View source for List of Empire ships (A)

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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{#section-h:Lists of Empire ships}}
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==''Empire Abbey''==
''[[Empire Abbey]]'' was a 7,032 [[Gross Register Tonnage|GRT]] [[Reefer ship|refrigerated cargo ship]] built in 1943 by Shipbuilding Corporation Ltd, [[Newcastle upon Tyne]] and managed by [[Fyffes Line|Elder & Fyffes Ltd]]. Sold to [[Royal Mail Steam Packet Company|Royal Mail Lines]] and renamed ''Teviot'' in 1946. Sold to Mullion & Co., [[Hong Kong]] in 1960 and renamed ''Ardellis''. Sold to Hai An Shipping Co., [[Hong Kong]] and renamed ''Tung An'' in 1963. Scrapped in Taiwan in 1967.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=104}}
==''Empire Abercorn''==
[[File:StateLibQld 1 70623 Rakaia (Ship).jpg|thumb|left|''Rakaia'', ex-''[[Empire Abercorn]]'']]
''[[Empire Abercorn]]'' was an 8,563 GRT refrigerated cargo ship built in 1945 by [[Harland & Wolff]], [[Belfast]] and managed by the [[New Zealand Shipping Company]] of [[London]]. Sold to New Zealand Shipping Co. in 1946 and renamed ''Rakaia''. Sold to Federal Steam Navigation Co. in 1966. Scrapped in Hong Kong in 1971.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=184}}
==''Empire Ability''==
''[[Empire Ability]]'' was a 7,603 GRT [[cargo ship]] built in 1931 by [[Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau AG]], [[Bremen]]. Originally owned by [[Hansa Line]], [[Bremen]] and named ''Uhenfels''. Captured by [[HMS Hereward (H93)|HMS ''Hereward'']] off [[Freetown]] 5 November 1940. Renamed ''Empire Ability'', managed by [[Elder Dempster Lines]]. Sunk by [[German submarine U-96 (1940)|''U-96'']] 27 June 1941 at {{coord|23|50|N|21|10|W}}.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=431}}
==''Empire Ace''==
''[[Empire Ace]]'' was a 276 GRT coastal [[tug]] built by Cochrane & Sons, [[Selby]]. Launched on 12 September 1942 and completed in December 1942. Sent to [[Malta]] where she was sunk in an air raid on 15 March 1944. Salvaged on 10 May and repaired. To the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] in 1947 and renamed ''Diligent''. To the [[Secretary of State for Defence]] in 1961 and renamed ''Empire Ace''. On loan to the [[United States Navy|US Navy]]. To [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] in December 1964. Ran aground at [[Campbeltown]] on 11 November 1968 and abandoned. Refloated in June 1969 but a constructive total loss. Scrapped at Campbeltown in 1971.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=310}}
==''Empire Activity'' (I)==
{{SS|Empire Activity||2}} was a 5,287 GRT cargo ship built in 1919 by [[Swan Hunter|Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd.]], [[Wallsend]]. Originally named ''Belgian'' and owned by [[Frederick Richards Leyland|Frederick Leyland Line]], [[Liverpool]]. Sold in 1934 to Achille Lauro, [[Naples]] and renamed ''Amelia Lauro''. Seized at [[Immingham]] 10 June 1940. Renamed ''Empire Activity'' in 1941, managed by Galbraith, Pembroke & Co. Wrecked off Newfoundland 3 October 1943.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|pp=431-32}}
==''Empire Activity'' (II)==
[[File:HMS Activity.jpg|thumb|left|HMS ''Activity'', ex-''[[Empire Activity]]'']]
{{MV|Empire Activity||2}} was a 14,250 GRT refrigerated cargo ship built 1940–42 by [[Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company|Caledon Shipyards]], [[Dundee]]. She was laid down as ''Telemachus'' and requisitioned as ''Empire Activity''. Completed as escort aircraft carrier [[HMS Activity (D94)|HMS ''Empire Activity'']], quickly renamed HMS ''Activity''. Later converted to merchantman MV ''Breconshire'', scrapped in Mihara, Japan in April 1967
==''Empire Addison''==
''[[Empire Addison]]'' was a 7,010 GRT cargo ship built in 1940 by [[Lithgows|Lithgows Ltd.]], [[Port Glasgow]]. Operated by T & J Harrison, Liverpool. Sold in 1945 to T & J Harrison and renamed ''Philosopher''. Sold in 1959 to Concordia Shipping Corporation, [[Liberia]] and renamed ''Aiolos''. Scrapped in Hong Kong in 1963.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=88}}
