MV Ondina, Royal Dutch Shell Group

Collection relating to the MV Ondina of the Royal Dutch Shell Group. Collection consists of accounts of action between MV Ondina, and two Japanese raiders in the Indian Ocean on 11 November 1942; various claims for personal losses; and two letters requesting biographical information.

The MV Ondina was a tanker built for one of the shipping companies of Shell. She was deployed on a line between Fremantle in Australia and Abadan on the oil-rich shores of the Persian Gulf. On 11 November 1942, under the escort of the HMIS Bengal (Indian Navy), she came under attack by two enemy raiders, Hokoku Maru and Aikoku Maru. The Bengal engaged the enemy and ordered Ondina to turn away and proceed independently. Ignoring that order, the Ondina commenced firing and hit the Hokoku Maru, eventually causing an explosion which resulted in her sinking. The Aikoku Maru followed and fired on the Ondina which had run out of ammunition. The captain gave the order to abandon ship in an attempt to save further loss of life. The Aikoku Maru after firing more torpedoes to finish off the Ondina, turned and fired on the open lifeboats killing one sailor and injuring others. Some of the survivors decided to return to the abandoned ship and after determining she was not about to sink, picked up the remaining survivors and managed to sail the ship back to Fremantle. After undergoing temporary repairs the Ondina acted as a stationary fuel storage depot in Fremantle for US Navy submarines heading out to patrol Asian waters. By late 1943 oil tankers were in short supply and the decision was made to send Ondina to the USA for permanent repairs. After full repairs the Ondina survived the war and went on to serve in the Shell tanker fleet for many post war years.