SS Empire Celt

Empire Celt was an tanker which was built in 1941 for the Ministry of War Transport. Completed in January 1942, she had a short career, being torpedoed and sunk on 24 February 1942 by.

Description

Empire Celt was built by Furness Shipbuilding Ltd, Haverton Hill-on-Tees, as yard number 335. She was launched on 7 October 1941 and completed in December.
Empire Celt was long, with a beam of and a depth of. She had a GRT of 8,032 and a NRT of 4,664.
Empire Celt was propelled by a triple expansion steam engine, which had cylinders of, and diameter by stroke. The engine was built by Richardsons, Westgarth & Co Ltd, Hartlepool.

History

Empire Celt was placed under the management of Jas. German & Co Ltd, Middlesbrough. Her port of registry was Middlesbrough. The United Kingdom Official Number 164861 and Code Letters BCWD were allocated.
Empire Celt was a member of Convoy ON 67, which departed Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire on 13 February 1942 bound for North America. Empire Celt was on a voyage from Greenock to New York. She was in ballast. At 08:55 on 24 February, Empire Celt was torpedoed by, being hit by two torpedoes. Four crew and two DEMS gunners were killed. Although she had been damaged, Empire Celt continued her voyage. Another attack at 09:50 by failed, with the torpedo aimed at Empire Celt hitting instead. Empire Celt later broke in two, with the bow section sinking. The Canadian ship rescued 23 survivors, and rescued 22 survivors. They were landed at Newfoundland and Labrador|St. John's], Newfoundland on 22 February. The stern section was considered salvageable, and the tug Foundation Franklin was despatched on 9 March to assist but failed to find any trace of Empire Celt and she was presumed to have sunk at position. Those lost on Empire Celt are commemorated at the Tower Hill Memorial, London.