SS Empire Dorado
History | |
---|---|
Name |
|
Owner |
|
Operator |
|
Port of registry | |
Builder | Atlantic Corporation |
Yard number | 8 |
Launched | 1920 |
Completed | September 1920 |
Identification | |
Fate | Sank after a collision |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Design 1019 cargo ship |
Tonnage | |
Length | 411 ft 2 in (125.32 m) |
Beam | 54 ft 2 in (16.51 m) |
Depth | 29 ft 9 in (9.07 m) |
Propulsion | Triple expansion steam engine |
Empire Dorado was a 5,595 GRT design 1019 cargo ship that was built in 1920 as Tolosa by Atlantic Corporation, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States for the United States Shipping Board (USSB), passing to the United States Maritime Commission (USMC) in 1937. She was sold to the United Kingdom in 1940, passed to the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) and renamed Empire Dominica. She served until November 1941, when she was in collision with another ship. Although taken in tow, she subsequently sank.
Description
The ship was built in 1920 by Atlantic Corporation, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.[1] She was yard number 8.[2]
The ship was 411 feet 2 inches (125.32 m) long, with a beam of 54 feet 2 inches (16.51 m).[3] She had a depth of 29 feet 9 inches (9.07 m).[4] As built, she was assessed at 5,500 GRT.[2]
The ship was propelled by a 359
History
Tolosa was launched in 1920 and completed in September of that year.
In 1940, Tolosa was sold to the MoWT and was renamed Empire Dorado.
Empire Dorado was due to have been a member of Convoy HX 59, which departed from
Empire Dorado was a member of Convoy OB 239, which departed from Liverpool on 4 November 1940. The convoy returned to
Empire Dorado was due to have been a member of Convoy ON 19, which departed from Liverpool on 21 September 1941 and dispersed at sea on 7 October. She was to have been in ballast, bound for
Empire Dorado was to have joined Convoy SC 52, which departed from Sydney on 29 October and returned to Sydney on 5 November, but she did not sail with the convoy.[19] She joined Convoy SC 53, which departed on 4 November and arrived at Liverpool on 24 November. She was carrying general cargo bound for Manchester, Lancashire. On 20 November, Empire Dorado collided with the Greek cargo ship Theomitor.[20] Although taken in tow by a Royal Navy ship,[1] she sank on 22 November at 57°58′N 20°38′W / 57.967°N 20.633°W.[6] All crew were evacuated before the ship sank.[11]
References
- ^ ISBN 1-85044-275-4.
- ^ a b c "Atlantic Corp., Portsmouth NH". Shipbuilding History. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Register of Ships Em - Ex". Gilbert Provost. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ a b "Lloyd's Register, Navires a Vapeur et a Moteurs" (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
- ^ ."Casualty Reports". The Times. No. 43295. London. 21 March 1923. col D, p. 19.
- ^ a b "SS Empire Dorado (+1941)". Wrecksite. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ "Convoy HX 59". Warsailors. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ "Convoy HX 61". Warsailors. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ "Convoy HX 67". Warsailors. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ "Convoy OB.239". Convoyweb. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ a b "The Empire Dorado". The Chiltern Fixie. 25 November 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ Rohwer, Jürgen; Hümmelchen, Gerhard. "Seekrieg 1940, November". Württembergische Landesbibliothek Stuttgart (in German). Retrieved 17 March 2015.
- ^ "S.O.S. from another ship". The Times. No. 48769. London. 9 November 1940. col E, p. 4.
- ^ "Naval Events, November 1940, Part 1 of 2, Friday 1st – Thursday 14th". Naval History. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ "Empire Day to Empire Engineer". Brian Watson. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ "Convoy ON 19". Convoyweb. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ a b "Empire Dorado". Convoyweb. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ "Convoy ON 21". Convoyweb. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ "Convoy SC 52". Warsailors. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
- ^ "Convoy SC 53". Warsailors. Retrieved 29 June 2011.