SS Empire Cobbett explained

SS Empire Cobbett was a tanker which was built in 1942 by Furness Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Haverton Hill-on-Tees for the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). In 1946 she was sold into merchant service and renamed San Wilfrido. She was scrapped in 1959.

Description

The ship was built by Furness Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Haverton Hill-on-Tees,[1] as yard number 350.[2] She was launched on 19 November 1942[1] and completed in December 1942.

She was 483feet long, with a beam of 68feet and a depth of 36feet. She had a GRT of 9,811 and a NRT of 5,779.[3]

The ship was propelled by a triple expansion steam engine, which had cylinders of 27inches, 44inches and 76inches diameter by 48inches stroke. The engine was built by Richardsons, Westgart & Co Ltd, Hartlepool.[3]

History

Empire Cobbett was built for the MoWT,[1] who placed her under the management of Eagle Oil and Shipping Company Ltd, Middlesbrough.[2] Her port of registry was Middlesbrough. The Code Letters BFFN and United Kingdom Official Number 164861 were allocated.[3]

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

HX 249Convoy HX 249 sailed from New York City on 23 July 1943 and reached Liverpool on 6 August. Empire Cobbett was bound for Avonmouth, Somerset.[4]
HX 255Convoy HX 255 departed New York on 2 September 1943 and arrived at Liverpool on 16 September. Empire Cobbett was bound for Stanlow Refinery, Ellesmere Port.[5]
HX 313Convoy HX 313 departed New York on 10 October 1944 and arrived at Liverpool on 24 October 1944. Empire Cobbett was due to have joined this convoy, bound for Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire.[6]

In 1946 Empire Cobbett was sold to Eagle Oil & Shipping Co Ltd, London,[2] who renamed her San Wilfrido and changed her port of registry to London.[7] Her name came from an earlier, which had been launched for Eagle Oil in 1914 and sunk by a mine that same year.

She served until 1959, arriving on 10 November at Hong Kong for scrapping by Four Seasons Enterprises.[1]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Mitchell . W.H. . Sawyer . L.A. . 1995 . The Empire Ships . not cited . Lloyd's of London Press Ltd . London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong . 1-85044-275-4.
  2. Web site: Empire Cobbett . Tees built ships . 26 April 2010.
  3. Web site: Lloyd's Register, Steamers & Motorships . Plimsoll Ship Data . 26 April 2010.
  4. Web site: Convoy HX 249 . Warsailors . 26 April 2010.
  5. Web site: Convoy HX 255 . Warsailors . 26 April 2010.
  6. Web site: Convoy HX 313 . Warsailors . 26 April 2010.
  7. Web site: Lloyd's Register, Steamers & Motorships . Plimsoll Ship Data . 26 April 2010.