HMNZS South Sea, is one of the latter, which unfortunately came to a premature end in a…

HMNZS South Sea, is one of the latter, which unfortunately came to a premature end in a collision with the Union Steamship Company's Trans-Tasman steamer and sometime HMT Wahine (means 'wife') off Point Haswell in Wellington Harbour on December 19, 1942. The 312 ton South Sea had been built by Goole Shipbuilding and Repair Pty Ltd in the U.K. in 1912 as the steam trawler Ferribly (not 'Terribly'). Wahine, 4,436 tons, was completed at Denny's Dumbarton Yard a year later, and served as a HMT in the Mediterranean and at Gallipoli in WW1 (3rd pic) – famous among dockside loungers for her capacity to frequently reverse full steam down crowded Valetta Harbour without mishap, despite ships all around

. The secret, few knew, was a special rudder that had been fitted in Lyttelton soon after her a rrival in NZ, for some reason I've now forgotten. She served as a HMT again at times in WW11, but the fourth pic shows her in unusual the unusual livery of a repatriation ship in June 1942, taking Japanese diplomats and other enemy aliens to Sydney as the first stages of their return to their own countries. Wahine, however, was on an inter-island ferry run between Lyttelton and Wellington in the week before Christmas, 1942, when the two ships, finished a year apart, were destined to meet – probably not for the first time – but now heading on courses that intersected at a right angle across Wellington Harbour.

It was broad daylight, 8.30 a.m., and visability was excellent. This really didn't have to happen. South Sea , under the command of Temporary Lieutenant Peter Bradley, was cros sing the Harbour on a picket line from Somes Island being maintained alternately with her minesweeping sister ship HMNZS Rata not far away. The little minesweeper was to port of Wahine, Captain Alexander Howie, coming out of Fryatt Quay, and the bigger ship had right of way – but Temp. Lt. Bradley maintained his course and speed resolutely, thinking he would get past her. Captain Howie had no doubt watched this was rising alarm, and finally ordered engines astern and a turn to starboard at the last minute.

Wahine's bow met HMNZS South Sea amidships, knocking her helmsman unconscious. All was done for the stricken little ship that could be. HMNZS Rata took off her crew, while the harbour tug Toia came out with a powerful pump, but to no avail. The dear little minesweeper sank below the waves near Point Haswell.

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