View source for List of Empire ships (U–Z)

{{Short description|None}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{#section-h:Lists of Empire ships}}
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==Suffix beginning with U==

===''Empire Unicorn''===
''[[Empire Unicorn]]'' was a 7,067 [[Gross Register Tonnage|GRT]] [[cargo ship]] which was built by William Gray & Co Ltd, [[West Hartlepool]]. Launched on 29 October 1943 and completed in December 1943. Allocated in 1945 to the [[Government of France|French Government]] and renamed ''Pierre Corniou''. Sold in 1950 to Société Navale de l’Ouest and renamed ''Saint Andre''. Sold in 1953 to O Wallenius, [[Stockholm]] and renamed ''Otello''. Sold in 1956 to L Jeansson AB, Stockholm and renamed Apollo. Sold in 1961 to Polska Zegluga Morska, [[Poland]] and renamed ''Kopalnia''. Relegated to a [[hulk (ship)|storage vessel]] at [[Gdynia]] in 1971 and renamed ''MP-ZP-GDY 7''.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=65}}

===''Empire Union''===
''[[Empire Union]]'' was a 5,952 GRT cargo ship which was built by [[Stabilimento Tecnico Triestino]], [[Trieste]]. Completed in 1924 as ''Salvore''. Sold in 1937 to [[Italia Marittima|Lloyd Triestino]] and renamed ''Sistiana''. Seized on 10 June 1940 as a [[prize (law)|war prize]] by the [[South African Navy]] in [[Table Bay]]. To the [[Government of South Africa|South African Government]] and renamed ''Myrica''. To MoWT in 1941 and renamed ''Empire Union''. [[Torpedo]]ed on 26 December 1942 and sunk by {{GS|U-356||2}} at {{coord|47|30|N|24|30|W}} while a member of [[Convoy ON 154]].{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=442}}

===''Empire Unitas IV''===
''Empire Unitas IV'' was a 341 GRT [[whaler]] which was built by [[Bremer Vulkan|Bremer Vulkan Schiff- und Mashcinenbau]], [[Bremen]]. Completed in 1937 as ''Unitas 4'' for Jurgens Van Den Bergh Margarine Verkaufs Union GmbH, [[Hamburg]]. Requisitioned by the [[Kriegsmarine]] in 1940. Seized in May 1945 at [[Flensburg]]. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Unitas IV''. Scrapped in 1955 in [[Port Glasgow]].{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=473}}

===''Empire Unitas V''===
''Empire Unitas V'' was a 341 GRT whaler which was built by Bremer Vulkan Schiff- und Mashcinenbau, Bremen. Completed in 1937 as ''Unitas 5'' for Jurgens Van Den Bergh Margarine Verkaufs Union GmbH, Hamburg. Requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine in 1940. Seized in May 1945 at Flensburg. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Unitas IV''. Scrapped in 1954 in Port Glasgow.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=473}}

===''Empire Unitas VIII''===
[[File:Empire Unitas 8 whale catcher.jpg|left|thumb|''Empire Unitas VIII'']]
''Empire Unitas VIII'' was a 341 GRT whaler built by Bremer Vulkan Schiff- und Mashcinenbau, Bremen. Completed in 1937 as ''Unitas 8'' for Jurgens Van Den Bergh Margarine Verkaufs Union GmbH, Hamburg. Requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine in 1940. Seized in May 1945 at [[Kiel]]. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Unitas VIII''. Sold in 1956 to Union Whaling Co Ltd, [[South Africa]] and renamed ''Sir Liege''. Scrapped in October 1961 in [[Durban]].{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=473}}

===''Empire Unitas X''===
[[File:Empire Unitas X whale catcher.jpg|thumb|left|''Empire Unitas X'']]
''Empire Unitas X'' was a 339 GRT whaler built by [[Schichau-Werke|F Schichau GmbH]], [[Danzig]]. Completed in 1939 as ''Unitas 10'' for Jurgens Van Den Bergh Margarine Verkaufs Union GmbH, Hamburg. Requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine in 1940. Seized in May 1945 at [[Emden]]. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Unitas X''. Sold in 1956 to Union Whaling Co Ltd and renamed ''C P Robinson''. Scrapped in January 1963 in Durban.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=473}}

===''Empire Unity''===
''[[Empire Unity]]'' was a 6,386 GRT cargo ship which was built by [[AG Weser]], Bremen. Completed in 1927 as ''Biscaya'' for J T Essberger, Hamburg. Captured on 19 October 1939 by {{HMS|Scotstoun}} north of [[Iceland]] and escorted to [[Leith]]. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Unity''. Torpedoed on 4 May 1945 and damaged by {{GS|U-979||2}} south-west of Iceland ({{coord|64|23|N|22|27|W}}) and abandoned. Later reboarded and sailed to [[Hvitanes]], [[Faroe Islands]] and then on to [[Reykjavík]] for temporary repairs. Departed Reykjavík on 20 June 1945 under tow bound for [[Methil]] and then Leith where she was repaired. Sold in 1947 to Store ship Transports Ltd, London and renamed ''Stordale''. Sold in 1961 to T Pappadrinitriou, Greece and renamed ''Mageolia''. Arrived under tow on 9 October 1963 at [[Kythira|Cerigo]] where she was used as a [[depot ship]]. Arrived under tow on 12 April 1966 at [[Burriana]], Spain for scrapping.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=442}}

===''Empire Upland''===
''[[Empire Upland]]'' was a 683 GRT [[dredging|dredger]] which was built by William Simons & Co Ltd, [[Renfrew]]. Launched on 26 December 1944 and completed in February 1945. Sold in 1945 to the Superintendent Civil Engineer, Bombay. To the [[Indian Navy]] in 1949 and renamed INS ''Nirmal''.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=351}}

===''Empire Ure''===
''[[Empire Ure]]'' was a 2,570 GRT cargo ship which was built by Van Duivendijks Scheepswerft, [[Lekkerkerk]]. Launched in 1920 as ''Willem Van Driel Sr.''. Sold in 1927 to Kohlen-Import und Poseidon, [[Königsberg]], renamed ''Rheinland''. Requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine in 1940. Seized as a prize in May 1945. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Ure''. Sold in 1947 to Crete Shipping Co., renamed ''Amberstone''. Sold in 1950 to D. A. Psychoyos, Greece and renamed ''Metamorfosis''. Ran aground at [[Ijmuiden]] on 2 December 1950. Broke in two, a total loss.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=473}}

===''Empire Usk''===
''[[Empire Usk]]'' was a 3,229 GRT cargo ship which was built by Tyne Iron Shipbuilding Co Ltd, [[Newcastle upon Tyne]]. Completed in 1918 as ''War Combe''. Sold in 1920 to Oakwin Steamship Co and renamed ''Watsness''. Operated under the management of Sir W R Smith & Sons Ltd. Sold in 1927 to Mervyn Steamship Co, [[Newport, Wales|Newport]], [[Monmouthshire (historic)|Monmouthshire]] and renamed ''Marklyn''. Ran aground on 20 January 1942 at Crammag Head, [[Port Logan]]. Cargo of [[iron ore]] discharged but she was damaged further in storms. Refloated on 5 June 1942 and arrived under tow on 17 June 1942 at [[Glasgow]]. Repaired, to MoWT and renamed ''Empire Usk''. Sold in 1946 to Constants (South Wales) Ltd and renamed ''Heminge''. Sold in 1948 to Crete Shipping Co Ltd, London and renamed ''Bluestone''. Sold in 1953 to Grosvenor Shipping Co and renamed Grosvenor Mariner. Operated under the management of Moller Line (UK) Ltd. Scrapped in September 1955 in [[Hong Kong]].{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=398}}

