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USAT Both

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USAT Both
SS Both.jpg
AWM 303017
History
Name uSAT Both
Owner Kaninke Pakah Maats
Completed 1931
General characteristics
Tonnage 2,608 tons
Depth 17.1 ft (5.21m)
Speed 10 knots
Capacity 750 troops



Remarks

Coal fired. In early 1942 twenty-one small KPM vessels including SS Both, all loaded with refugees fleeing the Netherlands East Indies, limped into Australian ports before being obtained under charter for U.S. Army use. They became known as the "KPM vessels" in the South West Pacific Area fleet, providing troop transport and cargo carriage between Australian and New Guinea ports. During 1942–43 the vast majority of all supplies reaching Allied troops in New Guinea were carried by the Dutch ships.


The KPM steamer Both helped transport the Australian troops of “Gull Force” to Ambon in December 1941, and later took part in the Operation Lilliput supply convoys to New Guinea in 1943.


The ship was fitted with a 20 pounder gun and 4 machine guns.

Soldiers carried

Brisbane to Milne Bay 18 - 25 February 1943