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ST Empire Birch

History
NameEmpire Birch
OwnerMinistry of War Transport
OperatorMinistry of War Transport
Port of registryUnited Kingdom Hull
BuilderHenry Scarr Ltd, Hessle.
Yard number418
Launched9 August 1941
Completed12 December 1941
Identification
FateStruck mine, beached, and sank 10 August 1942
General characteristics
Tonnage245 GRT, 229 NRT
Length106 ft 7 in (32.49 m)
Beam26 ft 7 in (8.10 m)
Draught11 ft 6 in (3.51 m)
PropulsionOne triple expansion steam engine 177 hp (132 kW).
ST Empire Birch is located in Mozambique
ST Empire Birch
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Location of the sinking of Empire Birch off Mozambique.

Empire Birch was a 245 GRT tug built in 1941 for the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). In 1942 she struck a mine and sank.

Description

Empire Birch was built by Henry Scarr Ltd, Hessle.[1] She was yard number 418 and was launched on 9 August 1941 with completion on 12 December.[2] She was 106 feet 7 inches (32.49 m) long, with a beam of 26 feet 7 inches (8.10 m) and a draught of 11 feet 6 inches (3.51 m). Her GRT was 245 with a NRT of 229.[3]

Career

Empire Birch was operated by the MoWT, her port of registry was Hull.[3] She was the lead ship of the Birch-class tugs.[4] On 10 August 1942, Empire Birch hit a mine in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Portuguese East Africa 150 nautical miles (280 km) north of Lourenço Marques (24°45′S 34°47′E / 24.750°S 34.783°E / -24.750; 34.783). Although she was beached and abandoned, Empire Birch slid off the beach and sank in deep water.[1]

Official Numbers and Code Letters

Official Numbers were a forerunner to IMO Numbers. Empire Bermuda had the UK Official Number 167111 and the Code Letters BCMV.[3]

Propulsion

Empire Birch was propelled by a triple expansion steam engine which had cylinders of 16 inches (41 cm), 26 inches (66 cm) and 43 inches (110 cm) bore by 30 inches (76 cm) stroke. It was built by the O D Holmer & Co, Hull.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Mitchell, W H, and Sawyer, L A (1995). The Empire Ships. London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong: Lloyd's of London Press Ltd. ISBN 1-85044-275-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "16560". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d "NAVIRES A VAPEUR ET A MOTEURS DE MOINS de 300tx, CHALTIERS, &c" (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
  4. ^ "THUNDER CAPE". Welland Canal. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
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