SS Empire Beaumont explained

Empire Beaumont was a British cargo ship which was built by Furness Shipbuilding Ltd, Haverton Hill-on-Tees in 1942. She was owned by the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) and managed by W Runciman & Co Ltd. Empire Beaumont had a short career, being sunk on 13 September 1942 while a member of Convoy PQ 18.

Description

Empire Beaumont was built by Furness Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Haverton Hill-on-Tees.[1] She was yard number 345 and was laid down on 15 August 1941 Empire Beatrice was launched on 31 March 1942 and completed in June that year. She had a GRT of 7,044.[1] Her port of registry was Middlesbrough. Empire Beaumont was managed by W Runciman & Co Ltd for the MoWT.

Career

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

UR 32onvoy UR 32 sailed from Loch Ewe on 11 July 1942 and was destined for Reykjavík, Iceland. Arrival was on or about 16 July.[2]
PQ 18Convoy PQ 18 sailed from Loch Ewe on 2 September 1942 and arrived at Archangelsk on 12 September.[3] At 15:15 on 13 September, Empire Beaumont was attacked by Heinkel He 111 aircraft of KG26 and torpedoed.[1] [4] Empire Beaumont was still afloat at 16:45 although it was believed that she had sunk by 18:30. Thirty-three survivors were rescued by . The majority of them were transferred to and five were landed at Archangelsk for transfer to .[4] Those lost on Empire Beaumont are commemorated at the Tower Hill Memorial, London.[5]

Official Numbers and Code Letters

Official numbers were a forerunner to IMO Numbers. Empire Beaumont had the UK Official Number 164854 and used the Code Letters BDWD.[6]

Propulsion

Empire Beaumont was propelled by a triple expansion steam engine which had cylinders of NaNinches, 39inches, and 70inches diameter by 48inches stroke. It was built by Richardsons, Westgarth & Co Ltd, Hartlepool.[6]

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: CONVOY UR 32 . Warsailors . 20 October 2009.
  3. Web site: Convoy PQ.18 . Convoyweb . 20 October 2009.
  4. Web site: Convoy PQ18 . Halcyon Class Ships . 20 September 2009.
  5. Web site: Ship Index A-F . Brian Watson . 20 May 2011.
  6. Web site: LLOYD'S REGISTER, NAVIRES A VAPEUR ET A MOTEURS . 20 October 2009.

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