SS Bontekoe
From Our Contribution
 Postcard | |
 SS Bontekoe in Port Moresby Harbour | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | SS Bontekoe |
| Owner | Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij. (KPM) |
| Launched | 1922 |
| Completed | 1922 |
| In service | 1922 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Passenger / cargoe |
| Tonnage | 5,033 tons |
| Speed | 11.5 knots |
Contents
Remarks
SS Bontekoe was one of a fleet of Dutch ships owned by KPM carrying trade from the Dutch East Indies to Holland. When the Japanese began advancing on Singapore, and what are now the islands of Indonesia, SS Bontekoe was one of 21 Dutch ships carrying refugees that limped to Australia in early 1942. Here under a complex agreement involving the Dutch Government in exile, Great Britain and the United States they were contracted to carry troops and stores between Australia and the South West Pacific Area of operations. Another group of 5 or 6 Dutch ships joined later in the year.
Bontekoe made a large number of voyages carying men and equipment between northern Australian and New Guine ports, including moving artillery from Port Moresby to Milne Bay to participate in the battle there.