SS Empire Florizel
Empire Florizel was a 7,056 GRT cargo ship that was built in 1943 by Lithgows, Greenock, Renfrewshire, United Kingdom for the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). She had a short career, being bombed and sunk during the Allied invasion of Sicily exactly three months after her launch.
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Empire Florizel |
| Owner | Ministry of War Transport |
| Operator | J & G Harrison & Co. Ltd. |
| Port of registry | Greenock, United Kingdom |
| Builder | Lithgows |
| Yard number | 990 |
| Launched | 21 April 1943 |
| Maiden voyage | 25 June 1943 |
| Out of service | 21 July 1943 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Bombed and sunk |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Cargo ship |
| Tonnage | |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 56 ft 2 in (17.12 m) |
| Draught | 26 ft 8 in (8.13 m) |
| Depth | 33 ft 8 in (10.26 m) |
| Installed power | Triple expansion steam engine, 520 nhp |
| Propulsion | Single screw propeller |
| Crew | 48 + 21 DEMS gunners |
Description edit
The ship was 432 ft 7 in (131.85 m) long between perpendiculars (447 ft 6 in (136.40 m) overall), with a beam of 56 feet 2 inches (17.12 m). She had a depth of 34 feet 2 inches (10.41 m) and a draught of 26 feet 8 inches (8.13 m). She was assessed at 7,056 GRT, 4,814 NRT.[1]
The ship was propelled by a 520 nhp triple expansion steam engine, which had cylinders of 23½ inches (60 cm), 37½ inches (96 cm) and 68 inches (170 cm) diameter by 48 inches (120 cm) stroke. The engine was built by John Brown & Co. Ltd, Clydebank, Renfrewshire.[1] It drove a single screw propeller.[2]
History edit
The ship was built in 1943 by Lithgows Ltd, Greenock, Renfrewshire.[3] She was yard number 990.[2] She was launched on 21 April 1943.[3] Her port of registry was Greenock.[1] The Code Letters BFGY andUnited Kingdom Official Number 169503 were allocated.[4] Empire Florizel was operated under the management of J & G Harrison & Co. Ltd., Glasgow, Renfrewshire.[1] Her 48 crew were supplemented by 21 DEMS gunners.[5]
Carrying 4,000 tons of military and invasion stores and fourteen passengers,[5] Empire Florizel made her maiden voyage as a member of Convoy KMS 96G,[6] which departed from the Clyde on 25 June 1943 and passed Gibraltar on 6 July.[7] Redesignated KMS 19, the convoy arrived at Algiers, Algeria on 8 July in preparation for Operation Husky.[6] Redesignated KMS 19Y, the convoy departed from Algiers on 14 July and arrived at Augusta, Sicily, Italy on 20 July.[8] Empire Florizel was bombed and sunk at Augusta on 21 July.[3] Two of her crew, four gunners and three passengers were killed.[5] The two crew members killed are commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.[9]
References edit
- ^ a b c d "Lloyd's Register, Navires a Vapeur et a Moteurs" (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Empire Florizel". Caledonian Maritime Research Trust. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- ^ a b c Mitchell, W.H.; Sawyer, L.A. (1995). The Empire Ships. London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong: Lloyd's of London Press Ltd. p. not cited. ISBN 1-85044-275-4.
- ^ "Lloyd's Register, Navires a Vapeur et a Moteurs" (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- ^ a b c "CONVOY KMS 19". Warsailors. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- ^ a b "EMPIRE FAITH". Convoyweb. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- ^ "Convoy KMS.19G". Convoyweb. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- ^ "Convoy KMS.19Y". Convoyweb. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- ^ "Empire Eve to Empire Ghyll". Brian Davis. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
External links edit
- Photograph of Empire Florizel