Empire Beacon was an 872 GRT coaster which was built in 1941. She was owned by the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) and managed by John Stewart & Co (Shipping) Ltd. Empire Beacon struck a mine and sank off St. Ann's Head, Pembrokeshire on 5 April 1942.

History
NameEmpire Beacon
OwnerMinistry of War Transport
OperatorJohn Stewart & Co (Shipping) Ltd
Port of registryUnited Kingdom Glasgow
BuilderScott & Sons Ltd, Bowling
Launched24 September 1941
CompletedFebruary 1942
Identification
FateStruck a mine and sank, 5 April 1942
General characteristics
Tonnage872 GRT
Length203 ft (61.87 m)
Beam33 ft 2 in (10.11 m)
Depth11 ft 7 in (3.53 m)
Propulsion6-cylinder SCSA Oil engine, 80 hp (60 kW)
MV Empire Beacon is located in the United Kingdom
MV Empire Beacon
Location of the sinking of Empire Beacon.

Career

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Empire Beacon was built by Scott & Sons Ltd, Bowling, West Dunbartonshire.[1] She was yard number 358 and was launched on 24 September 1941 and completed in November that year.[2] Empire Beacon was built for the MoWT and placed under the management of John Stewart & Co (Shipping) Ltd. Her port of registry was Glasgow.[3]

Sinking

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On 5 April 1942, Empire Beacon struck a mine and sank 6 nautical miles (11 km) off St. Ann's Head (51°41′N 5°10′W / 51.683°N 5.167°W / 51.683; -5.167).[1][2]

Official Numbers and Code Letters

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Official numbers were a forerunner to IMO Numbers. Empire Beacon had the UK Official Number 168695 and used the Code Letters BCSY.[2][3]

Propulsion

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Empire Beacon was powered by a Single Cycle, Single Action oil engine,[3] driving a single screw.[2] The cylinders were 1338 in (340mm) diameter by 22716 in (570 mm) stroke. The engine developed 80 horsepower (60 kW).[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b 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.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b c d "1168695". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 18 October 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d "LLOYD'S REGISTER, NAVIRES A VAPEUR ET A MOTEURS" (PDF). Retrieved 18 October 2009.