EMPRESS OF BRITAIN

Built 1930

42,348 gross tons,

Length 733.4ft x beam 97.9ft, three funnels, two masts, quadruple screw, speed 25 knots, accommodation for 465-1st, 260-tourist and 470-3rd class passengers. Built by John Brown & Co., Glasgow, she was launched for Canadian Pacific SS Co. by the Prince of Wales on 11th Jun.1930 and started her maiden voyage from Southampton to Cherbourg and Quebec on 27th May 1931.

She was used for cruising in the winter. On 9th Aug.1934 she arrived at Cherbourg after a record crossing from Belle Isle in 4 days 7 hours. In June 1939 she carried King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on the Royal tour from Canada to Southampton. Requisitioned for trooping in Nov.1939, she was bombed by German aircraft and set on fire on 26th Oct.1940 off the Irish coast.

Taken in tow, she was torpedoed twice by the U.32 and sank on 28th Oct. with the loss of 49 lives, the largest British merchant ship lost in WWII.

Photo Credits: The late Allan Green Co;;ection Vic Australia

Details: Shiplist

Cheers and Gb

Gordy