April. 1943 S.S. Adelong steaming in convoy under Naval escort from Melbourne to Sydney with 16 other ships including a tanker, and as was customary tankers were kept in the centre of the convoy for extra protection, ships of lesser importance were placed on the outside columns. At 430 A.M. alarm bells were sounded aboard Adelong, her crew scrambled to action stations. Captain Holthe hurried to the bridge, where he learned that the wake of a torpedo had been sighted. It had passed between one of Howard Smith's freighters and Adelong, clearing her bow by less than 40 feet. The impression gained was that the missile was a spent torpedo, which had probably been intended for the tanker.

On another occasion whilst Commodore ship of the convoy en-route to Newcastle she developed engine trouble and began to lose speed and could not keep station. The problem was rectified and Adelong crept back into station. On arrival at Newcastle they were congratulated of their escape, this was the the first indication of any untoward incident. They were now informed that the wake of a torpedo had been observe and that it was making strait for Adelong, but had just missed her, passing close astern.