page_title: SS Zealandic (1911)
section_title: Second World War
hierarchical_section_title: SS Zealandic (1911) / History / Second World War
caption_attribution_description: English: Aerial view of SS Mamari III disguised as HMS Hermes with a false flight deck and island
context_page_description: SS Zealandic was a British ocean liner initially operated by White Star Line. She was used both as a passenger liner and a cargo ship as well as serving during both world wars.
  As "Fleet tender C" she was used as a decoy for the British aircraft carrier HMS Hermes. She was sunk en route to the dock where she was to be converted back to cargo use.
context_section_description: The ship was sold in September 1939 to the Admiralty for military service during the Second World War, and was refitted to be disguised as the British carrier HMS Hermes. In this form she carried the name "Fleet Tender C". On 4 June 1941, while on course for Chatham Docks in Kent to be converted back to a cargo vessel, she was attacked by German aircraft off the English coast near Cromer, Norfolk.  While trying to evade the attack she struck a submerged wreck (the Ahamo at 53-22N, 0-59E which had struck a mine on 8 April that year) and ran aground. She was intended to be salvaged and refloated; however, before this was possible the beached ship was torpedoed by German E-boats. The crew were taken off by the rescue tug Sabine and landed at Grimsby.
caption: Aerial view of SS Mamari III disguised as Hermes with a false flight deck and island.
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