Wanaka was built by A. Stephen & Sons, Glasgow in 1938. Wanaka was built for the New South Wales - Tasmanian Trade. In 1942 she was fitted out as an aircraft tender for the RAAF carrying armed forces personnel and supplies to combat areas in the Pacific. On 15 December 1943 in a cyclone the ship went aground on 'Eden Reef off the Queensland coast with the loss of 10 lives. The vessel was successfully refloated and returned to service. She was returned to peace time service in 1946 and served USSCo fo a further 19 years. Wanaka was sold to LetsenaNavigation Inc., Monrovia in 1965 and renamed Pater Elias (Liberia). In 1967 sold to Nansei Kensetu G.K., Naha, Okinawa and renamed Tainan Maru (Japan). Broken up at Kaohsiung in 1968. Post USSCo. information 'Union Fleet by Ian Farquhar'