M/S Anatina
Updated Nov. 25-2012
To Anatina on the "Ships starting with A" page.
Some pictures of crew members have been added to Anatina - Page 2
Source: Gunnar Skiold's photo archive.
Post war picture of Anatina - received from Richard Naess, who served on her in 1960/'61.
Another picture is available on this external page (click in the last thumbnail to enlarge).
The Australian War Memorial also has a picture of this ship, taken in Fremantle in 1941 (external links).
Manager: M. Chr. Stray, Kristiansand
Tonnage: 4986 gt ("Våre Motorskip" lists the tonnage as 5052 gt - see below).
Delivered Jan. 10-1939 from Öresundsvarvet A/B, Landskrona, Sweden as Anatina to Skibs-A/S Anatina (M. Chr. Stray), Kristiansand. 5052 gt, 9500 tdwt, 430.6' x 57.2' x 22.5 ' (loa), 4 x 6 cyl. 2 tev Atlas Diesel, 4400 bhp (geared to 1 propeller), - 14 knots.
Captain: Anstein Dvergsnes.
Related items on this website:
Tormod Gjertsen's story - Norwegian text (sadly, he died in Dec.-2007, not long after I had had the opportunity to visit him in Norway). Tormod was ordinary seaman on board from Jan.-1940 to Nov.-1940. He also served on Hallanger (on board when she was sunk), Karsten Wang, Ivaran and Chr. Th. Boe, all listed on this website.
A posting to my forum from the daughter of someone who served on this ship, Wilfried Wintersteiner "Johnny Walker", searching for shipmate Kenneth Eddy Gray.
Guestbook message re Wear, with which Anatina was in collision.
Her voyages are listed on these original images from the Norwegian National Archives: Please note - it looks like there's a document missing, showing her 1940 voyages and some of her 1941 voyages. I believe Page 1 starts with July-1941, ending with June-1942.
Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4
Please compare the above voyages with Arnold Hague's Voyage Record below.
Voyage Record
From Dec.-1941 to Sept.-1945:
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(R eceived from Don Kindell - His source: The late Arnold Hague's database).
Follow the convoy links provided for more information on them
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Departure
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From
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To
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Arrival
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Convoy
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Remarks
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Please see the narrative further down on this page for details on some earlier voyages, translated from Tormod Gjertsen's story.
Other voyages are also missing from this record
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1941
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Dec. 9
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Port Said
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Haifa
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Dec. 10
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Independent
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A. Hague says:
Previously traded Pacific and Indian Ocean
*Some earlier 1941 voyages:
Page 1
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*Again, I believe the listing on Page 1 starts with July-1941, in other words, a document showing her 1940 voyages and earlier 1941 voyages appears to be missing. It'll also be noticed that the sailing dates have been cut off on the scan. |
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Dec. 21
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Haifa
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Port Said
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Dec. 22
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Independent
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On to Suez and Kosseir
(Page 1)
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1942
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Jan. 4
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Kosseir
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Aden
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Jan. 9
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Independent
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Jan. 9
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Aden
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Fremantle
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Jan. 31
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Independent
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Febr. 1
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Fremantle
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Geelong
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Febr. 8
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Independent
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Febr. 10
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Geelong
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Melbourne
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Independent
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March 4
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Melbourne
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Whyalla
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March 7
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Independent
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March 8
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Whyalla
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Port Kembla
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March 12
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Independent
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March 14
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Port Kembla
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Sydney, N.S.W.*
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March 14
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Independent
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*Arrived Newcastle N.S.W., on to Sydney
(Page 1)
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March 31
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Sydney, N.S.W.
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Fremantle
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Apr. 9
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Independent
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Apr. 17
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Fremantle
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Geraldton
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Apr. 19
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Independent
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Apr. 29
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Geraldton
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Aden
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May 18
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Independent
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May 21
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Aden
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Suez
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May 25
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Independent
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Later Port Said May 26
(Page 1)
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May 26
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Port Said
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Iskenderun
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May 29
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Independent
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Notional sailing date
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June 10
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Iskenderun
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Port Said
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Independent
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June 22
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Kosseir
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Aden
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June 25
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Independent
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June 25
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Aden
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Fremantle
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July 15
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Independent
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July 16
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Fremantle
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Port Lincoln
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July 22
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Independent
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July 23
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Port Lincoln
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Adelaide
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July 24
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Independent
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July 28
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Adelaide
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Wallaroo
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July 29
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Independent
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July 30
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Wallaroo
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Whyalla
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July 31
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Independent
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July 31
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Whyalla
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Melbourne
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Aug. 3
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Independent
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Aug. 5
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Melbourne
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Port Kembla
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Aug. 9
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OC 15
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Convoy available at OC 15
(external link)
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Aug. 10
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Port Kembla
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Newcastle, N.S.W.
