MV Empire Drum: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|World War II merchant ship of the United Kingdom}} |
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{{Use British English|date=September 2017}} |
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| Ship in service = |
| Ship in service = |
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| Ship out of service = 24 April 1942 |
| Ship out of service = 24 April 1942 |
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| Ship identification = |
| Ship identification =*United Kingdom [[Official Number]] 169012 <!-- |
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*Code Letters xxxx |
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*{{ICS|xxxx}}{{ICS|xxxx}}{{ICS|xxxx}}{{ICS|xxxx}}--> |
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| Ship fate = |
| Ship fate = Sunk, 24 April 1942 |
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| Ship status = |
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| Ship notes = |
| Ship notes = |
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| Ship |
| Ship type = [[Cargo ship]] |
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| Ship tonnage = |
| Ship tonnage =*{{GRT|7,244}}<!-- |
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*{{NRT|4,850}}--> |
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*10,262 [[deadweight tonnage|DWT]] |
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| Ship displacement = |
| Ship displacement = |
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| Ship length = {{convert|429|ft|m|abbr=on}}<!--{{convert|xx|ft|x|in|m|2}}--> |
| Ship length = {{convert|429|ft|m|abbr=on}}<!--{{convert|xx|ft|x|in|m|2}}--> |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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The ship was built in 1942 by [[William Doxford & Sons|William Doxford & Sons Ltd]], [[Sunderland, Co Durham|Sunderland]].<ref name=Ships>{{cite book |last1= Mitchell |first1=W.H. |last2=Sawyer |first2=L.A. |year=1995 |title=The Empire Ships |page=not cited |publisher= Lloyd's of London Press Ltd |location= London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong |isbn=1-85044-275-4}}</ref> She was yard number 684.<ref name=Bage>{{cite web |url=http://www.johnbage.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Pallion%20Shipyard%20-%20William%20Doxford%20Ship%20Index.htm |title=William Doxford/Pallion Ship Index |publisher=John Bage | |
The ship was built in 1942 by [[William Doxford & Sons|William Doxford & Sons Ltd]], [[Sunderland, Co Durham|Sunderland]].<ref name=Ships>{{cite book |last1= Mitchell |first1=W.H. |last2=Sawyer |first2=L.A. |year=1995 |title=The Empire Ships |page=not cited |publisher= Lloyd's of London Press Ltd |location= London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong |isbn=1-85044-275-4}}</ref> She was yard number 684.<ref name=Bage>{{cite web|url=http://www.johnbage.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Pallion%20Shipyard%20-%20William%20Doxford%20Ship%20Index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301013848/http://www.johnbage.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Pallion%20Shipyard%20-%20William%20Doxford%20Ship%20Index.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 March 2011 |title=William Doxford/Pallion Ship Index |publisher=John Bage |access-date=14 July 2011 }}</ref> |
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The ship was {{convert|429|ft|m}} long, with a beam of {{convert|56|ft|m}}.<ref name=Mariners>{{cite web |url=http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/EmpireD.html |title=EMPIRE - D - E |publisher=Mariners | |
The ship was {{convert|429|ft|m}} long, with a beam of {{convert|56|ft|m}}.<ref name=Mariners>{{cite web |url=http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/EmpireD.html |title=EMPIRE - D - E |publisher=Mariners |access-date=14 July 2011}}</ref> <!--She had a depth of {{convert|xx|ft|x|in|m|2}} and a draught of {{convert|xx|ft|x|in|m|2}}.--> She was assessed at {{GRT|7,244}}<!--, x,xxx [[net register tonnage|NRT]]-->.<ref name=Ships/> Her [[deadweight tonnage|DWT]] was 10,282.<ref name=Bage/> |
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The ship was propelled by a 516 [[nominal horsepower|nhp]] [[diesel engine]].<ref name=Wrecksite>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?11886 |title=MV Empire Drum (+1942) |publisher=Wrecksite | |
