Black Armada Boycott of Dutch ships

The Black Armada was the name given to the campaign by Australian waterside workers, seamen and trade unions who, between 1945 and 1949, refused to load or service Dutch ships in support of Indonesian independence. This archive brings together contemporary newspaper reports documenting the boycott, union bans, political debate, diplomatic tensions, and the growing Australian support for the Indonesian Republic. It provides a valuable collection of primary sources for readers and researchers interested in Australian and Southeast Asian history.

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The 'Black Armada' - Australian boycott of Dutch ships in 1945

  • Hands off our allies Indonesians
Australia’s relationship with Indonesia was transformed during the Second World War. Before 1942, most Australians knew little about the Netherlands East Indies or the realities of Dutch colonial rule. The arrival of thousands of Indonesians in Australia during the war, combined with labour disputes, union activism and growing support for Indonesian independence, brought Australians into direct contact with colonialism and revolution on their doorstep.
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The Black Armada: Australia's Boycott of Dutch Ships (1945-1949)

The Black Armada was the name given to the campaign by Australian waterside workers, seamen and trade unions who, between 1945 and 1949, refused to load or service Dutch ships in support of Indonesian independence. This archive brings together contemporary newspaper reports documenting the boycott, the Esperance Bay incident, union bans, political debate, diplomatic tensions, and the growing Australian support for the Indonesian Republic. It provides a valuable collection of primary sources for readers and researchers interested in Australian and Southeast Asian history.

Newspaper article

Black ban on dutch mercy ships

NEI Information Service deny that supplies for the suppression of the Indonesian people were carried aboard Dutch ships in Australian ports.

1945 '"BLACK" BAN ON DUTCH MERCY SHIPS', The Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1909 ; 1912 - 1966), 25 septembre, p. 1. , viewed 22 juil. 2026, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article62861408
Newspaper article

Dutch Boycott Stupid

Two Labor members returning from NEI see that the black ban on Dutch shipping is harming Indonesian natives and Dutch civilians.

1946 'Dutch Boycott Stupid', Daily Mercury (Mackay, Qld. : 1906 - 1954), 4 février, p. 1. , viewed 23 avr. 2026, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171133932
Newspaper article

Boycott of Dutch ships - requested to continue

Indonesian premier will not ask Australian unions to lift ban on Dutch shipping until the Netherlands stops the economic blockade of Indonesia

1947 'BOYCOTT OF DUTCH SHIPS', Advocate (Burnie, Tas. : 1890 - 1954), 31 mars, p. 1. , viewed 23 avr. 2026, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article68995321
Newspaper article

Dutch Ships Again Black

A temporary ban on two Dutch ships imposed in Brisbane and Adelaide.

1947 'DUTCH SHIPS AGAIN BLACK', The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), 22 juillet, p. 1. , viewed 22 juil. 2026, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49329623
Newspaper article

Boycott on Dutch Ships encouraged to continue

Third Congress of Indonesian Railway Labourers request Australian black ban on Dutch shipping to continue.

1948 'Boycott On Dutch Ships', Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1915 - 1954), 2 juillet, p. 1. , viewed 23 avr. 2026, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article194153382
Newspaper article

Dutch boycott reception

Dutch minister to Australia boycotted reception celebrating third anniversary of founding of Indonesian Republic.

1948 'DUTCH BOYCOTT RECEPTION', Border Morning Mail (Albury, NSW : 1934 - 1935; 1938 - 1954), 18 août, p. 1. , viewed 23 avr. 2026, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article263781612
Newspaper article

Seamen will boycott Dutch ships

Mass meeting of Seamen's Union in Melbourne vote to continue black ban of Dutch shipping.

1948 'SEAMEN WILL BOYCOTT DUTCH SHIPS', The Riverine Herald (Echuca, Vic. : Moama, NSW : 1869 - 1954; 1998 - 2002), 30 décembre, p. 2. , viewed 23 avr. 2026, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116548312
Newspaper article

Black Armada by Rupert Lockwood

Book review

1976 'BLACK ARMADA by Rupert Lockwood (Australasian Book Society, 352 pp. Price: $7.95).', Tribune (Sydney, NSW : 1939 - 1991), 25 février, p. 10. , viewed 22 juil. 2026, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236921192

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