SS Skagerak

Courtesy Historical Department, MAN B&W Diesel, Copenhagen
History
Name	MS Skagerak
Builder/Built	1936 Burmeister & Wain, Copenhagen,
Type	cargo freighter
Displacement	4,244 tons

Remarks

One of 19 Norwegian ships that were on the other side of the world when war broke out. The were chartered by the US government. When Norway was invaded on Apr. 9-1940 Skagerak was in the Pacific enroute to Japan with a general cargo from the US. Skagerak continued to her destination, arriving Kobe on Apr. 30, where they were met by suspicion and countless "interrogations". Skagerak had 2 more voyages to Japan (Osaka), both times carrying rice from Siam and Indo-China. Caught by a Tropical Storm in Suva on 23 Feb 1941, she was washed ashore, but was able to be refloated after the storm had passed. On 12 Ape 11942 s she struck a mine when approaching Suez

From when Norway capitulated to Germany (9 Apr 1940) until the end f the war, she visited 173 ports, sailed 244,684 nautical miles delivering 368,869 tons of cargo.

Soldiers carried

Labuan to Sydney 16 January - 2 February 1946

• Arthur John Saw