==Suffix beginning with V==

===''Empire Valour''===
''[[Empire Valour]]'' was a 2,906 GRT cargo ship which was built by William Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool. Launched on 22 February 1943 and completed in May 1943. Sold in 1948 to Eskgarth Shipping Co Ltd and renamed Eskgarth. Operated under the management of H M Lund, London. Sold in 1951 to Uskside Steamship Co Ltd and renamed ''Uskmouth''. Operated under the management of R W Jones & Co, Newport. Sold in 1963 to Compagnia Marabello San Nicolas, [[Panama]] and renamed ''Alexandra K''. Sold in 1968 to Pateras Bros Ltd, Greece and renamed ''Aristios II''. Sold in 1969 to Reinato Marino Navigazione SA, Panama. Scrapped in June 1971 in [[Piraeus]], Greece.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=198}}

===''Empire Vauxhall''===
''[[Empire Vauxhall]]'' was a 2,025 GRT [[collier (ship type)|collier]] which was built by [[Grangemouth Dockyard Company|Grangemouth Dockyard Co Ltd]], [[Grangemouth]]. Launched on 30 November 1944 and completed in March 1945. Sold in 1946 to William France, Fenwick & Co Ltd and renamed ''Braywood''. Sold in 1960 to Faruk & Ozmelek, [[Turkey]] and renamed ''Abdullah''. Sold in 1976 to Kalkavan Ziya Koll, [[Sirketi]], Turkey and renamed ''Taylan Kalkavan''. Scrapped in April 1982 at [[Aliağa|Aliaga, Turkey]].{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=209}}

===''Empire Venture''===
''[[Empire Venture]]'' was a 12,639 GRT [[factory ship]] which was built by [[Swan Hunter|Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd]], Newcastle upon Tyne. Completed in 1929 as ''Vikingen''. Sold in 1938 to Hamburger Walfang-Kontor GmbH, Hamburg and renamed ''Wikinger''. Requisitioned in 1939 by the Kriegsmarine. Formally seized by Royal Navy on 16 June 1945 at Kiel. To Howaldtswerke yards, Kiel, for repair and refit, August–November 1945. To MoWT November 1945 and renamed ''Empire Venture''. Deployed to the Southern Ocean on British account c 20 November 1945. Allocated to USSR by Tripartite Merchant Marine Commission at Berlin, 7 December 1945. Whaling equipment fitted at Kiel removed at Liverpool, June–September 1946. Handed over to USSR in Britain 26 September 1946 and renamed ''Slava''. Re-refitted, presumably at Liverpool, September–December 1946. Sailed from Liverpool 22 December 1946 for the first Soviet whaling season in the Antarctic. Sold to Japanese buyer in 1971 and renamed ''Fuji Maru''. Scrapped in October 1971 at [[Kaohsiung]], [[Taiwan]].{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=473}}

===''Empire Venus''===
''[[Empire Venus]]'' was an 8,159 GRT [[tank ship|tanker]] which was built by [[Harland and Wolff|Harland & Wolff Ltd]], [[Govan]]. Laid down as ''Empire Venus'' but taken over by the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] on 28 January 1944 and name cancelled. Launched on 6 July 1944 and completed in November 1944 as RFA ''Wave Monarch'' for the [[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]]. Sold in March 1960 to [[H G Pound]], [[Portsmouth]] and used as an oil hulk at [[Le Havre]], replacing [[RFA Wave Conqueror|RFA ''Wave Conqueror'']]. Sold in 1960 to Società Miroline and renamed ''Noema''. Arrived on 8 April 1964 at [[Bilbao]], Spain for scrapping.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=153}}

===''Empire Vera''===
''Empire Vera'' was a 292 GRT [[tugboat|tug]] which was built by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, [[Selby]]. Launched on 14 May 1945 and completed in December 1945. Sold in 1947 to United Towing Co Ltd and renamed ''Rifleman''. New [[steam engine]] fitted in 1949. On 3 June 1949 she was assisting [[ST Tradesman|''Tradesman'']] towing {{SS|Norjerv}} to [[Strangford Lough]], [[Northern Ireland]], for scrapping when ''Norjerv'' broke in two and sank. Scrapped in November 1967 at [[Blyth, Northumberland|Blyth]], [[Northumberland]].{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=324}}

===''Empire Viceroy''===
''[[Empire Viceroy]]'' was a 7,803 GRT (10,360 [[Deadweight tonnage|DWT]]) [[heavy lift ship]] which was built by [[Vickers-Armstrongs|Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd]], [[Barrow in Furness]]. Launched on 8 April 1943 and completed in August 1943. Sold in 1954 to Gypsum Carriers Inc and renamed ''Harry Lundeberg''. Operated under the management of Kaiser Gypsum Co, United States. Renamed ''Ocean Carrier'' in 1957. Laid up on 13 November 1971 at [[Los Angeles]]. Arrived on 11 July 1973 under tow at Kaohsiung, Taiwan for scrapping.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=192}}

===''Empire Victory''===
[[File:Empire Victory whaling factory ship 1947.jpg|thumb|''Empire Victory'']]
''[[Empire Victory]]'' was a 21,846 GRT factory ship which was built by [[Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau AG]], Bremen. Completed in 1937 as ''Unitas'' for Unitas Deutsche Walfang GmbH. Requisitioned in 1939 by the Kriegsmarine. Seized in May 1945 at Flensburg. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Victory''. The Bomb damage was repaired in July 1946 by Harland & Wolff, [[Southampton]]. Then refitted by Silley, Cox & Co Ltd, [[Falmouth, Cornwall|Falmouth]], [[Cornwall]]. To [[Minister of Food (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Food]], operated under the management of United Whalers Ltd. Sold in 1950 to Union Whaling Co Ltd, South Africa and renamed ''Abraham Larsen''. Sold in 1957 to Taiyo Gyogyo KK, Japan. Rebuilt with new [[diesel engine]]s, now 27,059 GRT and renamed ''Nisshin Maru No 2''. Scrapped in March 1987 at Kaohsiung, Taiwan.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|pp=473-74}}

===''Empire Vigilance''===
''[[Empire Vigilance]]'' was an 8,093 GRT tanker which was built by Harland & Wolff Ltd Govan. Launched on 18 February 1942 and completed in May 1942 as ''British Vigilance'' for [[British Tanker Company|British Tanker Co Ltd]]. Torpedoed on 3 January 1943 while sailing in [[Convoy TM 1]] and damaged by {{GS|U-514||2}} at {{coord|29|58|N|44|40|W}} and abandoned. Torpedoed on 24 January 1943 and sunk by {{GS|U-105|1940|2}}.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=140}}

