EMPIRE LARCH

 

Photog unknown

 

British commercial tug allocated to SNO Corncob, Oban for towing/escorting Gooseberry's. Later towed Phoenix units.

Built 1941 by Goole Shipbuilding and repair Co L:td., Goole. YN353. Englishman/Larch class tug.  L135'. B30.1'. D15.2'. 482grt.1350ihp  3cylTE oil fired steam engine by Amos and Smith Ltd, Hull.  ON164910. IMO5332484. Callsign BCKR later MAPD

30-1-1941 Launched. 14-6-1941 Completed for MoWT, United Towing Co Ltd., Hull appointed managers. 30-6-1941 Damaged by  bombs off Great Yarmouth and later repaired. 1942 Towed damaged Empire Pilgrim Aberdeen to Blyth. 9-7-1943 Departed Gibraltar for Loch Ewe via Liverpool with convoy MKS16G. 22-7-1943 Arrived UK. 27-10-1943 Departed Liverpool for Gibraltar with convoy OS57/KMS31. 10-11-1943 Arrived Gibraltar. 6-6-1944 Allocated to tow/escort blockships in group 4 of operation corncob. 16-6-1944 22.30 Arrived Mulberry A towing whale unit 537Q. 22.45 Released. 24-6-1944 Towed Thames Queen to Solent. 12-1944 Towed SS Twickenham ex Plymouth to Hull. 24-2-1945 Departed Antwerp in convoy ATM74. 25-2-1945 Arrived Southend. 4-1945 Towed IA107 ex Hull to Chatham. 4-1945 With Thames towed SS Empire Beatrice ex R. Blackwater to R. Clyde. 5-1945 With Empire Winnie towed SS Liseta ex London to Middlesborough. 5-1945 Towed LC27 ex Middlesborough to London. 5-1945 With Thames towed SS Compiegne ex R. Tyne to Gravesend. 6-1945 Towed barges Wilfred & Mary III ex Terneuzen to Gravesend. 6-1945 Towed 2 barges ex Plymouth to Antwerp. 6-1945 Towed dredger Dredgewell ex Calais to Southampton. 6-1945 Towed barges Munster & Rose ex Portsmouth to Gravesend. 30-10-1945 On Admiralty service towing  US barge from Cherbourg to Antwerp. 2-11-1945 Ordered to Scapa Flow to tow a trawler to Leith. 13-4-1946 Sold to United Towing Co Ltd.,Hull for £37,620, renamed Masterman. 1962 Sold to Brodospas Poduzece za Spasavanje i Teglenje Brodova, Split,  renamed Smjeli. 23-10-1971 Towed to owners yard at Sveti Kajo, Yugoslavia for demolition. 11-1973 Demolition completed.

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 EMPIRE MEADOW

 

British commercial tug. Allocated to SNO Portland for towing Bombardons.

Built 1942 by J S Watson [Gainsborough] Ltd, Gainsborough. YN1528. Birch class tug. L106.7'. B26.7'. D11.6'. 242grt. 1015ihp 3cylTE 16"x26"x43"x30"s 115rpm coal fired steam engine by C D Holmes Ltd., Hull. BP 7 Tons. Bunkers 91 tons. Prop dia 11'. Prop pitch 11.7'. ON167128. IMO5230387. Callsign MKZR

 

6-1-1942 Launched. 12-8-1942 Completed for MoWT, John Cooper Ltd., Belfast appointed managers. 6-1944 Towed composite barge Portland to Utah beach. Towed salvage lighter Portland to Mulberry A 1946 Owners Ministry of Transport, London. 1946 Sold to John Cooper Ltd., renamed Meadow. 12-1949  L.R. class withdrawn at owner's request. 1959 Owners restyled as John Cooper (Belfast) Ltd. 1963 Re-engined, with 800bhp 12cyl (1952) Mirrlees, Bickerton and Day 4SCSA 9.75"x10.5" diesel engine , by T. Mitchison Ltd., Gateshead. BP8.5 tons. 1969 Owners R. & J.H. Rea Ltd., London [Following company take-over]. 1970 Transferred to Cory Ship Towage (Northern Ireland) Ltd. 6-1971 Sold to Northern Slipways Ltd., Dublin. 1972 Chartered to Dublin Port and Dock Board. 1973 Sold to Maritime Commercial Enterprises Ltd., Greece, renamed Hector. 11-12-1978 Delivered to H and N Spiliopoulos OE, Perama for scrapping. 1981 Scrapping completed. 

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EMPIRE PIXIE

Photog unknown

 

British commercial tug. Allocated to SNO Selsey to tow Phoenix and Whale units.

