Small vessels requisitioned

[Mike K]

Hi Terry

The small ships taken into service by the USASOS and RAN , were of many shapes and sizes and they previously had many different capabilities and roles in their pre-war civilian lives. Yes, some of the little ships were employed as coastal traders but by the 1940s that role was fast disappearing as the rail network had reached most coastal communities.

Anyway, I would think the wartime rail and road network was handling most of the transport needs of essential natural resources and primary produce. Most of the farms and mines were inland . Wheat was bagged on the farm and then taken to the nearest railhead on horse drawn wagons or, if you were lucky, a truck.

A 1940 map of the rail network in Victoria. Most of these lines are now closed.