By the middle of 1918 the threat of floating mines off the New Zealand coast were known by authorities and trade route warnings were issued to the masters of vessels transiting the danger zones. Two out of three minefields had each claimed a vessel. It was not long before the third minefield was to also claim its own.
© Ralph L. Sanderson 2004-2021
On the afternoon of Monday 17 June 1918 the Wimmera departed Sydney on what was destined to be her final West to East crossing of the Tasman Sea to New Zealand.
Departing Auckland on 25 June 1918 the SS Wimmera carried 76 passengers comprising a mixture of families, couples, friends, single travelers and soldiers on leave – men, women and children.
Aboard the SS Wimmera on her final voyage departing Auckland on 25 June 1918 were 75 members of crew comprising 72 men and three women – natives of 12 countries.
The master of the SS Wimmera on her final voyage was 44-year-old Edinburgh-born Herbert James Graham “Paddy” Kell.
At 11.30 a.m. Tuesday 25 June 1918 the Wimmera finally slipped her berth at Queens wharf and began her 1275-mile return voyage to Sydney.
[ in process ]
[ in process ]
SS Wimmera 