===''Empire Viking I''===
''Empire Viking I'' was a 250 GRT whaler which was built by [[Smiths Dock Company|Smiths Dock Co Ltd]], [[Middlesbrough]]. Completed in 1929 as ''Vikingen I''. Sold in 1938 to Hamburger Walfang-Kontor GmbH, Hamburg and renamed ''Wiking 1''. Requisitioned in 1939 by the Kriegsmarine. Seized by Royal Navy on 18 October 1945 at Kiel. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Viking I''. Allocated to USSR by Tripartite Merchant Marine Commission at Berlin, 7 December 1945. Deployed to the Southern Ocean on British account late November 1945. Handed over to USSR in Britain September 1946 and renamed ''Slava VIII''.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=474}}

===''Empire Viking II''===
''Empire Viking II'' was a 250 GRT whaler which was built by Smiths Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough. Completed in 1929 as ''Vikingen II''. Sold in 1938 to Hamburger Walfang-Kontor GmbH, Hamburg and renamed ''Wiking 2''. Requisitioned in 1939 by the Kriegsmarine. Seized by Royal Navy on 18 October 1945 at Kiel. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Viking II''. Allocated to USSR by Tripartite Merchant Marine Commission at Berlin, 7 December 1945. Deployed to the Southern Ocean on British account late November 1945. Handed over to the USSR in Britain, September 1946 and renamed ''Slava IX''.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=474}}

===''Empire Viking III''===
''Empire Viking III'' was a 250 GRT whaler which was built by Smiths Dock Co Ltd, Middlesbrough. Completed in 1929 as ''Vikingen III''. Sold in 1938 to Hamburger Walfang-Kontor GmbH, Hamburg and renamed ''Wiking 3''. Requisitioned in 1939 by the Kriegsmarine. Seized by Royal Navy on 18 October 1945 at Kiel. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Viking III''. Allocated to USSR by Tripartite Merchant Marine Commission at Berlin, 7 December 1945. Deployed to the Southern Ocean on British account late November 1945. Handed over to the USSR in Britain, September 1946 and renamed ''Slava X''.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=474}}

===''Empire Viking VI''===
''[[Empire Viking VI]]'' was a 381 GRT whaler which was built by Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau, Bremen. Completed in 1939 as ''Wiking 6'' for Hamburger Walfang-Kontor GmbH, Hamburg. Requisitioned in 1940 by the Kriegsmarine. Seized by Royal Navy on 29 October 1945 at Emden. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Viking VI''. Allocated to USSR by Tripartite Merchant Marine Commission at Berlin, 7 December 1945. Deployed to the Southern Ocean on British account late November 1945. Handed over to the USSR in Britain, September 1946 and renamed ''Slava II''.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=474}}

===''Empire Viking VIII''===
''Empire Viking VIII'' was a 381 GRT whaler which was built by Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau, Bremen. Completed in 1939 as ''Wiking 8'' for Hamburger Walfang-Kontor GmbH, Hamburg. Requisitioned in 1940 by the Kriegsmarine. Seized by Royal Navy on 29 October 1945 at Emden. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Viking VIII''. Allocated to USSR by Tripartite Merchant Marine Commission at Berlin, 7 December 1945. Deployed to the Southern Ocean on British account late November 1945. Handed over to the USSR in Britain, September 1946 and renamed ''Slava III''.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=474}}

===''Empire Viking IX''===
''Empire Viking IX'' was a 381 GRT whaler which was built by Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau, Bremen. Completed in 1939 as ''Wiking 9'' for Hamburger Walfang-Kontor GmbH, Hamburg. Requisitioned in 1940 by the Kriegsmarine. Seized by Royal Navy on 29 October 1945 at Emden. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Viking IX''. Allocated to USSR by Tripartite Merchant Marine Commission at Berlin, 7 December 1945. Deployed to the Southern Ocean on British account late November 1945. Handed over to the USSR in Britain, September 1946 and renamed ''Slava IV''.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=474}}

===''Empire Viking X''===
''Empire Viking X'' was a 370 GRT whaler which was built by Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau, Bremen. Completed in 1939 as ''Wiking 10'' for Hamburger Walfang-Kontor GmbH, Hamburg. Requisitioned in 1940 by the Kriegsmarine. Seized by Royal Navy on 29 October 1945 at Emden. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Viking X''. Allocated to USSR by Tripartite Merchant Marine Commission at Berlin, 7 December 1945. Deployed to the Southern Ocean on British account late November 1945. Handed over to the USSR in Britain in September 1946 and renamed ''Slava V''.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=474}}

===''Empire Villager''===
''[[Empire Villager]]'' was a 2,066 GRT collier which was built by Grangemouth Dockyard Co Ltd, Grangemouth. Launched on 31 August 1943 and completed in November 1943. Sold in 1946 to F T Everard & Sons Ltd and renamed ''Grit''. Sold in 1957 to Bankstone Shipping Co Ltd and renamed ''Bankstone''. Operated under the management of Stone & Rolfe Ltd, [[Swansea]]. Sold in 1959 to Virtu Steamship Co Ltd, Malta and renamed ''Saver''. Sold in 1965 to Marespuma Compagnia Navigazione, Panama and renamed ''Christoyannis''. Operated under the management of A P Venetsanos, Greece. Sold in 1967 to Ann Poulos, Greece. Scrapped in November 1967 at Perama, Greece.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=208}}

===''Empire Vincent''===
''[[Empire Vincent]]'' was a 275 GRT tug which was built by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby. Launched on 3 September 1943 and completed in January 1944. Transferred in December 1945 to the [[Government of Thailand|Thai Government]]. Later transferred to the [[Royal Thai Navy]] and served as HTMS ''Samaesan'', [[pennant number]] YTB 7. Laid up in 1982 in the [[Chao Phraya River]], [[Bangkok]]. Scrapped in 1983.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=311}}

===''Empire Viscount''===
''[[Empire Viscount]]'' was an 8,882 GRT tanker which was built by R Duncan & Co Ltd, Port Glasgow. Completed in 1929 as ''Athelviscount'' for United Molasses Co Ltd. Damaged on 31 August 1940 by bombing at [[Cammell Laird|Cammell Laird's]] shipyard, [[Birkenhead]]. Torpedoed on 21 March 1942 and damaged by {{GS|U-202||2}} at {{coord|38|46|N|55|44|W}}. Salvage tug reached her on 26 March. Towed to [[St John's, Newfoundland and Labrador|John's]], [[Newfoundland and Labrador|Newfoundland]]. A journey not without problems as three [[U-boat]]s were reported in the area and the vessels encountered storms and both drifted eastwards when the towline parted. Spotted by an aircraft on 4 April when still {{convert|100|nmi|km}} offshore having been assumed by the Admiralty that both ships had foundered. Arrived at St John's with ''Athelviscount'' drawing {{convert|41|ft|m|2}} aft and her bows high in the air. Moored to a buoy as she was unable to be drydocked but broke free on 9 April and grounded at the harbour entrance. Refloated and docked on 23 May for temporary repairs to be carried out. Departed under tow on 30 June bound for [[New York City|New York]] where permanent repairs were carried out. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Viscount''. Returned to United Molasses in 1946 and renamed ''Athelviscount''. Scrapped in October 1957 at [[Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht]], [[Netherlands]].{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=398}}

