German
Steamer
Built
China
Sunk
1914
(Scuttled, exact date unknown)
Tons
60
Shirley Cook 1977
Ship History
A wooden vessel built in China two years before the ware and was a sister ship to the Nusa, which had been the administrative vessel at Kavieng, and afterwards proved of great service to the military administration.
Wartime History
In 1914, this ship was attached to the German Government Station at Kieta as an administration steamer. It was expected that the “BUKA” would be captured when Kieta was occupied by Allied forces (Austrlaians), so three weeks before the district officer ordered the sunk in nine fathoms, the spot being marked by a buoy in Kobuan Bay. Her engines had been smothered in oil, and her woodwork and fittings had also been protected, for the District Officer hoped that the changes of war would soon enable him to use the ‘BUKA” again.
Attempted Raising
Lt. Col
Holmes and his immediate successors entertained the project of raising her. Had the task been undertaken in the early stages of occupation, the vessel would, thanks to the precautions taken by the Germans for her preservation, have been in a seaworthy condition and of service to the administration. Early in 1915, she was examined by a diver from the ‘UNA”, and her hull and fittings were reported to be in a satisfactory state. However, no steps were taken to raise her.
Shipwreck
The Buka remains sunk were it was scuttled in 1914. Dove by Dave Pennefather, Shirley Cook and Nigel Cook.
References
Thanks to Shirley Cook who dove the wreck in 1974-77 and wrote its history, list of artifacts and contributed photos.
80'
Photo Archive