Built 1942 by Goole Shipbuilding and Repairing Co Ltd., Goole. YN736. Warrior class tug.  L107.9'. B26.1'. D12.6'. 263grt. 1000ihp 3cylTE 16"x25"x43"x30"s coal fired steam engine by George Fletcher and Co., Derby. ON168790. IMO5123912. callsign MLBQ

 

27-8-1942 Launched. 5-11-1942 Completed for MoWT, Overseas Towage & Salvage Co Ltd., London. appointed managers. Employed on naval duties. 29-3-1944 Employed on coastal towing. 23-8-1944 Employed on naval duties. 12-1944 Towed BK barge Portland to Le Havre. 2-1945 Towed LCG[M]191 ex Middlesborough to Millwall. 21-2-1945 Allocated to relieve Empire Seraph at Calais. 5-1945 Based Le Havre. 1-1946 France Fenwick, Tyne & Wear Co., Newcastle, appointed managers. Employed on coastal towing. 4-1946 Owners Ministry of Transport, London. 5-1946  Sold to Clyde Shipping Co Ltd., Glasgow  for £21,250, renamed Flying Swordfish. 3-1955 Converted to oil firing. 2-8-1957 Sold to Premuda SpA, Italy,  1957 Resold to D. Tripcovich e Ci. Soc. di Navigacione Rimorchi e Salvataggi per Azione, Trieste, renamed Fulgor. 1978 Scrapped by Cantierei de Demolizione Runti at Scala Legnami, Trieste.

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EMPIRE RACE

 

British commercial tug. Allocated to SNO Portland for towing Bombardons.

 

Built 1941 by Henry Scarr Ltd., Hessle. YN S421. Birch class tug. L106.7'. B26.7'. D11.6'. 242grt. 1000ihp 3cylTE 16"x26"x43"x30"s 210psi Oilfired steam engine by C D Holmes Ltd., Hull.  ON167121. IMO5062522 Callsign BDXF later MAJD

 

21-11-1941  Launched. 1-6-1942 Completed for  MoWT, C. Rowbotham & Sons, London, appointed managers,  employed on naval duties. 14-2-1944  Transferred to coastal towing operations. 13-6-1944 1430 Arrived Mulberry A towing bombardons 284 and 289. 17-2-1945 Six weeks overdue for boiler clean at Calais and relieved by Empire Sophy. 30-11-1945 Transferred to  naval duties. 1-12-1945  Based at Harwich for handling troopships. 31-8-1958  Returned to the  Ministry of Transport. 1962 Sold to Capieci Societa di Navigazione SpA.,  Messina  renamed Capo D'Orlando. 4-1962  L.R. class withdrawn. 1969 Owners restyled to Capieci Societa di Navigazione e Rimorchiatori SpA. 1973 Sold to Italian Navy  renamed Ustica [ Y 448] 1991 Believed scrapped.
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Photog unkown

 

Built 1944 by A Hall and Co Ltd., Aberdeen. YN698. Foremost class tug. L112'10". B27'. D12'6".  232grt. 750ihp 3cylTE oil fired steam engine by builder. ON165267.

 

10-4-1944 - Launched. 15-5-1944 Completed for  MOWT, managers Overseas Towage & Salvage Co Ltd.,London. 6-1944 Towed NL Pontoon Inverness to Portsmouth. 28-6-1944 03.00  Whale unit under tow sank off MULBERRY B. Later rescued survivors from Maid of Orleans.  3-10-1944 Transferred to Admiralty. 12-9-1945 Departed UK for Gibraltar. 12-1945 Allocated to Kure, Japan. 5-1946 Allocated to Hong Kong. 2-1947 Released from Admiralty service. 11-3-1947 Chartered to Hong Kong Harbour Authority., Hong Kong. 1948 Sold to James Fisher & Sons Ltd., Barrow-in-Furness. 1949 Renamed Fisherstown. 6-1968 Scrapped by T.W. Ward Ltd., Barrow.

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British commercial tug. Allocated to SNO Oban to tow/escort Gooseberry's.

 

Built 1943 by Goole Shipbuilding and Repairing Co Ltd., Goole. YN388. Englishman class tug. L136'. B30.1'. D15.3'. 479grt. 1150ihp 3cylTE 16.5"x27"x46"x30"s 215psi. Oilfired steam engine by  Walker Bros. Ltd., Wigan. ON169085. Callsign MQZK

 

10-11-1943 Launched. 13-5-1943 Completed for MoWT,  United Towing Co Ltd., Hull appointed managers. 6-6-1944 Allocated to tow/escort blockships in group 4 of operation corncob. 6-1944 Towed LST852 Portsmouth to Nore. 12-1944 Towed SS Saltflat Gravesend to S. Shields with tug Seaman. 24-1-1945 Foundered after collision with  steamer Twickenham Ferry, 10 miles south east of Dover at posn. 51.03N, 01.32E. 11 lives lost.
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British commercial tug. Allocated to SNO Selsey to tow Phoenix and Whale units.