The ship was propelled by a 516 [[nominal horsepower|nhp]] [[diesel engine]].<ref name=Wrecksite>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?11886 |title=MV Empire Drum (+1942) |publisher=Wrecksite |access-date=14 July 2011}}</ref><!--, which had x cylinders of {{convert|xxx|mm|in}} diameter by {{convert|xxxx|mm|in}}{{convert|xx|in|cm}} stroke driving a screw [[propeller (ship)|propeller]]. The engine was built by [[builder]], [[location]].--> It could propel her at {{convert|11.5|kn|km/h}}.<ref name=Uboat/> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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''Empire Drum'' was launched on 19 September 1941 and completed in March 1942.<ref name=Ships/> The United Kingdom Official Number 169002 <!--and [[Code Letters]] xxxx were -->was allocated.<ref name=ID>{{cite web |url=http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/ON160000.htm |title=ON 160000 |publisher=Mariners | |
''Empire Drum'' was launched on 19 September 1941 and completed in March 1942.<ref name=Ships/> The United Kingdom [[Official Number]] 169002 <!--and [[Code Letters]] xxxx were -->was allocated.<ref name=ID>{{cite web |url=http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/ON160000.htm |title=ON 160000 |publisher=Mariners |access-date=14 July 2011}}</ref> Her port of registry was Sunderland and she was placed under the management of Chellew Navigation Co Ltd, [[Cardiff]], [[Glamorgan]]. She had a crew of 41. Armament consisted a 4.7-inch gun and six machine guns.<ref name=Uboat>{{cite web |url=http://www.uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/1566.html |title=Empire Drum |publisher=Uboat |access-date=14 July 2011}}</ref> |
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''Empire Drum'' departed from Sunderland on 13 March for the [[River Tyne|Tyne]]. She made her |
''Empire Drum'' departed from Sunderland on 13 March for the [[River Tyne|Tyne]]. She made her maiden voyage on 15 March as a member of Convoy FN 655,<ref name=Port>{{cite web |url=http://convoyweb.org.uk/ports/index.html?search.php?vessel=EMPIRE%20DRUM~armain |title=EMPIRE DRUM |publisher=Convoyweb |access-date=14 July 2011}}</ref> which had departed from [[Southend-on-Sea|Southend]], [[Essex]] the previous day and arrived at [[Methil]], [[Fife]] on 16 March.<ref name=FN655>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/fn/index.html?fn.php?convoy=0655!~fnmain |title=Convoy FN.55 / Phase 7 |publisher=Convoyweb |access-date=14 July 2011}}</ref> The ship was in ballast. She departed from Methil on 18 March as a member of Convoy EN 60, which arrived at [[Oban]], [[Argyllshire]] on 20 March. ''Empire Drum'' returned to Methil with defects.<ref name=EN60>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/en/index.html?en.php?convoy=60!~enmain |title=Convoy EN.60 (Series 2) |publisher=Convoyweb |access-date=14 July 2011}}</ref> Defects rectified, she joined Convoy EN 61, which departed on 20 March and arrived at Oban two days later.<ref name=EN61>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/en/index.html?en.php?convoy=61!~enmain |title=Convoy EN.61 (Series 2) |publisher=Convoyweb |access-date=14 July 2011}}</ref> She then sailed to [[Loch Ewe]]. ''Empire Drum'' then sailed to [[Liverpool]], [[Lancashire]] to join Convoy ON 79,<ref name=Port/> which departed on 23 March and arrived at [[Halifax Regional Municipality|Halifax]], [[Nova Scotia]], Canada on 7 April. Her destination was [[New York City|New York]], [[United States]],<ref name=ON79>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/on/index.html?onz.php?convoy=79!~onzmain |title=Convoy ON.79 |publisher=Convoyweb |access-date=14 July 2011}}</ref> where she arrived on 7 April.<ref name=Port/> |
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''Empire Drum'' was loaded with a cargo of {{convert|6000|LT|t}} of military stores, including a quantity of tyres and {{convert|1270|LT|t}} of explosives. She departed from New York on 23 April bound for [[Alexandria]], Egypt via [[Cape Town]], South Africa. At 23:48 (German time) on 24 April, {{GS|U-136|1941|2}}, under the command of Heinrich Zimmerman, fired two [[torpedo]]es at ''Empire Drum'', which was then {{convert|280|nmi|km}} south east of New York ({{coord|37|00|N|69|15|W|display=inline, title}}). One of them hit in her No. 1 hold on the port side, causing the ship to sink by the bow. All 35 crew and six [[Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship|DEMS]] gunners abandoned ship and took to the four [[lifeboat (shipboard)|lifeboats]] due to the nature of her cargo. At 00:08 on 25 April, ''U-136'' fired a ''coup de grâce'' which hit amidships on the port side. ''Empire Drum'' quickly sank but the explosion wrecked one lifeboat, throwing its four occupants into the sea. They were rescued by one of the other lifeboats. ''U-136'' surfaced and the survivors on board one of the lifeboats were questioned before the submarine left the scene.<ref name=Uboat/> |
