SS Empire Celtic
| Career | |
|---|---|
| Name: |
HMS LST 3512 (1945) SS Empire Celtic (1945-56) HMS Empire Celtic (1956) SS Empire Celtic (1945-62) |
| Owner: |
Royal Navy (1945) Ministry of War Transport (1945) Ministry of Transport (1945-62) |
| Operator: |
Royal Navy (1945) Atlantic Steam Navigation Co Ltd (1946-56) Royal Navy (1956) Atlantic Steam Navigation Co Ltd (1956-60) |
| Port of registry: |
 Royal Navy (1946-48) London (1948-56) Royal Navy (1956) London (1956-60) |
| Route: |
Tilbury - Hamburg (1946-55) Tilbury - Rotterdam (1955-60) |
| Ordered: | 1 February 1944 |
| Builder: | Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd |
| Launched: | 25 April 1945 |
| Completed: | September 1945 |
| Commissioned: | 7 August 1945 |
| Out of service: | 1960 |
| Fate: | Scrapped 1962 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: |
Landing Ship, Tank (LST 3514) Ferry (Empire Celtic) |
| Length: | 347 feet 6 inches (105.92 m) |
| Beam: | 55 feet 3 inches (16.84 m) |
| Draught: | 12 feet 5 inches (3.78 m) |
| Installed power: | Triple expansion steam engine |
| Propulsion: | Screw propellor |
| Speed: | 13.5 knots (25.0 km/h) |
Empire Celtic was a ferry which was built in 1945 as Landing Ship, Tank LST 3514 for the Royal Navy. In 1946 she was chartered by the Atlantic Steam Navigation Co Ltd, converted to a ferry and renamed Empire Celtic. In 1956, she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy for a few months during the Suez Crisis as HMS Empire Cedric. She served until 1960 and was scrapped in 1965.
Description
The ship was ordered on 1 February 1944.[1] She was built by Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Lauzon, Quebec,[2] as yard number 335.[3] She was launched on 25 April 1945,[4] and completed in September.[2]
The ship was 347 feet 6 inches (105.92 m) long, with a beam of 55 feet 3 inches (16.84 m) and a depth of 12 feet 5 inches (3.78 m).[1]
The ship was propelled by a triple expansion steam engine.[2] The engine was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway.[4] It could propel her at 13.5 knots (25.0 km/h).[1]
History
LST 3512 was commissioned into the Royal Navy on 7 August 1945.[5] In 1946, she was chartered by the Atlantic Steam Navigation Co Ltd.[4] She was rebuilt as a ferry by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Tilbury.[2] She entered service on trooping duties on the Tilbury - Hamburg route. I 1955, the route was change to Tilbury - Rotterdam.[6] In 1956, Empire Celtic took part in Operation Musketeer.[5] She was used to bring vehicles back to the United Kingdom from Egypt. Due to weather damage Empire Celtic had to divert to Malta for repairs.[7]Empire Celtic was withdrawn from service in 1960. She was sold on 10 August 1962,[5] and scrapped at La Spezia, Italy.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "HMS LST 3512". Warships. http://www.warshipsww2.eu/shipsplus.php?language=&id=133918. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Mitchell, W H, and Sawyer, L A (1995). The Empire Ships. London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong: Lloyd's of London Press Ltd. ISBN 1-85044-275-4.
- ↑ "FURNESS SHIPBUILDING COMPANY LTD., HAVERTON HILL". Tees Built Ships. http://www.teesbuiltships.co.uk/furness/19401969/empirecelt1941.htm. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "LST (Landing Ship Tank/Troop)". Luton & District Model Boat Club. http://www.lutonmodelboat.co.uk/history_lst.html. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "LST 3512". Old Ships. http://www.oldships.org.uk/SHIPS/SHIP_DETAILS/LST_3512_DETAILS.htm. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
- ↑ "The 'Empire' Class, the pioneer ships of Roll on / Roll off ferries.". The Maritime Steam Restoration Trust. http://www.maritimesteamrestorationtrust.co.uk/projects/empire.html. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
- ↑ "British Units involved in the Suez crisis". Britain's Small Wars. http://www.britains-smallwars.com/suez/untis.html. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
