50th Anniversary Of Loss Of Aparima

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31530, 18 November 1967, Page 19

50th Anniversary Of Loss Of Aparima

Fifty years ago, on November 18, 1917, the Union Steam Ship Company’s cadet-train-ing ship Aparima was torpedoed off Anvil Point in the English Channel with heavy loss of Hfe.

The Aparima, a twin-screw 5704-ton steamer, was built in 1902 by Denny, of Dumbarton. The Aparima was first engaged on the New ZealandCalcutta service, but was converted into a cadet-training ship. During the first two and a half years of the First World War, the Aparima was used as a troopship but proved too slow, although designed for 13 knots. She made a voyage from New Zealand and after discharging her cargo in London was requisitioned by the British Government At 1 a.m. on November 19, 1917, she was torpedoed, sinking in five minutes. Of her complement of 83 officers and men, and 30 cadets, 18 cadets, several officers and 30 Lascars were lost.

After this disaster, the company discontinued its cadettraining scheme, although the surviving cadets worked out their sea time in other vessels of the company. Among those who survived at least four cadets are still alive. These include Captain E. Sutherland of Bryndwr, Christchurch, formerly depu-ty-harbourmaster at Lyttelton and at present master of the New Zealand Company of Master Mariners’, Captain T. H. J. Davis, of Wellington, who retired in 1966 while master of the inter-island steamer Maori, and Captain T. E. Bevan of Napier, who was a prominent Union Company master, perhaps best known as captain of the Tamahine before becoming harbourmaster at Napier and now retired. Captain W. H. C. Millward of Wellington, who retired in 1965 while in command of the Hinemoa, was put ashore in London with an injury before the Aparima’s last voyage. Captain Sutherland recalled

that the Aparima was commanded by Captain G. S. Doorley, R.N.R., who first came to New Zealand as an officer in the Morning, the relief ship for Captain Scott’s Polar expedition.