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Aug. 11
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Independent
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Aug. 12
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Newcastle, N.S.W.
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CO 18
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Convoy available at CO 18
(external link)
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Aug. 16
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Dispersed from CO 18
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Adelaide
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Aug. 17
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Independent
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Aug. 23
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Adelaide
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Whyalla
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Aug. 24
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Independent
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Aug. 24
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Whyalla
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Melbourne
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Aug. 27
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Independent
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Aug. 29
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Melbourne
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Port Kembla
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Sept. 1
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OC 22
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Convoy available at OC 22
(external link)
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Sept. 3
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Port Kembla
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Newcastle, N.S.W.
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Sept. 4
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Independent
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Sept. 6
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Newcastle, N.S.W.
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CO 25
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Convoy available at CO 25
(external link)
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Sept. 10
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Dispersed from CO 25
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Adelaide
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Sept. 11
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Independent
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Sept. 14
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Adelaide
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Whyalla
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Sept. 15
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Independent
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Sept. 16
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Whyalla
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Melbourne
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Sept. 19
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Independent
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Sept. 19
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Melbourne
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Port Kembla
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Sept. 22
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OC 28
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Convoy available at OC 28
(external link)
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Sept. 24
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Port Kembla
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Newcastle, N.S.W.
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Sept. 24
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Independent
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Sept. 28
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Newcastle, N.S.W.
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Sydney, N.S.W.
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Sept. 29
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Independent
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Oct. 1
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Sydney, N.S.W.
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Suva
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Oct. 8
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Independent
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Dec. 2
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Suva
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Vancouver
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Independent
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1943
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Jan. 11
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Vancouver
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San Francisco
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Jan. 14
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Independent
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Febr. 1
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San Francisco
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Los Angeles
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Febr. 3
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Independent
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March 8*
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Los Angeles
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Melbourne
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Independent
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*Should be Febr. 8, arrived Melbourne March 8
(Page 2)
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March 25
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Melbourne
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Fremantle
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Independent
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Page 2 gives arrival Apr. 1
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Apr. 8
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Fremantle
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Whyalla
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Apr. 13
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Independent
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Apr. 18
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Whyalla
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Port Kembla
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Apr. 23
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Independent
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Apr. 28
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Port Kembla
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Sydney, N.S.W.*
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Apr. 30
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Independent
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A. Hague says:
Notional sailing date.
Page 2 gives Apr. 30,
*arrived Newcastle N.S.W.
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May 9
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Sydney, N.S.W.*
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Antofagasta
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June 1
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Independent
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*From Newcastle, N.S.W.
(Page 2)
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June 12
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Antofagasta
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Tocopilla
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June 12
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Independent
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June 19
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Tocopilla
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Wellington
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July 13
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Independent
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July 13
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Wellington
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Melbourne
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July 19
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Independent
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Aug. 1
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Melbourne
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Fremantle
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Aug. 8
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Independent
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Left Fremantle for Aden, Aug. 19
( Page 2).
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Sept. 8
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Aden
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Suez
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Sept. 28*
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Independent
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*A. Hague says: Arrival date confusing.
Page 3 gives Sept. 14
(also, missing voyages)
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Oct. 12
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Kosseir
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Aden
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Oct. 16
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Independent
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Oct. 18
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Aden
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AB 17
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Convoy available at AB 17
(external link)
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Oct. 27
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Detached from AB 17
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Port Lincoln
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Independent
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Nov. 19
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Port Lincoln
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Wallaroo
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Nov. 19
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Independent
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Nov. 25
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Wallaroo
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Adelaide
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Nov. 26
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Independent
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Dec. 18
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Adelaide
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Aden
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Jan. 12-1944
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Independent
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1944
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Jan. 12
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Aden
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Suez
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Jan. 17
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Independent
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Jan. 31
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Kosseir
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Aden
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Independent
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Febr. 7
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Aden
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AB 30
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Convoy available at AB 30
(external link)
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Febr. 15
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Detached from AB 30
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Melbourne
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March 8
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Independent
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Missing movements, Page 3
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Apr. 7
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Melbourne
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Fremantle
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Apr. 14
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Independent
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Apr. 16
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Fremantle
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Aden
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May 7
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Independent
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May 7
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Aden
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Suez
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Independent
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See also Page 3
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May 14
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Port Said
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Augusta
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May 19
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GUS 40
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Convoy available at GUS 40
(external link)
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May 22
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Augusta
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Naples
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May 23
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VN 41
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Convoy available at VN 41
(external link)
Again, see also Page 3
(and narrative below)
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June 16
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Naples
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Augusta
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June 17
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NV 46
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Convoy available at NV 46
(external link)
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June 18
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Augusta
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Bone
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June 21
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GUS 43
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Convoy available at GUS 43
(external link)
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June 26
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Bone
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Port Said
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July 3
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KMS 54
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July 4
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Suez
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Aden
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July 10
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Independent
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July 11
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Aden
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Fremantle
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Aug. 5
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Independent
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Aug. 22
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Fremantle
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Whyalla
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Independent
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Aug. 27
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Whyalla
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Sydney, N.S.W.*
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Sept. 2
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Independent
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*Arrived Newcastle, N.S.W.
