The story of a Dutch freighter during the Second World War
28 February 1942. With over 1700 people on board Abbekerk sails due south, alone on an empty sea. With calm weather and not even half loaded her two large diesel engines power her to a speed of over 19 knots. She...
Men still speak of the miserable, sick fear that assailed them on that moonlight night. A blind hysteria pursued the ship. There was a feeling of utter disorganisation. Two men tried to kill themselves. To add to their troubles, the...
More than ever I realized that working in the engine room during wartime one never got used to the fact that you could hear or see nothing of what was happening outside. Particularly if you were aware that not too...
Just before dawn on March 4, as I sat up on that cold, windswept deck, I sighted a flickering light. It was the beacon outside Fremantle Harbor! And what a sight it was! The pilot boarded our ship a few...
After having lived on board ship for three months Perth was a welcome change. The city was completely lit-up in the evening and at night. That was unique after two years of war. What we noticed more than anything when...
The entrée into the little harbour was very nice. In a long line of sandy dunes there was a gap with a creek flowing out into the sea. Along this creek was a stout wooden wharf where our ship could...
30 March 1942. After a short journey Abbekerk again arrives at Fremantle. Here she bunkers and the last part of her cargo is being loaded. Bags of wheat destined for Ceylon en Persia. By now the heavy Stanier 8F locomotives on...
5th of April 1942. In retrospect, Abbekerk’s officers were rightfully sceptic with the ‘safe’ route they were given by the navy. Without knowing it they follow, just one week behind, the Japanese battle fleet Kido Butai which is going to...
16th of April. Abbekerk approaches Ceylon with her crew knowing from overheard radio signals that the Japanese have wreaked havoc and that it is not unlikely there are still enemy forces in the area. Everybody is on full alert. A...
23 april 1942. Colombo. In the port of Colombo we took in the much needed provisions. The Captain went ashore to visit the agent and Admiralty House to discuss the route to be followed to Abadan. Here he heard much...
Adriaan W Kik, who's memoirs are the inspiration and base of this website
Peter
