SS Basildon
Basildon was a coaster that was built in 1945 as Empire Bromley for the Ministry of War Transport. She was sold into civil service in 1946 and renamed Levenwood. Another change of ownership saw her renamed Basildon and she served under this name until scrapped in 1967.
Description
Empire Bromley was built by G Brown & Co Ltd, Greenock. She was yard number 233. Launched on 26 May 1945, she was completed in June 1945.The ship was long, with a beam of and a depth of. She was propelled by a triple expansion steam engine that had cylinders of, and bore by stroke. The engine was built by Rankin & Blackmore Ltd, Greenock. She had a GRT of 1,058, with a NRT of 584 and a DWT of 1,410.
Career
Empire Bromley's port of registry was Greenock. She was operated under the management of John Kelly Ltd, and then Joseph Constantine Steamship Co Ltd. In 1946, she was sold to Constantine Shipping Co and renamed Levenwood. Her port of registry was changed to Middlesbrough. She was operated under the management of J Constantine Steamship Line Ltd. On 31 January 1953, Levenwood was in the North Sea and in danger of drifting ashore on the Lincolnshire coast. A distress call was issued and a tugboat requested.Levenwood was sold in 1961 to Panax Ltd, London and renamed Basildon. She was sold in 1962 to Don Shipping Co Ltd, operated under the management of C M Willie & Co Ltd. Basildon was sold in 1963 to R S Braggs & Co Ltd. She was scrapped in October 1967 at Burcht, Belgium.