SS Zealandia, nicknamed Z (or "Zed") was a 6,683 ton multi-decked single-funneled vessel. SS Zealandia was built at Clydebank, Scotland and entered service in 1910. It was owned by the Melbourne-based Huddart Parker line.
During 1910-13, SS Zealandia was chartered by the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, mainly for use on thetrans-Tasman route. She also undertaking voyages to ports as distant as Fremantle and Vancouver. Huddart Parker then used SS Zealandia on the Melbourne-Fremantle route.
In May 1918, the SS Zealandia was requisitioned as an Allied troopship. SS Zealandia was among the ships used to transport the American Expeditionary Force from the east coast of the U.S. to France. Following the Armistice, she was used a troopship on the Liverpool-Sydney route. In 1919, she resumed its commercial role with Huddart Parker.
On 29 June 1940, SS Zealandia embarked part of the 8th Division, the 2/21st Battalion. Later would known as Gull Force, at Sydney and transported it and other units to Darwin.
SS Zealandia transported another part of the 8th Division, Lark Force (otherwise known as the 2/22nd Battalion), to Rabaul, leaving Sydney on 19 April 1941. Following that voyage, she went to Noumea, New Caledonia and transported Free French troops to Sydney.
In mid-1941, Zealandia transported the main body of the 8th Division, their stores and equipment to Singapore (where the main body of the 8th was surrendered to Japanese forces in February 1942).
Following several other war-related voyages, in November 1941, SS Zealandia visited several Australian ports, on route to Singapore. Alabour dispute involving some crew members caused it and HMAS Sydney to be delayed in leaving Fremantle. From where SS Zealandia was escorted to Sunda Strait by HMAS Sydney. As it happened, the crew of SS Zealandia were the last Allied personnel known to have seen the HMAS Sydney. HMAS Sydney was sunk and lost with all hands in an action on 19 November, by the German raider Kormoran.
SS Zealandia also took another 8th Division detachment, Sparrow Force, to Timor in November 1941, then transported evacuees from Darwin to southern Australia.
In Sydney, SS Zealandia was fitted with material to protect its oil tanks in the event of attack. On 23 January, Zealandia left Sydney, transporting an anti-tank company and its equipment to Darwin. She arrived on 6 February.
During the air raids of 19 February, a number of bombs fell close to SS Zealandia, before one fell through a hatch and exploded in a hold. It caused a serious fire. Japanese planes also attacked her with their cannons and machine guns. Ammunition in one hold started to explode. The ship's fire pumps were disabled by another bomb. The order was given to abandon ship.
SS Zealandia went to the bottom of the harbor, with only its masts clear of the water. Two crew members died from wounds sustained in the attack. The remaining 142 crew members survived.
The ship was salvaged in 1960. What remains of Zealandia lies in Darwin Harbor at position 12°29.00′S 130°51.05′E Coordinates: 12°29.00′S 130°51.05′E at a depth of 62 ft, and is a dive site
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