Empire Roach

Suffix beginning with R

''Empire Rabaul''

'' Empire Rabaul'' was a 7,307 Gross register tonnage (GRT) cargo ship which was built by John Readhead & Sons Ltd, South Shields. Launched on 27 November 1944 and completed in February 1945. Sold in 1947 to B J Sutherland & Co Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne and renamed ''Dumfries''. Sold in 1953 to Chine Shipping Co Ltd and renamed ''Charles Dickens''. Operated under the management of Anglo-Danubian Transport Co Ltd, London. Sold in 1956 to the Yugoslavian Government and renamed ''Pohorje''. Arrived on 21 April 1967 at Trieste, Italy for scrapping.

''Empire Race''

''Empire Race'' was a 244 GRT tug which was built by Henry Scarr Ltd, Hessle. Launched on 21 November 1944 and completed in June 1942. Sold in 1962 to Società di Navigazione Capiece, Italy and renamed ''Capo d’Orlando''.

''Empire Rain''

'' Empire Rain'' was a 7,290 GRT cargo ship which was built by John Readhead & Sons Ltd, South Shields. Launched on 30 October 1940 and completed in January 1941. Sold in 1945 to Thompson Steam Shipping Co Ltd, London, and renamed ''Amersham''. Operated under the management of Clan Line Ltd. Sold in 1952 to Malabar Steamship Co Ltd, Bombay and renamed ''Janeta''. Scrapped in March 1963 in Bombay.

''Empire Rainbow''

'' Empire Rainbow'' was a 6,942 GRT CAM ship which was built by Greenock Dockyard Co Ltd, Greenock. Launched on 27 December 1940 and completed in May 1941. Torpedoed on 26 July 1942 and sunk by ''U-607'' at while a member of Convoy ON 113.

''Empire Raja''

'' Empire Raja'' was a 6,224 GRT cargo ship which was built by Joh. C. Tecklenborg AG, Wesermünde. Completed in 1922 as ''Wildenfels'' for DDG Hansa, Bremen. Scuttled on 25 August 1941 at Bandar Shapur, Iraq. Salvaged and seized as a war prize. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Raja''. Sold in 1951 to Wheelock, Marden & Co, Hong Kong and renamed ''Lansdowne''. Sold in 1951 to Dai-Ichi Kisen KK, Japan, and renamed ''Liverpool Maru''. Scrapped in November 1960 at Osaka, Japan.

''Empire Raleigh''

'' Empire Raleigh'' was a 7,240 GRT cargo ship which was built by William Doxford & Sons Ltd, Sunderland. Launched on 12 June 1941 and completed in October 1941. Allocated in 1942 to the Dutch Government and renamed ''Vermeer''. Sold in 1946 to Stoomscheep Maatschappij Wijklijn NV and renamed ''Zonnewijk''. Operated under the management of Erhardt & Dekkers, Rotterdam. Sold in 1961 to Compagnia Navigazione de Egeo, Panama and renamed ''Antonakis''. Operated under the management of Lemos & Pateras Ltd. Ran aground on 6 December 1961 at Cape Spartel, Morocco and broke in two. Declared a total loss.

''Empire Rancher''

''Empire Rancher'' was a 332 GRT collier which was built by J Harker Ltd, Knottingley. Launched on 2 January 1943 and completed in June 1943. Sold in 1947 to Anglo-Danubian Transport Co Ltd, London and renamed ''Shelley''. Sold in 1948 to Coppack Brothers & Co, Hull. Stranded on 6 June 1965 in Strangford Lough. Refloated and taken in tow but sank on 8 June in Belfast Lough.

''Empire Ranger''

'' Empire Ranger'' was a 7,008 GRT cargo ship which was built by Lithgows Ltd, Port Glasgow. Launched on 3 December 1941 and was completed in February 1942. Bombed on 28 March 1942 by Junkers Ju 88 aircraft and sunk at while a member of Convoy PQ 13. Crew member, Alfred Minchin was taken prisoner by a German destroyer and became a member of the Waffen-SS '' British Free Corps'', holding the rank of Sturmmann. He was 'convicted at Central Criminal Court on 5 February 1946 of conspiring to assist the enemy and sentenced to 7 years of penal servitude."Seamen Sentenced For Aiding Enemy."
Times, London, England, 21 Feb. 1946: 2. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 20 Mar. 2015.

