tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post7792948273781667695..comments2023-07-08T12:53:40.256-07:00Comments on coconut connections: U.S. Merchant ships in World War IITheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13604687051481590516noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-32974009765980214602022-07-04T17:58:54.137-07:002022-07-04T17:58:54.137-07:00My dad travelled on the MS Boschfontein from San F...My dad travelled on the MS Boschfontein from San Francisco to Noumea, NC in February 1944. He kept a diary of the trip. Does anyone know how many troops were on board? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-69147135581149271322021-06-21T18:59:50.150-07:002021-06-21T18:59:50.150-07:00Thea, My Dad sailed on the Boschfontein from San ...Thea, My Dad sailed on the Boschfontein from San Fran Aug 17, 1943. I have a wonderful detailed diary he kept of his 6 weeks on board the ship which I can send you a copy. Do you have the ship’s exact itinerary that you can direct me to? My Dad recorded each day at sea but often failed to mention the port or bay they were docking or anchoring I am doing a book of him for his son and grandsons, he was Signal Corps attached to Gen. McArthur and much was classified until ten years before he died. Any help appreciated. bethbraun8113@yahoo.com. I am not familiar with blogging so direct email would be appreciated. Thanks, BethCinematic Floridahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01554231532507578608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-80942216279814599182019-03-17T12:58:12.054-07:002019-03-17T12:58:12.054-07:00my dad was on the ss perida....any info?my dad was on the ss perida....any info?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12505589444791403371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-48276313652651292112019-01-28T14:32:55.381-08:002019-01-28T14:32:55.381-08:00Hello Thea and Jan. My father made a single trip ...Hello Thea and Jan. My father made a single trip on the Boschfontein leaving Vancouver on April 9, 1941. He was on a secret mission to the Dutch East Indies with four others. Adriaan Dolman was Captain. I have a record of the ship arriving in Seattle and leaving for Tacoma but have never been able to discover what happened after that. I know my father stopped in San Francisco for a few days but do not know if he arrived there (or continued from there) on the Boschfontein. Would either one of you have a record of what route the Boschfontein took on that trip? John email: without spaces is deknatel geneaology project @ gmail.comJohn Deknatelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08513830935275188284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-60776689104368460352018-12-18T08:38:33.328-08:002018-12-18T08:38:33.328-08:00Hello Thea from Minnesota,USA! In going through m...Hello Thea from Minnesota,USA! In going through my sisters things after she died, I found she had a postcard of the Boschfontein. I don't know what her connection was, but I found this page very informational. Thank you for this!msghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17529355362423337926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-11658630043978257522018-02-02T18:21:52.083-08:002018-02-02T18:21:52.083-08:00My dad was on the Boschfontein for the I Iwo Jima ...My dad was on the Boschfontein for the I Iwo Jima invasion.Seasoldierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17438719189618353865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-79813995090663172822017-11-13T08:35:47.377-08:002017-11-13T08:35:47.377-08:00Hallo Thea,
Greetings from down the road - Ottawa....Hallo Thea,<br />Greetings from down the road - Ottawa. I so hope you can help me. My father together with four other Dutchman mustered on the Boschfontein on April 8, 1941 in Vancouver, BC, all as "Seaman with no experience at sea." Which was absolutely correct as they were on their way to Java to join the KNIL. They arrived in Seattle on April 9, 1941 <br />The US immigration must have had some concerns as the five men are listed on a separate page on the immigration records which lists a crew of 118.. It appears that they were specifically scrutinized as indicated by the notation on the page that they are "All bona fide seamen and on ship's payroll as such" signed by "Illegible" C.O. Two separate guards sign a statement stating that the 5 men were identified and the departure for Tacoma verified. Outside of some wives of senior crew members there are no passengers on board.<br /><br />I know the Boaschfontein leaves Seattle for Tacoma on April 10, 1941 at 5:00 pm but have no further details on her voyage. I have a picture of my father in San Francisco but that is about it. What I am trying to figure out is what the route was of the Boschfontein to Java on that trip I know he made it there sometime in May and joined the KNIL. He managed to get out of Java via Tjilatjap on the MS Abbekerk.<br /><br />Can you help?<br /><br />Love your musings in this blog. I have very similar sentiments as I work on a book about his complicated life.<br /><br />Kind regards, hartelijke groeten,<br />John<br />John Deknatelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08513830935275188284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-34179497142102969022017-09-14T06:29:42.221-07:002017-09-14T06:29:42.221-07:00Hi Thea.
