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| RAN Formally Burns Philp & Co. Ltd. Norddeutscher Lloyd Line H. Schuldt 5,952 Tons 393.3' x 51.9' x 25.3' |
Ship History Built by Frd. Krupp in Kiel, Germany. Launched 1924. Purchased by H. Schuldt of Flensburg, Germany. In 1924 named Rio Bravo. In 1930 renamed Rio Panuco and operated as a cargo vessel in Central America. During the Great Depression, H. Schuldt went bankrupt. In 1931 sold to Norddeutscher Lloyd Line of Bremen, Germany. During 1934 renamed Neptun and steamed for the Pacific to initiate service between Hong Kong and the Territory of New Guinea. As this route was in competition with Burns Philp & Company Ltd., they asked the Australian government to block them, but the government declined and instead offered to pay the interest on any money Burns Philp borrowed to buy the competing ship. In 1935, purchased by Burns Philp & Company Ltd. and renamed MV Neptuna. Operated a passenger and cargo service between Australia, New Guinea, Philippines, Hong Kong and Saigon. At that time, Saigon was the main supply source for rice imported into New Guinea. On June 20, 1931, Neptuna came to the aid of MV MacDhui that had suffered a fire off the north coast of New Guinea and towed her to Salamaua. In 1941, impressed into service with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). During August 1941 at Sydeny embarked Australian Army soldiers and cargo including two 3" anti-aircraft guns the departs for Port Moresby where she disembarks the soldiers and anti-aircraft guns then departs for Hong Kong. Returning the ship was ordered to shelter in Madang Harbor due to reports of a German commerce raider then continued a few days later. On December 7, 1941 at the start of the Pacific War at Manila and departed bound for New Guinea where the ship evacuated civilians from Rabaul, Madang, Lae and Salamaua. Overloaded, the ship proceeded to Townsville where some were disembarked then continued to Sydney arriving December 31, 1941. In January 1942 at Sydney loaded with military cargo and stores including two hundered depth charges in the aft holds and a large quantity of anti-aircraft shells. After a number of loading delays due to labor disputes departs at the end of the month and proceeds to Darwin arriving February 12, 1942. Due to congestion in Darwin Harbor, ordered to an anchorage to wait to unload and major engine repairs were began on one of her engines. Sinking History On February 19, 1942 in the early morning moved to the main wharf of Darwin Harbor and begin unloading with HMAS Swan (U74) alongside and was in the process of being unload by the crews of both ships. Unloading was still underway when the Japanese air raid by Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) carrier planes commenced. Neptuna suffered hull damage from a nearby explosion followed by three direct hits from bombs hitting the saloon and engine room and causing fires and the ship to list. Aboard, forty five were killed and many seriously injured as the crew prepared to abandon ship with many jumping overboard. Before they had all reached safety, the flames reached the aft holds and the depth charges exploded showering Darwin Harbor with debris with flames and smoke rising 100 meters into the air. Aboard forty-five were killed and many seriously injured. Killed was the ship's master and nine officers and forty-five of the one hundred and twenty-five Chinese crew. Seven awards for bravery, some posthumous, were made in connection with this event, reflecting as it did, a lack of preparedness for and total commitment by some towards unreserved prosecution of the war. Shipwreck During the 1960s, the shipwreck was salvaged by the Japanese for scrap metal. The remaining wreckage remains in situ in Darwin Harbor. References NT World War II Shipwrecks AWM PR00072 Burns Philp and Company Ltd account of the activity of three vessels Merchant Ships of Australia in World War II - Burns, Philp & Company Limited "Neptuna / 1924 / 5952 / 1935-1942" "Neptuna was bombed and sunk in Darwin on 19 February 1942 with forty-five killed" Merchant Ships of Australia in World War II - Neptuna (Burns Philp) Contribute
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