Klipfontein
1944
(Noordam NZ-49)
- Type: Passenger / general cargo
- Displacement: 10,544 tons
- Dimensions: 520 x 63 x 27 ft.
- Machinery: Burmeister & Wain diesels, twin screw, 11,800 bhp = 17 knots
- Armament: 1-4in, 2-3in AA, 6-20mm AA
- Troops: 3000
- Crew: 120
- Builder: P. Smit Jr, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 1939
- Service: Klipfontein was built for the Verenigde Nederlandsche Scheepvaart Maatschappij NV (United Netherlands Navigation Co) for their Holland Afrika Lijn sevice to East and South Africa. Maiden voyage 11 Jul 1939 to Louren¨o Marques. Became troop transport for the US War Shipping Administration 1942. she made numerous trips out of San Francisco, mostly to the Southwest Pacific, until the end of hostilities.
Returned to the Netherlands Shipping Administration 1 Feb 1946 at Los Angeles. Resumed Europe-Africa service. On 8 Jan 1953 she struck some submerged rocks near Inhambane, five nautical miles off Cape Barra. The forward bunker exploded; the ship was abandoned and sank in 45 minutes. Passengers and crew were picked up by the Union Castle liner Blomfontein Castle.
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