View source for SS Empire Dell

{{short description|World War II merchant ship of the United Kingdom}}

{{EngvarB|date=March 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image               = 
| Ship caption             = 
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header              = 
| Ship name                = ''Empire Dell''
| Ship owner               = Ministry of War Transport
| Ship operator            = George Nisbet & Co
| Ship registry            = {{flagicon|United Kingdom|civil}} Greenock, United Kingdom
| Ship route               = 
| Ship ordered             = 
| Ship builder             = Lithgows Ltd
| Ship original cost       = 
| Ship yard number         = 947
| Ship way number          = 
| Ship laid down           = 
| Ship launched            = 26 May 1941
| Ship completed           = 
| Ship commissioned        = 
| Ship decommissioned      = 
| Ship christened          = 
| Ship acquired            = 
| Ship maiden voyage       = 
| Ship in service          = 
| Ship out of service      = 11 May 1942
| Ship identification      =*United Kingdom [[Official Number]] 167004
*Code Letters BCMD
*{{ICS|Bravo}}{{ICS|Charlie}}{{ICS|Mike}}{{ICS|Delta}}
| Ship fate                = Torpedoed and sunk 12 May 1942
| Ship notes               = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header              = 
| Header caption           = 
| Ship type               = [[CAM ship]]
| Ship tonnage             =*{{GRT|7,065}}
*{{NRT|5,168}}<!--
*,xxx [[deadweight tonnage|DWT]]-->
| Ship displacement        = 
| Ship length              = {{convert|432|ft|2|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam                = {{convert|56|ft|2|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| Ship height              = 
| Ship draught             = {{convert|34|ft|2|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| Ship depth               = {{convert|26|ft|3|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| Ship decks               = 
| Ship deck clearance      = 
| Ship ramps               = 
| Ship ice class           = 
| Ship range               = 
| Ship power               = {{convert|436|ihp|kW|abbr=on}}
| Ship propulsion          = Triple expansion steam engine
| Ship speed               = <!--{{convert|xx|kn|km/h}}-->
| Ship capacity            = 
| Ship crew                = 41, plus 7 [[RAF]] personnel
| Ship notes               = 
| Ship armament            = 1 × [[Hawker Sea Hurricane]]
}}
|}
{{location map|North Atlantic|width=304
|lat=53
|long=-29.95|caption=Location of the sinking of ''Empire Dell''.
}}

'''SS ''Empire Dell''''' was a {{GRT|7065}} [[CAM ship]] that was built in 1941 by [[Lithgows|Lithgows Ltd]], [[Port Glasgow]], [[United Kingdom]] for the [[Ministry of War Transport]] (MoWT). She served until May 1942, when she was torpedoed and sunk by {{GS|U-124|1940|2}} whilst a member of Convoy ONS 92.

==Description==
The ship was built in 1941 by [[Lithgows|Lithgows Ltd]], [[Port Glasgow]].<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]] 947.<ref name=Clydesite>{{cite web |url=http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=18272 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526085359/http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=18272 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=26 May 2011 |title=Launched 1941: ss EMPIRE DELL |publisher=Clydesite |accessdate=11 June 2011}}</ref>

The ship was {{convert|432|ft|2|in|m|2}} long, with a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|56|ft|2|in|m|2}}. She had a depth of {{convert|34|ft|2|in|m|2}} and a [[Draft (hull)|draught]] of {{convert|26|ft|3|in|m|2}}. She was assessed at {{GRT|7,065|disp=long}}, {{NRT|5,168|disp=long}}.<ref name=Dell40>{{cite web|url=https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/40/40a1066.pdf |title=Lloyd's Register, Navires a vapeur et a moteurs |publisher=Plimsoll Ship Data |access-date=15 July 2011}}</ref><!-- Her [[deadweight tonnage|DWT]] was x,xxx.<ref name=xxxx/>-->

