SS Belgian

The SS Belgian was a 5,287-ton steamship which was built in 1919, sold in 1934 becoming Amelia Lauro, seized in 1940 and renamed Empire Activity and wrecked in 1943.

For other ships with the same name, see Empire Activity.

History
Name
  • Belgian (1919-34)
  • Amelia Lauro (1934-40)
  • Empire Activity (1940-41)
Owner
  • F Leyland & Co Ltd (1919-34)
  • Achille Lauro, Naples (1934-40)
  • Ministry of War Transport (1940-41)
Operator
  • As owner except:-
  • Galbraith, Pembroke & Co Ltd (1940-41)
Port of registry
  • United Kingdom Liverpool (1919-34)
  • Italy Naples (1934-40)
  • United Kingdom London (1940-41)
BuilderSwan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Newcastle upon Tyne
Yard number1139
Launched29 August 1919
In serviceOctober 1919
Identification
  • UK Official Number 140659 (1919-34, 1940-41)
  • Italian Official Number 423 (1934-40)
  • Code letters KCQH (1919-34)
  • Code letters IBEZ (1934-40)
  • Code letters GQXX (1940-41)
FateWrecked 3 October 1943
General characteristics
Tonnage5,287 GRT
Length400 ft 3 in (122.00 m)
Beam52 ft 4 in (15.95 m)
Depth28 ft 4 in (8.64 m)
Propulsion1 x triple expansion steam engine of 517 hp (386 kW)
Speed12 knots (22 km/h)

History

Belgian was built by Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd, Wallsend and launched on 29 August 1919, being completed in October 1919.[1] From 1919 to 1934 Belgian was owned by the Leyland Line. In 1934, she was sold to Achille Lauro, and renamed Amelia Lauro.[2]

On 7 March 1940, Amelia Lauro was damaged by German bombing at 52°55′N 02°19′E[3] en route from Newcastle upon Tyne to Piombino laden with coal. She was set on fire and the crew anchored her, then abandoned her.[4] The SS Titania rescued 37 of the crew, and the sloops Pintail and Londonderry assisted. Amelia Lauro was escorted to Immingham[3] with her superstructure burnt out.[4] One crew member was killed outright and three were wounded.[5] One of the wounded crewmen later died from his injuries.[6] In an expression of gratitude, Lauro Lines owner Achille Lauro donated £26. 5s to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in appreciation of assistance rendered by the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston lifeboat in bringing 29 crew to shore.[7] Permission was given for temporary repairs to be carried out.[4]

As a consequence of Italy's declaration of war on 10 June 1940, Amelia Lauro was seized as a prize of war. The seizure was ratified by the prize court on 4 May 1941.[8] Amelia Lauro was taken over by the Ministry of War Transport, being renamed Empire Activity. Galbraith, Pembroke & Co were appointed managers. On 3 October 1943, Empire Activity was wrecked on Peckford Reef Newfoundland at 49°30′38″N 53°51′30″W,[9] 1 nautical mile south of the Peckford Reef.[1] She was en route from Botwood to the United Kingdom laden with zinc concentrates.[4]

Official Number and code letters

Official Numbers were a forerunner to IMO Numbers.

Belgian had the UK Official Number 140659.[10] Amelia Lauro had the Italian Official Number 423[11] Empire Activity had the UK Official Number 140659.[12]

Belgian used the Code Letters KCQH.[10] Amelia Lauro used the Code Letters IBEZ.[11] Empire Activity used the Code Letters GQXX.[12]

References
  1. "1140659". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
  2. "Belgian". Ellis Island. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
  3. "Naval Events, March 1940, Part 1 of 2, Friday 1st – Thursday 14th". Naval History. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
  4. Mitchell, W H; Sawyer, L A (1995). The Empire Ships. London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong: Lloyd's of London Press Ltd. pp. 431–32. ISBN 1-85044-275-4.
  5. "Four Bombs On Italian Ship". The Times. No. 48560. London. 9 March 1940. col F, p. 6.
  6. "Steamer's Crew Of 21 Saved". The Times. No. 48561. London. 11 March 1940. col D, p. 5.
  7. "Italian Gratitude to Lifeboat Crew". The Times. No. 48640. London. 12 June 1940. col D, p. 4.
  8. "The Prize Court". The Times. No. 48866. London. 6 May 1941. col D, p. 6.
  9. "EMPIRE - A". Mariners-L. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
  10. "LLOYD'S REGISTER, NAVIRES A VAPEUR ET A MOTEURS" (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
  11. "LLOYD'S REGISTER, NAVIRES A VAPEUR ET A MOTEURS" (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
  12. "LLOYD'S REGISTER, STEAMERS AND MOTORSHIPS" (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
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