SS Erlangen was a German cargo vessel that escaped from New Zealand at the beginning of the Second World War and travelled to Chile.
On 28 August 1939, just before the outbreak of World War II, the Erlangen left Port Chalmers in Dunedin seeking to avoid the crew becoming prisoners.
Over the next five weeks, the crew cleared around 1.2 ha (3 acres) of rātā forest, aiming to collect 400 tonnes of wood to fuel the vessel.
However, severe weather prevented HMS Leander from entering Carnley Harbour and the Erlangen was not discovered.
On 7 October 1939, the Erlangen left her anchorage with only an additional 240 tonnes of wood fuel, but eventually reached Chile.