Today in history: Capture of the Princess of Negros
One of the largest prewar interisland vessels, it's loss meant Japanese were getting close
In today’s diary entry, March 16, 1942 — Monday, Gen. Basilio J. Valdes recounts the continuing stress of being part of a government on the run, as the War Cabinet of the Commonwealth government continued to evade capture by the Japanese:
At 1:30 a.m. Colonel Nieto woke me up to show me a telegram informing us that five enemy ships accompanied by a submarine flashing a light were ashore in Gasan, Marinduque. I told him not to awake the President and hold it for this morning. Got up as usual at 6:30 a.m. More telegrams kept on coming informing us that two enemy destroyers were in the Tanon Strait, one holding the southern end and the other inspecting from North to South.
At 9:30 a.m. we left Panubigan for Buenos Aires as the President fears a possible landing. I had luncheon with Colonel Hilsman in his headquarters and we discussed the situation. He was quite alarmed at the apparent coolness of General Chynoweth when he presented to him the serious need for more ammunition and automatic weapons. I ask him where General Chynoweth was and I was informed that he had arrived at Bacolod yesterday and had left for Cebu last night. When I arrived at Buenos Aires the President asked me what information I could give him. I told him the gist of my conference with Colonel Hilsman.
At 5 p.m. I went by car with Colonel Nieto and the District Engineer to see the new road constructed in a few days uniting Buenos Aires to La Castellana without passing Maao and La Carlota.
At 9 a.m. the following message was received from General MacArthur. Quote: “Col. Hilsman, 318 Report desired on the Military Situation at San Carlos and Negros in General stop What steps do you suggest should be taken looking toward safety of Don stop Immediate reply desired MacArthur.”
When I returned from my conference with Hilsman he phoned me that our boat The Princess of Negros had been taken by the Japanese destroyer after shelling the town of San Carlos. The President was very angry and ordered the arrest of Captain Panopio for having deserted his ship.
An interesting writeup in the group WW2 Philippines:
SHIPS INVOLVED in the EVACUATION of PRESIDENT MANUEL L QUEZON during the Second World War until the return of his body to the Philippines in 1946.
By CDR Mark R Condeno
The Ships involve on the Evacuation of President Manuel L Quezon during World War Two from Corregidor, Negros, Iloilo , Melbourne to San Francisco and from the Mainland United States back to the Philippines with the Aircraft Carrier USS Princeton (CV-37) carrying his body in 1946.
The voyage begun when President Quezon went on board the Submarine USS Swordfish (SS-193) skippered by CDR Chester C Smith USN on 2230H 20 February 1942 at Corregidor for the Province of Antique.
From Antique they travelled by land to the Province of Iloilo where the President, His Family and Cabinet and key Officers boarded the Steamship Princess of Negros of Negros Navigation.
While in the Negros and Iloilo areas, both the Princess of Negros and the USAT Don Esteban carried the President visiting places not yet occupied by the Japanese.
For his departure from Negros to Misamis Occidental, Mindanao, President Quezon and party went on board LT Bulkeley's PT 41 with PT-35 as escort.
When President Quezon was already in Australia and later to transfer the seat of Government in the United States, the Transport SS President Coolidge took him on board, they were escorted by the Heavy Cruiser USS St. Louis (CL-49).
On 01 August 1944, President Manuel Luis Quezon died in Lake Saranac, New York after a long bout with Tuberculosis. He was temporarily buried at the Arlington National Cemetery until the end of the Second World War. In July 1946, his body was brought home on board the Essex Class Carrier USS Princeton (CV-37).
The President's Body was re-interred at the Manila North Cemetery and later on at the Quezon Memorial Circle.
The fate of the Ships involved as follows:
USS Swordfish- Lost on 04 January 1945 victim of a Japanese mine or depth charge attack.
Patrol Torpedo Boat 41- The last remaining Torpedo Boat of MTB Squadron 3 under LT John Bulkeley, PT-41 was taken over by the US Army and while being transported to Lake Lanao she was burned to prevent Japanese capture on 15 April 1942.
Patrol Torpedo Boat 35- Burned in Cebu to prevent enemy capture 12 April 1942.
SS Princess of Negros- She was captured by the Japanese in Mindanao and towed to Manila by an IJN Destroyer, she was later pressed into service as a Patrol Craft and sunk by US Warplanes in 1945.
USAT Don Esteban- Sunk by Japanese Air Attack off Mindoro Island 02 March 1942.
SS President Coolidge- Sunk by friendly mine on approached to Espiritu Santo, Pacific. 26 October 1942.
USS St.Louis (CL-49) - The Light Cruiser served with the USN until 1946 and four years later she was transferred to the Brazilian Navy as Almirante Tamadare and served thereat until 1976 as the Fleet Flagship of the Brazilian Navy, she was sold for scrap in 1980 and later sunk off the Cape of Good Hope.
USS Princeton (CV-37)- A veteran of World War Two including the Battle of Leyte Gulf, participated in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. She was finally decommissioned in USN service on the end of January 1970 and sold for scrap the following year.
