Akaroa was a Norwegian sailing ship that was torpedoed by the German submarine SM U-19 in the English Channel, 70 miles west off the Casquets, Guernsey while she was travelling from Philadelphia, United States to Rouen, France with a cargo of oil.

On 1 September 1917, Akaroa was on a voyage from Philadelphia, United States, to Rouen, France.

When she was suddenly struck by the torpedoes from the German submarine SM U-19 70 miles west of the Casquets, Guernsey.

While passing underneath the sinking Akaroa, the submarine damaged its periscope.

The crew all made it safely to the ship's two lifeboats and sailed and rowed to the French coast which they eventually reached 36 hours later.