The ship was built by John Lewis & Sons Ltd, Aberdeen. She was launched on 18 December 1944 and completed in February 1945.[1]
The ship was 205feet long, with a beam of 32feet and a depth of 13feet. She had a GRT of 1,051and a NRT of 586.[2]
The ship was propelled by a triple expansion steam engine that had cylinders of 14inches inches (57 cm), 24inches and 40inches diameter by 27inches stroke.[2]
Empire Chelsea was built for the MoWT[1] She was placed under the management of Onesimus Dorey & Sons Ltd, Guernsey.[2] [3] The Code Letters GDTQ and United Kingdom Official Number 180987 were allocated. Her port of registry was Aberdeen.[2]
In 1947, Empire Chelsea was sold to the Hull Gates Shipping Co Ltd, Hull and was renamed Humbergate. She was operated under the management of Craggs & Jenkins Ltd. In 1955, Humbergate was sold to Efford Shipping Co Ltd and was renamed Springwear She was operated under the management of Springwell Shipping Co Ltd, London.[1] A further sale in 1959 to the Lynn Shipping Co Ltd, London saw her renamed Lynnwear.[4]
In 1962, Lynnwear was sold to the South Star Corporation, Panama and renamed Dumbo. She was placed under the management of V & J A Ensenat, Spain. In October 1968, Dumbo was placed under arrest at Las Palmas. She was later sold at auction by Court Order. The winning bidder was Naviera del Odiel, SA.[1] However, on 24 November 1968 she was driven ashore at Las Palmas.[4] The ship was declared a constructive total loss and the offer for purchase of the ship was withdrawn by Naviera de Odiel. Ownership of the ship was assumed by the Port Authority at Las Palmas. Dumbo was refloated in May 1969 and beached. She was sold by auction on 10 December 1969. Her new owner intended to convert her to a floating nightclub but the plans were abandoned. The ship was eventually sold to Don Martin Juantey Malvarez and scrapped c1970.[1]