Melbourne Steamship Line TSMV DUNTROON 10,500 tons

Images(2)

Melbourne Steamship Line TSMV DUNTROON 10,500 tons

Artist Frank Henry Mason (1876 - 1965)

Maker Melbourne Steamship Company Limited (1884 - 1961)

Date1935-1960

Object number00000484

NamePostcard

MediumPaper

DimensionsOverall: 88 x 139 mm

ClassificationsPosters and postcards

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionPostcard of TSMV / HMAT DUNTROON. She was built in 1935 for the Melbourne Steamship Company as a passenger transport and was used in WW2 as a transport for POW'S from Singapore.HistoryThe DUNTROON was built in 1935 in Wallsend for the Melbourne Steamship Company in 1935 as a coastal passenger service. She was involved in a shippping disaster in 1940 when, whilst leaving Melbourne, she rammed the auxiliary minesweeper HMAS GOORANGI. The smaller ship, GOORANGI, was cut in two and all 24 crew were killed. It became the first RAN losses of World War 2. In 1942, the DUNTROON was requesitioned by the Australian Army for use as a troopship. She continued army service continued until 1946, when she was chartered by the RAN for transport duties with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. This was the name of the joint Australian, British, Indian and New Zealand military forces who occupied Japan. The DUNTROON was returned to the Melbourne Steamship Co in 1949.