SS Empire Cameron explained

Empire Cameron was a cargo ship which was built in 1941 for the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). She was sold in 1946 and renamed St Margaret. In 1960, she was sold and renamed Agna, serving until scrapped in 1963.

Description

The ship was built by William Denny & Bros Ltd, Dumbarton, as yard number 1358. She was launched on 19 November 1941 and completed in December.[1]

The ship was 432feet long, with a beam of 56feet and a depth of 34feet. Her GRT was 7,015 and she had a NRT of 5,175. Her DWT was 9,207.[2] She was propelled by a triple expansion steam engine which had cylinders of NaNinches, NaNinches and 68inches diameter by 48inches stroke. The engine was built by J G Kincaid Ltd, Greenock.[3]

History

Empire Cameron was built for the MoWT. She was placed under the management of F C Strick & Co Ltd. The Code Letters BCRW were allocated.[3] Her Official Number was 168704.[4]

On 10 August 1942, Spitfire Vb EP192 was loaded onto Empire Cameron as part of her cargo. It was delivered to Takoradi, Gold Coast on 15 September.[5]

Convoys

Empire Cameron was a member of a number of convoys during the Second World War.

ONS 100Convoy ONS 100 was a North Atlantic convoy that departed Liverpool on 2 June 1942 bound for Cape Cod.
MKS 4Convoy MKS 4 departed Algiers, Algeria on 24 December 1942 bound for Liverpool.[6]
MKS 8Convoy MKS 8 departed Gibraltar on 22 February 1943 bound for Liverpool. Empire Cameron was on a voyage from Algiers and joined the convoy at Gibraltar.[6]
MKS 13GConvoy MKS 13G departed Gibraltar on 22 May 1943 bound for Liverpool. Empire Cameron was carrying a cargo of molybdenum.[6]
MKS 46Convoy MKS 46 departed Oran on 20 April 1944 bound for Liverpool. Empire Cameron was on a voyage from Alexandria, Egypt, joining the convoy at Oran and leaving at her destination of Augusta, Italy.[7]

MKS 48 / MKS 48GConvoy MKS 48 departed Oran on 8 May 1944 bound for Liverpool. Empire Cameron was a member of this convoy. On 10 May 1944, the convoy sailed from Gibraltar under the designation of MKS 48G.[7]

During 1943, management was transferred to Shakespear Shipping Co Ltd.[8] In 1946, Empire Cameron was sold to Shakespear Shipping and renamed St Margaret. She was placed under the management of South American Saint Line. In 1960, St Margaret was sold to Agna Compagnia Navigazione SA, Panama. She was renamed Agna, serving until 1963. She arrived at Yawata, Japan on 17 July 1963 for scrapping.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Mitchell, W H, and Sawyer, L A. 1995. The Empire Ships. Lloyd's of London Press Ltd. London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong. 1-85044-275-4.
  2. Web site: Launched 1941: ss EMPIRE CAMERON . https://web.archive.org/web/20050427123111/http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=11658. usurped. 27 April 2005. Clydesite . 26 February 2010.
  3. Web site: LLOYD'S REGISTER, NAVIRES A VAPEUR ET A MOTEURS . Plimsoll Ship Data . 26 February 2010.
  4. Web site: LLOYD'S REGISTER, NAVIRES A VAPEUR ET A MOTEURS . Plimsoll Ship Data . 26 February 2010.
  5. Web site: Spitfire aircraft production, page 037 . Spitfires . 26 February 2010.
  6. Web site: MKS Convoys – November 1942-1945, MKS 1 through MKS 30 . Warsailors . 26 February 2010.
  7. Web site: MKS Convoys – November 1942-1945, MKS 46 through MKS 60 . Warsailors . 26 February 2010.
  8. Web site: LLOYD'S REGISTER, STEAMERS & MOTORSHIPS . Plimsoll Ship Data . 26 February 2010.