===''Empire Voice''===
''[[Empire Voice]]'' was a 6,828 GRT cargo ship which was built by [[Barclay Curle|Barclay, Curle & Co Ltd]], Glasgow. Launched on 3 September 1940 and completed in November 1940. Sold in 1946 to [[Alfred Booth and Company|Booth Steamship Co Ltd]] and renamed ''Bernard''. Sold in 1947 to [[Lamport and Holt|Lamport & Holt Line Ltd]] and renamed ''Byron''. Renamed ''Lalande'' in 1953. Sold in 1961 to William Brandt & Sons Ltd and renamed'' Uncle Batt''. Arrived on 8 September 1961 at [[Moji-ku, Kitakyūshū|Moji]], Japan for scrapping.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=20}}

===''Empire Volunteer''===
''[[Empire Volunteer]]'' was a 5,319 GRT cargo ship which was built by Harbour Marine Ltd, [[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]], [[British Columbia]]. Completed in 1921 as ''Canadian Traveller''. Sold in 1932 to Achille Lauro & Co, [[Naples]] and renamed ''Procida''. Seized on 10 June 1940 at [[Cardiff]]. Handed over to MoWT and renamed ''Empire Volunteer''. Torpedoed on 15 September 1940 and sunk by {{GS|U-48|1939|2}} at {{coord|56|43|N|15|17|W}} while a member of Convoy SC 3.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|pp=442-43}}

==Suffix beginning with W==

===''Empire Wagtail''===
''[[Empire Wagtail]]'' was a 4,893 GRT cargo ship which was built by [[Todd Drydock and Construction Company]], [[Tacoma, Washington]]. Completed in 1919 as ''Ossining'' for the [[United States Shipping Board]] (USSB). Sold in 1932 to Gulf Pacific Mail Line Inc and renamed ''Point Lobos''. Operated under the management of Swayne & Hoyt Inc, [[San Francisco]]. It became the scene of [[Earl King, Ernest Ramsay, and Frank Conner|a widely reported murder]] while anchored in Alameda in 1936. To MoWT in 1941 and renamed ''Empire Wagtail''. Torpedoed on 28 December 1942 and sunk by {{GS|U-260||2}} at {{coord|43|17|N|27|22|W}} while a member of Convoy ONS 154.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=409}}

===''Empire Waimana''===
''[[Empire Waimana]]'' was an 8,129 GRT [[reefer ship|refrigerated]] [[cargo liner]] which was built by Workman, Clark & Co Ltd, Belfast. Completed in 1911 as ''Waimana'' for [[P Henderson & Company|Shaw, Savill & Albion Line Ltd]]. Requisitioned as a troopship during the [[First World War]]. Detained at [[Newport News, Virginia|Newport News]], [[Virginia]] on 28 August 1915 as she had been armed with a {{convert|4.7|in|mm|adj=on}} gun. Detention lasted until 22 September and the ship was only released once the gun had been dismantled and put ashore. [[Bareboat charter|Chartered]] by the Aberdeen line in 1926 and renamed ''Herminius''. Returned to Shaw, Savill in 1932 and renamed ''Waimana''. Laid up in [[Gareloch]] in 1939. Purchased by the Admiralty and converted to a dummy battleship representing {{HMS|Resolution|09|6}}. To MoWT in 1942 and renamed ''Empire Waimana'', reconverted for trade as there was a shortage of refrigerated cargo ships. Returned to Shaw, Savill & Albion Line Ltd in 1946 and renamed ''Waimana''. In February 1951, she towed the [[liberty ship|liberty type ship]] SS ''San Leonardo'' {{convert|300|nmi|km}} from [[Cape Northumberland]], [[South Australia]] to [[Melbourne]] after the latter had lost her propeller. Arrived on 27 January 1952 at [[Milford Haven]], [[Pembrokeshire]] for scrapping.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|pp=398-99}}

===''Empire Wall''===
''Empire Wall'' was the intended name of a cargo ship which was to have been built by [[Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock|Hong Kong & Whampoa Dockyard Co Ltd]], Hong Kong. Laid down on 24 June 1941. In 1945 she was 80% complete with all materials needed to complete her available. Scrapped in May 1950.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=126}}

===''Empire Wallace''===
''[[Empire Wallace]]'' was a 7,800 GRT cargo ship which was built by [[Greenock Dockyard Company|Greenock Dockyard Co Ltd]], [[Greenock]]. Launched on 4 September 1945 and completed in February 1946. Sold in 1956 to Ben Line Steamers Ltd and renamed ''Benarty''. Th engines were removed in 1962 at Hong Kong ready for replacement but came ashore on 1 September 1962 at Kowloon Docks during [[1962 Pacific typhoon season#Typhoon Wanda|Typhoon Wanda]]. Refloated on 14 September 1962, repaired and fitted with a new diesel engine. Sold in 1963 to Harbour Line Ltd, [[Bermuda]] and renamed ''Elys Harbour''. Operated under the management of Mollers Ltd, Hong Kong. Sold in 1967 to Unique Development Co Inc, [[Liberia]] and renamed ''Unique Developer''. Operated under the management of R Y Chen, Hong Kong. Sold in 1969 to Taboga Enterprises Inc, Panama and renamed ''Fermenco''. Chartered in 1973 by Compagnia Agropecuaria y Maritima Santa Rosa Ltd, [[Colombia]], returning to Taboga Enterprises later that year. Sold in 1974 to Wayne Inc, Panama and renamed ''Avalon''. Sold in 1981 to Pizano SA and renamed ''Bahia Columbia''. Operated under the management of Abella Compagnia Ltda, [[Barranquilla]] Colombia. Arrived on 5 December 1988 at [[Chittagong]], [[Bangladesh]] for scrapping.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=193}}<ref name=Wallace>Additional material incorporated from {{csr|register=MSI|id=1169527|access-date=30 April 2009}}</ref>

===''Empire Walter''===
{{Distinguish|Sea queen}}
''Empire Walter'' was a 244 GRT tug which was built by Henry Scarr Ltd, [[Hessle]]. Launched on 30 December 1943 and completed in March 1944. Sold in 1946 to C J King & Sons Ltd, [[Bristol]] and renamed ''Sea Queen''. Scrapped in June 1974 at [[Gijon]], Spain.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=318}}

===''Empire Wandle''===
''[[Empire Wandle]]'' was a 3,093 GRT cargo ship which was built by Flensburger Schiff- Gesellschaft. Completed in 1935 as ''Wilhelm Traber'' for W Traber & Co, Hamburg. Seized in May 1945 at [[Brunsbüttel]]. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Wandle''. Allocated to the US in 1947. To [[United States Maritime Commission]] (USMC) and renamed ''Yankee Dawn''. Operated under the management of William C Atwater & Co Inc, [[Fall River, Massachusetts|Fall River]], [[Massachusetts]]. Sold in 1948 to Fall River Navigation Co, New York. Sold in 1950 to Oliver J Olsen & Co, San Francisco and renamed ''Cynthia Olsen''. Scrapped in March 1971 in the USA.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|pp=474-75}}

