Ship History
Built by Mach. Fabr. & Scheepswerf P. Smit Jr. at Rotterdam, Netherlands in 1930. Operated by Koninklijke Paketvaart-Maatschappij, as a trade ship in the New Guinea area.

Wartime History
Requisitioned during World War II by the Allies, defensive machine guns and anti-aircraft guns were installed. Delivered supplies to Milne Bay, including a cargo of fuel drums during late July 1942. Participated in Operation Lilliput delivering supplies from Milne Bay to Oro Bay.

Sinking History
On March 28, 1943, nine D3A Val dive bombers attacked Oro Bay while SS Bantam was alongside the liberty ship wharf unloading supplies. Seven bombs fell on or near SS Bantam. The forward of the bridge, No.3 hold and engine room suffered direct bomb hits, while two bombs that hit the liberty wharf tore a hole in the ship’s side on the waterline and began taking water rapidly. The ship caught fire as well as the liberty wharf which was burning out of control. The two pontoons of the wharf sank.

The Bantam was sinking and it was decided to beach her and a couple of large motor boats assisted in pulling the ship away from the wharf. HMAS Bowen went alongside and began to fight the fires. SS Bantam was beached at the head of Oro Bay.

Shipwreck
Later, the wreck was raised and towed to Sydney. On September 24, 1946 the ship was scuttled 36 miles off Sydney filled with chemical weapons.

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Last Updated
October 2, 2009