Wide ranging information is being sought about the Australian coastal vessel Zealandia which was bombed and sank with the loss of three lives when the Japanese attacked Darwin on February 19, 1942. An article in Progenitor , quarterly journal of the Genealogical Society of the Northern Territory , contains the request and mentions the contents of boxes which had not been looked at for more than 100 years , outlining the life of shipping engineer William Cumming who died in Glasgow in 1914, involved in construction of the vessel .
Cumming, a draughtsman , manager, engineer and naval architect, built up a wonderful shipping archive which accompanied him back and forwards between Melbourne and the UK between 1894 and 1914. During this time he was responsible for overseeing construction of many vessels for the Huddart Parker line as the superintendent engineer .
The SS Zealandia ( 1910-1942) , the article states, was perhaps the most advanced and the largest ocean going ship , more than 400 feet , which Cumming built , reputedly the first Australian steamer fitted with wireless . Cumming also had 10 years with the Adelaide Steamship Company during which time he refitted many ships on the South Australian and Western Australia / Nor'West trade . He was also on the UK to New York run for a year on the SS Bolivia .
His grandson , Bruce Cumming , who lives in Victoria , wants to hear from anyone who has any information or personal stories about the Zealandia or William Cumming , no matter how small . Bruce, a writer and maker of community documentaries, grew up hearing family stories about Australian history , lighthouses , ships.
His father , Bill , who died last year, was in Darwin during the war with the RAAF Catalinas. Together they had intended to write a book about William Cumming . The journal article includes a photograph of a SS Zealandia serviette ring .
Bruce can be contacted : Bruce.cumming1@bigpond.com . On Youtube search for Bruce Cumming , or Bruce Cumming videodocs.