''Empire Rangoon''

'' Empire Rangoon'' was a 7,028 GRT cargo ship which was built by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast. Launched on 25 January 1944 and completed in May 1944. Sold in 1947 to Reardon Smith Line Ltd and renamed ''Homer City''. Operated under the management of Sir William Reardon Smith & Sons Ltd. Sold in 1966 to Grosvenor Shipping Co Ltd, London, and renamed ''Grosvenor Mariner''. Operated under the management of Mollers Ltd, Hong Kong. Sold in 1966 to Tat On Shipping & Enterprise Co Ltd, Hong Kong, and renamed ''Red Sea''. Operated under the management of Yick Fung Shipping & Enterprise Co Ltd, Hong Kong. On 17 August 1971 she was driven aground at Lanatu Island, Hong Kong during Typhoon Rose. Refloated but scrapped in September 1971 at Hong Kong.

''Empire Rani''

'' Empire Rani'' was a 7,575 GRT cargo ship which was built by Joh. C. Tecklenborg AG, Wesermünde. Completed in 1921 as ''Marienfels'' for Hansa Line, Bremen. Captured on 25 August 1941 at Bandar Shapur, Iran. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Rani''. Sold in 1950 to San Giorgio del Porto, Italy, and renamed ''Karachi''. Scrapped in June 1959 at Osaka, Japan.

''Empire Ransom''

'' Empire Ransom'' was a 2,905 GRT cargo ship which was built by William Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool. Launched on 31 August 1943 and completed in November 1943. Sold in 1946 to Kelvin Shipping Co Ltd and renamed ''Baron Elibank''. Operated under the management of H Hogarth & Sons Ltd. Sold in 1959 to Empros Shipping Co Ltd, Greece, and renamed ''Armenistis''. Arrived on 6 July 1971 at Tamise, Belgium for scrapping.

''Empire Rapier''

'' Empire Rapier'' was a 7,177 GRT (11,650 tons displacement) Type C1-S-AY1 cargo ship which was built by Consolidated Steel Corp, Wilmington, California. Laid down as ''Cape Turner'' but completed in December 1943 as ''Empire Rapier'' for MoWT. To United States Maritime Commission (USMC) in 1948 and renamed ''Cape Turner''. Renamed ''Empire Rapier'' at an unknown date. Arrived on 5 January 1966 at Kearney, New Jersey for scrapping.

''Empire Raven''

'' Empire Raven'' was a 6,100 GRT (9,400 DWT) refrigerated cargo ship which was built by Moore Shipbuilding Co, Oakland, California. Completed in November 1918 as ''Oskawa'' for the United States Shipping Board (USSB). To MoWT in 1942 and renamed ''Empire Raven''. Sold in 1948 to South Georgia Co Ltd and renamed ''Southern Raven''. Operated under the management of Christian Salvesen & Co Ltd, Leith. Scrapped in November 1952 at Port Glasgow. Louis Adamic wrote an account of life on the ship in 1922 in his '' Dynamite: The Story of Class Violence in America'' (published in 1931), which in turn inspired Bertold Brecht's poem "Abbau des Schiffes Oskawa durch die Mannschaft", published in his 1939 collection '' Svendborger Gedichte''.

''Empire Rawlinson''

'' Empire Rawlinson'' was a 9,912 GRT cargo liner which was built by Lithgows Ltd, Port Glasgow. Launched on 22 June 1944 and completed in November 1944. Allocated in 1946 to the French Government and renamed ''Monkay''. Sold in 1950 to Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes, France. Sold in 1959 to Compagnia Marittima Marmara SA, Panama and renamed ''Dimitrios''. Sold in 1969 to S A Wisdom Ltda, Panama, and renamed ''Tropero''. Operated under the management of A Bottacchi SA, Argentina. Arrived on 1 February 1972 at Campan, Argentina for scrapping.