==''Empire Aden''==
''[[Empire Aden]]'' was a 7,308 GRT cargo ship built in 1945 by [[Bartram & Sons Ltd]]., Sunderland and managed by H Hogarth & Sons. Management passed to A Weir & Co., London in 1946. Sold to A Weir & Co. in 1948 and renamed ''Etivebank''. Sold to Alcyone Shipping Co., London in 1956 and renamed ''Alcyone Fortune''. Sold to Pan Norse Steamship Co., [[Panama]] in 1958 and renamed ''Northern Venture''. Ran aground off [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]] 9 June 1967 and declared a total loss.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=25}}
==''Empire Admiral''==
[[File:Ssbenledi SSEmpireAdmiral.jpg|thumb|''Benledi'', ex-''[[Empire Admiral]]'' (1951)]]
''[[Empire Admiral]]'' was a 7,842 GRT cargo ship built in 1945 by [[Vickers-Armstrongs|Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd]], [[Barrow in Furness]] and managed by [[Blue Funnel Line|Alfred Holt & Co]]. Management passed to Glen Line in 1945 and to Kaye, Son & Co., London in 1947. Sold in 1947 to Dalhousie Steam and Motorship Co and renamed ''Peter Dal''. Sold in 1951 to Ben Line Steamers, [[Edinburgh]], passing to E G Thomson Ltd in 1953. Sold in 1963 to Andros Navigation Co, [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]] and renamed ''Andros Tommeno''. Sold to Frank Shipping Co., Liberia in 1963 and then to Unique Maritime Corporation, Liberia in 1966 and renamed ''Unique Carrier''. Scrapped in [[Taiwan]] in 1969.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=192}}
==''Empire Adur''==
''[[Empire Adur]]'' was a 1,479 GRT cargo ship built in 1920 by [[J. F. Duthie & Company]], [[Seattle, Washington|Seattle]]. Originally named ''Griffdu'', owned by Universal Steamship & Barge Co., Seattle. Sold to The Charles Nelson Co., [[San Francisco]] in 1925 and then to the Union Lumber Co., San Francisco in 1935 and renamed ''Noyo''. Sold in 1940 to Thia Niyom Panich Co., [[Bangkok]] and renamed ''Nang Suang Nawa''. To MoWT in 1942 and renamed ''Empire Adur'', managed by Singapore Straits Steamship Co. Sold to Thai Maritime Navigation Co., Bangkok in 1948 and renamed ''Nang Suan Nawa''. Lost at sea in 1955 whilst being towed by tug ''Albacore'' en route to Hong Kong for scrapping.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=383}}
==''Empire Adventure''==
''[[Empire Adventure]]'' was a 5,145 GRT cargo ship built in 1921 by Northumberland Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Sunderland. Originally named ''Eastney'', owned by Romney Steamship Co. Ltd., London. Sold in 1924 to L Dreyfus et Compagnie, France and renamed ''Germaine L-D''. sold in 1931 to Società Anonima di Navigazione Corrado, [[Genoa]] and renamed ''Andrea''. Seized off Newcastle upon Tyne in June 1940 and renamed ''Empire Adventure''. Sunk by [[German Submarine U-138 (1904)|''U-138'']] on 20 September 1940 off [[Islay]].{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=432}}
==''Empire Advocate''==
''[[Empire Advocate]]'' was a 5,787 GRT cargo ship built in 1913 by [[Joh. C. Tecklenborg]] [[Aktiengesellschaft|AG]], [[Bremerhaven|Wesermünde]]. Originally named ''Solfels'', owned by Hansa Line, Bremen. Taken as a [[Prize (law)|War prize]] in 1919, managed by H Hogarth & Sons. Sold in 1920 to Lancashire Shipping Co. Sold in 1932 to Achille Lauro & Co., Naples and renamed ''Angelina Lauro''. Seized in Liverpool 23 June 1940 and renamed ''Empire Advocate'', managed by Galbraith, Pembroke & Co., London. Scrapped at [[Bo'ness]] in 1945.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=432}}
==''Empire Aid''==
''Empire Aid'' was a 479 GRT oceangoing tug built by [[Clelands (Successors) Ltd]], Wallsend. Launched on 27 November 1943 and completed in April 1944. Managed by  Overseas Towage & Salvage Co for MoWT. Sold in 1952 to Overseas Towage & Salvage Co and renamed ''Marinia''. Sold in 1954 to [[Kuwait Oil Co.|Kuwait Oil Co. Ltd]] and renamed ''Huda''. Sold in 1965 to H H Deeb, [[Kuwait]]. Scrapped in [[Basra]]h, [[Iraq]] in 1967.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=304}}
==''Empire Airman'' (I)==
