US ARMY SMALL SHIPS
SECTION
UNITED STATES ARMY SERVICES OF SUPPLY (USASOS)
IN AUSTRALIAN WATERS
DURING WWII
After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, a group of specialist were assembled in the USA and sent to Australia to scour all the harbours between Adelaide and Cairns and identify and commandeer every small ship they could find that could support the war effort. Their mission was known as "Mission X".
Many Australians served with the US Army Small Ships Section of the US Army Services of Supply (USASOS) in the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) during WWII. They generally signed contracts which lasted for typically 6 - 12 months. The list of ships below also contains some US Army Transport Service (ATS) ships which were manned by Small Ships men. US Army Transport Service later changed its name to the US Army Transportation Corps.
Many of the Australian crew members of the US Small Ships were aged as young as 15 years old. And some were as old as seventy years old.
| A-1 (S-182) | Ajax | Alacrity (S-34) |
| Altair (S-117) | Alvic (S-35) | Anshun |
| Apache (S-568, CSN-1) | Aqua/Rena Star (S-170) | Argo (S-86) |
| Argosy Lemal (S-6) | Alamo | Atlantic Trader |
| Australian Flyer | Babilla (OL-2, S-236) | Badal (OL-4, S-345) |
| Bangalow (OL-24, S-346) | Bantam | Barbara C (S-208) |
| Barraconda (S-61) | BCL-3061 | BCL-3065 |
| BD-240 (S-240) | BD-1156 | Bella Gee (S-193) |
| Bellbird (S-120) | Bergalia (S-144) (not acquired) | Billy Jo |
| Bingarra (S-98) | Black Fin (S-9) | Bloomfield (S-43) |
| Bobby | Bonwin (S-23) | Booralee (S203) |
| Bopple (S-147) | Brianbarb (S-160) | Brit Phos "Uno" (S-69) |
| Brit Phos "Dos" (S-70) | Brit Phos "Tres" (S-71) | Bronzewing |
| Bulimba (S-148) | Bundaberg (S-101) | Camille (S-202) |
| Canonbar (S-149) | Carawa (ST-16, S-220) | Caribqueen |
| Cecilia (S-59) | Charles Cam (S-10) | Charles W. Pasley (CI-S-DI) |
| Chippewa | City of Fort Worth | City of Philadelphia |
| Civic (S-165) | Cobargo (S-137) | Colorado |
| Comara (S-138) | Contessa | Coorabie (S-30) |
| Coringle (S-31) | Corrimal (S-150) | Coweambah (S-96) |
| Cranwin (S-24) | Crystal Star (S-8) | Darwin (S-109) |
| Davenport (S-209) | Dawn | Defiance (S-204) |
| Desikoko (S-129) | Destiny (S-84) | Deutgan (S-108) |
| Director II | Diana (S-211) | Dolphin (S-28) |
| Dover (S-25) | Duluth (S-963) | Duncan (S-173) |
| Eldorado (S-198) | Ellin (S-168) | Ena (S-33) |
| Erina II (S-151) | Esther Johnson (S-216) | Eva (S-53) |
| Evaleeta (S-3, Q-156) | Excel (S-128) | Excelsior (S-225) |
| F-73 (S-515) | F-95 (S-561) | F-96 (S-633) |
| F-117 (S-557) | F-119 (S-563) | F-122 (S-589) |
| F-126 (S-543) | F-129 (S-566) | Fauro Chief (S-66) |
| Forster (S-122) | FP-47 (S-430, CS-2) | Free Selector (S-54) |
| FS Boats (Freight Supply) | FSA-Boats (25 x 62 ft and 50 x 38 ft) | FS-1 (S-275, Nabilla) |
| FS-2A (S-377, Adina) | FS-2B (S-273, Wagnup) | FS-7A (S-378, Allie) |
| FS-8A (S-379, Aldinga) | FS-9A (S-429, Alkira) | FS-10A (S-480, Alkoo) |
