The SS Aparima was on its way to a Welsh coaling port when a German submarine put a torpedo into its stern. It was the middle of the night and that, plus the speed of the sinking, must have been reasons for the high death toll of the crew.
Steamer Aparima Torpedoed in English Channel.
Wellington, Nov 23;
Hon. W F Massey has been advised that the Union Company's steamer Aparima has been torpedoed in the English Channel. A severe explosion followed and the vessel sank in five minutes. Loss of life is feared. The vessel was bound from London to New York. -Bay of Plenty Times, 23/11/1917.
THE LOST APARIMA.
NO TROOPS OR PASSENGERS.
(By Telegraph — Press Association.) | WELLINGTON, this day.
The Prime Minister states that there were no passengers and no troops on board the Aparima when she was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel. Her crew totalled 115. The Europeans were the master, four officers, seven engineers, 30 cadets, two wireless operators, seven able seamen, and three ' stewards. The Asiatics were two Chinese, and two Lascars on deck, 41 Lascars in the stokehold, and 16 Lascar stewards. Of the total 26 and 31 Lascars were saved, leaving 28 Europeans and 30 Lascars missing.
THE OFFICERS.
Mr. Daniel, Chief Officer (lost) was one of the best-known and capable officer in the Union Company's service. When the Aparima was a training ship he was instructor of navigation to the cadets. When Captain McDonald died recently in England Mr. Daniel took charge of the company's new steamer now used as a transport, and brought her out to New Zealand. He then rejoined the Aparima as Chief Officer. He was married some months ago to a New Zealand lady, who is understood to be now residing in Wellington.
Captain Gerald S. Doorly (saved) is a Royal Navy Reserve man. and has seen service in the British Navy. He is also well known in the Union Company's service, and at. different times had charge of several of the Company's vessels in the islands and inter-colonial trade. His wife resides at St. Kilda. Dunedin.
The chief engineer. Mr. T. Rogerson (missing), was a single man. and belonged to Auckland. He served on the Aparima for a number of years, having joined originally as second engineer.
The tutor, Mr. G. S. Dalgliesh, of Auckland, was formerly chief officer of the Monowai.
The chief steward, J. Mackie, occupied a similar position in the Tarawera for a number of years.
Cadet I. McKenzie (missing) is a nephew of Captain I. McKenzie, of Devonport.
The second wireless operator, Mr. R. Millington (missing), is a son of Dr. J. P. Millington of Auckland. He was a married man, and his wife resides in Wellington. It was his second trip as wireless operator, but his first in the Aparima.
Cadet Colin McDonald, who has apparently lost his life on the ill-fated vessel, is a son of Captain Coll McDonald, marine superintendent for the Union Steamship Co. at Dunedin.
THE APARIMA.
The Aparima was one of the finest cargo vessels in the Union Co.'s extensive fleet. She was especially built for the company by Messrs. W. Denny and Bros., at Dumbarton, in 1902, for the Calcutta and oversea trade. She was of 5704 tons gross register, and was fitted with refrigerating machinery and wireless. She was a twin screw vessel, with length of 435ft. breadth 34.3 ft. and depth 28.5ft. On her initial voyage the Aparima proceeded from Dumbarton to Fiume. on the Adriatic Sea. where she loaded horses tor South Africa at the time of the Boer War. She then went to Delagoa Bay. where she loaded for Calcutta. At the Indian port she loaded eastern merchandise, and while she was en route to New Zealand a fire broke out amongst her cargo. The vessel put into Albany, where the fire was extinguished before any very serious damage had been done to the ship. Since that time she has been successfully employed in the Indian and oversea trade for several successive years. The Aparima loaded wheat cargoes at Melbourne for various European ports. On one occasion she discharged at Venice and Bari, and on another occasion at Barcelona and Naples. It was usual after these trips for the Aparima to proceed to Calcutta and load eastern merchandise for New Zealand ports. For some time since the outbreak of the war she has been engaged on a special service. When the ship Dartford was discontinued as a training ship, the Union Co. had the cadets placed on board the Aparima for training as officers. She was particularly adapted for this purpose in view of her world-wide travels. -Auckland Star, 24/11/1917.
Cadet officers were not paid. Therefore, the families of Cadets who died in the Aparima had to fight for compensation which, eventually, they received.
No comments:
Post a Comment