SS Karsik
From Our Contribution
 1 May 1941 under Dutch control. AWM photo 303479 | |
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| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | SS Sonek |
| Owner | Deutsche Dampfschifffahrts-Gesellschaft "Hansa" |
| Builder | Deschimag, Wesermünde |
| Yard number | 597 |
| Launched | 1938 |
| In service | 1938 |
| Out of service | 1967 |
| Fate | wrecked in Red Sea 1967 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | cargo |
| Tonnage | 3,057 tons |
| Length | 305 ft 2 in (93.0m) |
| Beam | 44 ft 8 in (13.7m) |
| Depth | 16 ft 7 in (5.1m) |
| Speed | 12 knots (22.2 km/h) |
Remarks
Formerly the German Soneck. The Royal Netherlands Navy seized her in the Dutch East Indies in 1940. She was renamed Karsik and the Dutch shipping company Koninklijke Paketvaart-Maatschappij (KPM) operated her until 1963. In May 1940, the 2,191 ton steamer was used as a train ferry at Batavia until the Japanese invasion.
This meant it was well suited for the later job of carrying much needed tanks to the Allied forces in New Guinea. Karsik was one of 21 KPM vessels that took refuge in Australian ports after the fall of Java that Dutch officials requested be put into service for the war effort. This ship, among others, was chartered by the Chief Quartermaster, US Army Forces in Australia (USAFIA) on 26 March 1942. In June 1942 the Karsik transported supplies and equipment to Milne Bay. In December 1942 she brought tanks from Milne Bay to Oro Bay for use in the assault on Buna that lasted from December 1942 to June 1943. She took part in Operations Lilliput and Accountant, transporting Australian and American troops and material to Oro Bay.
In 1963 she was sold, renamed Pearl of Victoria and registered in Panama. She was wrecked in the Red Sea on 17 Jun 1967.