| FS-11A (S-481, Alkooni) | FS-11C (S-256, Tarni) | FS012A (S-482, Allara) |
| FS-12B (S-532 Wangary) | FS-13A (S-541, Aleena) | FS-14A (S-624, Allinga) |
| FS-17A (S-707, Anaroo) | FS-19A (S-709, Apa) | FS-20B (S-700, Wehla) |
| FS-22A (S-854, Arilpa) | FS-23A (S-855, Arira) | FS-27 |
| FS-117 | FS/FP-143 (S-586) | FS-172 (S-775) |
| FS-130 | FS-195 (S-971) | FS-258 (S-1037) |
| FS-267 (S-1111) | FS-390 (S-877) | FS-528 |
| Gee Bee/G.B. (S-210) | General MacArthur (S-44) | Geoanna (S-382, TP-249, CS-1) |
| Gertrude (S-124) | Gwendolyn (S-190) | Greer |
| Grey Lag | H-9 (Bower) | H-11 |
| Haere (S-118) | Half Rufus (S-217) | Hanyang (X-8) |
| Harold (S-58, CS-3) | Helen Dawn (S-56) | Hilda Norling (S-62) |
| Hinemoa (S-194) | Hokitika (S-130) | Hunanui (S-131) |
| Illawarra (S-171) | Iluka (S-97) | Inverness (S-187) |
| International | Iona (S-179) | Irak (S-161) |
| Irma (S-119) | Isabelle Star/Potts (S-123) | J-548 |
| J-549 | J-676 | Jack Cam (S-29) |
| Jack Pot (S-126) | James Oliver | James Wallace (S-90) |
| Jane Moorhead (S-63) | Jacqueline Marie (S-7) | J.E. Gorman (S-965) |
| Jessie (S-68) | Joellen (S-184) | John C. Calhoun |
| John Jacob Astor | John I. Nolan | John Reid Cam (S-95) |
| Jomaro (S-213) | June (S-92) | Jupogi (S-82) |
| Kaiulani (S-106) | Kalbar (S-186) | Kalowa (S-114) |
| Kapaiapoa | Karsik/Karsig | Katoora (S-140) |
| Keith Cam (S-12) | Kelton (S-11) | Ken (S-80) |
| Kia Ora (S-185) | Kimbriki | King John (S-13) |
| Kintore (S-154) | Kiparra | Kittahn |
| USS Klang | Koala (S-112) | Kookaburra (S-113) |
| Koomeela (S-26) | Koondooloo (S-181) | Kooraka (S-4) |
| Kurimarau (S-105) | Lady Linda (S-183) | Lady Betty (S-166) |
| Lokatoi (S-1) | Leeta May (S-2) | Lena Gladys (S-102) |
| Leprena (S-64) | Lindisfarne (S-5, Q-154) | Lodestar (S-39) |
| Lorinna (S-135) | Louise (S-197) | LST-228 |
| LST-530 | LST-975 | LT-20 (S-548) |
| LT-125 | LT-129 (S-595) | LT-133 (S-687) |
| LT-140 | LT-219 (S-571) | LT-226 (S-588) |
| LT-348 (S-574) | LT-451 | LT-530 (S-662) |
| LT-644 | LT-645 | LT-784 |
| Mac (S-176) | Mactan (S-188) | Maetsuyker |
| Maggie (S-104) | Maiala (S-174) (or Miala) | Maigre (S-224) |
| Maiwara (S-146) | Mako (S-158) | Margaret Twaits (S-52) |
| Margaret Rose (S-172) | Marjorie Jean (S-57) | Marrawah (S-178) |
| Mary Ellen (S-175) | Masaya (S-85) | Matonga (S-339, TL-25) |
| May (S-91) | Melanesia (S-134) | Melcustoms (S-100) |
| Melinga (S-139) | Merri Chris (S-42) | Michale (S-169) |
| Midge | Miena (S-115) | Mina (S-214) |
| Minnamurra (S-60) | Minnow (S-107) | Minston Brae (S-14) |
| Mirrabooka (S-15) | Miss Lorraine (S-215) | Moa (S-16) |
| Moa Moa (S-143) | Mokatam | Mongana (S-27) |
| Moreton (S-88) | Morewa (S-281) | Mosquito |
| MT-112 | Mulcra (S-141) | Muliama (S-159) |
| Muscoota (S-196) | Nambucca II | Nanagai (S-164) |
| Nancy | Narooma (S-38) | Nelcebee (S-32) |
| Nemesis (S-201) | Newcastle (S-111) | Nobby (S-45) |
| Nomena (S-40_ | Norena | Noora (S-136) |
| Norab (S-206) | Norena | Norindies |
