SS ARAKAKA(2)
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SS ARAKAKA in peacetime flying Bookers House Flag| Built: |
Launched Saturday 29th July1933. |
| Builder: |
Lithgow's Limited, Port Glasgow, Scotland. Yard Number 867. |
| Propulsion: |
Single-screw steam, triple expansion, 221 NHP, 10.5 knots |
| Tonnage: |
2,379GRT |
| Length: |
322.5 Feet |
| Breadth: |
43.5 Feet |
| Draught: |
18.5 Feet |
| Comments: |
On 23rd June 1941, the Arakaka(2) was torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-77 (Schonder), part of the ‘West’ patrol group of fifteen U-boats, in the East of St Johns Newfoundland, in position 47.00N 40.00W while employed on government service as a weather ship. The Master, Captain William Walker, crew of 32 and 12 admiralty personnel were all lost. The crew included the 3 Roberts brothers from Liverpool. More information about the loss of the Arakaka(2) can be found on The War Years Page. Amongst the RAFVR personnel onboard was Corporal Richard (Dick) Wrighton, who left his sweetheart a note before his last voyage. To read more about him and view his photographs, please click HERE.
For further information about her war years you can view the now de-classified Admiralty reports. |
SS ARAKAKA on her builders trials in
1933
Haunting image of the
SS ARAKAKA preparing to dock at Liverpool