Fremantle: bombs away and a well earned rest

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 walking through the city were the women and young girls. Just imagine, on board we had been looking at the same faces for far too long. This was proof that there was still something beautiful in this world. They were indeed a sight for sore eyes.
Then there were those beautifully lit up shops where one could really buy anything you could possibly need. What a difference with England. It seemed that everything here smelled nicer. The sun shone more beautifully than anywhere else in the world and even the food on board tasted better than ever. Even my bed was softer and I slept like a log. As the days wore on I changed. You could say I became a ‘normal’ person again.
Ass engineer Adriaan Kik

For the first time in five months at last there is an opportunity to clean the schip and have maintenance done. This is desperately needed, especially for the diesel engines that have been pushed to their limits so frequently.
Finally the ship and her crew are being freed from the thousands of bombs  still lying deep in her holds. All that remains of the original cargo from England are the locomotives that can not be used in Australia because their railways have a different gauge.  In addition, the locomotives are still very much needed at their original destination and now ways of getting them there are explored. Meanwhile Fremantle  has become an unlikely busy port. As can be seen from this text:

In the following month after Singapore had fallen to the enemy, vessels crowded with refugees arrived at Fremantle, taxing accommodation to the utmost in the inner harbour, whilst as many as 30 took up all anchorage in Gage Roads. In the inner harbour, it was, therefore, a common sight to see up to as many as four vessels of substantial size lying in tier, and it was due solely to the circumstances forced upon the port and the prevailing weather conditions that such a state of affairs could be permitted. Altogether, some 75 vessels were using the inner and outer harbours at one and the same time, and in the fortnight ending 20th March, a total of 103 vessels, Naval and merchant, and mainly seeking refuge, arrived at the port. Until these vessels could be ordered to some other destination, acute conditions persisted at the port for some weeks.
(source: http://www.fremantleports.com.au/About/OurHistory/1942.asp )

And so, to make room,  Abbekerk is directed – temporarily- to another port.

After the cargo was unloaded at last (thank heaven’s!!) we were directed to Bunbury. Where on earth was Bunbury? Even the most travelled on board had never heard of it and shrugged their shoulders. It turned out that it was about two hundred kilometres south of Perth.
Ass engineer Adriaan Kik