The ship was propelled by a {{convert|436|ihp|kW|lk=on}} [[triple expansion steam engine]],<ref name=Clydesite/> which had cylinders of {{convert|23+1/2|in|cm}}, {{convert|37+1/2|in|cm}} and {{convert|68|in|cm}} diameter by {{convert|48|in|cm}} stroke. The engine was built by Rankin & Blackmore Ltd, [[Greenock]].<ref name=Dell40/><!-- It drove a screw propeller and could propel the ship at {{convert|xx|kn|km/h}}.<ref name=xxxx/>-->

She could embark and operate a [[Hawker Sea Hurricane]] aircraft via a [[catapult]].<ref name=Ships/> Her crew numbered 41, plus seven [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) personnel.<ref name=Uboat/>

==History==
''Empire Dell'' was built for the MoWT. She was launched on 26 May 1941.<ref name=Ships/> She was placed under the management of George Nisbet & Co Ltd, [[Glasgow]].<ref name=Uboat>{{cite web|url=http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/1634.html |title=Empire Dell |publisher=Uboat |accessdate=11 June 2011}}</ref> ''Empire Dell'' was allocated the United Kingdom [[Official Number]] 167004 and [[Code Letters]] BCMD. Her port of registry was [[Greenock]].<ref name=Dell40/>

''Empire Dell'' departed from the [[River Clyde|Clyde]] on 11 July 1941 for the [[Belfast Lough]], from where she sailed on 16 July to join [[OB convoys|Convoy OB 347]],<ref name=Port>{{cite web |url=http://convoyweb.org.uk/ports/index.html?search.php?vessel=EMPIRE%20DELL~armain |title=Empire Dell |publisher=Convoyweb |access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> which departed from [[Liverpool]], [[Lancashire]] that day and dispersed at sea on 31 July.<ref name=OB347>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/ob2/index.html?ob.php?convoy=347!~obmain |title=Convoy OB.347 |publisher=Convoyweb |access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> she then sailed to [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]], [[Canada]], arriving on 2 August.<ref name=Port/> Laden with [[grain]], she departed from Halifax on 10 August as a member of [[HX convoys|Convoy HX 144]], which arrived at Liverpool on 30 August. ''Empire Dell'' was transferred to [[SC convoys|Convoy SC 40]],<ref name=HX144>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/hx/index.html?hx.php?convoy=144!~hxmain |title=Convoy SC.40 |publisher=Convoyweb |access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> which had departed from [[Sydney, Nova Scotia|Sydney]], [[Cape Breton Island|Cape Breton]], Nova Scotia on 10 August and arrived at Liverpool on 29 August.<ref name=SC40>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/sc/index.html?sc.php?convoy=40!~scmain |title=Convoy SC.40 |publisher=Convoyweb |access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref>

''Empire Dell'' was a member of [[ON convoys|Convoy ON 16]], which departed from Liverpool on 13 September and dispersed at sea on 27 September.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/on/index.html?onz.php?convoy=16!~onzmain |title=Convoy ON.16 |publisher=Convoyweb |access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> She sailed to Halifax, arriving on 5 October. She departed from Halifax a week later and sailed to Sydney, arriving the next day.<ref name=Port/> Laden with a cargo of [[wheat]], ''Empire Dell'' was a member of Convoy SC 50, which departed from Sydney on 17 October and arrived at Liverpool on 4 November.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/sc/index.html?sc.php?convoy=50!~scmain |title=Convoy SC.50 |publisher=Convoyweb |access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> She left the convoy at the Belfast Lough on 3 November to join Convoy BB 97,<ref name=Port/> which departed on 6 November and arrived at [[Milford Haven]], [[Pembrokeshire]] the next day.<ref name=BB97>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/bb/index.html?bb.php?convoy=97!~bbmain |title=Convoy BB.97 |publisher=Convoyweb |access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> She sailed on to [[Avonmouth]], [[Somerset]], arriving on 8 November. She left four days later and sailed to [[Cardiff]], [[Glamorgan]], arriving on 13 November.<ref name=Port/>

