|  |
|
| |
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| KPM Cargo Hospital Ship 4,131 Tons  Prewar  Prewar |
Ship History Buit as a a steel hulled motor cargo vessel in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Built during 1936 and completed in 1937. Owned by Koninklijke Paketvaart-Maatschappij (KPM) Royal Packet Navigation Company for use in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) as a cargo vessel. Wartime History During 1942, Maetsuycker escaped the Dutch Netherlands prior to the Japanese invasion with other vessels and steamed to Sydney. In Australia, the ship was assigned to the Australian Merchant Navy and U.S. Army. Initially, served as a troop transport and logistic supply ship for the Australian and United States Army Transportation Corps (American Small Ships) with Dutch Officers flying the Dutch Flag. Replacement crew members were mainly Australian and Allied Merchant Seamen from the International Pool of Seamen. During 1944, converted to a hospital ship, capable of holding 250 stretcher patients, or 200 stretcher and 500 ambulatory patients and designated Australian Hospital Ship Maetsuycker (AHS Maetsuycker). The Medical Staff were from the U.S. Army 196th Station Hospital. During early 1944, operated from northern New Guinea including Oro Bay, Milne Bay, Finchafen, Lae and Aitape, and Hollandia, then delivering patients to Brisbane. On June 23, 1944 at Hollandia and the next day departs for Biak and Owi. On June 25, 1944 off Bosnik embarked Captain Cyrus Taylor severely burned scuttling PT-193 "Bitchin' Witch" and died at 9:45pm. The next day, returned to Hollandia, June 27-28 then to Aitape arriving June 29 and departing the next day for Oro Bay, arriving on June 1 and departed the next day for Milne Bay arriving on July 3, then departed for Australia. Arrived at Brisbane on July 7 and remained there until departing on July 24 for Townsville. Maetsuycker returned to New Guinea, operating along the northern coast. December 22, 1944 departed for the Philippines, arriving on December 24 at Gulf of Leyte and was stationed at Tacloban December 25-28, then returned to Hollandia. Postwar Refit in 1947 and passed to the Royal Interocean Lines (KJCPL) in Amsterdam renamed and sold to several owners. During 1974 broken up for scrap at Kaohsiung in Taiwan. References The Australian Merchant Navy - NHS Maetsuycker Maetsuycker.com Maetsuycker Itinerary 1944 Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Photo Archive |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
