IRON KNIGHT
Iron Knight (1)

Australian - BHP Co.

1937 - 43

4812 tons, 2737 net 8130 dwt.

Lbd: 404'5" x 56.2 x 26'1".

Ore carrier-general cargo built by Lithgows Ltd, Port Glasgow. 'Chieftain' class, quadruple expansion four cylinder engine, exhaust turbine manufactured by David Rowan & Co, Glasgow. Ran on 36 tons of coal per day.

Service speed 11 knots crew 47. She arrived at Port Pirie on her maiden voyage with 4,000 tons of coke for the smelting works and thereafter commenced the regular course from South Australia to the eastern ports.

8 February 1943 she was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine 1.21 and sank within two minutes when north of Twofold Bay 30 km from Montague Island, New South Wales. location - 36.51S, 150.38E.

She was was the leading ship in a convoy of ten vessels en route Whyalla to Newcastle. Thirty-six lost their lives, fourteen rescued by the French destroyer Le Triomphant

Information supplied by John E. Hoskin www.flotilla-australia.com/

Photo Credits: The Late Allan Green Vic Australia

I was on three of her sisters, the Iron Monarch, Duke and Baron