''Empire Drum'' was loaded with a cargo of {{convert|6000|LT|t}} of military stores, including a quantity of tyres and {{convert|1270|LT|t}} of explosives. She departed from New York on 23 April bound for [[Alexandria]], Egypt via [[Cape Town]], South Africa. At 23:48 (German time) on 24 April, {{GS|U-136|1941|2}}, under the command of Heinrich Zimmerman, fired two [[torpedo]]es at ''Empire Drum'', which was then {{convert|280|nmi|km}} south east of New York ({{coord|37|00|N|69|15|W|display=inline, title}}). One of them hit in her No. 1 hold on the port side, causing the ship to sink by the bow. All 35 crew and six [[Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship|DEMS]] gunners abandoned ship and took to the four [[lifeboat (shipboard)|lifeboats]] due to the nature of her cargo. At 00:08 on 25 April, ''U-136'' fired a ''coup de grâce'' which hit amidships on the port side. ''Empire Drum'' quickly sank but the explosion wrecked one lifeboat, throwing its four occupants into the sea. They were rescued by one of the other lifeboats. ''U-136'' surfaced and the survivors on board one of the lifeboats were questioned before the submarine left the scene.<ref name=Uboat/> |
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*[http://www.uboat.net/media/allies/merchants/br/empire_drum.jpg Photo of ''Empire Drum''] |
*[http://www.uboat.net/media/allies/merchants/br/empire_drum.jpg Photo of ''Empire Drum''] |
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{{Empire |
{{Empire ships}} |
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{{Maiden voyage sinkings}} |
{{Maiden voyage sinkings}} |
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{{April 1942 shipwrecks}} |
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[[Category:1941 ships]] |
[[Category:1941 ships]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Ships built on the River Wear]] |
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[[Category:Empire ships]] |
[[Category:Empire ships]] |
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[[Category:Ministry of War Transport ships]] |
[[Category:Ministry of War Transport ships]] |
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[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Atlantic Ocean]] |
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Atlantic Ocean]] |
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[[Category:Ships sunk by German submarines in World War II]] |
[[Category:Ships sunk by German submarines in World War II]] |
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[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1942]] |
[[Category:Maritime incidents in April 1942]] |
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Latest revision as of 16:44, 20 March 2024
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Empire Drum |
| Owner | Ministry of War Transport |
| Operator | Chellew Navigation Co Ltd |
| Port of registry |  Sunderland, United Kingdom |
| Builder | William Doxford & Sons Ltd |
| Yard number | 684 |
| Launched | 19 November 1941 |
| Completed | March 1942 |
| Out of service | 24 April 1942 |
| Identification | United Kingdom Official Number 169012 |
| Fate | Sunk, 24 April 1942 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Cargo ship |
| Tonnage | |
| Length | 429 ft (131 m) |
| Beam | 56 ft (17 m) |
| Installed power | 516 nhp |
| Propulsion | Diesel engine |
| Speed | 11.5 knots (21.3 km/h) |
| Crew | 35, plus 6 DEMS gunners |
| Armament | 4.7-inch gun, six machine guns |
Location where Empire Drum was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of the United States.
Empire Drum was a 7,244 GRT cargo ship that was built in 1941 by William Doxford & Sons Ltd, Sunderland, Co Durham, United Kingdom for the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). Completed in March 1942, she had a short career, being torpedoed and sunk on 24 April 1942 by U-136.