''Empire Ray''

'' Empire Ray'' was a 6,919 GRT CAM ship which was built by Greenock Dockyard Co Ltd, Greenock. Launched on 25 March 1941 and completed in June 1941. Sold in 1945 to King Line Ltd and renamed ''King Alfred''. Arrived on 16 March 1963 at Hamburg, West Germany for scrapping.

''Empire Raymond''

'' Empire Raymond'' is a 235 GRT tug which was built by A Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen. Launched on 21 January 1946 and completed in May 1946. Sold in 1947 to William Watkins Ltd and renamed ''Cervia''. Foundered on 26 October 1954 at Tilbury, Essex while assisting . Raised on 28 October and beached. Repaired at Ramsgate, Kent and re-entered service. To Medway Maritime Museum in 1972 and then International Towing Ltd, Sittingbourne, Kent in 1973. To East Kent Maritime Museum in 1984 and preserved in William Watkins Ltd livery.

''Empire Razorbill''

'' Empire Razorbill'' was a 5,117 GRT (7,500 DWT) cargo ship which was built by American International Shipbuilding Co, Hog Island, Pennsylvania. Completed in 1920 as ''Conness Peak'' for USSB. Sold to Pioneer Steamship Corp, New York in 1920. Sold to Lykes Brothers-Ripley Steamship Co Inc in 1933. Sold in 1938 to Wisconsin Steamship Co and renamed ''Erica Reed''. Sold in 1939 to American Coast Line Inc and renamed ''Eastern Trader''. To MoWT in 1940 and renamed ''Empire Razorbill''. Sold in 1946 to Williamson & Co Ltd, Hong Kong. Sold in 1947 to Xilas Brothers, Greece and renamed ''M Xilas''. Caught fire on 4 June 1947 at Ko Sichang, Thailand, beached and abandoned. Sank on 13 July 1947.

''Empire Reaper''

''Empire Reaper'' was a 322 GRT collier which was built by J Harker Ltd, Knottingley. Launched on 17 October 1942 and completed in April 1943. Sold in 1947 to Anglo-Danubian Transport Co Ltd, London and renamed ''Browning''. Sold in 1949 to Kerton Shipping Co Ltd and renamed ''Moreton Corbet''. Sold in 1953 to Fowey Harbour Commissioners, Fowey, Cornwall and renamed ''Lerryn''. Sold in 1964 to Seabourne Aggregate Co Ltd, Southampton. Converted to a sand carrier and renamed ''Pen Adur''. Sold in 1969 to South Coast Shipping Co Ltd, Southampton, and renamed ''Sand Wren''. Sold in 1973 to Bowen & Caine, Southampton, and renamed ''Margaret Smith''. Capsized on 28 June 1978 at Cowes, Isle of Wight. Towed to a position off Yarmouth but sank at .

''Empire Record''

''Empire Record'' was a 2,902 GRT cargo ship which was built by William Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool. Launched on 24 October 1942 and completed in December 1942. Sold in 1948 to Stanhope Steamship Co Ltd and renamed ''Stanway''. Sold in 1951 to Williamson Shipping Co Ltd and renamed ''Yorkbrook''. Operated under the management of Comben, Longstaff & Co Ltd. Sold in 1954 to I Jansen, Norway, and renamed ''Elisabeth Jansen''. Sold in 1959 to Marine Venture Corp, New York, and renamed ''Celia B''. Sold in 1963 to Prymo Meltemi Compagnia Navigazione SA, Panama and renamed ''Saint Mary''. Sold in 1964 to Angelmar Shipping Co Ltd, Panama, and renamed ''Sea Maid''. On 7 January 1965, she lost her propeller and suffered engine damage northeast of Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. Towed to Willemstad and abandoned as a constructive total loss. Sold for scrapping at Curaçao, but resold and towed to Rotterdam. Scrapped in March 1969 at Bilbao, Spain.

''Empire Redshank''

'' Empire Redshank'' was a 6,615 GRT (9,600 DWT) cargo ship which was built by Federal Shipbuilding Co, Kearney, New Jersey. Completed in April 1939 as ''Braddock'' for USSB. To MoWT in 1941 and renamed ''Empire Redshank''. Bombed on 31 January 1942 and damaged north of the Shetland Islands (). Torpedoed on 22 February 1943 and sunk by while a member of Convoy ON 166. Abandoned and then sunk by .

