Today in History

1941 Finnish barque Pamir seized as war prize

Five days after its arrival in Wellington, the four-masted barque Pamir was seized in prize by the New Zealand government, which regarded Finland as ‘territory in enemy occupation’ (in reality, Finland had joined in Nazi Germany’s invasion of their mutual enemy, the Soviet Union). The Pamir remains the only enemy vessel ever to be seized by New Zealand.

Due to wartime shipping shortages, the barque was pressed into service as a New Zealand merchant vessel, mainly carrying wool and tallow to San Francisco and Vancouver. Managed by the Union Steam Ship Company and manned by a youthful, mostly New Zealand crew, the Pamir made 10 successful (if not always profitable) voyages under the New Zealand ensign. Few big square-rigged sailing ships had been seen in local ports for decades, and the barque left a lasting impression on many New Zealanders.

Despite some suggestions that it be retained as a sail-training vessel for the New Zealand merchant navy, the Pamir was handed back to its Finnish owners in 1948. It later became a training vessel for the German navy and foundered with heavy loss of life during an Atlantic hurricane in 1957.

Image: The Pamir (NZETC)