===''Empire Wansbeck''===
''[[Empire Wansbeck]]'' was a 3,508 GRT [[troopship]] which was built by [[Danziger Werft|Danziger Werft AG]], Danzig. Launched in 1939 as refrigerated cargo ship ''Linz'' for [[Norddeutscher Lloyd]] and completed at [[Odense Steel Shipyard|Odense Staalskibsværft]], [[Odense]], Denmark. Requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine and used as a [[naval mine|minelayer]]. Seized in May 1945 at [[Kiel Fjord]]. To MoWT and rebuilt as a troopship, renamed ''Empire Wansbeck''. Operated under the management of Wilson Line. Sold in 1962 to Kavounides Bros, Greece and renamed ''Esperos''. Converted to a passenger ship. Withdrawn in March 1980, scrapped in 1981 in Spain.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=475}}

===''Empire Wapping''===
''[[Empire Wapping]]'' was a 2,025 GRT collier which was built by Grangemouth Dockyard Co Ltd, Grangemouth. Launched on 15 March 1945 and completed in May 1945. Sold in 1947 to Thomas Stone Shipping Ltd and renamed ''Maystone''. Operated under the management of Stone & Rolfe Ltd, Swansea. Collided on 18 October 1949 with {{HMS|Albion|R07|6}} and sank {{convert|4|nmi|km}} off the [[Longstone Lighthouse]].{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=209}}

===''Empire Warlock''===
''Empire Warlock'' was a 254 GRT tug which was built by [[Ferguson Shipbuilders|Ferguson Brothers Ltd]], Port Glasgow. Launched on 23 July 1942 and completed in September 1942. Sold in 1947 to the [[Politics of Egypt|Egyptian Government]] and renamed ''Sakr''.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=318}}

===''Empire Warner''===
''Empire Warner'' was a 2,961 GRT cargo ship built by [[Ailsa Shipbuilding Company|Ailsa Shipbuilding Co Ltd]], [[Troon]]. It was launched on 21 March 1946 as ''Empire Warner'' but sold while under construction<ref>{{cite web |title=USKSIDE |url=http://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?ref=366 |website=Scottish Built Ships |access-date=4 July 2018}}</ref> and completed in June 1946 as ''Uskside'' for Uskside Steamship Co Ltd., operated under the management of R W Jones & Co, Newport. She was sold in 1965 to N Michalos & Sons Maritime Co Ltd, Greece and renamed ''Gero Michalos''. Ran aground on 10 May 1968 in a cyclone at [[Sittwe|Akyab]], [[Burma]] and broke up. Declared a total loss.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=200}}

===''Empire Warrior''===
''[[Empire Warrior]]'' was a 1,306 GRT cargo ship which was built by Hamburg-Elbe Schiffsbau, Hamburg. Completed in 1921 as ''Bianca''. Sold in 1927 to A Kirsten, Hamburg and renamed ''Elbe''. 1932 renamed ''Bianca'' again. Captured on 20 October 1939 in the [[North Sea]] by {{HMS|Transylvania}} and escorted to [[Kirkwall]], [[Orkney Islands]]. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Warrior''. Damaged on 19 June 1941 by bombing off [[Vila Real de Santo António]], [[Portugal]]. Crew rescued by a [[Portuguese Navy|Marinha Portuguesa]] [[destroyer]]. A [[naval trawler|trawler]] attempted to tow her to shallow water but she broke free and sank.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=443}}

===''Empire Waterhen''===
''[[Empire Waterhen]]'' was a 5,948 GRT (7,500 DWT) cargo ship which was built by Oscar Daniels Shipbuilding Co, [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]], [[Florida]]. Completed in 1920 as ''Manatee'' for the USSB. To USMC in 1937 and MoWT in 1941, renamed ''Empire Waterhen''. Sunk on 9 June 1944 as a [[blockship]] as part of [[Mulberry Harbour#Gooseberry|Gooseberry 4]], [[Juno Beach]], [[Courseulles]], [[Calvados (department)|Calvados]], France. Raised in 1948 and scrapped at [[Penarth]], [[Glamorgan]].{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=416}}

===''Empire Wave''===
''[[Empire Wave]]'' was a 7,463 GRT [[CAM ship]] which was built by J L Thompson & Sons Ltd, [[Sunderland, Tyne and Wear|Sunderland]]. Launched on 28 March 1941 and completed in July 1941. Torpedoed on 2 October 1941 and sunk by {{GS|U-562||2}} at {{coord|59|08|N|32|26|W}} while a member of Convoy ON 19.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=118}}

===''Empire Waveney''===
''[[Empire Waveney]]'' was a 16,754 GRT ocean liner which was built by [[Blohm + Voss|Blohm & Voss]], Hamburg. Completed in 1929 as ''Milwaukee'' for [[Hamburg America Line]]. Requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine in 1940 and used as an [[barracks ship|accommodation ship]] and [[depot ship]] at Kiel. Bombed by the [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] to prevent her from being used as an escape ship by top-ranking [[Nazi]] personnel. Seized in May 1945 at Kiel and used by the [[United States Navy]] as a transport ship. Allocated to the USA but declined as her electrical system was of the single-pole type. To MoWT in October 1945 and renamed ''Empire Waveney''. To [[Liverpool]] for a refit. Caught fire on 8 February 1946 while in drydock. Caught fire on 2 March at the Canada Dock, Liverpool, gutted and sank. Refloated on 4 May and drydocked. Declared to be a total loss. Departed on 26 January 1947 under tow bound for [[Dalmuir]], [[West Dunbartonshire]] for breaking. Departed on 25 September 1947 under tow bound for Troon for final demolition.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=475}}

===''Empire Weaver''===
''[[Empire Weaver]]'' was a 2,822 GRT cargo ship which was built by Lübecker Flenderwerke AG, Lübeck. Completed in 1939 as ''Dalbek'' for Knorh & Burchard, Hamburg. Seized in May 1945 at [[Rendsburg]]. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Weaver''. Allocated in 1946 to the USSR and renamed ''Chernigov''. Scrapped in June 1969 at [[Split (city)|Split]], [[Yugoslavia]].{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=475}}

===''Empire Webster''===
''[[Empire Webster]]'' was a 7,043 GRT cargo ship which was built by [[Short Brothers of Sunderland|Short Brothers Ltd]], Sunderland. Launched on 18 July 1942 and completed in October 1942. Torpedoed on 7 February 1943 and sunk by {{GS|U-77|1940|2}} off [[Algiers]] ({{coord|36|47|N|01|37|E}}) while a member of Convoy KMS 8.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=108}}

===''Empire Welfare''===
''[[Empire Welfare]]'' was a 7,083 GRT cargo ship which was built by J L Thompson & Sons Ltd, Sunderland. Launched on 11 November 1943 and completed in January 1944. To the French Government in 1945 and renamed ''Matelot Becuwe''. Sold in 1949 to Société Algeriènne de Navigation and renamed ''Marcel Schiaffino''. Operated under the management of Charles Schiaffino et Compagnie, Algiers. Sold in 1965 to Bulet, [[Bulgaria]] and renamed ''Desmin''. Sold in 1968 to Navigation Maritime Bulgare, Bulgaria and renamed ''Stefan Karadja''. Scrapped in 1973 in Yugoslavia.