 

Built 1943 by Cochrane and Sons Ltd., Selby. YN1267 Hoedic class tug. L105.2'. B26.6'. D12.2'. 276grt. 850ihp 3cylTE 15"x25"x42"x27"s coal fired steam engine by Amos and Smith Ltd., Hull.  ON169307 Callsign MQSR

 

6-5-1943  Launched. 10-8-1943 Completed for MoWT, France, Fenwick Tyne & Wear Co Ltd., Newcastle appointed managers. Engaged in commercial service. 2-1944 Transferred to coastal towing operations. 23-5-1944 Departed Tees towing Phoenix unit to Dungeness with Euston Cross. 16-6-1944 20.30 Arrived Mulberyy A towing whale unit 502/M1. 14-9-1944 Alexandra Towing Co Ltd., Liverpool appointed managers and  transferred to naval duties. 22-5-1946  Sold to Ellerman's Wilson Line Ltd., Hull, for £22,500, renamed Presto. 1968 Taken over by United Towing Co Ltd., Hull and laid up. 15-6-1968 Arrived under tow at Blyth for scrapping by Hughes Bolckow Ltd.

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 EMPIRE SERAPH

 

Photog unknown

 

British commercial tug. Allocated to SNO Selsey to tow Phoenix and Whale units.

 

Built 1942 by Richard Dunston Ltd., Thorne. YN T374. Maple class tug. L92.5'. B20.5'. D8.4'. 129grt. 500ihp 3cylTE 11.75"x19.25"x32"x22"s 200psi steam engine by Crabtree [1931] Ltd., Gt. Yarmouth. Eng No 633. ON169077 Call sign MFXF,

25-10-1942  Launched. 22-12-1942  Completed for MoWT, C. Rowbotham & Sons., London appointed managers and engaged on naval duties. 22-5-1944 Transferred to  coastal towing duties. 10-6-1944 On ammunitioning duty in Solent. 19-6-1944 Towed Whale unit to Mulberry A. 10-8-1944 Engaged on naval duties at Calais. 21-2-1945 Serious boiler problems at Calais and relieved by Empire Pixie. 6-4-1945 Allocated to relieve Empire Polly at Ostend.  4-1945 Towed MFV  Liv ex Tyne to Buckie. 5-1945 Towed barge KLK25 ex Leith to Flushing.  5-5-1945 Departed Antwerp in convoy ATM145. 6-5-1945 Arrived Southend. 3-9-1947  Sold to Gdynia-America Shipping Lines Ltd., Gdynia, renamed Bizon. 1951 Taken over by Polish Government. 1959 Managed by Zarzad Portu Szczecin 1960 Believed scrapped.

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Photog unknown

 

British commercial tug. Allocated to SNO Selsey to tow Phoenix and Whale units.

 

Built 1943 by Cochrane and Sons Ltd., Selby. YN1279 Hoedic class tug. L105.2'. B26.6'. D12.2'. 274grt.  850ihp 3cylTE 15"x25"x42"x27"s 200psi oil fired steam engine by Amos and Smith Ltd., Hull. ON180236. IMO5158254. Callsign MNKC.

13-12-1943 Launched.  20-4-1944 Completed for MoWT, Overseas Towage & Salvage Co Ltd., London appointed managers, employed on coastal towing operations. 6-1944 Towed NL pontoon Osbourne Bay to Gold Beach.  6-1944 Towed Ammunition barges Falmouth to Southampton. 8-6-1944 Arrived off Normandy beaches. Later towed ammunition barges Solent to Juno beach. 12-1944 Allocated as harbour tug at Rouen. 4-1945 Towed TID29 ex Dieppe to Southampton. 5-1945 Towed 2 barges ex Plymouth to Gravesend. 11-2-1946 Returned to commercial service. 12-8-1946 SS Kedah broke away from tug off St Agnes Head whilst under tow for Antwerp in heavy weather. 10 crew taken off tow by Padstow lifeboat. 1946 Sold to Fairplay Towage & Shipping Co Ltd., London, for £24,000, renamed Fairplay Two. 22-6-1947  Capsized in Flushing Roads whilst assisting SS Kurtanus. 13-8-1947 Salved and towed to Antwerp where she was taken over by the Salvage Association. 1947 Repaired by  Union de Remorquage et de Sauvetage SA., Antwerp. 1948 Sold to Société Chérifienne de Remorquage et d'Assistance., Casablanca, renamed Ifrane. 12-1953  L.R. class withdrawn at owner's request. 1978 Sold for scrapping to Maroc Métaux, Casablanca. 25-9-1978 Scrapping commenced.

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EMPIRE SINEW

 

British commercial tug. Allocated to SNO Portland to tow Bombardons.