| Norlago | Norwest (S-103) | Octorora |
| OL-1 (S-222, Baan) | OL-2 (S-236, Babilla) | OL-4 (S-345, Badal) |
| OL-6 (S-411, Bagoo) | OL-21 | OL-6A (S-360, Dannevirke) |
| OL-7 (S-412, Bahloo) | OL-8 (S-857, Balal) | OL-9 (S-858, Balerang) |
| OL-10 (S-859, Balemo) | OL-12 (S-884, Ballarat) | OL-21 (S-313, Banda) |
| OL-31 (S-664, Barah) | Olga Star (S-17) | Ozark |
| P-92 | P-308 | Pacific (S-55) |
| Pax/Sunset (S-205) | Peggy Love (S-192) | Pelorus (S-36) |
| Pemmican | Point San Pedro | Poonbar (S-155) |
| Potts/Isabelle Star (S-123) | Priscilla | Protector |
| Pulganbah (S-142) | Q-127 (S-546) | QS-2 (S-898) |
| QS-3 (S-649) | QS-14 (S-609) | Rapaki |
| Raymond | Rena Star (S-170) | Repatri (S-83) |
| Rhea (S-110) | Ripride (S-18) | Roxana (S-257) |
| Rufus King (see Half Rufus) | Saint/St. John (S-19) | San Antonio |
| San Christofolo (S-65) | San Jose (see TP-242) | San Nicholas (S-163) |
| Say When | Scot | Sea Arrow |
| Sea Hawk (S-162) | Sea Mist (S-75) | Seagull (S-125) |
| Sea Rover (S-127) | Shangri-La (S-51) | Sidney (S-226) |
| Silver Fin | Silver Quay (S-46) | Silver Arrow (S-74) |
| Silverwater | Simoon (S-76) | ST-1 (S-347, Coatesville) |
| ST-3 (S-349, Canterbury) | ST-10 (S-396, Christchurch) | ST-12 (S-398, Clive) |
| ST-14 (S-400, Cook) | ST-17 (S-277, Carbanup) | ST-18 (S-279, Carbeen) |
| ST-19 (S-278, Carbethon) | ST-21 (S-706, Carcoola) | ST-22 (S-340, Carinya) |
| ST-26 | ST-27 | ST-38 (S-848, Chullora) |
| ST-40 (S-850, Cobadong) | ST-42 (S-341, Cobarup) | ST-43 (S-342, Cobbora) |
| ST-46 (S-1018, Cobacup) | ST-66 (S-1019, Coonatto) | ST-68 (S-1021, Coonong) |
| ST-72 (S-1025, Corio) | ST-74 (S-1027, Cowal) | ST-75 |
| ST-76 (S-1029, Cowlong) | ST-131 | ST-145 |
| ST-179 | ST-309 | ST-357 |
| ST-381 (S-577) | ST-405 (S-648) | ST-468 (S-583) |
| ST-472 (S-641) | ST-729 | Stella Maris |
| Spitfire (S-191) | Stuart Thorpe (S-426) | Sunbeam (S-89) |
| Sunshine (S-67) | Swan (S-199) | Swartenhondt |
| Swordfish (S-180) | Tassie MBL III (S-77) | Tassie IV |
| Tassie MBL VI (S-78) | Tee Bee (WT-12, S-200) | Terralinna |
| Tiger (S-50) | Timoshenko (S-41) | TL-57 (S-476, Mirreh) |
| TP-102 (S-750) | TP-109 (S-679) | TP-112 (S-765) |
| TP-117 (S-864) | TP-109 | TP-119 (S-996) |
| TP-121 (S-975) | TP-129 (S-863) | TP-130 (S-870) |
| TP-140 | TP-242 (S-487, San Jose) | TP-243 (S-486, Bennehaven) |
| TP-244 (S-508, Ardito) | TP-245 (S-485, San Giovanni) | TP-246 (S-551, Sea Tern) |
| Tolema (S-47) | Torres (S-87) | Tropic Bird |
| Tuhoe (S-132) | Tung Song (S-152) | T.W. Drennan (S-610) |
| Two Freddies (S-20) | Uki (S-177) | Ulladulla (S-21) |
| Valiant (S-73) | Valkyrie (S-133) | Valola (S-94) |
| Van Heemskerk | Vaquero (S-207) | Van Heutsz |
| Veebeebe (S-81) | Veesa | Veiya (S-48) |
| Venture | Vim (S-72) | Volador (S-385, CSM-1) |
| Volunteer (S-93) | Wannon (S-153) | Warilda (S-212) |
| Warren (S-121) | Weeroona (S-195, CSQ-1) | Weerutter |
| West Texas | Weenonah (S-49) | Will H. Point |
| Will Watch (S-116) | William Foster Cowham | Willyama II (S-22) |
