E-boats. She was transferred to the British Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) and renamed Empire Corporal. She returned to service in 1942 following repairs, but was torpedoed and sunk on 18 August by U-598 off the coast of Cuba
.
Description
The ship was built in 1922 by Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Co Ltd, Jarrow, Northumberland.[2] She was 440 feet 0 inches (134.11 m) long, with a beam of 57 feet 1 inch (17.40 m). She had a depth of 33 feet 9 inches (10.29 m) and a draught of 26 feet 7 inches (8.10 m). She was assessed at 6,972 GRT. 4,072 NRT.[3] Her DWT was 10,817.[4]
The ship was propelled by two steam turbines, double reduction geared and driving a single screw propeller. The turbines were built by Palmers.[3]
History
British Corporal was built for the
Code Letters KMDG were allocated. Her port of registry was London.[3] She was employed on routes between the United Kingdom and the Middle East, as shown by her occasional mentions in The Times in connection with one of her crew being stabbed to death in Port Said, Egypt, in October 1928,[5] and a report of her having trouble with her condenser at Port Said in February 1932.[6] In 1934, her Code Letters were changed to GFJV.[7] On 6 November 1934, British Corporal ran aground at Swansea, Wales. She was refloated the next day undamaged.[8]
Spanish Civil War
At 05:15 on 6 August 1937, British Corporal was attacked by three
petrol. The attack lasted an hour, with both bombs and machine guns being used. British Corporal was only slightly damaged, with her radio being put out of action for a time. The Italian steamship Mongioia was also attacked. None of the crew of British Corporal were injured. Following the incident, she put into Algiers. Two reconnaissance aircraft were despatched from Algiers to search for the attackers.[10] The FrenchDjebel Amour and GreekK Ktistakis were attacked off Algiers the following day.[11] On departing from Algiers, British Corporal was escorted by HMS Hussar.[12]
Following the attack, the
Marseilles. The British stated that prompt assistance would be given by the Royal Navy to any British ship under attack. They also informed the Spanish that any aircraft attacking British shipping was liable to be shot down.[16]