The SS Zealandic was a British ocean liner built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, launched on 29 June 1911, and entering service later that year. As a versatile vessel, she operated primarily as a passenger liner and cargo ship, notably running the Liverpool to Wellington route in joint service with the Shaw Savill and Albion Line. Her maiden voyage commenced on 30 October 1911, marking her as a significant link between Britain and New Zealand. During her early service, Zealandic set a record for exported wool from Wellington on 22 January 1913 and was also chartered as an immigrant carrier for the Australian government. Constructed with the capacity to carry both passengers and cargo, Zealandic demonstrated her robustness and reliability. Her service was interrupted in 1915 when she was pursued by German submarine U-39 but managed to escape thanks to her speed. During World War I, she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy in 1917 for troop transportation, returning to commercial service in 1919. Notably, in 1923, she was involved in a rescue operation, towing the disabled sailing vessel Garthsnaid to safety between Cape Howe and Melbourne, earning her a monetary award of £6,350. Ownership changes included her sale to the Aberdeen Line in 1926, when she was renamed Mamilius. She was later transferred back to Shaw Savill and Albion in 1932 and renamed Mamari. Following the merger of White Star Line with Cunard in 1934, she served on the Australian route as Mamari III. In 1939, she was sold to the Admiralty for service in World War II and refitted to resemble the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes, operating as "Fleet Tender C." Her wartime service ended in 1941 when, while en route to Chatham Docks, she was attacked by German aircraft near Cromer, Norfolk. She struck a submerged wreck, the Ahamo, and ran aground. Before salvage was feasible, she was torpedoed by German E-boats, and her crew was rescued by the tug Sabine. Overall, SS Zealandic was a vessel of notable service spanning passenger, cargo, and military roles, reflecting the versatility and resilience of early 20th-century ocean liners.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.