MS Klipfontein was a Dutch ocean liner launched in March 1939 and delivered 29 July intended for South African service.

[1][3][note 1] In October 1939, after the German Invasion of Poland and war was declared by Britain and South Africa, Klipfontein was transferred to the Java-Pacific Line for operation between the Dutch East Indies and the west coast of North America.

[4][5][6][7] Klipfontein departed San Francisco with cargo for Australia in March 1942 returning by way of New Zealand in May before alterations required to become a troop transport had been made.

[4] As an example of the ships originating in Allied and occupied nations is a convoy escorted by USS Chester departing 2 September 1942 from Nouméa, New Caledonia with the transports Klipfontein, Noordam, Tjisdane and Torrens.

[9][10][11] The ship made multiple, routine trips from San Francisco to Australia and the islands on the route into 1943 as the Allies advanced in the region.

[7] Later in 1944 Klipfontein began transport to areas in the central Pacific with some departures from Seattle to include Guam, Saipan, Ulithi and Eniwetok.

During passage departing Lourenco Marques on 8 January 1953 for Beira, Mozambique the ship had passed Ponta Zavora some 2.5 nmi (2.9 mi; 4.6 km) distant when some 22 minutes later a vibration followed by three impacts was felt.