''Empire Regent''

'' Empire Regent'' was a 9,904 GRT cargo liner which was built by Furness Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Haverton Hill-on-Tees. Launched on 17 July 1943 and completed in November 1943. Sold in 1946 to Rio Cape Line Ltd and renamed ''Black Prince''. Operated under the management of Furness, Withy & Co Ltd. Chartered in 1949 by Shaw, Savill & Albion Co Ltd and renamed ''Zealandic''. Sold in 1952 to Canadian Pacific Steamships Ltd and renamed ''Beaverlodge''. Sold in 1960 to Ben Line Steamers Ltd and renamed ''Benhiant''. Sold in 1970 to Witty Compagnia Navigazione SA, Cyprus and renamed ''Venus''. Operated under the management of Troodos Shipping & Trading Ltd, London. Arrived on 16 July 1971 at Kaohsiung, Taiwan for scrapping.

''Empire Reindeer''

'' Empire Reindeer'' was a 6,259 GRT (9,600 DWT) cargo ship which was built by Federal Shipbuilding Co, Kearney, New Jersey. Completed as ''Clarion'' for USSB. To MoWT in 1941 and renamed ''Empire Reindeer''. Torpedoed on 10 August 1942 and sunk by U-660 at while a member of Convoy SC 94.

''Empire Rennie''

'' Empire Rennie'' was a 6,626 GRT cargo ship which was built by C Connell & Co Ltd, Glasgow. Launched on 7 October 1941 and completed in December 1941. Allocated in 1942 to the Dutch Government and renamed ''Frans Hals''. Sold in 1946 to Van Nievelt, Goudriaan Stoomscheeps Maatschappij NV, Rotterdam and renamed ''Alchiba''. Sold in 1956 to DDG Hansa, Bremen and renamed ''Rheinfels''. Sold in 1968 to Permataris Shipping Co Ltd, Cyprus, and renamed ''Permataris''. On 6 June 1975 she suffered an engine room fire east of Malta (). Abandoned but later reboarded. Arrived on 12 June at Augusta, Sicily and laid up. To Piraeus, Greece, arriving on 11 July and laid up. Scrapped in February 1979 at Piraeus.

''Empire Reserve''

'' Empire Reserve'' was a 5,693 GRT tanker which was built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne. Completed in 1916 as ''Mytilus'' for Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Co Ltd. Requisitioned by MoWT in 1941. Arrived on 14 August 1942 at Harwich, Essex for use as an oil fuel depot. Intended to be renamed ''Empire Reserve'' but the name was not taken up. Returned to Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Co Ltd in 1946 and towed to Plaju, Indonesia. Used as a floating oil depot. Scrapped in November 1950 in Bombay.

''Empire Resistance''

'' Empire Resistance'' was a 1,631 GRT cargo ship which was built by Feviks Jernskibsbyg, Fevik, Norway. Completed in 1908 as ''Ottar''. Sold in 1935 to Servizio Italo-Portoghese Anonimo di Navigazione, Genoa, Italy and renamed ''Libano''. Seized in June 1940 at Gibraltar. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Resistance''. Sold in 1946 to Resistance Shipping Co, London, and renamed ''Resistance''. Sold in 1949 to Giacomo Costa, Genoa and renamed ''Beatrice C''. Sold in 1954 to Raffaele Romano, Naples and renamed ''Acilia''. Sold in 1956 to Apostolo & Ruffini, Genoa and renamed ''Cilin''. Scrapped in June 1959 at Savona, Italy.

''Empire Rest''

''Empire Rest'' was a 1,333 GRT convoy rescue ship which was built by Ferguson Brothers (Port Glasgow) Ltd., Port Glasgow. Launched on 19 June 1944 as HMS ''Rayleigh Castle'' for the Royal Navy. Completed in October 1944 as ''Empire Rest'' for MoWT. Laid up in July 1948 at Falmouth, Cornwall. Sold in October 1951 to Lloyds Albert Yard & Motor Boat Packet Services Ltd. Operated under the management of R A Beazley, Southampton. Arrived on 6 June 1952 at Briton Ferry, West Glamorgan for scrapping.

