SS Zealandic (1911)
Encyclopedia
SS Zealandic was a British
ocean liner
initially operated by White Star Line
. She was used both as a passenger liner and a cargo ship as well as serving during both world wars.
Having been used as a decoy for the British aircraft carrier HMS Hermes
she was sunk en route to the dock where she was to be converted back to cargo use.
in Belfast and launched on 29 June 1911. Her maiden voyage took place four months later on 30 October 1911, from Liverpool
to Wellington, New Zealand. She was used in joint service with the Shaw Savill and Albion Line for the Liverpool to Wellington route. During one such voyage on 22 January 1913, Zealandic departed Wellington with a then record cargo of exported wool, while also being chartered as an immigrant carrier by the Australian government.
for the transportation of troops. On 15 June 1919, she was released from military service and returned to the White Star Line but was re-routed through the Panama Canal
.
and Melbourne
.
The Aberdeen Line
purchased Zealandic in 1926 and subsequently renamed her the Mamilius. The ship was later transferred back to Shaw Savill and Albion in 1932, taking on another name, the Mamari. When White Star line merged with Cunard
in 1934 she served on Shaw, Savill & Albion's Australian route, bearing the name Mamari III.
, for military service during the Second World War and was refitted to be disguised as a decoy version of the British carrier HMS Hermes
. In this form she carried the name "Fleet Tender
C". This was to be the last use of the ship as on 4 June 1941, while on course for Chatham Docks
in Kent
to be converted back to a cargo vessel, she was attacked by German aircraft off the English coast near Cromer
, Norfolk
. While trying to evade the attack she struck a submerged wreck (the Ahamo at 53-22N, 0-59E which had struck a mine on 8 April that year) and ran aground. She was intended to be salvaged and refloated; however, before this was possible the beached ship was torpedoed by German E-boat
s. The crew were taken off by a tug and landed at Grimsby
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
ocean liner
Ocean liner
An ocean liner is a ship designed to transport people from one seaport to another along regular long-distance maritime routes according to a schedule. Liners may also carry cargo or mail, and may sometimes be used for other purposes .Cargo vessels running to a schedule are sometimes referred to as...
initially operated by White Star Line
White Star Line
The Oceanic Steam Navigation Company or White Star Line of Boston Packets, more commonly known as the White Star Line, was a prominent British shipping company, today most famous for its ill-fated vessel, the RMS Titanic, and the World War I loss of Titanics sister ship Britannic...
. She was used both as a passenger liner and a cargo ship as well as serving during both world wars.
Having been used as a decoy for the British aircraft carrier HMS Hermes
HMS Hermes (95)
HMS Hermes was an aircraft carrier built for the Royal Navy. The ship was begun during World War I and finished after the war ended. She was the world's first ship to be designed and built as an aircraft carrier, although the Imperial Japanese Navy's was the first to be commissioned...
she was sunk en route to the dock where she was to be converted back to cargo use.
History
The Zealandic was constructed by Harland and WolffHarland and Wolff
Harland and Wolff Heavy Industries is a Northern Irish heavy industrial company, specialising in shipbuilding and offshore construction, located in Belfast, Northern Ireland....
in Belfast and launched on 29 June 1911. Her maiden voyage took place four months later on 30 October 1911, from Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
to Wellington, New Zealand. She was used in joint service with the Shaw Savill and Albion Line for the Liverpool to Wellington route. During one such voyage on 22 January 1913, Zealandic departed Wellington with a then record cargo of exported wool, while also being chartered as an immigrant carrier by the Australian government.
First World War
On 2 July 1915 she had a close encounter with German submarine U-39 which pursued her; the ship's speed enabled her to escape. She remained in White Star Line service on the route until 1917 when, due to the First World War, she was commandeered by the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
for the transportation of troops. On 15 June 1919, she was released from military service and returned to the White Star Line but was re-routed through the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
.
Between the wars
The ship was awarded a £6,350 sum following the successful rescue of the disabled sailing vessel Garthsnaid in 1923, towing her to safety between Cape HoweCape Howe
Cape Howe is a coastal headland in Australia, forming the south-eastern end of the Black-Allen Line, the border between New South Wales and Victoria.-History:...
and Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
.
The Aberdeen Line
Aberdeen Line
The Aberdeen Line was a shipping company founded in 1825 by George Thompson of Aberdeen to take sailing vessels to the St. Lawrence carrying some passengers and returning with cargoes of timber. The business flourished and grew to 12 sailing vessels by 1837, travelling to South America, the...
purchased Zealandic in 1926 and subsequently renamed her the Mamilius. The ship was later transferred back to Shaw Savill and Albion in 1932, taking on another name, the Mamari. When White Star line merged with Cunard
Cunard Line
Cunard Line is a British-American owned shipping company based at Carnival House in Southampton, England and operated by Carnival UK. It has been a leading operator of passenger ships on the North Atlantic for over a century...
in 1934 she served on Shaw, Savill & Albion's Australian route, bearing the name Mamari III.
Second World War
The ship was sold once again in September 1939, to the AdmiraltyAdmiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
, for military service during the Second World War and was refitted to be disguised as a decoy version of the British carrier HMS Hermes
HMS Hermes (95)
HMS Hermes was an aircraft carrier built for the Royal Navy. The ship was begun during World War I and finished after the war ended. She was the world's first ship to be designed and built as an aircraft carrier, although the Imperial Japanese Navy's was the first to be commissioned...
. In this form she carried the name "Fleet Tender
Fleet tender
Fleet tenders were British merchant ships that were fitted with a wooden superstructure to resemble battleships during the Second World War. They were known as fleet tenders for security reasons, and were built to fool German reconnaissance planes....
C". This was to be the last use of the ship as on 4 June 1941, while on course for Chatham Docks
Chatham Dockyard
Chatham Dockyard, located on the River Medway and of which two-thirds is in Gillingham and one third in Chatham, Kent, England, came into existence at the time when, following the Reformation, relations with the Catholic countries of Europe had worsened, leading to a requirement for additional...
in Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
to be converted back to a cargo vessel, she was attacked by German aircraft off the English coast near Cromer
Cromer
Cromer is a coastal town and civil parish in north Norfolk, England. The local government authority is North Norfolk District Council, whose headquarters is in Holt Road in the town. The town is situated 23 miles north of the county town, Norwich, and is 4 miles east of Sheringham...
, Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
. While trying to evade the attack she struck a submerged wreck (the Ahamo at 53-22N, 0-59E which had struck a mine on 8 April that year) and ran aground. She was intended to be salvaged and refloated; however, before this was possible the beached ship was torpedoed by German E-boat
E-boat
E-boats was the designation for Motor Torpedo Boats of the German Navy during World War II. It is commonly held that the E stood for Enemy....
s. The crew were taken off by a tug and landed at Grimsby
Grimsby
Grimsby is a seaport on the Humber Estuary in Lincolnshire, England. It has been the administrative centre of the unitary authority area of North East Lincolnshire since 1996...
.