British Cavalier was a tanker that was built in 1942 for the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) as Empire Cavalier. In 1945, she was sold to the British Tanker Co Ltd and renamed British Cavalier, serving until 1959 when she was scrapped.
The ship was built by Sir J Laing & Sons Ltd, Sunderland. She was launched on 27 August 1942 and completed in November.[1]
The ship was 482feet long, with a beam of 68feet and a depth of 36feet. She had a GRT of 9,891 and a NRT of 5,912.[2]
She was propelled by a 4-stroke Single Cycle Single Action diesel engine which had eight cylinders NaNinches diameter by NaNinches stroke. The engine was built by Hawthorn, Leslie & Co Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Empire Castle was built for the MoWT. She was placed under the management of Mungo Campbell & Co Ltd. She was allocated the United Kingdom Official Number 169033. The Code Letters BFCF were allocated and her port of registry was Sunderland.[2]
Empire Cavalier was a member of a number of convoys during the Second World War.
In 1945, Empire Cavalier was sold to the British Tanker Co Ltd and renamed British Cavalier. She served until 1957, and was laid up on 13 November at Swansea. On 23 May 1959, she arrived at Briton Ferry for scrapping.[1]