The Merchant Navy

The term Merchant Navy refers collectively to ships and workers associated with commercial shipping companies used during World War I and II. In wartime, ships often operated in dangerous conditions, and were targets for military vessels trying to disrupt commerce and the shipping trade. The seafarers on the ships transporting goods and passengers were civilians. They were not part of the armed forces, nor were they trained in combat, but worked in a range of roles: engineers, radio officers, pursers, and cooks etc. 

Over 15,500 Allied Merchant seamen died in the First World War. See the 69 New Zealanders on the Roll of Honor.

Over 48,000 Allied Merchant seamen died in the Second World War. See the 163 New Zealanders on the Roll of Honor.

Departing from Wellington on 16 October 1914, the Main Body and First Reinforcements of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force were carried by 10 ships. Totalling 3,815 horses and 8,427 men, this was the largest single group of troops ever to leave our shores.

Three were Union Steam Ship Company vessels:

• Limerick
• Maunganui
• Tahiti

And seven were 'Home' boats:

• Arawa
• Athenic
• Hawke's Bay
• Orari
• Ruapehu
• Star of India
• Waimana

Many Kiwis called their ships ‘Home boats’, a common term for the UK trade ships.. Read more

Between 1939 and 1945 USSCo ships carried: 874,000 troops and airmen and 18,000 POWs and refugees. The USSCo's large, relatively modern fleet was one of New Zealand's most valuable war assets and included vessels:

• Monowai
• Awatea
• Rangatira
• Wahine
• Matua
• Aorangi