 

Built 1942 by Scott and Sons, Bowling. YN365. Warrior class tug. L107.1'. B26.1'. D12.4'. 260grt. 1000ihp 3cylTE 16.5"x27"x45"x30"s coal fired steam engine by Walmsleys [Bury] Ltd. ON168740 Callsign MPRL

14-7-1942  Launched. 5-12-1942 Completed for MoWT, Overseas Towage & Salvage Co., London appointed managers. Employed on Naval duties with South Atlantic Command. 9-1944 Transferred to South West African Command.  1-1946 Entreprise Ossude SA.,  Oran appointed managers and served with Mediterranian Command on Naval duties. 1948 Sold to Union des Remorqueurs de l'Océan,  Dakar, renamed Faidherbe. 1951 Converted to oil firing. 1954 Sold to The Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd., Port Adelaide. 24-10-1954 Departed Capetown for Mauritius following boiler repairs.  25-10-1954 Requested assistance due to boiler trouble. 27-10-1954 Transmitted distress call due to heavy list, 230 miles SW of Port Elizabeth. . 28-10-1954 Air Sea Rescue search initiated and later wreckage and oil slick found at positiion 34.32S 21.32E. 1-11-1954 A lifeboat washed up at Still Bay, 200 miles east of  Capetown and vessel presumed lost along with crew of 14, 12 of whom were Britons emigrating to Australia and New Zealand.
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 EMPIRE SOPHY

 

British commercial tug. Allocated to SNO Selsey for towing Phoenix and Whale units.

 

Built 1943 by Goole Shipbuilding and Repairing Co., Goole. YN401. Modified Warrior/Roach class tug. L105.8'. B30.1'. D12.5'. 261grt. 1000ihp 3cylTE 16.5"x28.5"x47"x30"s oil fired steam engine by Amos and Smith Ltd., Hull. ON180117. Callsign GSTV.

13-12-1943 Launched. 6-1944 Completed for MoWT, Overseas Towage & Salvage Co Ltd., London appointed managers. 6-6-1944 Allocated to tow/escort blockships in group 5 of operation corncob. 12-1944 Towed pierhead Arromanche to Portsmouth. 17-2-1945 Allocated to relieve Empire Race at Calais. 27-3-1945 Departed Antwerp in convoy ATM106. 28-3-1945 Arrived Southend. 4-1945 Towed barges Chalkwell Park and Eton ex Southampton to Gravesend. 4-1945 Towed 10 ton crane ex Dartmouth to Plymouth. 4-1945 Towed LCT7072 ex London to Southampton. 4-1945 Towed trawler Trojan ex Portsmouth to Plymouth. 4-1945 Towed 2 insulated barges ex Plymouth to Gravesend. 5-1945 Towed barge HAM635 ex Portsmouth to Flushing. 6-1945 Towed hopper Tatem 1 ex Terneuzen to Gravesend. 6-1945 Towed 2 BK barges ex Plymouth to Antwerp.  5-1945 Engaged in coastal towing ops. 21-6-1945 Released from COTUG control to Director of Sea Towing. 25-8-1945 Handed over to Pedder & Mylchreest Ltd., London  for delivery to Trincomalee. 31-5-1947 Permanently allocated to UK Admiralty  renamed Behest. 1950 Transferred to Colombo Port Authority. 1962 Reported submerged in Colombo harbour. 1966 No longer listed in LR 

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British commercial tug. Allocated to SNO Selsey for towing Phoenix and Whale units.

 

Built 1943 by Cochrane and Sons Ltd, Selby. YN1274. Hoedic class tug. LL105.2'. B26.6'. D12.2'. 274grt. 1000ihp 3cylTE 15"x25"x42"x27"s 200psi oil fired steam engine by Amos and Smith Ltd., Hull. ON169353 Callsign MGRK

 

3-9-1943 Launched. 18-1-1944 Completed for MoWT, United Towing Co Ltd., Hull appointed managers, engaged on coastal towing operations. 6-6-1944 Allocated to tow/escort blockships in group 3 of Operation Corncob. 8-6-1944 Damaged prop whilst on Solent ammunitioning duty. 13-6-1944 21.00 Arrived Mulberry A towing whale unit S16/L1. 22.20 Released.  25-2-1945 Departed Antwerp in convoy ATM75. 26-2-1945 Arrived Southend. 15-4-1945 Departed Antwerp with convoy ATM125. 16-4-1945 Arrived Southend. 4-6-1945 Released from COTUG control. 7-1945 Handed over to Pedder & Mylchreest Ltd., London, for  delivery from Gibraltar to Bombay and later to Townsend Brothers Ferries Ltd.,London for onward delivery to Bangkok. 1945 Sold to Government of Thailand, renamed Samaesan and transferred to the Royal Thai Navy, renamed YTB 7. 1983 Reported scrapped.