![]() |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
![]()
Tony,
In general terms that's true for unchartered ships carrying mixed cargoes (civilian trade cargo or civilian and military mixed) and for charter ships (ships on govt. charter from private owners), but it also depended upon the nature of the use and which controller -US, CDN, Australian or British - as to the nature and extent of the coverage. Ships from 'enemy' countries taken as a prize of war were used as if they were wholly owned by the Commonwealth (or British government), for example the Danish ships Anglo-Maersk and Astoria, taken over in 1940 (along with their cargoes), or the Italian Remo, seized at gun-point in the open ocean after fleeing an Australian port. The Danish had to go to court at the end of the war to recover their ships by court order. The Brits also chartered ships such as the Kanimbla from Australian shipping companies for use as Merchant Cruisers early in the war, and later, these were transferred to Australian Govt. Charter and used as Merchant Cruisers, Landing Ships and transports until well after the end of WW2. These ships were on an outright government payment for loss or damage basis at a pre-determined rate. The government also paid for the refurbishment back to a passenger carrying vessel at the time of the cessation of the charter. Mike C |
|
|