Manunda (Adelaide Steam)

In pre-war times carrying up to 312 passengers, Manunda commenced her Hospital Ship role by bringing back Australian wounded from the 1941 Middle East campaigns. In Darwin in 19 February 1942, having been unable to complete a Sydney-Singapore voyage, while not being attacked at the start of the Japanese air raids, soon after suffered a direct hit which killed twelve and set it afire. Taking aboard during the day casualties for evacuation southward, she later sailed under great difficulty for Fremantle and repair. Service in the Milne Bay and successive island battle areas culminated in participation in the repatriation of released Australian prisoners-of-war from Singapore.

Then came the deployment to Japan of medical elements of the Australian Component of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. Her owners received her back in September 1946.

Manoora (Adelaide Steam)

With a peace-time passenger capacity of 380, Manoora was taken over early in 1940, initially for patrolling and escort duties in Asian and Northeast Australian waters. Converted for service from early 1943 as a Landing Ship, Infantry she took part in successive island-hopping landings by Australian and allied troops. In 1945 Manoora shared in bringing Australian service personnel home from Asia and the Pacific islands.

Voyages for the next two years included troop deployments to the Australian Component of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan and the repatriation of allied personnel to the Netherlands East Indies. After post-war refit, she was handed back to her owners in August 1945.

Kooraka (Adelaide Steam)

Kooraka served as a minesweeper

Katoora (Adelaide Steam)

Katoora was one of four Adelaide Steam vessels taken over by the United States Army Small Ships Section in November 1942.

Bungaree (Adelaide Steam)

Initially requisitioned for service as a Minelayer, Bungaree’s role was changed in 1944 to that of Stores Carrier.