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
NameEmpire Florizel
OwnerMinistry of War Transport
OperatorJ & G Harrison & Co. Ltd.
Port of registryUnited Kingdom Greenock, United Kingdom
BuilderLithgows
Yard number990
Launched21 April 1943
Maiden voyage25 June 1943
Out of service21 July 1943
Identification
FateBombed and sunk
General characteristics
TypeCargo ship
Tonnage
Length
  • 432 ft 7 in (131.85 m) (LPP)
  • 447 ft 6 in (136.40 m) (OL)
Beam56 ft 2 in (17.12 m)
Draught26 ft 8 in (8.13 m)
Depth33 ft 8 in (10.26 m)
Installed powerTriple expansion steam engine, 520 nhp
PropulsionSingle screw propeller
Crew48 + 21 DEMS gunners

Description

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

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
  1. "Lloyd's Register, Navires a Vapeur et a Moteurs" (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  2. "Empire Florizel". Caledonian Maritime Research Trust. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  3. 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.
  4. "Lloyd's Register, Navires a Vapeur et a Moteurs" (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  5. "CONVOY KMS 19". Warsailors. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  6. "EMPIRE FAITH". Convoyweb. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  7. "Convoy KMS.19G". Convoyweb. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  8. "Convoy KMS.19Y". Convoyweb. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  9. "Empire Eve to Empire Ghyll". Brian Davis. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.