Description
[edit]The ship was built in 1942 by William Doxford & Sons Ltd, Sunderland.[1] She was yard number 684.[2]
The ship was 429 feet (131 m) long, with a beam of 56 feet (17 m).[3] She was assessed at 7,244 GRT.[1] Her DWT was 10,282.[2]
The ship was propelled by a 516 nhp diesel engine.[4] It could propel her at 11.5 knots (21.3 km/h).[5]
History
[edit]Empire Drum was launched on 19 September 1941 and completed in March 1942.[1] The United Kingdom Official Number 169002 was allocated.[6] Her port of registry was Sunderland and she was placed under the management of Chellew Navigation Co Ltd, Cardiff, Glamorgan. She had a crew of 41. Armament consisted a 4.7-inch gun and six machine guns.[5]
Empire Drum departed from Sunderland on 13 March for the Tyne. She made her maiden voyage on 15 March as a member of Convoy FN 655,[7] which had departed from Southend, Essex the previous day and arrived at Methil, Fife on 16 March.[8] The ship was in ballast. She departed from Methil on 18 March as a member of Convoy EN 60, which arrived at Oban, Argyllshire on 20 March. Empire Drum returned to Methil with defects.[9] Defects rectified, she joined Convoy EN 61, which departed on 20 March and arrived at Oban two days later.[10] She then sailed to Loch Ewe. Empire Drum then sailed to Liverpool, Lancashire to join Convoy ON 79,[7] which departed on 23 March and arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on 7 April. Her destination was New York, United States,[11] where she arrived on 7 April.[7]
Empire Drum was loaded with a cargo of 6,000 long tons (6,100 t) of military stores, including a quantity of tyres and 1,270 long tons (1,290 t) of explosives. She departed from New York on 23 April bound for Alexandria, Egypt via Cape Town, South Africa. At 23:48 (German time) on 24 April, U-136, under the command of Heinrich Zimmerman, fired two torpedoes at Empire Drum, which was then 280 nautical miles (520 km) south east of New York (37°00′N 69°15′W / 37.000°N 69.250°W). One of them hit in her No. 1 hold on the port side, causing the ship to sink by the bow. All 35 crew and six DEMS gunners abandoned ship and took to the four lifeboats due to the nature of her cargo. At 00:08 on 25 April, U-136 fired a coup de grâce which hit amidships on the port side. Empire Drum quickly sank but the explosion wrecked one lifeboat, throwing its four occupants into the sea. They were rescued by one of the other lifeboats. U-136 surfaced and the survivors on board one of the lifeboats were questioned before the submarine left the scene.[5]
The sea conditions were slight, with a good breeze blowing. At daybreak the lifeboats headed west. One lifeboat, containing the captain and 13 crew was spotted by the Swedish merchant ship Venezia on 26 April. The survivors were landed at New York the next day. The survivors on board second lifeboat, containing the chief officer and 13 crew were rescued by USS Roper on 29 April, having been spotted at 37°47′N 71°28′W / 37.783°N 71.467°W by an aircraft. The survivors on board the third lifeboat were rescued by USS Roper on 1 May. They were just 15 nautical miles (28 km) off the coast of the United States, having sailed for 265 nautical miles (491 km). Those rescued by USS Roper were landed at Norfolk, Virginia on 1 May.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Mitchell, W.H.; Sawyer, L.A. (1995). The Empire Ships. London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong: Lloyd's of London Press Ltd. p. not cited. ISBN 1-85044-275-4.
- ^ a b "William Doxford/Pallion Ship Index". John Bage. Archived from the original on 1 March 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ "EMPIRE - D - E". Mariners. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ "MV Empire Drum (+1942)". Wrecksite. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Empire Drum". Uboat. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ "ON 160000". Mariners. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ a b c "EMPIRE DRUM". Convoyweb. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ "Convoy FN.55 / Phase 7". Convoyweb. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ "Convoy EN.60 (Series 2)". Convoyweb. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ "Convoy EN.61 (Series 2)". Convoyweb. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
- ^ "Convoy ON.79". Convoyweb. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
