SS Empire Bruce

Edit links
Coordinates: 06°40′N 13°17′W / 6.667°N 13.283°W / 6.667; -13.283
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

History
NameEmpire Bruce
OwnerMinistry of War Transport
Operator
  • Larrinaga Steamship Co Ltd (1941-42)
  • Christian Salvesen & Co Ltd (1942-43)
Port of registryUnited Kingdom Sunderland
BuilderSir J Laing & Sons Ltd, Sunderland
Yard number737
Launched11 June 1941
CompletedAugust 1941
Identification
  • UK
    Official Number
    168918
  • Code Letters BCPJ (1941-48)
FateSunk, 18 April 1943
General characteristics
Tonnage
Length423 ft 8 in (129.13 m)
Beam59 ft 9 in (18.21 m)
Depth35 ft (10.67 m)
Propulsion1 x triple expansion steam engine
Speed10.5 knots (19.4 km/h)
Crew42, plus 7
DEMS
gunners.
SS Empire Bruce is located in Africa
SS Empire Bruce
class=notpageimage|
Location of the sinking of Empire Bruce.

Empire Bruce was a prototype 7,459 GRT cargo ship which was built in 1941 by Sir J Laing & Sons for the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). She was torpedoed and sunk by U-123 on 18 April 1943.

Description

Empire Bruce was built by Sir J Laing & Sons Ltd,

Sunderland.[1] She was yard number 737.[2] Launched on 11 June 1941, she was completed in August 1941.[1]

The ship was 423 feet 8 inches (129.13 m) long, with a beam of 59 feet 9 inches (18.21 m) and a depth of 35 feet (10.67 m). She was propelled by a

triple expansion steam engine which had cylinders of 24 inches (61 cm), 39 inches (99 cm) and 68 inches (170 cm) bore by 48 inches (120 cm) stroke. The engine was built by the Central Marine Engine Works, West Hartlepool.[3] It could propel her at 10.5 knots (19.4 km/h).[2] She had a GRT of 7,349 with a NRT of 4,497.[3]

Career

Empire Bruce's port of registry was Sunderland. She was initially operated under the management of the Larrinaga Steamship Co Ltd.[3] Management was then transferred to Christian Salvesen & Co Ltd, Leith.[4]

Empire Bruce was a member of a number of convoys during the

Second World War
.

ON 14

Convoy ON 14 departed Liverpool on 7 September 1941 and Loch Ewe on 10 September. It dispersed at sea on 15 September. Empire Bruce was bound for Philadelphia.[5]

Sinking

At 12:39 on 18 April 1943, Empire Bruce was struck in the stern by a

minesweeper HMS MMS 107. They were landed at Freetown on 19 April.[6] The ship sank 100 nautical miles (190 km) off Freetown (06°40′N 13°17′W / 6.667°N 13.283°W / 6.667; -13.283).[1]

Official Numbers and Code Letters

Official Numbers were a forerunner to

Code Letters BCPJ.[3]

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 1-85044-275-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  2. ^ a b "1168918". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 27 December 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d "LLOYD'S REGISTER, NAVIRES A VAPEUR ET A MOTEURS" (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 27 December 2009.
  4. ^ "LLOYD'S REGISTER, STEAMERS & MOTORSHIPS" (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 27 December 2009.
  5. ^ "CONVOY ON 14". Warsailors. Retrieved 27 December 2009.
  6. ^ "Empire Bruce". Uboat. Retrieved 27 December 2009.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=SS_Empire_Bruce&oldid=1214338275"