Waimarama
Ship Number
1004
Vessel Type
Cargo Ship
Built
Belfast
Yard
Musgrave Yard
Slip Number
9
Launch Date
May 31, 1938
Launched By
Miss Sheila Macmillan / Capt Avern
Delivered
October 6, 1938
Owner
Shaw Savill & Albion Co.
Weight
11091 grt
BP Length
515 feet
Breadth
70 feet
No. of Screws
Twin
Speed (approx)
16 knots
Propulsion
Harland and Wolff - B&W Direct Acting (D.A.) Diesel each developing 6,000 b.h.p.
Official No.
166817
Registered
Southampton
Fate
Sank
Waimarama

She was sister ship to Waipawa,Wairangi, and Waiotira.
 
Waimarama was part of the fourteen ship convoy Operation Pedestal to the relief of the besieged island of Malta. The 'Operation Pedestal' convoy was the most bombarded convoy in the entire war. The Waimarama was sunk by German Junkers 88 dive bombers off Cape Bon. Direct hits by four bombs ignited aviation fuel stored in cans on her deck. The ship exploded in a sheet of flame and smoke. In less than five minutes Waimarama was gone.