SS Galeka

SS Galeka was a steam ship originally built for the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company, but requisitioned for use as a British troop transport and then a hospital ship during the First World War. On 28 October 1916 she hit a mine laid by the German U-boat UC-26.

History
The ship was the last vessel to enter service before the merge between the Union and Castle shipping lines. She served on the South Africa route until the First World War when she was used by the UK as a troop transport, carrying troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps to the Gallipoli Campaign. Galeka was then refitted as a hospital ship with accommodation for 366 wounded passengers.

Sinking
On 28 October 1916, while entering Le Havre HMHS Galeka struck a mine. She was not carrying patients at the time, but 19 Royal Army Medical Corps personnel died in the sinking. She was beached at Cap la Hogue, but was a total loss, Union-Castle's first war casualty.