THE LOST APARIMA.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1917, Page 1

THE LOST APARIMA.

The Aparima wa# one of the finest cargo vessels in the Union Company’s extensive fleet. She was specially built, for the company by Messrs Denny and Bros., at Dumbarton, in 1902, for the Calcutta and oversea trade. She was of 0704 tons gross register, anil was fitted with refrigerating machinery and wireless. She was a twin screw vessel with a length of 435 ft. breadth 54.3 ft. and depth 28.5 ft. For some time since the outbreak ol war the Aparima was engaged on a special service. When the ship Dartford was discontinued as a training ship, the Union Company -had the cadets placed on hoard the Aparima for training as officers. She was particularly adapted for this purpose, in view of her world-wide travels. The Aparima. was used as a troopship by the New Zealand Government for the first two years and a half of the war, hut it- was then the opinion ol the military authorities that, the vessel was too slow for this work. When the Defence people had done with her she was loaded with New Zealand produce, and sent to London. This cargo she discharged safely, but while she was in the Port of London the Aparima was requisitioned by the Imperial authorities and despatched to a destination of which the New Zealand Government has not been auvised. It. was when outward hound on this voyage that the ship met her fate tn the English Channel.