SS Empire Banner explained

Empire Banner was a cargo ship which was built by Bartram & Sons Ltd, Sunderland in 1942 for the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). She was torpedoed by U-77 on 7 February 1943 and sunk later that day by enemy aircraft.

History

Empire Banner was built by Bartram & Sons Ltd, Sunderland as yard number 286. She was launched on 29 June 1942 and completed in September 1942. She was built for the MoWT[1] and was operated under the management of W T Gould & Co Ltd,[2] Cardiff.[3]

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

MKS 3X

Convoy MKS 3X sailed from Bône, Algeria on 3 December 1942 and arrived at Liverpool on 19 December. Empire Banner joined the convoy at Algiers She was fitted with anti-torpedo nets although these were reported as being broken on departure from Algiers.[4]

KMS 8G

Convoy KMS 8G which departed the Clyde on 21 January 1943.[5] Empire Banner was carrying 3,800 tons of military supplies, including tanks and other transport. She had departed from Penarth and was destined for Bône. On 7 February 1943, she was torpedoed by U-77 at 02:00 hours. Her position was .[3] Empire Banner headed for Oran but at 06:00 she was finished off by an enemy aircraft.[6] All 47 crew, 15 DEMS gunners and 10 soldier passengers were rescued by and landed at Algiers.[3]

Official number and code letters

Official Numbers were a forerunner to IMO Numbers.

Empire Banner had the UK Official Number 169083 and used the Code Letters BCXC.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Mitchell, W H, and Sawyer, L A. 1995. The Empire Ships. 24 . Lloyd's of London Press Ltd. London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong. 1-85044-275-4 .
  2. Web site: LLOYD'S REGISTER, STEAMERS & MOTORSHIPS . Plimsoll Ship Data . 8 March 2009.
  3. Web site: Empire Banner . U-boat.net . 8 March 2009.
  4. Web site: CONVOY MKS 3X & MKS 3Y . Warsailors . 8 March 2009.
  5. Web site: Convoy KMS.8G . Convoyweb . 8 March 2009. (Select Convoy KMS 8G from side menu)
  6. Web site: H.M.C.S. Regina K-234 . The Carmody Genealogist . 8 March 2009 . 8 March 2001 . https://web.archive.org/web/20010308095131/http://www.magma.ca/~leprecha/short_history_1963.htm . dead .