''[[SMS Teodo|Empire Airman]]'' was a 6,561 GRT cargo ship built in 1915 by [[Stabilimento Tecnico Triestino]], [[Trieste]]. Originally named ''Teodo'' and owned by the [[Italian Government]] Ministry of Transport. Passed to the Ministry of Marine in 1924 and renamed ''Barbana''. Sold in 1936 to Società Anonima di Navigazione Garibaldi, [[Genoa]] and renamed ''Barbana G''. Captured off Newcastle upon Tyne 10 June 1940. To MoWT, renamed ''Empire Airman''. Torpedoed and sunk by [[German submarine U-100 (1940)|''U-100'']] on 21 September 1940 at approximately {{coord|54|00|N|18|00|W}}.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=432}}
==''Empire Airman'' (II)==
{{SS|Empire Airman|1941|2}} was a 9,813 GRT [[tank ship|tanker]] built in 1942 by Sir J Laing & Sons Ltd, Sunderland. Managed by Eagle Oil Co. Sold in 1946 to Eagle Oil & Transport Co. and renamed ''San Wenceslao''. Scrapped in Hong Kong in 1959.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=147}}
==''Empire Albany''==
''[[Empire Albany]]'' was a 306 GRT [[coastal trading vessel|coaster]] built by Richards Ironworks Ltd., [[Lowestoft]]. Sold in 1946 to Mrs P Dowds, [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. Departed [[Port Talbot]] on 20 November 1946 for [[Rosslare Harbour|Rosslare]] but never arrived. Presumed to have foundered.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=234}}
==''Empire Albatross''==
''[[Empire Albatross]]'' was a 4,714 GRT cargo ship built in 1919 by [[Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation|Bethlehem Steel Corporation]], [[Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard|Sparrows Point]]. Originally named ''Hoxie'' and operated by [[United States Shipping Board Merchant Fleet Corporation|United States Shipping Board]], [[Baltimore]]. Passed to [[United States Maritime Commission]] in 1937 and then to MoWT in 1940 and renamed ''Empire Albatross''. Managed by Sir W Reardon Smith & Sons and then by Dene Management Co. Sold in 1942 to the [[Belgian federal government|Belgian Government]] and renamed ''Belgian Fisherman'', managed by L Dens et Compagnie, [[Antwerp]]. Sold in 1946 to Compagnie Royale Belgique-Argentine SA and renamed ''Belgique''. Sold in 1950 to Hendrik Fisser AG, [[Emden]] and renamed ''Martha Hendrik Fisser''. Scrapped in [[Hamburg]] in 1958.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=418}}
==''Empire Albion''==
''[[Empire Albion]]'' was a 9,875 GRT cargo liner which was built by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engieering Co. Ltd., Dundee. Launched on 23 May 1944 and completed in September 1944 as ''Terbroch'' for the Netherlands Government. Sold in 1946 to Nederlands Amerikaansche Stoomboot Maatschappij, Rotterdam and renamed ''Eemdijk''. Sold in 1960 to Orient Mid-East Line and renamed ''Orient Merchant''. Ran aground in [[Lake Erie]] near [[Port Colborne]], [[Ontario]], Canada. Refloated on 8 May 1965, declared a constructive total loss. Sold to Compagnia Navigazione Labrador S.A., Panama and renamed ''Zambezi''. Arrived at Kaohsiung, Taiwan for breaking on 19 November 1967.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|pp=185-86}}
==''Empire Alde''==
''[[Empire Alde]]'' was a 3,675 GRT refrigerated cargo ship built in 1934 by [[Bremer Vulkan|Bremer Vulkan Schiff- und Maschinenbau]], Bremen. Originally named ''Pelikan'' and operated by [[F. Laeisz]], Hamburg. To [[German Navy]] in 1940. Seized at [[Brunsbüttel]] in 1945. To MoWTin 1946 and renamed ''Empire Alde'', managed by Kaye, Sons & Co. Sold to Elders & Fyffes Ltd in 1946 and renamed ''Pelikan''. Renamed ''Pacuare'' in 1947 and scrapped at [[Troon]] in 1959.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=443}}
==''Empire Alderney''==
''[[Empire Alderney]]'' was a 288 GRT coastal tanker built in 1944 by J Harker Ltd., [[Knottingley]]. Sold in 1946 to Norsk Tankanlaeg A/S, Norway and renamed ''MIL 50''. Sold in 1955 to Partenrederei Max S, Germany and renamed ''Max S''. Sold in 1958 to Marina Mercante Nicaragüense, [[Nicaragua]].Sold in 1959 to Compagnia Maritima Mundial, Nicaragua. Sold in 1980 to Trafford Holdings Ltd., [[Cayman Islands]].{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=284}}
