The ship played a role in the effort to support the Philippines, finding itself in the Pensacola Convoy that was diverted to Australia. The convoy reached Brisbane on 22 December 1941 with "Admiral Halstead" being placed under U.S. Army charter that day to be operated by its company, the Pacific Lighterage Corporation. The convoy provided the base for the United States Army buildup in Australia. "Admiral Halstead" was sent to northern Australia arriving at Darwin to be present when the port was bombed on 19 February 1942. The ship came under attack along with the transports of the Timor Convoy escorted by and other ships in port. "Admiral Halstead" was damaged and the crew abandoned but returned and over the next five days, working at night and moving to an anchorage by day, unloaded some 8,000 drums of the cargo of aviation gasoline.