Another painting by Walter Armiger Bowring (1874-1931), now in the NZ National War Art Collection. When casualties mounted at Gallipoli, the New Zealand government needed a hospital ship. With the help of a huge public fundraising effort, the Maheno was converted from a trans-Tasman passenger liner into New Zealand’s first floating hospital. It set sail for Gallipoli on 11 July 1915, reaching Anzac Cove in late August.
By the end of the war the Maheno (officially known as His Majesty’s New Zealand Hospital Ship No. 1) had transported tens of thousands of sick and wounded soldiers.
For lots more, see the books The White Ships and Voyage to Gallipoli.
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