==''Empire Aldgate''==
''[[Empire Aldgate]]'' was a 3,485 GRT heavy lift ship built in 1945 by William Gray & Co. Ltd., [[West Hartlepool]]. Sold in 1946 to the Rodney Steamship Co., London and renamed ''Thackeray''. Sold in 1951 to Silvertown Services Ltd and renamed ''Sugar Refiner''. Sold in 1958 to Valck & Monkton, [[Valparaiso]] and renamed ''San Patrico''. Sold in 1962 to World Maritime Co., Liberia who sold her in 1965 to Altair Maritime Corporation, Liberia. Abandoned at [[Tarragona]] in 1965 and scrapped at [[Cartagena, Spain|Cartagena]] in 1967.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=204}}
==''Empire Alfred''==
''Empire Alfred'' was a 242 GRT oceangoing tug built by J S Watson Ltd., [[Gainsborough, Lincolnshire|Gainsborough]]. Launched on 5 September 1944 and completed in October 1944. Sold in 1946 to the [[Cabinet of France|French Government]] and renamed ''Muscle''. Sold in 1951 to Les Abeilles Compagnie des Remorquage Sauvignon, [[Le Havre]] and renamed ''Abeille No. 22''. Scrapped at Le Havre in June 1969.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=310}}
==''Empire Allenby''==
''[[Empire Allenby]]'' was a 9,904 GRT cargo ship built by [[J.L. Thompson and Sons|J L Thompson & Sons Ltd]], Sunderland. Managed by Prince Line. Sold in 1946 to [[Union-Castle Line|Union Castle Mail Steamship Co. Ltd.]] and renamed ''Drakensberg Castle''. Scrapped in Hong Kong in 1959.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=188}}
==''Empire Alliance''==
''[[Empire Alliance]]'' was a 9,909 GRT tanker built in 1945 by Sir J Laing & Sons Ltd, Sunderland and managed by Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Co., London. Sold in 1945 to British Tanker Co and renamed ''British Dragoon''. Scrapped at [[Blyth, Northumberland|Blyth]] in 1962.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=147}}
==''Empire Almond''==
''[[Empire Almond]]'' was a 6,860 GRT cargo ship built in 1941 by [[Taikoo Dockyard]] & Engineering Co Ltd, Hong Kong and managed by W Runciman & Co. Ltd. Management passed to Coolham Steamship Co. Ltd. in 1943. Sold to Kaye, Son & Co., London in 1946 and renamed ''Marquita''. Renamed ''Marshland'' in 1951, sold in 1960 to [[Polska Żegluga Morska|Polish Steamship Company]], [[Szczecin]] and renamed ''Huta Zgoda''. Converted to a floating warehouse in 1969 and renamed ''MP-Zozie-12'' Scrapped at [[HMNB Clyde|Faslane]] in 1978.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=129}}
==''Empire Amethyst''==
''[[Empire Amethyst]]'' was an 8,032 GRT tanker built in 1941 by [[Furness Shipbuilding Ltd]], [[Haverton Hill|Haverton Hill-on-Tees]]. Torpedoed and sunk by [[German submarine U-154 (1941)|''U-154'']] on 13 April 1942 at {{coord|17|40|N|74|50|W}}.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=138}}
==''Empire Andrew''==
''Empire Andrew'' was a 138 GRT estuary tug built by R Dunston Ltd., [[Thorne, South Yorkshire|Thorne]]. Launched on 27 November 1943 and completed in February 1944. Sold in 1948 to the [[Politics of Poland|Polish Government]] and renamed ''Dzik''. On shipping registers until 1961 when relegated to port work only, scrapped at an unknown date.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=328}}
==''Empire Anglesey''==
''[[Empire Anglesey]]'' was a 288 GRT coastal tanker built in 1945 by J Harker Ltd., Knottingley. Sold in 1946 to A/S Tankskibsrederiet, [[Köpenhamn]], Denmark and renamed ''Abadan''. Sold in 1961 to Celtic Coasters Ltd., [[Dublin]], Ireland and renamed ''Renee J''. Scrapped in [[Cork (city)|Cork]] in 1969.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=284}}
==''Empire Ann''==
''Empire Ann'' was a 232 GRT coastwise tug built in 1942 by A Hall & Co. Ltd., [[Aberdeen]]. Launched on 9 January 1943 and completed in April 1943. Sent to [[Malta]]  during the Second World War. Sold in 1947 to [[United Steel Companies]], [[Sheffield]] and operated by [[Workington]] Harbour & Dock Board, renamed ''Solway''. Arrived for scrapping at [[Fleetwood]] on 21 April 1977.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=308}}
==''Empire Annan''==