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Sept. 10*
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Sydney, N.S.W.*
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Melbourne
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Sept. 11
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Independent
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*From Newcastle, N.S.W., Sept. 6
(Page 3). A. Hague says:
Collision with Br. Wear, sunk Sept. 8.
See also narrative below
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Nov. 22
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Melbourne
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Colombo
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Dec. 11
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Independent
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Dec. 26
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Colombo
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Aden
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Jan. 2-1945
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Independent
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1945
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Jan. 3
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Aden
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Suez*
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Independent
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Jan. 10
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Kosseir
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Aden
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Jan. 14
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Independent
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Jan. 16
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Aden
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Fremantle
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Febr. 5
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Independent
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Febr. 25
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Fremantle
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Bunbury
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Febr. 26
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Independent
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Missing voyages?
(see Page 4).
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March 7
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Bunbury
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Fremantle
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Independent
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(Had arrived Bunbury March 7)
Page 4 gives arrival Fremantle March 7
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March 13
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Fremantle
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Geraldton
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March 14
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Independent
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March 22
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Geraldton
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Sydney, N.S.W.
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March 30
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Independent
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Apr. 15
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Sydney, N.S.W.
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Port Kembla
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Apr. 16
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Independent
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Apr. 21
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Port Kembla
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Fremantle
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Apr. 29
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Independent
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May 13
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Fremantle
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Geraldton
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May 14
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Independent
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May 20
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Geraldton
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Melbourne
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May 26
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Independent
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June 6
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Melbourne
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Fremantle
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June 12
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Independent
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June 25
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Fremantle
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Geraldton
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June 26
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Independent
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July 7
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Geraldton
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Port Lincoln
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July 11
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Independent
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July 14
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Port Lincoln
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Melbourne
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July 16
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Independent
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July 29
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Melbourne
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Port Pirie
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July 31
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Independent
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Aug. 8
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Port Pirie
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Port Lincoln
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Aug. 9
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Independent
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Aug. 20
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Port Lincoln
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Melbourne
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Aug. 22
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Independent
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Sept. 11
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Melbourne
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Bunbury
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Independent
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Page 4 gives arrival Sept. 17. Also shows subsequent voyages.
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Translated from Tormod Gjertsen's story.
Tormod joined Anatina in Sweden as ordinary seaman on Jan. 4-1940. He says their first voyage took them to Denmark and from there to 2 cities in Venezuela, before going to miscellaneous places on the west coast of South America. She visited Vladivostok in Russia, then crossed the Pacific, through the Panama Canal and on to Hamburg, where cargo was unloaded and new cargo loaded. Several crew members left the ship while in Hamburg.
Cargo was again loaded in Denmark, having stopped at Landskrona for repairs. She then headed back to Venezuela, on to the U.S., Japan, Bombay, Madras, Singapore and Calcutta, back to Baltimore, New Orleans and Houston, and visited several ports on the east coast of the U.S. before heading back to the Far East. From there, back to Vancouver and on to Capetown. She also stopped at Durban, travelling from there to Calcutta* and visited Bombay and Madras again. She made another voyage to Capetown before returning to Baltimore, where Tormod paid off on Nov. 9-1940.
*According to the book "Våre falne", Anatina's messboy Henrik Undheim died following an illness on Sept. 24-1940, when the ship was en route to Capetown. He was 22 years old. Tormod Gjertsen has told me he was the one who made the canvas bag in which he was lowered into the sea by him and the boatswain. He says Anstein Dvergsnes was the 2nd mate at that time (later her captain). The messboy is commemorated at the Memorial for Seamen in Stavern, Norway - ref. external link at the end of this page.
Tormod says that Anatina was in Calcutta when the messboy got sick and he was admitted to a hospital there. After having finished loading a cargo in Calcutta they went to Madras, where the messboy came back on board, but was still not well, so he was given one of the passenger cabins to recuperate, but he died. Tormod gives the date as Febr. 21-1940, but as mentioned above, "Våre Falne" gives the date as Sept. 24-1940.
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I'm assuming this is from Henrik Undheim's "funeral"
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Tormod mentions one of the oilers, Odd Knutsen, who got very sick. They had a Swedish lady as passenger on board, who had been with them for several months, and she took care of him every day, while other crew members, including Tormod, nursed him during the night. He ended up in a hospital in Capetown and it turned out he suffered from Tuberculosis, but fully recovered and later settled in South Africa where he married one of the nurses and worked in the gold mine industry. Odd Knutsen died in 1995 (see also Anatina - Page 2), while Tormod died in Dec.-2007, not long after I had visited him and the other veterans in Kristiansand, Norway.
