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| RAN Cargo Ship 2,259 Tons 277' 6" x 45' 2" x 18' 3" 4" deck gun bow 12 pounder aft 20mm AA guns bridge  AWM March 19, 1942  AWM c1942 |
Ship History Built by Alexander Stephens & Sons Ltd. (Stephens) in Glasgow, Scotland. Purchased by Union S.S. Company of New Zealand, Ltd. and registered in Sydney. Completed on February 23, 1938 as MV Wanaka and three days later departed Scotland via the Panama Canal to New Zealand. Wartime History In 1942 the Australian Government took over the Wanaka for service as a supply ship for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and armed with a 4" deck gun at bow, 12 pound gun aft and 20mm anti-aircraft guns on the bridge. Manned by the New Zealand Union Shipping Company Officers, Australian Merchant Service seamen, RAN Gunners, RAAF Medical Attendants, Wireless Operators, Storekeepers and Mess Stewards. On February 19, 1942 in Darwin Harbor during the Japanese air raid against Darwin and sustained minor damage from bomb splinters. On March 19, 1942 after unloading in Fairfax Harbor off Port Moresby, the ship had just left the wharf before Japanese G3M2 Nells from the 1st Kōkūtai (1st Air Group) bombed the town and pier area. While maneuvering in Fairfax Harbor, Wanaka was targeted with 60 kg bombs falling astern of the ship. Meanwhile, a photographer at Port Moresby took three photographs of bombs falling astern of the ship and the splashes caused. On March 29, 1942 docks at the wharf on Gavutu Island to delivers a crash boat for RAAF Marine Section for the Tulagi Flying Boat Base along with 1,000 drums of aviation fuel and general supplies. On December 15, 1943 after midnight during the return voyage bound for Australia while off the Great Barrier Reef encountered winds of 130 mph and blown off course and driven onto Eden Reef and ended up on her starboard side with ten crew overboard. When the winds abated a search over two days failed to find nine of their bodies. When word of the shipwreck reached the Commonwealth Marine Salvage Board, Captain J. P. Williams was quickly dispatched to assess the possibility of salvaging Wanaka. Although the ship was on her side it was believed she could be saved so a call was made for a salvage crew from Sydney but there was no response. Salvage Meanwhile, WGCDR E.C. Buttfield, C.O. of No.1 Transportation & Movements Office called for RAAF volunteers with sea going experience. Fourteen men were selected and with the necessary gear, supplies, ropes and navigation equipment were flown to the ship aboard a Martin Mariner flying boat. Tons of sand and coral had to be removed along with debris and rotting foods and tons of stone ballast. One hundred tons of bagged sand were placed on the port deck to try to level the ship while temporary hull repairs were made. As a result, the ship was salvaged and proceeded to Sydney where more repairs were made. Afterwards, Wanaka resumed supplying duties for the RAAF until the end of the Pacific War. Post War In 1946, Wanaka was returned to her civilian owner. Later the ship was re-sold on a number of occasions and in each case had a name change. In 1968 broken up as scrap in Taiwan. References Lloyds of London Lloyd's Register of Ships - Wanaka Lloyds of London Lloyd's Register of Ships - Wanaka 1938-1939 [PDF] 39 Battalion Diary, March 19, 1942 "18 bombs dropped near stern of ship [Wanaka] off Paga Point." New Guinea Force Diary, March 19, 1942 "Wanaka just slipped no damage either ship or wharf. Run 2 driven off by accurate A/A fire. Run 3 driven off again by by A/A. Run four dropped 18 bombs close astern Wanaka and along line of origins course." RAAF Marine Section, Escape from Tanambogo Island page 27 [PDF] Shipping Times - MV Wanaka Lloyd’s Register of Ships - Wanaka - Year of build 1938 Gross Tonnage 2,259 (1937–1945) Passengers In History - Wanaka Contribute
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