Coming Home

E.T. Collins

Coming home, Harold flew to Calcutta, India, and waited two months to board the ship, “E.T. Collins” on August 4, 1945.  The ship was designed to carry 2,500 troops, but instead carried 5,000 people. The first stop was Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, to refuel.  While near Australia, they learned the war was over.  They didn’t use lights on the ship for 3 days since some of the Japanese may not have heard the war was over.  The Japanese surrender took place on September 2, 1945.  Harold’s ship went around Australia, making numerous stops (see “The Cruise of the Collins“).  Harold arrived at San Pedro, Los Angeles Harbor, on October 6, 1945. ​