| Wingo (S-37) | Wombat (S-79) | Wongawill (S-167) |
| Wortanna (S-145) | WST-2 (S-387, Eucla) | WT-2 (S-292, Koroki) |
| WT-6 (S-298, Korokai) | WT-12 (S-788, Kokako) | WT-19 (S-733, Kahka) |
| WT-23 (S-516, Kanuka) | WT-31 (S-286, Kargatta) | WT-35 (S-299, Karlta) |
| WT-40 (S-415, Karoolup) | WT-45 | WT-46 (S-289, Katak) |
| WT-52 (S-304, Kerabin) | WT-57 (S-329, Kiamah) | WT-58 (S-330, Kiana) |
| WT-63 (S-229, Killara) | WT-67 (S-223, Kimbriki) | WT-73 (S-231, Kiparra) |
| WT-74 (S-232, Kittahn) | WT-77 (S-235, Kolodong) | Y-1M? |
| Y-3 (S-363) | Y-4 (S-364) | Y-5 (S-365) |
| Y-7 (S-367) | Y-11 (S-491) | Y-13 (S-243) |
| Y-15 (S-245) | Y-18 (S-369) | Y-19 (S-243) |
| Y-20 (S-383) | Y-21 (S-427) | Z-17 (S-189) |
| Zoie (S-99) |
Noni Brown's father: Joseph John Horan (b 1904) known in the US records as John Joseph Horan. After working on the "Oronsay", "Moreton Bay" and "Largs Bay" as a British Merchant Marine (Steward/Tourist Steward), Joseph John Horan travelled back to Australia, arriving early January 1940. He appears to have been a Warden in "Waverley" Sydney NSW and then answered the call by "ManPower", and was interviewed and accepted as a civilian employee to work on the "Small Ships" under General Douglas MacArthur's Command, US Army Transportation Corps United States Army.
Joseph John Horan in Merchant Marine Uniform
Joseph Horan's official "Honourable Discharge" recognising his veteran status (discharge dated 6th April 1944.) plus two letters acknowledging his contribution as a "veteran" at long last. He was employed on two ships (according to his records) by the U.S. Army A.P.O. 927.
Joseph Horan and fellow crew members
of Esther Johnson (S-216)
He was a crew member on the "Esther Johnson" which he boarded in Newcastle NSW. He joined the "UST 189" in January 1944. This ship was sent out to look for a plane that had crashed, 4 miles off Goodenough Island? - they were looking for survivors (The Captain of this vessel at this time was Kan Forman, Master ST 189)
Joseph Horan was employed as Engineer 1B from 23 September 1943 to 6 April 1944. He contracted Malaria and was unable to renew his contract. The records indicate that he was an "inventory clerk" (1943 at $384 pounds per annum) "cook/hand", "deckhand" to "Engineer Assistant" (Mar 1944) then Engineer 2B then Chief Engineer.
Small Ships crew during a drill
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I'd like to thank Stephanie Cocks for her assistance with this web page.
I'd also like to thank Noni Brown for he assistance with this web page.
REFERENCE BOOKS
Forgotten Fleet 2
An updated and expanded history of the part played by Australian men and ships
in the US Army Ships in New Guinea, 1942 - 1945
by Bill Lunney and Ruth Lunney
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© Peter Dunn 2006 |
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This page first produced 12 October 2008
This page last updated 16 October 2008
AUSTRALIA
@ WAR
