Speaker 20:33
Deep in the complete darkness of the Indian Ocean, 60 Australian sailors came within seconds of death aboard HMAS Dechaineux.
Speaker 30:43
20 seconds. That's all we had.
Speaker 00:45
Yeah, I knew we were in trouble.
Speaker 20:47
And now, for the first time, the crew go on the record with host Cameron Stewart to tell their inspiring story.
Speaker 00:55
Yeah, it was like being stuck in a washing machine. It was just round and round and round.
Speaker 11:00
I didn't wanna be the guy who took that crew to the bottom.
Speaker 21:06
The Flood, a new audio and video investigation from The Australian coming soon. Go to thefloodpodcast.com and Apple Podcasts, where subscribers get episodes first.