(MoWT).
Renamed Empire Commerce, she served until 9 June 1940 when she struck a mine off Margate, Kent. She was beached and her cargo was salvaged, but Empire Commerce was deemed a constructive total loss and was scrapped in situ. She was the first Empire ship lost through enemy action in the Second World War.
Description
The ship was built by J L Thompson Ltd, Sunderland. She was launched in 1928,[1] and completed in March of that year.[2]
The ship was 360 feet 0 inches (109.73 m) long, with a beam of 50 feet 0 inches (15.24 m) and a depth of 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m). She had a GRT of 3,845 and a NRT of 2,323.[2]
The ship was propelled by a
triple expansion steam engine, which had cylinders of 24 inches (61 cm), 40 inches (100 cm) and 66 inches (170 cm) diameter by 45 inches (110 cm) stroke. The engine was built by J Dickinson & Sons Ltd, Sunderland.[2]
History
Goodleigh was built for the Dulverton Steamship Co Ltd. Her port of registry was
Code Letters LBHC were allocated.[2] In 1934, her Code Letters were changed to GNQB.[3]
Christoph Van Doornum was declared a war prize. She was passed to the MoWT and renamed Empire Commerce.
woodpulp was discharged.[1] The engine room was severely damaged. Greaser Maurice Holden escaped from the engine room, but then realised that the engineer was trapped, went back in and rescued him. For his bravery, Holden was awarded a British Empire Medal.[7]Empire Commerce was declared a constructive total loss and was scrapped in situ. She was the first Empire ship to be lost through enemy action.[1]