''Empire Reynard''

''Empire Reynard'' was a 325 GRT coaster which was built by Richards Ironworks Ltd, Lowestoft. Launched on 11 July 1942 and completed in October 1942. Allocated in 1943 to the Dutch Government and renamed ''Westerhaven''. Sold in 1946 to Société Anonyme Jean Negri, France and renamed ''Orsuro''. Sold in 1949 to Compagnie Charentaise de Transports Maritimes, France and renamed ''Chassiron''. Sold in 1951 to R T V Hall, Dublin and renamed ''Kilbride''. Sold in 1972 to T Rive, Dublin, then sold in 1973 to Mrs Joyce Hercock, Hull and renamed ''Joyce''. Scrapped in April 1974 at Hull.

''Empire Reynolds''

''Empire Reynolds'' was an 8,128 GRT tanker which was built in 1942 by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne. Sold to H E Moss & Co. London in 1946 and renamed ''Luminous''. Sold in 1956 to Compagnia Sicula di Armamento Cosarma, Italy and renamed ''Potere''. Renamed ''Miriella'' later that year. Scrapped in 1960 in Trieste.

''Empire Rhodes''

''Empire Rhodes'' was a 7,050 GRT cargo ship which was built by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company, Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee. Launched on 19 September 1941 and completed in December 1941. On 18 December 1945 her cargo of jute caught fire at Gdynia, Poland. She was scuttled in an attempt to extinguish the fire, that burnt until 3 January 1946. Towed to Kiel, Germany on 23 February 1946, then to Falmouth. Arrived on 11 April 1946 at Glasgow. Sold on 25 February 1947 to be scuttled but repaired instead. Sold to the South Georgia Co and renamed ''Culter''. Operated under the management of Christian Salveson & Co Ltd, Leith. Sold in 1959 to M Ipar, Istanbul and renamed ''Virginia Ipar''. Scrapped in September 1970 at Istanbul.

''Empire Rhondda''

''Empire Rhondda'' was a 1,996 GRT cargo ship which was built by Schiffswerke AG, Hamburg. Completed in 1923 as ''Pasajes'' for Oldenburg-Portuguese Line, Hamburg. On 11 January 1945 she ran aground in the Skaggerak at . Salvaged and taken to Kristiansand for repairs. Seized in May 1945 at Frederikshaven, Denmark. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Rhondda''. To USSB in 1946 and renamed ''Henri Barbusse''. No trace after 1955, deleted from shipping registers in 1968.

''Empire Ribble''

''Empire Ribble'' was a 4,545 GRT cargo ship which was built by Lithgows Ltd, Port Glasgow. Completed in 1922 as ''Dunstaffinage''. Sold in 1939 to F A Vinnen & Co, Bremen and renamed ''Magdalene Vinnen''. Damaged in July 1943 during Allied air raid on Hamburg. Towed to Copenhagen for repairs and seized there in May 1945. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Ribble''. Chartered to the Dutch Government and renamed ''Osterbeek''. Allocated to the Dutch Government in 1946 and sold the next year to Erhardt & Dekkers, Netherlands, renamed ''Winterswijk''. Sold in 1954 to Peak Steamship Co, Hong Kong, and renamed ''Universal Trader''. Sold in 1958 to Great Southern Steamship Co, Hong Kong. Scrapped in 1959 at Yokohama, Japan.

''Empire Richmond''

''Empire Richmond'' was a 1,047 GRT coaster which was built by John Lewis & Sons Ltd, Aberdeen. Launched on 11 June 1945 and completed in August 1945. Sold in 1946 to Stephenson Clarke Shipping, Stephenson Clarke Lt and renamed ''Pulborough''. Renamed ''Pulborough II'' in 1959, sold later that year to Ashok Line, India, and renamed ''Nilgiri''. Arrested in 1969 at Calcutta and sold by Court Order. Scrapped in April 1970 at Calcutta.

