|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| U.S. Army Former Assignments China Navigation Company British Navy Cargo 3,188 Tons 338' 4" x 50' 2" x 21' 7"  AWM c1942   AWM September 1942  43rd BG c1943 |
Ship History Built by Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Limited in Greenock, Scotland. Launched in 1930 as MV Anshun operated by the China Navigation Company to provide passenger and cargo service in China. Wartime History During World War II, requisitioned by the British Navy at Freetown in West Africa then returned in 1940. On December 8, 1941 at the start of the Pacific War, damaged by a bomb in Manila Bay. Afterwards, steamed southward to Australia. Afterwards, to Australia and commandeered by the Ministry of War Transport to the U.S. Army and used to transport troops and supplies between Australia and New Guinea. During September 1942 departs Townsville as part of convoy Q2 with s'Jacob escorted by HMAS Swan and later HMAS Arunta bound for Milne Bay. On September 5, 1942 the convoy waited in the China Strait because Japanese warships were expected to attack Milne Bay overnight. Sinking History On September 6, 1942 escorted by HMAS Arunta (I30) into Milne Bay while the rest of the convoy waited to the south. While unloading at Gili Gili dock in Milne Bay, this vessel was illuminated by lights on shore and targeted by Japanese cruisers bombarding the area and hit by gunfire from Tenryū. Damaged, the ship listed to the starboard side and sank in shallow water with the port side above the surface. Shipwreck MV Anshun sank with the starboard side underwater and the port side exposed above the surface. Afterwards, the shipwreck was often photographed by Allied personnel or appears in photographs of the Gili Gili dock area. Salvage During September 1944, Australian salvage divers successfully refloated the ship and towed 1,750 miles to Sydney Harbor for further repairs. Acquired by James Patrick & Company Pty Limited renamed MS Culcairn and repaired at Cockatoo Island Dockyard. Postwar MS Culcairn operated as a cargo vessel off the eastern coast of Australia between 1946 until 1962. Ultimate fate unknown, likely broken up sometime afterwards. References Some sources refer to this vessel as simply "Anshun" or "SS Anshun". Passengers In History - Anshun AWM "The Anshun" ART25777 Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Photo Archive |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
