CAREER OF STEAMER HEBBURN

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 110, 3 February 1938, Page 17

CAREER OF STEAMER HEBBURN

Association With Sanders Dominion Special Service. Wanganui, February 1. The war-time career of the British steamer Hebburn, a name familiar on the New Zealand coast about 20 years ago, is recalled to the mind of a Wanganui resident by the Sanders Cup races in Dunedin. The Hebburn was a single-screw vessel, of 3600 tons gross, and late in 1915 cleared Napier for Great Britain, via Boston, Maine. She was loaded with wool and army stores, and at Lyttelton was joined by a young junior oflieer, W. E. .Sanders, who later became Lieutenant-Com-mander Sanders, V.C., R.N.R. Sanders travelled to England in the Hebburn to enter naval service, and Mr. W. G. Turner, now settled ashore and living at Wanganui, tells stories of a man whose amazing exploits in command of “mystery ships” provided some of the highlights of Britain’s efforts to chfeck the submarine menace. Mr. Turner told “The Dominion” today that Lieutenant-Commander Sanders, whose memory is commemorated by the Sanders Cup contests for young New' Zealand yachtsmen, was a tall, rather unimpressive young'man when he joined the Hebburn. He had personality, likeable characteristics and good humour, however, and became a great favourite with the seamen boys. “I was a youngster in the Hebburn at the time, and it was Sanders’s duty to instruct us in seamanship generally during the trip Home,” said Mr. Turner. “We became attached to him, and I oive a great deal of knowledge to his useful teaching. He was particularly keen on sailing small boats, and when in harbour would rig the captain’s boat as a yacht and teach us how to handle sail. We had a lot of fun and some close shaves, but under Sanders’s expert care became proficient. Little did we dream, though, that this tall.

unassuming young officer was to become, a V.C. and give the enemy so muoh trouble before his death.”

The Hebburn reached England and Sanders left her for service with the Royal Navy as a commissioned officer. The Hebburn, however, continued its work as an Admiralty supply and store ship, and after receiving further instruction, Mr. Turner became an A.B. gunner and remained with the ship to assist-with the four-inch gun mounted on her poop. Originally intended to be a collier and built for the HuddartParker Line for service in Australian and New Zealand waters, the Hebburn was taken over by the Admiralty shortly after war was declared. On the voyage out to New Zealand, via Australia, she sailed under sealed orders, and unknown to the crew had 2000 tons of dynamite under hatches. The submarine menace was acute at. the time, and for three hours the Hebburn was chased in the English Channel by a U-boat. She reached Australia in safety, however, and, following discharge at Fremantle, proceeded to New Zealand. After Sanders left her in England, the steamer loaded supplies for the South Atlantic Squadron, which was stationed off the coast of South America. German raiders, particularly the Moewe and Seeadler, Count Felix von Luckner’s vessel, were active at the time and a number of warships and armed auxiliary cruisers were protecting the trade routes.

The Hebburn had her depot at Abrolhos Rocks, off the South Brazillian (foast, and spent five months in this particular service. Among the armed auxiliary cruisers she served were the Drama, Otranto, Edinburgh Castle and Macedonia., The light cruiser H.M.S. Glasgow was also attached to the squadron. When not at anchor the ships steamed line abreast about four miles apart and carried out systematic '“sweeps” for submarines and raiders. The fastest and most heavily armed vessels took up positions on either flank and the flotilla leader was usually a destroyer. The area patrolled extended from Cape Horn to Pernambuco, off the North Brazilian coast, and across to' the African coast and down to St. Helena. The Hebburn was one of several supply and depot ships which served the flotilla and accompanied the auxiliary cruisers on patrol duty. In'l9lB the Hebburn’s owners had a plaque made for the vessel’s saloon in commemoration of Lieutenant-Com-mander Sanders’s association with her.