SS Empire Banner
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Empire Banner |
| Owner: | Ministry of War Transport |
| Operator: | W T Gould Ltd, Cardiff |
| Port of registry: |
 Sunderland |
| Builder: | Bartram & Sons Ltd, Sunderland. |
| Yard number: | 286 |
| Launched: | 29 June 1942 |
| Completed: | September 1942 |
| Identification: |
|
| Fate: | Torpedoed on 7 February 1943 and sunk by U-77 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage: | 6,699 GRT |
| Length: | 416 ft 8 in (127.00 m) |
| Beam: | 56 ft 6 in (17.22 m) |
| Depth: | 34 ft (10.36 m) |
| Propulsion: | 1 x triple expansion steam engine (North East Marine Engine Co (1938) Ltd, Sunderland) 511 hp (381 kW) |
| Complement: | 47, plus 15 DEMS gunners |
Empire Banner was a 6,699 GRT cargo ship which was built by Bartram & Sons Ltd, Sunderland in 1942 for the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). She was torpedoed by U-77 on 7 February 1943 and sunk later that day by enemy aircraft.
History
Empire Banner was built by Bartram & Sons Ltd, Sunderland as yard number 286. She was launched on 29 June 1942 and completed in September 1942. She was built for the MoWT[1] and was operated under the management of W T Gould & Co Ltd,[2] Cardiff.[3]
Empire Banner was a member of a number of convoys during the Second World War.
- MKS 3X
Convoy MKS 3X sailed from Bône, Algeria on 3 December 1942 and arrived at Liverpool on 19 December. Empire Banner joined the convoy at Algiers She was fitted with anti-torpedo nets although these were reported as being broken on departure from Algiers.[4]
- KMS 8G
Convoy KMS 8G which departed the Clyde on 21 January 1943.[5] Empire Banner was carrying 3,800 tons of military supplies, including tanks and other transport. She had departed from Penarth and was destined for Bône. On 7 February 1943, she was torpedoed by U-77 at 02:00 hours. Her position was 36°48′N 01°32′E / 36.800°N 1.533°ECoordinates: 36°48′N 01°32′E / 36.800°N 1.533°E.[3] Empire Banner headed for Oran but at 06:00 she was finished off by an enemy aircraft.[6] All 47 crew, 15 DEMS gunners and 10 soldier passengers were rescued by HMCS Camrose and landed at Algiers.[3]
Official number and code letters
Official Numbers were a forerunner to IMO Numbers.
Empire Banner had the UK Official Number 169083 and used the Code Letters BCXC.[2]
References
- ↑ Mitchell, W H, and Sawyer, L A (1995). The Empire Ships. London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong: Lloyd's of London Press Ltd. p. 24. ISBN 1-85044-275-4.
- 1 2 "LLOYD'S REGISTER, STEAMERS & MOTORSHIPS" (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
- 1 2 3 "Empire Banner". U-boat.net. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
- ↑ "CONVOY MKS 3X & MKS 3Y". Warsailors. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
- ↑ "Convoy KMS.8G". Convoyweb. Retrieved 8 March 2009. (Select Convoy KMS 8G from side menu)
- ↑ "H.M.C.S. Regina K-234". The Carmody Genealogist. Retrieved 8 March 2009.