Empire Birch was a tug built in 1941 for the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). In 1942 she struck a mine and sank.
Empire Birch was built by Henry Scarr Ltd, Hessle.[1] She was yard number 418 and was launched on 9 August 1941 with completion on 12 December. She was 106feet long, with a beam of 26feet and a draught of 11feet. Her GRT was 245 with a NRT of 229.[2]
Empire Birch was operated by the MoWT, her port of registry was Hull.[2] She was the lead ship of the Birch-class tugs.[3] On 10 August 1942, Empire Birch hit a mine in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Portuguese East Africa 150nmi north of Lourenço Marques (-24.75°N 81°W). Although she was beached and abandoned, Empire Birch slid off the beach and sank in deep water.[1]
Official Numbers were a forerunner to IMO Numbers. Empire Bermuda had the UK Official Number 167111 and the Code Letters BCMV.[2]
Empire Birch was propelled by a triple expansion steam engine which had cylinders of 16inches, 26inches and 43inches bore by 30inches stroke. It was built by the O D Holmer & Co, Hull.[2]