''[[Empire Annan]]'' was a 2,385 GRT cargo ship built in 1935 by [[Schichau-Werke|Schichau F GmbH]], [[Elbląg]]. Originally owned by Kohlen-Import & Poseidon Co., [[Königsberg]] and named ''Masuren''. Seized in 1945 at [[Copenhagen]] and renamed ''Empire Annan''. To United States Maritime Commission in 1947 and sold to Fanmaur Shipping & Trading Co., [[New York City|New York]]. Sold in 1950 to T N Ephianiades, Greece and renamed ''Thomas N Ephiphaniades''. Sold in 1952 to J Blumenthal, Hamburg and renamed ''Helga Boge''. Sold in 1960 to Koehn & Bohlmann Rederei, Hamburg and renamed ''Fuhlsbuttel''. Scrapped at Bremerhaven in 1964.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=443}}
==''Empire Antelope''==
''[[Empire Antelope]]'' was a 4,753 GRT cargo ship built in 1919 by [[Todd Drydock and Construction Company]], [[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]]. Originally owned by United States Shipping Board and named ''Ophis''. Renamed ''Bangu'' in 1928. To United States Maritime Commission in 1937 and MoWT in 1941, renamed ''Empire Antelope''. Torpedoed and sunk by [[German submarine U-402|''U-402'']] on 2 February 1942 at {{coord|52|26|N|45|22|W}}.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|pp=408-09}}
==''Empire Antigua''==
''[[Empire Antigua]]'' was a 7,331 GRT cargo ship built in 1946 by Shipbuilding Corporation Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne. Managed by Dodd, Thompson & Co. Sold in 1946 to the South Georgia Co. and renamed ''Culross''. Laid up at [[Gairloch]] in 1958. Sold in 1960 to Navigazione y de Comercio Apolo Ltda, [[Lebanon]] and renamed ''Akastos''. Reflagged to Greece in 1961 and [[Cyprus]] in 1966. Sold in 1967 to Blue Cross Transocean Co., [[Athens]]. Renamed ''Marina'' in 1968 and scrapped in Hamburg.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|pp=105}}
==''Empire Anvil''==
[[File:HMS Rocksand (F184).jpg|thumb|A [[Landing Craft Assault]] (LCA) leaving HMS ''Rocksand'']]
''[[Empire Anvil]]'' was a 7,177 GRT [[Amphibious warfare ship|landing ship]] built in 1943 by the [[Consolidated Steel Corporation]] in [[Wilmington, California]]. Laid down as ''Cape Argos'' and completed as ''Empire Anvil''. To MoWT in 1944, managed by [[Overseas Containers Limited|Furness, Withy & Co]]. To the [[Royal Navy]] in 1944 as HMS ''Rocksand''. Returned to MoWT in 1946 and renamed ''Empire Anvil'', again managed by Furness, Withy & Co. To United States Maritime Commission in 1947. Renamed ''Cape Argos'' in 1948. The proposed sale to China in 1948 was postponed and she was renamed ''Empire Anvil'' in 1950 and laid up in [[James River (Virginia)|James River]], [[Virginia]]. Sold in 1960 to [[China Merchants Group|China Merchants Steam Navigation Co.]], Taiwan, and renamed ''Hai Ya''. Sold in 1973 to Yangming Marine Transport, Taiwan. Scrapped at [[Keelung]] in 1974.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=427}}
==''Empire Archer''==
''[[Empire Archer]]'' was a 7,031 GRT cargo ship built in 1942 by [[Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company]], [[Dunbar]] and managed by Raeburn & Verel Ltd. Sold in 1946 to H Hogarth & Sons, Glasgow and renamed ''Baron Murray''. Sold in 1959 to Cathay Shipping Corporation, Panama, and renamed ''Cathay''. Scrapped at [[Yokosuka]] in 1963.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=35}}
==''Empire Ardle''==
''[[Empire Ardle]]'' was a 2,798 GRT cargo ship laid down by [[Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft]], [[Flensburg]] as ''Sasbeck'' and seized uncompleted at [[Lübeck]]. To MoWT in 1946 as ''Empire Ardle''. Sold to Rodney Steamship Co., London in 1947 and renamed ''Lewis Hamilton''. Sold in 1950 to C H Abramsen, [[Stockholm]] and renamed ''Indus''. Sold in 1968 to C Hultstrom, Stockholm and then to Seabird Navigation Incorporated, Liberia, and renamed ''Falcon''. Sold in 1969 to Lilly Navigation Corporation, Panama and renamed ''Sea Falcon''. Sold to Seabird Navigation Incorporated in 1970, scrapped at [[Avilés]] in 1971.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=443}}
==''Empire Ariel''==