===''Empire Welland''===
''[[MV Patria (1938)|Empire Welland]]'' was a 17,780 GRT ocean liner which was built by Deutsche Werft, Hamburg. Completed in 1938 as MV ''Patria''. Requisitioned in 1940 by the Kriegsmarine. This was the ship on which [[Karl Dönitz|Admiral Dönitz]] and the German High Command surrendered to the Allies in Flensburg. Seized, to MoWT and refitted as a troopship by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast and renamed ''Empire Welland''. Allocated on 29 January 1946 by the Prize Court to the United Kingdom. Agreement reached with the USSR and passed to them in 1946 and renamed ''Rossia'', later ''Rossiya''. Renamed ''Aniva'' in 1985 and arrived in December 1985 at [[Kure, Hiroshima|Kure]], Japan for scrapping.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=475}}

===''Empire Wensum''===
''[[Empire Wensum]]'' was a 2,515 GRT cargo ship which was built by Richardson, Duck & Co Ltd, [[Stockton on Tees]]. Completed in 1910 as ''Rotherhill''. Sold in 1925 to Sauber & Co, Hamburg and renamed ''Robert Sauber''. Requisitioned in 1940 by the Kriegsmarine. Seized in May 1945 at Flensburg, to MoWT and renamed ''Empire Wensum''. Sold in 1947 to Mooringwell Steamship Co and renamed ''Bruce M''. Sold in 1956 to Compagnia de Transportes Maritime, Panama and renamed ''Sorengo''. Scrapped in December 1966 at [[Spezia]], Italy.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=476}}

===''Empire Wessex''===
''[[Empire Wessex]]'' was an 11,138 GRT cargo liner built by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast. Launched on 5 December 1945 and completed in August 1946 as ''Port Hobart'' for [[Port Line (shipping)|Port Line Ltd]]. Scrapped in September 1970 in [[Shanghai]], China.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=184}}

===''Empire Wey''===
''[[Empire Wey]]'' was a 2,645 GRT cargo ship which was built by Nakskov Skibs Akt, [[Nakskov]], Denmark. Completed in 1944 as ''Robert Bornhofen'' for Robert Bornhofen, Hamburg. Requisitioned on completion by the Kriegsmarine. Seized in May 1945 at [[Copenhagen]]. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Wey''. Allocated in 1946 to the USSR and renamed ''Yakutsk''. Scrapped in 1970 in the USSR.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=476}}

===''Empire Whale''===
''[[Empire Whale]]'' was a 6,049 GRT cargo ship which was built by [[Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company|Federal Shipbuilding Co]], [[Kearny, New Jersey|Kearny]], [[New Jersey]]. Completed in 1919 as ''Winona County'' for USSB. To MoWT in 1941 and renamed ''Empire Whale''. Torpedoed on 29 March 1943 and sunk by {{GS|U-662||2}} at {{coord|46|44|N|16|38|W}} while a member of Convoy SL 126.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=417}}<ref name=Whale>Additional material incorporated from {{csr|register=MSI|id=2218851|access-date=30 April 2009}}</ref>

===''Empire Wharfe''===
''[[Empire Wharfe]]'' was a 3,072 GRT cargo ship which was built by [[Öresundsvarvet]], [[Landskrona]], Sweden. Completed in 1938 as ''Viator''. Sold in 1939 to H Schuldt & Co, Hamburg and renamed ''Angelburg''. Requisitioned in 1939 by the Kriegsmarine for use as a target ship by the 24th U-boat Flotilla. Participated in the [[Flight and expulsion of Germans (1944–1950)|evacuation]] of German Forces and [[refugee]]s from [[East Prussia]] to Germany in 1944–45. Seized in May 1945 and used as a [[hospital ship]] at Flensburg. To MoWT in 1946 and renamed ''Empire Wharfe''. Caught fire on 31 December 1946 off [[Lagos]]. Arrived on 2 January 1947 at Lagos and beached in [[Badagry]] Creek. Refloated on 6 January. Repaired and sold in 1947 to [[Fyffes Line|Elders & Fyffes Ltd]] and renamed ''Zent''. Scrapped in 1962 in [[Bruges]], Belgium.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=476}}

===''Empire Whimbrel''===
''[[Empire Whimbrel]]'' was a 5,983 GRT cargo ship which was built by [[Moore Dry Dock Company|Moore Shipbuilding Co]]. [[Oakland, California|Oakland]], California. Completed in June 1919 as ''Monasses'' for the USSB. To MoWT in 1941 and renamed ''Empire Whimbrel''. Torpedoed on 11 April 1943 and sunk by {{GS|U-181||2}} {{convert|400|nmi|km}} south south west of [[Freetown]], [[Sierra Leone]] ({{coord|02|31|N|15|55|W}}).{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=410}}

===''Empire Widgeon''===
[[File:USS Dorothea L. Dix.jpg|thumb|USS ''Dorothea L Dix'']] ''[[Empire Widgeon]]'' was a 6,736 GRT [[type C3 ship|C3-E type ship]] which was built in the [[Fore River Shipyard|Bethlehem Fore River Shipyard]], [[Quincy, Massachusetts|Quincy]], Massachusetts. Completed in August 1940 as ''Exemplar'' for [[American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines|American Export Lines]]. To MoWT in 1941 and renamed ''Empire Widgeon''. To USMC in 1942 and renamed ''Exemplar''. Conversion to a transport ship by Bethlehem Steel completed in September 1942. To US Navy as ''Dorothea L Dix''. To American Export Lines in April 1946 and renamed ''Exemplar''. Scrapped in November 1968 at [[Alicante]], Spain.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=429}}

===''Empire Wildebeeste''===
[[File:West Ekonk underway.jpg|thumb|USS West Ekonk]]
''[[Empire Wildebeeste]]'' was a 5,631 GRT cargo ship which was built by [[Skinner & Eddy]], [[Seattle]]. Completed in 1918 as ''West Ekonk'' for the USSB. Sold in 1933 to [[Lykes Brothers Steamship Company|Lykes Brothers-Ripley Steamship Co]] . To MoWT in 1941 and renamed ''Empire Wildebeeste''. Torpedoed on 29 September 1942 and sunk by {{GS|U-596||2}} at {{coord|56|20|N|38|10|W}} while a member of Convoy SC 100.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=408}}

===''Empire Willow''===
''Empire Willow'' was a 129 GRT tug which was built by R Dunston Ltd, [[Thorne, South Yorkshire|Thorne]]. Launched on 29 May 1941 and completed in October 1941. Allocated in 1947 to the [[Politics of Poland|Polish Government]] and renamed ''Ŀos''. Deleted from shipping registers in 1962.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=327}}

===''Empire Wilson''===
''[[Empire Wilson]]'' was a 9,916 GRT cargo liner which was built by [[Charles Connell and Company|C Connell & Co Ltd]], Glasgow. Launched on 18 August 1944 and completed in December 1944. Sold in 1946 to [[Union-Castle Line|Union-Castle Mail Steamship Co Ltd]] and renamed ''Kenilworth Castle''. Arrived on 4 June 1967 at Hong Kong for scrapping.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=187}}

===''Empire Wily''===
''[[Empire Wily]]'' was a 6,343 GRT cargo ship which was built by [[Lithgows|Lithgows Ltd]], Port Glasgow. Launched on 26 March 1940 as ''Dalesman'' for T & J Harrison Ltd. Completed in May 1940. Bombed on 14 May 1941 by German aircraft at [[Suda Bay]], [[Crete]] and sunk. Salvaged by German forces and renamed ''Pluto''. Bombed at Trieste and sunk (date unknown). Salvaged by the British in May 1945 and rebuilt at Trieste. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Wily''. Returned to T & J Harrison and renamed ''Dalesman''. Arrived on 15 September 1959 at [[Ghent]], Belgium for scrapping.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=476}}

