Maritime History

Don Isidro

Don Isidro, delivered in 1939, was the second and larger of two Krupp built motor ships of De La Rama Steamship Company, Iloilo, Philippines in inter-island service. The ship was under charter by the United States Army as a transport during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. As defending forces became cut off from supply by the Japanese blockade Don Isidro was one of eight ships, only three of which were successful, known to make an attempt to run the blockade. In that attempt, under her captain Rafael J. Cisneros, Don Isidro became involved in the 19 February Japanese attack on Darwin, Australia where, though not in the port, she was strafed, bombed and left off Bathurst Island burning with all lifeboats destroyed. Of the 67 crew and 16 soldiers aboard, 11 of the crew and one soldier were killed or missing. Survivors were rescued by HMAS Warrnambool, taken to Darwin, treated at the hospital and then awaited orders at the 147th Field Artillery camp. The wreck still lies in shallow water off the western coast of Bathurst Island, Tiwi Islands.

Also on this shelf

See also

• ▸Ellen Southard
• ▸Cischweinfia
• ▸HMS Sidon (P259)

Uncatalogued shelf

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