SS Empire Celtic

Last updated

History
Name
  • HMS LST 3512 (1945)
  • SS Empire Celtic (1945-56)
  • HMS Empire Celtic (1956)
  • SS Empire Celtic (1945-62)
Owner
  • Royal Navy (1945)
  • Ministry of War Transport (1945)
  • Ministry of Transport (1945-62)
Operator
  • Royal Navy (1945)
  • Atlantic Steam Navigation Co Ltd (1946-56)
  • Royal Navy (1956)
  • Atlantic Steam Navigation Co Ltd (1956-60)
Port of registry
  • Naval ensign of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Navy (1946-48)
  • Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg London (1948-56)
  • Naval ensign of the United Kingdom.svg Royal Navy (1956)
  • Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg London (1956-60)
Route
  • Tilbury - Hamburg (1946-55)
  • Tilbury - Rotterdam (1955-60)
Ordered1 February 1944
Builder Davie Shipbuilding, Lauzon
Launched25 April 1945
CompletedSeptember 1945
Commissioned7 August 1945
Out of service1960
FateScrapped 1962
General characteristics
Class & type
  • Landing Ship, Tank (LST 3514)
  • Ferry (Empire Celtic)
Tonnage
Length347 ft 6 in (105.92 m)
Beam55 ft 3 in (16.84 m)
Draught12 ft 5 in (3.78 m)
Installed powerTriple expansion steam engine
PropulsionScrew propeller
Speed13.5 knots (25.0 km/h)

Empire Celtic was a ferry which was built in 1945 as Landing Ship, Tank LST 3512 for the Royal Navy. In 1946 she was chartered by the Atlantic Steam Navigation Company Ltd, converted to a ferry and renamed Empire Celtic. In 1956, she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy for a few months during the Suez Crisis as HMS Empire Cedric. She served until 1960 and was scrapped in 1965.

Contents

Description

The ship was ordered on 1 February 1944. [1] She was built by Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Lauzon, Quebec, [2] as yard number 335. [3] She was launched on 25 April 1945, [4] and completed in September. [2]

The ship was 347 feet 6 inches (105.92 m) long, with a beam of 55 feet 3 inches (16.84 m) and a depth of 12 feet 5 inches (3.78 m). [1]

The ship was propelled by a triple expansion steam engine. [2] The engine was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway. [4] It could propel her at 13.5 knots (25.0 km/h). [1]

History

LST 3512 was commissioned into the Royal Navy on 7 August 1945. [5] In 1946, she was chartered by the Atlantic Steam Navigation Co Ltd. [4] She was rebuilt as a ferry by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Tilbury. [2] She entered service on trooping duties on the Tilbury - Hamburg route. I 1955, the route was changed to Tilbury - Rotterdam. [6] In 1956, Empire Celtic took part in Operation Musketeer. [5] She was used to bring vehicles back to the United Kingdom from Egypt. Due to weather damage Empire Celtic had to divert to Malta for repairs. [7] Empire Celtic was withdrawn from service in 1960. She was sold on 10 August 1962, [5] and scrapped at La Spezia, Italy. [4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "HMS LST 3512". Warships. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Mitchell, W.H.; Sawyer, L.A. (1995). The Empire Ships. London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong: Lloyd's of London Press Ltd. ISBN   1-85044-275-4.
  3. ↑ "FURNESS SHIPBUILDING COMPANY LTD., HAVERTON HILL". Tees Built Ships. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "LST (Landing Ship Tank/Troop)". Luton & District Model Boat Club. Archived from the original on 29 August 2008. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
  5. 1 2 3 "LST 3512". Old Ships. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
  6. ↑ "The 'Empire' Class, the pioneer ships of Roll on / Roll off ferries". The Maritime Steam Restoration Trust. Archived from the original on 27 December 2008. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
  7. ↑ "British Units involved in the Suez crisis". Britain's Small Wars. Archived from the original on 5 February 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
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