''Empire Ariel'' was a 129 GRT estuary tug built in 1942 by R Dunston Ltd., Thorne. Launched on 20 September 1942 and completed in November 1942. Sold in 1947 to Compagnie Rem. Les Tuyaux Bleus, [[Bordeaux]] and renamed ''Ariel''. Sold in 1951 to J Lasry & Sons, [[Oran]] and renamed ''Jolasry 5''. Sold in 1956 to D Tripcovich & Co., Italy, and renamed ''Velox''. Sold in 1976 to Marittima Farsoura, Italy, renamed ''Manuella F'' and converted to a [[barge]].{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|pp=327-28}}
==''Empire Arnold''==
''[[Empire Arnold]]'' was a 7,045 GRT cargo ship built in 1942 by William Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool. Managed by [[Sir Robert Ropner, 1st Baronet|Sir R Ropner & Co]]. Torpedoed and sunk by [[German submarine U-155 (1941)|''U-155'']] on 4 August 1942 at {{coord|10|45|N|52|30|W}}.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=63}}
==''Empire Arquebus''==
[[File:HMS Cicero (F170).jpg|thumb|HMS ''Cicero'', ex-''[[Empire Arquebus]]'']]
''[[Empire Arquebus]]'' was a 7,177 GRT landing ship laid down as ''Cape St Vincent'' for [[War Shipping Administration|United States War Shipping Administration]] and completed in 1944 by [[Consolidated Steel Corporation]], [[Wilmington, Los Angeles, California|Wilmington]] as ''Empire Arquebus''. Managed by Donaldson, Brothers and Black Ltd., To Royal Navy in 1944 and renamed HMS ''Cicero''. Returned to MoWT in 1945 and renamed ''Empire Arquebus'' under the management of Donaldson, Brothers and Black Ltd. To United States War Shipping Administration in 1946. Sold that year to Société Misr. de Navigatione Maritime, [[Egypt]] and converted to a passenger ship, renamed ''Al Sudan''. Sold in 1959 to [[Government of Egypt|Egyptian Government]] and then sold in 1961 to United Arab Maritime Co., [[United Arab Republic]]. Sold in 1973 to Egyptian Navigation Co., Egypt. Arrived in [[Suez]] in 1980 for scrapping but still extant in 1984.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=427}}
==''Empire Arrow''==
{{MV|Empire Arrow||2}} was a 3,766 GRT intermediate tanker built in 1945 by J L Thompson & Sons, Sunderland. Sold in 1947 to British Tanker Co. and renamed ''British Bugler''. Sold in 1958 to Compagnie d'Armement Maritime, [[Djibouti]] and renamed ''Montmajour''. Sold in 1963 to Greek Tanker Shipping Co., [[Piraeus]] and renamed  ''Mantinia''. Laid up in Piraeus in 1978, scrapped at [[Ampelakia|Kynosoúra]] in 1981.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=152}}
==''Empire Arthur''==
''[[Empire Arthur]]'' was a 780 GRT coastal tanker built in 1942 by [[Grangemouth]] Dockyard Co. Ltd. Capsized and sank off Freetown 22 November 1943 and declared a total loss. Salvaged in 1948 and repaired, becoming ''Merula'', owned by Ape Azionara Petroliere, Italy. Sold in 1951 to F T Everard & Sons and renamed ''Adherity''. Scrapped at [[Lekkerkerk|Nieuw Lekkerkerk]], Netherlands in 1962.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=279}}
==''Empire Arun''==
''[[Empire Arun]]'' was a 5,490 GRT cargo ship built in 1922 by Stabilimento Tecnico Triestino, Trieste. Originally owned by [[Italia Marittima|Lloyd Triestino]] and named ''Savoia''. Captured on 11 February 1941 by Royal Navy at [[Kismayu]], [[Italian Somalia|Italian Somaliland]]. To MoWT in 1942 and renamed ''Empire Arun'', managed by Union-Castle Mail Steamship Co. Sold in 1947 to Goulandris Bros., London and renamed ''Granlake''. Sold in 1949 to Compagnia Maritima del Este, Panama and renamed ''Dryad''. sold in 1951 to Hikari Kisen [[Kabushiki gaisha|K.K.]], [[Tokyo]] and renamed ''Shiranesan Maru''. Sold in 1953 to Mitsi Kinkai Kisen K.K., Tokyo and then in 1955 to Hokuyo Suisan K.K., Tokyo. Sold in 1962 to Nichiro Gyogyo K.K., Tokyo and renamed ''Dainichi Maru''.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=432}}<ref name=Dainichi>{{cite web |url=http://homepage3.nifty.com/jpnships/company/mitsuisenpaku_sengo_list1.htm |title=Shiranesan Maru |publisher=nifty.com |language=ja |access-date=24 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926115353/http://homepage3.nifty.com/jpnships/company/mitsuisenpaku_sengo_list1.htm |archive-date=26 September 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Scrapped at Utsumi-Machi, Japan in 1969.