''Empire Dell'' departed from Cardiff on 22 November and sailed to Liverpool, arriving on 24 November.<ref name=Port/> She was a member of Convoy ON 40, which departed on 25 November and dispersed at sea on 4 December.<ref name=ON40>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/on/index.html?onz.php?convoy=40!~onzmain |title=Convoy ON.40 |publisher=Convoyweb |access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> She detached from the convoy and put into the Clyde, arriving on 27 November. She sailed from the Clyde the next day to join [[OG convoys|Convoy OG 77]],<ref name=Port/> which departed from Milford Haven on 24 November and arrived at [[Gibraltar]] on 13 December.<ref name=OG77>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/og/index.html?og.php?convoy=77!~ogmain |title=Convoy OG.77 |publisher=Convoyweb |access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> She departed from Gibraltar on 29 December for [[Huelva]], [[Spain]], arriving the next day.<ref name=Port/>

''Empire Dell'' departed from Huelva on 7 January 1942 for Gibraltar, arriving the same day.<ref name=Port/> Laden with a cargo of [[iron ore]], she departed from Gibraltar on 11 January as a member of [[SL convoys|Convoy SL 97G]], which arrived at Liverpool on 24 January.<ref name=SL97G>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/sl2/index.html?sl.php?convoy=97G!~slmain |title=Convoy SL.97G |publisher=Convoyweb |access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> She sailed to the Clyde, arriving on 23 January. ''Empire Dell'' departed from the Clyde on 24 February to join Convoy OG 80,<ref name=Port/> which departed from Milford Haven on 22 February and arrived at Gibraltar on 8 March.<ref name=OG80>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/og/index.html?og.php?convoy=80!~ogmain |title=Convoy OG.80 |publisher=Convoyweb |access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> She left Gibraltar on 26 March, returning on 30 March.<ref name=Port/> Carrying a cargo of iron ore, she departed from Gibraltar on 5 April as a member of [[HG convoys|Convoy HG 81]], which arrived at Liverpool on 15 April.<ref name=HG81>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/hg/index.html?hg.php?convoy=81!~hgmain |title=Convoy HG.81 |publisher=Convoyweb |access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref>

''Empire Dell'' was a member of Convoy ON 92, which departed from Liverpool on 6 May and arrived at Halifax on 21 May.<ref name=OG92>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/on/index.html?onz.php?convoy=92!~onzmain |title=Convoy ON.92 |publisher=Convoyweb |access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> At around 02:00 (German time) on 12 May, ''Empire Dell'' was hit by a [[torpedo]] fired by {{GS|U-124|1940|2}}, which was under the command of ''[[Kapitänleutnant]]'' [[Johann Mohr]].<ref name=Uboat/> ''U-124'' was operating as part of [[Wolfpack (naval tactic)|Wolf pack]] [[Wolf pack Hecht|Hecht]].<ref name=Wolfpack>{{cite web |url=http://uboat.net/ops/wolfpacks/31.html |title=Hecht (e. Pike) |publisher=Uboat |access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> She sank at {{coord|53|00|N|29|57|W|display=inline, title}}.<ref name=Ships/> Two of her crew of 48, which included seven RAF personnel, were killed. Twenty-one survivors were rescued by the [[convoy rescue ship]] {{SS|Bury||2}} and 25 were rescued by {{HMCS|Shediac|K110|6}}. They were landed at [[St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador|St John's]], [[Dominion of Newfoundland|Newfoundland]] on 17 and 16 May respectively.<ref name=Uboat/>  Those lost on ''Empire Dell'' are commemorated on the [[Tower Hill Memorial]], London.<ref name=Benjidog>{{cite web |url=http://www.benjidog.co.uk/Tower%20Hill/Empire%20Day%20to%20Empire%20Engineer.html |title=Empire Day to Empire Engineer |publisher=Brian Watson |access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://uboat.net/media/allies/merchants/br/empire_dell.jpg Photo of ''Empire Dell'']

{{Lithgows ships}}
{{CAM ships}}
{{Empire ships}}
{{May 1942 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Empire Dell}}
[[Category:1941 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built on the River Clyde]]
[[Category:CAM ships]]
[[Category:Empire ships]]
[[Category:Ministry of War Transport ships]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in May 1942]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by German submarines in World War II]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Atlantic Ocean]]