Some of Anatina's 1941 voyages are shown on Page 1 of the archive documents, which also has a few 1942 voyages, while the rest are listed on Page 2 (it'll be noticed that she had a long stay in Suva at the end of that year, spending another 3 weeks in Vancouver later on; reason unknown). Her 1943 voyages also start on this document and continue on Page 3 (showing a long stay in Adelaide at the end of that year). Convoy information for some of them can be found in A. Hague's Voyage Record above.
Anatina lost another crew member at the beginning of this year - see the link to Stavern Memorial at the end of this page.
Anatina is said to have arrived Naples from Port Said via Augusta on May 26-1944 with a cargo of foodstuffs - the Voyage Record gives arrival Naples as May 23, as does Page 3 of the archive documents. While there, 6 British gunners and 5 seamen came on board to aid in her self defence before she on May 29 departed for Anzio. According to gunnery officer G. Wennberg, Anzio endured 4 air attacks on May 31, 1 on June 3 and 2 on June 7, though each time the aircraft were driven back by the land batteries before they could reach the harbour area, until just after midnight of June 10 when about 50 German aircraft attacked the harbour. In spite of several bombs being dropped no direct hits were achieved by the aircraft, which could not fly low due to the fire from the land batteries and ships. Anatina departed for Naples that same day, where the British men disembarked.
Later that month, we find her in Convoy KMS 54, voyage Bone to Port Said. This convoy, which arrived Port Said on July 3-1944, will be added to my Convoys section; in the meantime, the ships sailing in it are named in the section listing ships in all KMS convoys. Anatina had started out from Bone on June 26.
It'll be noticed, in the Voyage Record above, that A. Hague mentions a collision with the British Wear in Sept.-1944. A message in my Guestbook says the following:
Wear. Coastal steamer, 1892 tons. #129777. Built at Sunderland, England, 1911; reg. Melbourne, 3/1912. Lbd 268 x 37.9 x 17.6 ft. Sank following a collision with MV Anatina about nine miles off Montagu Island, NSW, 8 September 1944. All crew were rescued but one seaman received fatal injuries. The Wear was steaming at about ten knots in a smooth sea when she was struck amidships. Both vessels were locked together for about ten minutes but the Wear was almost cut in half and sank immediately they separated. One lifeboat was launched but some of her crew of fifty-six spent a short period in the sea before rescued by the Anatina and landed at Eden.
As will be seen, when going back to Page 3, Anatina subsequently spent a long time in Melbourne; perhaps repairs had been necessary.
The rest of her voyages (to May-1946) are listed on Page 4 (which shows occasional long stays in port).
Anatina was sold in Sept.-1961 to Einar M. Gaard A/S and Sigurd Haavik A/S (Einar M. Gaard A/S mgr.), Haugesund and renamed Gardøy. In worldwide tramping service and seasonal lumber trade. Taken over by Einar M. Gaard A/S (alone) in the summer of 1965. Arrived Haugesund Mekaniske Verksted, Haugesund in Jan. 1967 for sale, and delivered in May-1967 as Ela to Ships Mediterranean Lines West Africa Ltd., Haifa, Israel. From June 6-1970 she sailed as Armadora for Meridional Armadora S.A., Panama. Sold in Dec.-1971 to Taiwanese breakers, renamed Viva X and arrived Kaohsiung on Febr. 29-1972.
Related external link:
Stavern Memorial commemorations - Messboy Henrik Undheim died following an illness on Sept. 24-1940, when the ship was en route to Capetown. He was 22 years old. See the narrative further up on this page. Carpenter Emil Nettum is listed as having died at sea on Jan. 15-1944 due to illness (according to Page 3, Anatina was on her way from Aden to Suez on that date).
Back to Anatina on the "Ships starting with A" page.
This company had previously had another Anatina, built 1918. This was a tanker delivered as War Hermit to the Shipping Controller, managed by Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Co, London, owned by the latter from 1919. Renamed Anatina in 1921. Sold to Skibs A/S Anatina (M. Chr. Stray), Kristiansand in 1927. Renamed Mindanao in 1938 for Fernandos Hermanos, Manila, attacked by aircraft and sunk in Manila during the war - later salvaged by the Japanese and renamed Palembang Maru in 1942. Torpedoed and sunk by USS Baya on March 4-1945.
The text on this page was compiled with the help of: "Nortraships flåte", J. R. Hegland, "Våre motorskip", Leif M. Bjørkelund & E. H. Kongshavn, and misc. (ref. My sources).
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