SS Empire Broadsword
Empire Broadsword was a Type C1-S-AY-1 infantry landing ship built in 1943 as Cape Marshall. She was renamed Empire Broadsword before completion and entering into service for the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). She had a short career, entering service in December 1943 and being sunk by a mine in July 1944.
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name |
|
| Owner | War Shipping Administration |
| Operator | Cunard White Star Line |
| Port of registry |  London |
| Builder | Consolidated Steel Corporation, Wilmington, California |
| Launched | 16 August 1943 |
| Completed | December 1943 |
| Out of service | 2 July 1944 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Struck a mine and sank |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | |
| Length | 396 ft 5 in (120.83 m) |
| Beam | 60 ft 1 in (18.31 m) |
| Depth | 35 ft (10.67 m) |
| Propulsion | Steam turbines, double reduction geared driving a single screw |
| Armament |
|
Construction
The ship was built by Consolidated Steel Corporation, Wilmington, California as yard number 348. She was launched on 16 August 1943 as Cape Marshall.[1] She was 396 feet 5 inches (120.83 m) long, with a beam of 60 feet 1 inch (18.31 m) and a depth of 35 feet (10.67 m). She was propelled by two steam turbines which drove a single screw via double reduction gearing. The steam turbine were manufactured by Westinghouse Electrical and Manufacturing Corp, Essington, Pennsylvania.[2]
Career
The ship was transferred under the terms of lend lease shortly after being completed in 1943 under the name Empire Broadsword.[3] She was chartered by the MoWT, and was operated under the management of Cunard White Star Line[2]
Empire Broadsword was mined and sunk off Normandy on July 2, 1944, while supporting the allied invasion of Europe.[4] Her position is 49°25′N 0°54′W.[1] Seventy survivors were rescued by USS PC-1225.[5] The wreck lies on its starboard side in 27 metres (89 ft) of water and is now a dive site.[6] Those lost on Empire Broadsword are commemorated at the Tower Hill Memorial, London.[7]
Official Numbers and Code Letters
Official Numbers were a forerunner to IMO Numbers. Empire Broadsword had the UK Official Number 169737 and used the Code Letters MYMJ.[2]
References
- "1169737". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
- "LLOYD'S REGISTER, NAVIRES A VAPEUR ET A MOTEURS" (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
- Colledge. Ships of the Royal Navy. p. 113.
- "EMPIRE - B". mariners-l.co.uk. Retrieved 25 November 2008.
- "Waverly". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
- "Legacy of the landings". Dive Magazine. Archived from the original on 13 March 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
- "Ship Index A-F". Brian Watson. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
Sources
- Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
