USAT J Stirling Morton
From Our Contribution
10 Nov 1944 Troops boarding USAT J Stirling Morton for Jacquinot Bay. | |
File:.jpg | |
History | |
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Name | USAT J Stirling Morton |
Owner | US Army |
Builder | Permanente Metals Richmond, California |
Yard number | 1 |
Launched | 142 |
General characteristics | |
Type | Liberty EC-2 |
Tonnage | 7,181 tons |
Remarks
This ship's first voyage to Australia was a journey from San Francisco (June 20th) to Brisbane (July 18th). She then made numerous voyages between north Queensland ports and the islands to the north of Australia. During a voyage from Sydney to Townsville she ran into trouble on 18 Sep 1944, sending the following signal to authorities "S.O.S. On fire anchored off Flat Top MacKay, require immediate assistance. Unless immediate assistance redered may have to beach vessel. Please at least send boat for Passengers. Hove to off MacKay, cannot raise shore station. Please inform shore auhorities rush Pilot and CO2". A later message read "Fire under control, cancel all distress messages."[1]