Built at Evans Deakin & Co. Ltd in Brisbane, this vessel was one of the 1st of 4 built to Plan No.H66. It was ordered 19/06/1941, keel laid 28/09/1941, launched 06/03/1943 and completed 11/12/1943.
It had a complete shelter deck with forecastle.
Accomodation for Captain, Officers, Engineers, Wireless Operator, Stewards, Pilot and 1 passenger was amidships.
Accomodation for Seamen, Firemen, Trimmers and Gunners was arranged aft.
The complement totalled 62 including 8 Gunners.
The deck machinery consisted of 10 - 5 ton derricks and 1 - 20 ton heavy derrick. Also 11 - 8x12 inch steam winches, including warping winch.
The propulsion machinery - built by Australian Iron & Steel Ltd., Port Kembla - was the triple expansion steam type with an exhaust turbine fitted. This combination produced an average service speed of 12 knots.
1945 - Captain W.W. Fish: Torokina, Solomons,
9.9, with Relief Convoy for Nauru & Ocean Islands, where Japanese surrender
was accepted onboard HMAS Diamantina, q.v..
River Burdekin and sister ship River Glenelg, brought Japanese troops back as prisoners of war.
The Adelaide Steamship Co. was appointed to operate the "River Burdekin" until Oct.1947 when the Australian Shipping Board assumed the management. In Feb.1957 management was transferred to the Australian National Line.
In Aug.1959 the registry was transferred to Hong Kong and the vessel was sold to the Republik of Indonesia with N.V. Djakarta Lloyd as managers. "River Burdekin" was renamed "DJAJADWITJA".
In the early 1960's the vessel was sold to the above mentioned managers whose name was later changed to P.N.Djakarta Lloyd, Indonesia.
In approximately 1969 the vessel was sold to P.T.Trikora Lloyd, Indonesia and in Jan.1971 arrived at Kaohsiung for demolition by Tung Ho Steel Enterprise Corporation. Demolition began during Feb.1971.