lost with all hands when she attempted to stop the Kormoran. Zealandia also took another 8th Division detachment, Sparrow Force, to Timor, departing Darwin with 957 troops the morning of 10 December 1941 escorted by with another 445 troops that reached Koepang on 12 December. On 20 December, the ship departed Darwin with 207 women and 357 children as the first of several ships to evacuate civilians from Darwin to southern Australia. In Sydney, the ship was fitted with material to protect her oil tanks in the event of an attack. On 23 January, she left Sydney, transporting an anti-tank company and its equipment to Darwin, where it arrived on 6 February. Sinking In the air raids of 19 February 1942, a number of bombs fell close to Zealandia, then one fell through a hatch and exploded in a hold, causing a serious fire. Japanese planes also attacked Zealandia with cannon and machine-gun fire. Ammunition in one hold started to explode and the ship's fire pumps were disabled by another bomb. The order was given to abandon ship. Zealandia sank, leaving only her masts clear of the water. Two crew members died from wounds sustained in the attack. 142 crew members survived. The ship was salvaged in 1960 during the Fujita salvage operation. What remains of Zealandia lies in Darwin Harbour at position at a depth of , and is a recreational dive site. References Sources Links 1909 ships Ships built on the River Clyde Iron and steel steamships of Australia Passenger ships of Australia Ships of the Union Steam Ship Company Ships sunk in the bombing of Darwin, 1942 Maritime incidents in February 1942 Troop ships of Australia World War II merchant ships of Australia Merchant ships sunk by aircraft