I found your blog by accident while searc...Hi Thea.<br />I found your blog by accident while searching for information on the ship Bosch Fontein (sp).You likely already know this but in case you don't I'll pass on the information to you. In his book Baa Baa Black Sheep Greg "Pappy" Boyington discusses his voyage to Rangoon Burma with the third and last contingent of the American Volunteer Group aboard the Bosch Fontein. It's brief but interesting if you haven't read it. <br />Cheers.Woodstockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11604607601234558226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-61093907275846590202017-09-13T19:04:51.152-07:002017-09-13T19:04:51.152-07:00Hello Again,
Dave Brouhoud here with the address ...Hello Again,<br /><br />Dave Brouhoud here with the address of the page I mentioned in my last contact with you. <br /><br />http://www.usshelena.org/shippictureswwii.html<br /><br />Enjoy.<br /><br />DaveAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10935931522097112102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-36687229032805197982017-03-10T22:53:13.920-08:002017-03-10T22:53:13.920-08:00My dad was a machinist on the Boschfontein during ...My dad was a machinist on the Boschfontein during WW2. His port of call was SF. He also served on Bloemfontein (his fav.) and I think Randfontein.<br />After the war he went back to Holland and I was born in 1951.<br />Thank's for all the info.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04465145690862028314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-1411891510611355782016-06-11T16:22:10.645-07:002016-06-11T16:22:10.645-07:00What a small world. I believe the Oranje was also ...What a small world. I believe the Oranje was also laying in the harbor of Tandjong Priok, where we boarded the Boschfontein. You are right, the Oranje had mostly sick people on board. What an awful time that was.<br />Theahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13604687051481590516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-20322228164520284632016-06-11T11:34:33.461-07:002016-06-11T11:34:33.461-07:00That is around the time my parents met. My mom (be...That is around the time my parents met. My mom (being stuck in Holland under occupation) trained as a red cross nurse in England in 1945-46 then went over to Indonesia to work in a military hospital and later on in a TB hospital. My dad was on board the 'Oranje' then serving as a hospital ship ferrying sick and wounded ANZAC troops and POWs to NZ and Australia. The 'Oranje' is the ship that they met on because my dad worked in the galley and my mom would always come in at night and sneak snacks from my dad for the troops. I believe they sailed back to Holland aboard the 'Tabinta' in 1950 and got married in '51. Take Care...RickRich Crayenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-68919468045912896942016-06-07T05:54:28.985-07:002016-06-07T05:54:28.985-07:00So very interesting. My mother and I met my step-d...So very interesting. My mother and I met my step-dad, while leaving the former Dutch East Indies in March 1946 on the Boschfontein. The world is a small place. My birth father died on the Burma Railway in September 1943. Indeed there is a lot of history in every ones family. Thank you for reading my blog.Theahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13604687051481590516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-218547641489523972016-06-07T05:54:08.831-07:002016-06-07T05:54:08.831-07:00So very interesting. My mother and I met my step-d...So very interesting. My mother and I met my step-dad, while leaving the former Dutch East Indies in March 1946 on the Boschfontein. The world is a small place. My birth father died on the Burma Railway in September 1943. Indeed there is a lot of history in every ones family. Thank you for reading my blog.Theahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13604687051481590516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-38535113158164577342016-06-07T01:24:09.337-07:002016-06-07T01:24:09.337-07:00I found this blog researching the ships my father ...I found this blog researching the ships my father Abraham Craye served aboard during his years in the Dutch Merchant Marines. He served from January 1938 until March 1951. He did one tour on the Boschfontein while in Indonesia leaving Soerabaya Nov 10 1939 and returning Feb 9 1940 according to his 'Monsterboekje' which I still have. I found the photo of your step-dad wearing his war service medal wonderful, because I still have my dad's same medal with all 4 bars representing the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Mediterranean theaters of operations. My dad passed away Feb 2011 at 91 years of age. My dad's Uncle Harry Craye had a rubber plantation in Indonesia, and was captured by the Japanese and worked on the Burma Railway. He barely survived his ordeal. My mother lived in Holland under German occupation for the entire war. My family has a lot of history during the war. Rich Crayenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-13243805646375510212016-04-18T03:19:13.249-07:002016-04-18T03:19:13.249-07:00My Grandfather Dr Hugh Topping was the Ships Surge...My Grandfather Dr Hugh Topping was the Ships Surgeon /Doctor on the Nieuwkerk as he called her before 1942, he was also on the Amstel Kerk on the Atlantic convoys before being recalled the to the BAMC and sent to Italy and Monte Casino in 1943Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04472901981667729330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-17304815874745963162015-09-26T06:10:34.067-07:002015-09-26T06:10:34.067-07:00My step-dad and your grandfather must have known ...My step-dad and your grandfather must have known each other.Theahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13604687051481590516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-89124804630822197392015-09-26T06:09:32.156-07:002015-09-26T06:09:32.156-07:00YES, see my story above and the discussion I had w...YES, see my story above and the discussion I had with an American who was aboard the ship.Theahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13604687051481590516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-3143589167381972352015-09-23T12:51:19.803-07:002015-09-23T12:51:19.803-07:00Was the Boschfontein involved with the Iwo Jima Op...Was the Boschfontein involved with the Iwo Jima Operation?Seasoldierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17438719189618353865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-21969329450761820202015-09-03T21:11:59.792-07:002015-09-03T21:11:59.792-07:00My Grandfather, A.Th.L. Dolmans, was the Captain o...My Grandfather, A.Th.L. Dolmans, was the Captain of the Boschfontain during the war.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08365362866457092429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-80906818734329816382015-08-16T07:47:01.825-07:002015-08-16T07:47:01.825-07:00correction: my father had been on the Boschfontain...correction: my father had been on the Boschfontain until 11.09.1952.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-36525311179289233182015-08-16T07:42:56.653-07:002015-08-16T07:42:56.653-07:00Hello Thea,
great story about the Boschfontain!
...Hello Thea,<br /><br />great story about the Boschfontain!<br /><br />My father Wilhelm Erich ter Meulen, born 25.08.1935 in Amsterdam, had been on the Boschfontain as a "Fougen MK" (I assume as some kind of machinist helper) from 29.09.1951 - 19.01.1952, so most likely he knew your step-dad.<br /><br />If you would send me your step-dads name to ingo.termeulen@xitm.de I can ask him, if he remembers when I see him in 9 days for his 80th birthday.<br /><br />Thanks<br />Ingo ter MeulenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5231465268121868059.post-27868345426862071772015-05-30T08:18:47.158-07:002015-05-30T08:18:47.158-07:00I would like to use the picture of the Boschfontei...I would like to use the picture of the Boschfontein for a book I am writing about a Flying Tiger who traveled to Burma aboard the Boschfontein. Please contact me here susan_jimison@yahoo.com thank youSusie Clotfelter Jimisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05266052648654673164noreply@blogger.com