==''Empire Ash''==
[[File:Sea Alarm.jpg|thumb|Tug ''Sea Alarm'', ex-''[[Empire Ash]]'' (1997)]]
''[[Empire Ash]]'' was a 263 GRT oceangoing tug built in 1941 by [[John Crown & Sons Ltd]], Sunderland.<ref name=Ash>{{cite web|url=http://www.plimsollshipdata.org/pdffile.php?name=43a0196.pdf|title=LLOYDS REGISTER, STEAMERS & MOTORSHIPS UNDER 300 TONS, TRAWLERS &c.|publisher=Plimsoll Ship Data|access-date=1 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302222522/http://www.plimsollshipdata.org/pdffile.php?name=43a0196.pdf|archive-date=2 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Launched on 13 August 1941 and completed in October 1941. Sold in 1946 to Clyde Shipping Co Ltd and renamed ''Flying Fulmar''. sold in 1956 to C J King & Sons Ltd, [[Bristol]] and renamed ''Sea Alarm''. To Welsh Industrial and Maritime Museum in 1973, restored 1978.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=316}}
Scrapped upon the closure of the museum, but engine saved. Questions were asked by the [[Select committee (United Kingdom)|Select committee on Welsh Affairs]] about the scrapping of the tug as there was public outcry at the time.<ref name=Select>{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199899/cmselect/cmwelaf/258/8102609.htm |title=Publications and Records |publisher=UK Parliament Publications |access-date=23 January 2009}}</ref>
==''Empire Asquith''==
''[[Empire Asquith]]'' was a 7,082 GRT cargo ship built in 1944 by Shipbuilding Corporation Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne. Managed by R Chapman & Son. Management passed to [[Counties Ship Management]] Ltd., London in 1946, and ''Empire Asquith'' was sold to them in 1947, renamed ''Brockley Hill''. Sold in 1951 to Crest Shipping Co., Nassau, and renamed ''Starcrest''. Sold in 1957 to Compagnia de Navigazione Phoenix, Panama and renamed ''Argosy'', flying the Liberian flag. Sold in 1958 to Codemar Compagnia de Empresas Maritimas, Panama. Sold in 1960 to Ipar Transport Co., [[Istanbul]] and renamed ''Nezihi Ipar''. Laid up in Istanbul in 1962 and scrapped there in 1970.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=104}}
==''Empire Athelstan''==
''[[Empire Athelstan]]'' was a 7,803 GRT heavy lift ship built in 1946 by Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd., Barrow in Furness and initially managed by [[P Henderson & Company|P Henderson & Co.]] passing to Alfred Holt & Company later in 1946. Sold in 1947 to Ben Line Steamers and renamed ''Benalbanach''. To [[Department for Transport|Ministry of Transport]] in 1965, managed by [[British-India Steam Navigation Company|British India Steam Navigation Co]]. To [[Board of Trade]] Sea Transport Branch in 1969 and then sold to Mercur Shipping Enterprise, Panama and renamed ''Dragon Castle''. Sold in 1975 to Cuatebol Shipping S.A., Panama. Scrapped at [[Split (city)|Split]], [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]] in 1975.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=192}}
==''Empire Atoll''==
''[[Empire Atoll]]'' was a 692 GRT refrigerated coaster built in 1941 by Ardrossan Dockyard Ltd, [[Ardrossan]]. The only refrigerated coaster built during the war. Capacity {{convert|50604|cuft|m3}} refrigerated cargo space. Launched on 12 July 1941 and completed in 1942. Sold in 1946 to Coast Lines Ltd., and renamed ''Hadrian Coast''. Sold in 1967 to E Davidou, Greece. Ran aground at Mehidia, [[Morocco]] on 10 January 1970 after suffering engine trouble and declared a total loss.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=227}}
==''Empire Attendant''==
