SS Mendi

SS Mendi‏‎ was a British passenger steamship that was built in 1905 by Alexander Stephen and Sons Ltd in Glasgow, Scotland. The ship was primarily used for transporting troops during World War I. On 21 February 1917, while transporting members of the South African Native Labour Corps to France, the SS Mendi was accidentally rammed by the SS Darro off the Isle of Wight, causing it to sink and resulting in the loss of 646 lives, most of whom were black South African troops.

Construction and Design

The SS Mendi was built by Alexander Stephen and Sons, a well-known shipbuilding company based in Glasgow, Scotland. The ship was 423 feet long, 46 feet wide, and had a depth of 29 feet. It was powered by a triple expansion steam engine that could produce 473 nominal horsepower.

Service in World War I

During World War I, the SS Mendi was requisitioned by the British Admiralty for use as a troopship. In January 1917, the ship was tasked with transporting over 800 members of the South African Native Labour Corps from Cape Town, South Africa, to La Havre, France. The troops were to provide labour support to the Allied forces in France.

Sinking

On 21 February 1917, while travelling through the English Channel, the SS Mendi was accidentally rammed by the SS Darro, a much larger cargo steamship. The impact caused the SS Mendi to sink within 25 minutes, resulting in the loss of 646 lives. The incident is considered one of the worst maritime disasters of the 20th century.

Aftermath and Legacy

The sinking of the SS Mendi sparked outrage in South Africa, particularly among the black community. The incident highlighted the racial inequalities of the time, as the black troops were not given the same recognition and remembrance as their white counterparts. Today, the SS Mendi is remembered as a symbol of the sacrifices made by black South Africans during World War I.