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HMHS Galeka
HMHS Galeka was a hospital ship requisitioned from the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company, she served as a troop ship in 1915 and was refitted as a hospital ship with accommodation for 366 wounded. She was lost on 28th of October 1916 when she hit a mine laid by the German U-boat UC-26 while entering Le Havre to collect the wounded.
28th October 1916 Hospital ship 
HMHS Galeka alongside Britannic 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.
Owner: Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company. Builder: Harland and Wolff, Belfast. Yard number: 347. Launched: 21 October 1899. Completed: 23 December 1899. Fate: Hit a mine laid by German U-boat UC-26 on 28 October 1916.
General characteristics
Tonnage: 6,767 gtn. Length: 440 ft.(130 m), Beam: 53 ft (16 m).
Speed: 12.5 knots (23.2 km/h).
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.
- Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport Service during WW1.
- Medical Staff strength.
- Officers:8
- Nurses:10
- Other:54
- Accommodation capacity.
- Officers:
- Cots:254
- Berths:112
- Period of Service as Hospital Ship or Ambulance Transport.
- Date From:22nd June 1915
- Date To:28th October 1916
- Ships Crew details:
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.
John Doran
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Those known to have served in HMHS Galeka during the Great War 1914-1918. The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
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Records of HMHS Galeka from other sources.
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