S.S. Maheno

Discussion in 'World War 1' started by liverpool annie, Dec 31, 2008.

  1. liverpool annie

    liverpool annie New Member

    The S.S. Maheno was an Edwardian liner on the Tasman Sea crossing between New Zealand and Australia, and was used as a hospital ship by the New Zealand division of the Royal Navy during World War I

    A landmark on 75 Mile Beach in Fraser Island is the shipwreck of the S.S. Maheno. The S.S. Maheno was originally built in 1905 in Scotland as a luxury passenger ship for trans-Tasman crossings. During the First World War the ship served as a hospital ship in the English Channel, before returning to a luxury liner. In 1935, the ship was declared outdated and on June 25th, 1935 the ship was being towed from Melbourne to Japan for scrap metal when it was caught in a strong cyclone. A few days later, on July 9th 1935 she drifted ashore and was beached on Fraser Island. During the Second World War the Maheno served as target bombing practice for the RAAF. The ship has since become severely rusted. Climbing on the shipwreck is not permitted.

    The shipyard William Denny & Brothers of Dumbarton, near Glasgow, was a major shareholder in the Union Steam Ship Company, and for 30 years built almost all its new ships. Dennys had a good name for its short-sea passenger ships and gave Union several cutting-edge vessels. Shown here being fitted out at Dennys in 1905, the 5,282-ton Maheno was a forerunner in the use of marine turbine engines. She made 17.25 knots on trials, but the machinery was not a success in service, and she had to be re-engined just before the First World War. Maheno served as a hospital ship and as a trans-Tasman liner. A 5, 282 ton ship, destined as a luxury passenger ship for trans-Tasman crossings. during the First World War ship served as a hospital ship in the English Channel.

    Medical/nursing staff.
    7 medical officers, 59 other ranks, 10 nurses. Capacity 340 cot cases.

    http://ahoy.tk-jk.net/macslog/NewZealandHospitalshipMah.html
     
  2. cally

    cally New Member

    Another incisive and thought provoking post Annie.

    The first picture shows the ship as she once was and the second as the rusting relic she is today...
     

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