SS Rufus King was a standard Liberty ship built in the United States during World War II.

Ownership of the bow section was transferred to the U.S. Army, salvaged and converted in Australia into a repair facility for supporting the U.S. Army Small Ships Section water craft and vessels and dubbed "Half Rufus"[note 1] serving at Milne Bay and Finschhafen during the New Guinea Campaign through 1945.

[3][2] The ship, U.S. Official Number 241607, was operated at delivery for WSA by its agent, Pacific Far East Line, Coastwise entity under a General Agency Agreement (GAA).

[4][5][6] A disastrous effect on Army medical services in the South West Pacific theater was avoided when high seas abatement made salvage possible.

The salvaged bow was given the Small Ships Section number S-129 and dubbed "Half Rufus" then it was towed to Milne Bay, arriving 21 June 1944.