SS Swartenhondt
From Our Contribution
 4 Oct 1944 Dutch troopship SS Swartenhondt in Milford Haven, Lae, New Guinea. AWM 076525 | |
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| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | SS Swartenhondt |
| Owner | Koninkl Pakita |
| Builder | NV Koninklijke Maatschappij De Schelde |
| Launched | 1922 |
| Completed | 1922 |
| In service | 1922 |
| Out of service | 1946 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | passenger / cargo ship |
| Tonnage | 5,084 tons |
| Speed | 12 knots |
| Capacity | (22.22 km/h) |
Remarks
Prior to the outbreak of war in the Pacific, SS Swartenhont was a part of the Dutch East Indies fleet providing cargo and passenger carriage between the islands. Australian shipping records begin with a voyage from Singapore to Batavia in May 1941 and each subsequent voyage is notated until March 1946. Enroute in convoy from Fremantle for Batavia in February 1942 when Japanese advances led to the convoy being scattered with instructions to return to Fremantle.
In May 1942 her focus moved from the west coast of Australia to the east from which ports she made numerous trips carrying cargo and at times soldiers to New Guinea and surrounding islands. Following the Japanese surrender she again served the Dutch East Indies islands sailing between Hollandia (Dutch New Guinea) and Morotai, Ambon, Biak, in addition to North Queensland ports.