Construction site: Machinefabriek & Scheepswerf P. Smit Jr., Rotterdam
The Boschfontein motor boat was originally built as a single-hull ship Nieuwkerk commissioned by the VNSM. 
Ms Boschfontein(a Dutch Vessel)
To be left to water: 1928
Delivered: October 15, 1928
Biggest Length: 125.24 meters
Largest Width: 18.13 meters
Water displacement: 7.139 tons
Machine installation: 2 x 10-cylinder Sulzer diesel engines
Machine power: 8,400 hp
Number of screws: 1
Maximum speed: 16 knots
Passenger capacity: 143 passengers
The ship was equipped with a single Parsons steam turbine that had a capacity of 3,500 hp.
The passenger freighter had a maximum speed of 13 knots and a passenger accommodation for 51 1st Class and
26 3rd Class Passengers. In 1934, the Boschfontein was extended to the Royal Society De Schelde by the
introduction of a so-called Mayer bow. Furthermore, the ship was equipped with two Sulzer diesel engines
that were connected to the single propeller shaft. The passenger accommodation was extended to 143 passengers.
Finally, the ship was renamed in Boschfontein. The ship reached San Francisco shortly after the Japanese attack
on Pearl Harbor and was converted there as early
as 1942 into a troop transport ship commissioned by the WSA. The entire war was in the Pacific, and troops and war material
were transported to the US Army. On February 16, 1945, Boschfontein left for her last trip to the WSA from San Francisco.
During the long journey, Eniwotok, Saipan, Iwo Jima, Guam, Espiritu Santo, Nouméa, Hollandia, Leyte, Manila, Gualdalcanal,
Tulagi and Ulithi were all acquired during the Second World War in the Pacific. The trip ended in New York on September
16, 1945. During the entire war, Boschfontein (Captain A.Th.L. Dolmans) had transported more than 35,000 troops and made
213,000 nautical miles. The US charter expired on January 15, 1946. In 1956 the ship was converted into a cargo ship with
capacity for twelve passengers and in November of the same year as ms Bosch Church became operational.
In December of the same year, the Bosch Church for demolition was sold