''[[Empire Attendant]]'' was an 8,441 GRT passenger ship built in 1921 by Barclay, Curle & Co., Glasgow. Originally owned by British India Steam Navigation Co. and named ''Domala''. Beached in the [[Solent]] 2 February 1940 after being bombed and set on fire. Rebuilt as a cargo ship for MoWT and renamed ''Empire Attendant'', managed by Andrew Weir & Co Ltd (Bank Line). Torpedoed and sunk on 15 July 1942 by [[German submarine U-582|''U-582'']] at {{coord|23|48|N|21|51|W}}.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=384}}
==''Empire Audacity''==
[[File:HMS Audacity (D10).jpg|thumb|HMS ''Audacity'', ex-''[[Empire Audacity]]'']]
''[[Empire Audacity]]'' was a 5,537 GRT cargo ship built in 1939 by Bremer Vulkan, Bremen. Originally named ''Hannover'' and owned by [[Hapag-Lloyd|North German Lloyd Line]]. Captured on 7 March 1940 by Royal Navy off [[Dominica]]. To MoWT, renamed ''Sinbad'', then ''Empire Audacity'', managed by [[Cunard Line|Cunard White Star Line]]. Converted to an [[escort carrier|escort aircraft carrier]] in 1941, to Royal Navy as {{HMS|Audacity}}. Torpedoed and sunk on 23 December 1941 by {{GS|U-751||2}} at {{coord|43|45|N|19|54|W}}.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|pp=432-33}}
==''Empire Audrey''==
''Empire Audrey'' was a 657 GRT coastal tanker built in 1943 by G Brown & Co Ltd, [[Greenock]]. Launched on 23 February 1942 and completed in June 1943. Sold in 1946 to F T Everard & Sons Ltd., London, and renamed ''Audacity''. Grounded on 11 January 1967 near the Terschelling Bank Light Vessel, [[Netherlands]] ({{coord|52|21|N|05|06|E}}). Her bottom was damaged and she was flooded. Refloated on 21 January and towed to [[Harlingen, Netherlands|Harlingen]] where temporary repairs were carried out. Towed to [[Greenhithe, Kent]] 25 January. Sold for scrap at a later date. Scrapped in August 1969 at [[Boom, Antwerp|Boom]], Belgium.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=292}}
==''Empire Austen''==
''[[Empire Austen]]'' was a 7,057 GRT cargo ship built in 1942 by Lithgows Ltd, Port Glasgow. Managed by Honeyman & Co until 1946 when management passed to [[Counties Ship Management]] (CSM). She was sold to CSM in 1949 and renamed ''Frinton''. Sold to Crest Shipping Co., Nassau in 1951 and renamed  ''Freecrest''. Sold in 1955 to International Navigation Corporation, Liberia and renamed ''Fairwater''. Sold in 1961 to Surrendra Private Ltd., [[Calcutta]] and renamed ''APJ Usha''. Scrapped in India 1961.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=88}}
==''Empire Avocet''==
''[[Empire Avocet]]'' was a 5,963 GRT refrigerated cargo ship built in 1919 by the [[Moore Dry Dock Company|Moore Shipbuilding Co.]], [[Oakland, California|Oakland]]. Originally owned by United States Shipping Board and named ''Cotati''. To United States Maritime Commission in 1937 and MoWT in 1942, managed by New Zealand Shipping Co. Torpedoed and sunk on 29 September 1942 by [[German submarine U-125 (1940)|''U 125'']] at {{coord|04|05|N|13|23|W}}.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=410}}
==''Empire Ayr''==
''[[Empire Ayr]]'' was a 5,064 GRT cargo ship built in 1943 by [[Öresundsvarvet]], [[Landskrona]]. Originally owned by J T Essberger, Hamburg and named ''Eberhart Essberger''. Seized at [[Kiel]] in 1945, to MoWT, renamed ''Empire Ayr''. Sold to [[USSR]] 1946 and renamed ''Dmitry Donskoy''. Scrapped in USSR 1974.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|pp=443-44}}
==See also==
The above entries give a precis of each ship's history. For a fuller account see the linked articles.
==References==
{{reflist}}
==Sources==
*{{cite book | last1 = Mitchell | first1 = W H | last2 = Sawyer | first2 = L  A | year = 1990| title = The Empire Ships| publisher = Lloyd's of London Press Ltd| location = London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong|isbn=1-85044-275-4 |edition=Second }}
{{Empire ships}}
[[Category:Lists of Empire ships|A]]