===''Empire Wind''===
''{{SS|Empire Wind||2}}'' was a 7,459 GRT cargo ship which was built by J L Thompson & Sons Ltd, Sunderland. Launched on 9 July 1940 and completed in September 1940. Bombed on 13 November 1940 by German aircraft and sank at {{coord|53|48|N|15|52|W}}.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=118}}

===''Empire Windrush''===
[[File:HMT Empire Windrush FL9448.jpg|thumb|Empire Windrush]]
''[[Empire Windrush]]'' was a 14,651 GRT ocean liner which was built by Blohm & Voss, [[Hamburg]]. Completed in 1930 as ''Monte Rosa'' for [[Hamburg Süd|Hamburg Südamerikanische Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft]], Hamburg. Requisitioned in 1940 by the Kriegsmarine and used as a barracks ship at [[Stettin]] until 1942. Later used as a troopship between Denmark and Norway. In October 1943 she was used as a repair ship for [[German battleship Tirpitz|''Tirpitz'']]. Resumed trooping duties in 1944 and then used as a [[hospital ship]] in connection with the evacuation of German citizens from East Prussia. Struck a mine on 15 February 1945 off [[Hel, Poland|Hela]] and was towed to Gdynia. Temporary repairs were carried out and towed with 5,600 refugees to [[Copenhagen]]. Used there as a hospital ship. Departed Copenhagen under tow on 23 June 1945 for Kiel. Allocated to the United Kingdom in August 1945.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|pp=476-77}}

In November 1945 she was taken to [[Jarrow]], [[Northumberland]] and laid up there until April 1946 when she was refitted as a troopship by Alex, Stephen & Sons Ltd, [[Glasgow]]. Renamed ''Empire Windrush'' in January 1947. Arrived at [[Tilbury]] in June 1948 with 500 [[Jamaica]]n immigrants, among the first postwar immigrants to the United Kingdom from the Caribbean. Refitted at [[Southampton]] between April and August 1950. Caught fire on 28 March 1954 {{convert|32|nmi|km}} off [[Cape Caxine]], [[Algiers]] and abandoned with the loss of four lives from 1,487 people aboard. Taken in tow by {{HMS|Saintes|D84|6}} but sank stern first on 29 March at {{coord|37|00|N|02|11|E}}.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|pp=476-77}}

===''Empire Winnie''===
''Empire Winnie'' was a 487 GRT tug which was built by [[Clelands Shipbuilding Company|Clelands (Successors) Ltd]], [[Willington Quay|Willington Quay-on-Tyne]]. Launched on 2 September 1943 and completed in January 1944. Sold in 1946 to William Watkins Ltd and renamed ''Zealandia''. Sold in 1952 to [[Adelaide Steamship Company]] Ltd, Australia and renamed ''Yuna''. Sold in 1971 to C R Rotondella, Australia. Converted to a [[barge]] in 1973 and scrapped in April 1974 at [[Bunbury, Western Australia|Bunbury]], [[Western Australia]].{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=304}}

===''Empire Wisdom''===
''[[Empire Wisdom]]'' was a 9,208 GRT refrigerated cargo liner which was built by Greenock Dock Company, Greenock. Launched on 29 July 1942 and completed in November 1942. Sold in 1946 to [[Blue Star Line|Blue Star Line Ltd]] and renamed ''Royal Star''. Refitted in November 1961 by Bremer Vulkan, [[Vegesack]]. A new diesel engine was fitted and renamed ''Caledonia Star''. Arrived on 1 December 1972 at Kaohsiung, Taiwan for scrapping.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=183}}

===''Empire Witham''===
''[[Empire Witham]]'' was a 1,923 GRT cargo ship which was built by [[Société anonyme John Cockerill|J Cockerill SA]], [[Hoboken, Antwerp|Hoboken]], Belgium. Completed in 1944 as ''Aeolus'' for Neptun Line. Seized in May 1945 at Kiel. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Witham''. Sold in 1948 to Indo-China Steam Navigation Co Ltd, Hong Kong and renamed ''Choysang''. Sold in 1961 to Hemisphere Shipping Co, Hong Kong and renamed ''Milford''. Sold in 1967 to Continental Navigation Co, Panama and renamed ''Salamanca''. Scrapped in May 1969 in Hong Kong.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=477}}

===''Empire Wold''===
''Empire Wold'' was a 268 GRT tug which was built by [[John Crown & Sons Ltd]], Sunderland. Launched on 24 March 1942 and completed in June 1942. British records state that she was lost on 10 November 1944. Believed to have foundered at {{coord|64|08|N|22|38|W}} while attempting to assist ''Shirvan'' a British tanker and Icelandic passenger ship "Godafoss" which had both been torpedoed and sunk by ''U-300''.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=316}}

===''Empire Wolfe''===
''[[Empire Wolfe]]'' was a 2,888 GRT cargo ship which was built by William Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool. Launched on 26 July 1941 and completed in September 1941. Sold in 1946 to Ulster Steamship Co Ltd and renamed ''Wicklow Head''. Operated under the management of G Heyn & Sons Ltd. Ran aground on 2 May 1947 at Joli Point, [[Port Mouton, Nova Scotia]]. Salvage was proposed by the ship was further damaged in storms between 8 and 12 June 1947 and was declared a constructive total loss.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=195}}

===''Empire Woodcock''===
''[[Empire Woodcock]]'' was a 5,572 GRT cargo ship which was built by the [[Ames Shipbuilding and Drydock Company]], Seattle. Completed in November 1918 as ''West Cape'' for the USSB. Sold in 1927 to McCormick Steamship Co. To MoWT in 1940 and renamed ''Empire Woodcock''. Allocated in 1942 to the Greek Government and renamed ''Epiros''. Sold in 1948 to Zaunos, Stavrides & Cocolis, Greece. Sold in 1951 to Transworld Lines SA, Panama and renamed ''San Andrea''. Scrapped in January 1953 at Stockton on Tees.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=402}}

===''Empire Woodland''===
''Empire Woodland'' was a 683 GRT dredger which was built by William Simons & Co Ltd, Greenock. Launched on 17 April 1946 and completed later that year as ''W 103'' for the Admiralty. Renamed ''W 32'' in 1948. To [[Ministry of Works (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Public Building and Works]] in 1963.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=352}}

===''Empire Woodlark''===
''[[Empire Woodlark]]'' was a 7,793 GRT troopship which was built by [[New York Shipbuilding|New York Shipbuilding Corp]], [[Camden, New Jersey|Camden]], New Jersey. Completed in July 1913 as cargo liner ''Congress'' for [[Pacific Coast Steamship Co.]] Caught fire on 14 September 1916 off [[Crescent City, California]] and gutted. Rebuilt at Seattle. Sold in 1918 to China Mail Steamship Co, New York and renamed ''Nanking''. Owners bankrupt in 1922 she was seized and sold by Court Order. Sold in 1923 to Pacific Steamship Co Inc, Seattle and renamed ''Emma Alexander''. To MoWT in 1940 and refitted as a troopship. Renamed ''Empire Woodlark'' in 1942. Scuttled on 2 November 1946 north of the [[Hebrides]] ({{coord|59|00|N|07|40|W}}) with a cargo of obsolete chemical ammunition.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=423}}

===''Empire Wordsworth''===
''[[Empire Wordsworth]]'' was a 9,891 GRT tanker which was built by Sir J Laing & Sons Ltd, Sunderland. Launched on 29 May 1942 and completed in September 1942. Sold in 1945 to British Tanker Co Ltd and renamed ''British Lancer''. Arrived on 10 September 1960 at [[Briton Ferry]], Glamorgan for scrapping.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=147}}

===''Empire Worthtown''===
''[[Empire Worthtown]]'' was an 805 GRT cargo ship which was built by J Lewins & Sons Ltd., Aberdeen. Launched in 1939 as ''Worthtown'' for Williamstown Shipping Co. Ltd., London. Bombed and sunk at Dunkerque on 27 May 1940. Salvaged by the Germans in November 1942. Repaired and to Schulte & Bruns, Emden, renamed ''Ilse Schulte''. Seized as a prize in May 1945. To MoWT, renamed ''Empire Worthtown''. Sold in 1946 to Comben Longstaff & Co. Ltd, renamed ''Glamorganbrook''. Sprang a leak and sank off Scarborugh on 11 October 1946.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=477}}

===''Empire Wrestler''===
''Empire Wrestler'' was a 797 GRT [[coastal trading vessel|coastal tanker]] which was built by Grangemouth Dockyard Co Ltd, Grangemouth. Launched on 22 May 1943 and completed in July 1943. Sold in 1946 to Anglo-American Oil Co Ltd and renamed ''Esso Genesee''. Sold in 1951 to [[ExxonMobil|Esso Petroleum Co Ltd]]. Scrapped in 1961 at [[Temse|Tamise]], Belgium.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=279}}

===''Empire Wycliff''===
''[[Empire Wycliff]]'' was a 6,066 GRT cargo ship which was built by Short Brothers Ltd, Sunderland. Launched on 28 July 1941 and completed in September 1941. Sold in 1946 to North Shipping Co and renamed ''North Anglia''. Operated under the management of H Roberts & Sons Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne. Sold in 1960 to Mariner Shipping Co Ltd, Hong Kong and renamed ''Happy Mariner''. Scrapped in March 1967 at [[Himeji, Hyōgo|Hirohata]], Japan.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=107}}

===''Empire Wye''===
''[[Empire Wye]]'' was a 6,446 GRT cargo ship which was built by Bremer Vulkan Schiff- und Maschinenbau, Vegesack. Launched in 1944 as ''Esmeralda'' for Hamburg Südamerikanische Dampfschiffahrts-Gesellschaft, Hamburg. Completed in 1945 by Nederland Scheepsvaart, [[Amsterdam]]. Seized in May 1945 on the [[Kiel Canal]]. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Wye''. Sold in 1947 to Indo-China Steam Navigation Co Ltd and renamed ''Eastern Saga''. Sold in 1968 to Southern Shipping & Enterprise Co, Hong Kong and renamed ''Nanfung''. Sold in 1972 to Yick Fung Shipping & Entreprise Co, Hong Kong and renamed ''Nan Fung''. Scrapped in 1975 in China.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=477}}

==Suffix beginning with Y==

===''Empire Yare''===
''[[Empire Yare]]'' was a 4,701 GRT ocean liner built by [[Reiherstieg Schiffswerfte & Maschinenfabrik]], Hamburg. Completed in 1922 as ''Wadai'' for Woermann Line, Hamburg. Requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine in 1939, used as an accommodation ship, school ship and then a target ship. Seized in May 1945 at Flensburg. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Yare''. Allocated in 1946 to the USSR and renamed ''Gogol''. Converted to a fisheries training ship and based at [[Petropavlosk-Kamchatsky|Petropavlosk]]. Scrapped in 1971.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=477}}

===''Empire Yukon''===
{{redirect|Duchessa d'Aosta|the title|Duchess of Aosta}}
[[File:StateLibQld 1 140203 Duchess D'Aosta (ship).jpg|thumb|''Duchessa D'Aosta'', later ''Empire Yukon'']]
''Empire Yukon'' was a 7,651 GRT cargo liner built by Stabilimento Tecnico Triestino, Trieste, Completed in 1921 as ''Duchessa D’Aosta'' for Lloyd Triestino, Trieste. Captured during [[Operation Postmaster]] on 14 January 1942 by the SOE and Royal Navy off [[Bioko|Fernando Po]], [[Spanish Guinea]] and reflagged to the United Kingdom. Caught fire on 13 July 1942 at [[Greenock]] and sank. Refloated on 22 July 1942 and repaired. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Yukon''. Allocated in 1946 to the [[Politics of Canada|Canadian Government]]. Sold in 1947 to Petrinovic & Co, London and renamed ''Petconnie''. Sold in 1951 to C.O.C. Società per Azioni, Italy and renamed ''Liu O''. Scrapped in November 1952 at Spezia, Italy.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=443}}

==Suffix beginning with Z==

===''Empire Zeal''===
''[[Empire Zeal]]'' was a 7,009 GRT cargo ship which was built by Lithgows Ltd, Port Glasgow. Launched on 29 December 1941 and completed in March 1942. Torpedoed on 2 November 1942 and sunk by {{ship|Italian submarine|Leonardo da Vinci|1939|6}} at {{coord|00|30|S|30|45|W}}.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=87}}

===''Empire Zephyr''===
''Empire Zephyr'' was a 6,237 GRT cargo ship which was built by C Connell & Co Ltd, Glasgow. Launched on 2 March 1941 and completed in April 1941. Sold in 1946 to Kelston Steamship co Ltd and renamed ''Valewood''. Operated under the management of J I Jacobs & Co Ltd. Sold in 1949 to Ampleforth Steamship Co Ltd and renamed ''Ampleforth''. Operated under the management of C Cravos & Co, Cardiff. Arrived on 12 August 1959 at Port Glasgow for scrapping.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=44}}

===''Empire Zest''===
''Empire Zest'' was a 316 GRT [[naval trawler|trawler]] which was built by Gebroeders Fikkers, [[Muntendam]], Netherlands. Launched in 1918 as ''Amsterdam''. Sold in 1938 to J L de Groot, Netherlands and renamed ''Zeester''. Requisitioned by MoWT in 1940 and renamed ''Empire Zest''. Transferred to the Admiralty in 1957 and reported disposed of in 1962.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=399}}

===''Empire Zona''===
''Empire Zona'' was a 292 GRT tug which was built by [[Fleming and Ferguson]] of [[Paisley, Renfrewshire|Paisley]]. Launched on 26 October 1945 and completed in February 1946. To the Admiralty in 1946, renamed ''Resolve'' in 1959. Sold in 1974 to L Matsas, Greece and renamed ''Georgios L Matsas''.{{sfn|Mitchell|Sawyer|1990|p=326}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
*{{cite book |last2=Sawyer |first2=LA |last1=Mitchell |first1=WH |year= 1990 |title=The Empire Ships |place=London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong |publisher=Lloyd's of London Press Ltd |isbn=1-85044-275-4 |edition=Second }}

{{Empire ships}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:List of Empire Ships - U To Z}}
[[Category:Lists of Empire ships|U]]