''Empire Rider''

''Empire Rider'' was a 964 GRT (1,100 DWT) coaster which was built by Scott & Sons, Bowling, West Dunbartonshire, Bowling, West Dunbartonshire. Launched on 15 September 1943 and completed in October 1943. Sold in 1946 to O Dorey & Sons Ltd, Guernsey and renamed ''Rocquaine''. Scrapped in 1961 at Terneuzen, Netherlands.

''Empire Ridge''

''Empire Ridge'' was a 2,922 GRT bulk carrier, ore carrier which was built by Lithgows Ltd, Port Glasgow. Launched on 7 February 1941 and completed in April 1941. Torpedoed on 19 May 1941 and sunk by German submarine U-96 (1940), ''U-96'' at

''Empire Ridley''

''Empire Ridley'' was a 6,838 GRT cargo ship which was built by Lithgows Ltd, Port Glasgow. Launched on 21 August 1941 and completed in November 1941. To the British Admiralty, Admiralty in 1943 and converted to a pipe-laying vessel. To Royal Navy as HMS Hugh Latimer,
''Latimer''. To Ministry of War Transport, MoWT in July 1945 and renamed ''Empire Nicholas Ridley (martyr), Ridley''. Sold to Norwegian buyer in 1947, sent to Italy for conversion. Sold to Società Ligure di Armamento, Italy and renamed ''Acheo''. Scrapped in 1964 at Sakai, Osaka, Sakai, Japan.

''Empire Rita''

''Empire Rita'' was a 292 GRT tug which was built by Ferguson Brothers (Port Glasgow) Ltd., Port Glasgow. Launched on 15 December 1945 and completed in May 1946. To the Admiralty in 1946 and renamed ''Frisky'' in 1959. Sold in 1970 to S O Mar, Malta. Scrapped in March 1979 at Naples.

''Empire Rival''

''Empire Rival'' was a 7,045 GRT cargo ship which was built by William Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool. Launched on 19 June 1943 and completed in September 1943. In September, following the D-Day Normandy Landings on 6 June 1944, the Empire Rival loaded troops and armored cars belonging to the 52nd Lowland Division at London Docks. "C" Squadron was landed directly on to Sword Beach in rough sea conditions by landing craft after a passage delayed by bad weather. On 22 August 1946 a limpet mine was attached to her hull at Haifa, Mandatory Palestine, Palestine. A large hole was blown in her side and she was beached. Temporary repairs were made and she was towed to Alexandria, Egypt for repairs. In July 1947 she embarked some of the Jewish refugees from at Haifa and took them to Port de Bouc, France where they refused to disembark. ''Empire Rival'' remained in port from 29 July until 22 August, with the refugees under armed guard by the 6th Airborne Division (United Kingdom), 6th Airborne Division. On 22 August, ''Empire Rival'' sailed for Hamburg where the refugees were disembarked and sent to camps throughout Europe. Sold in 1948 to R Chapman & Son, Newcastle upon Tyne and renamed ''Amberton''. Sold in 1957 to Compagnia de Vapores Marina Ltda, Costa Rica and renamed ''Parmarina''. Operated under the management of N & J Vlassopulos Ltd, London. Sold in 1963 to Oceania Armadora SA and reflagged to Lebanon. Remaining under Vlassopulos's management. Wrecked on 10 January 1967 off Keelung, Taiwan () after the anchor chain broke in heavy weather.

''Empire River''

''Empire River'' was a 325 GRT coaster which was built by J S Watson Ltd, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. Launched on 8 September 1941 and completed in December 1941. Allocated in 1943 to the Dutch Government and renamed ''Oosterhaven''. Sold in 1946 to M R Couton, France, and rename ''Jean-Marc''. Sold in 1947 to André Richard, France, and renamed ''Jean-Marc Richard''. Sold in 1950 to Hindlea Shipping Co Ltd, Cardiff and renamed ''Marshlea''. Sold in 1952 to F A Ashmead & Son Ltd, Bristol and renamed ''Peter Leigh''. A new diesel engine was fitted in 1956. Sold in 1965 to Carbo Centre SA, France. Converted to a sand carrier and renamed ''Carbo-Centre''.

''Empire Roach''

''Empire Roach'' was a 716 GRT coaster which was built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne. Launched on 25 August 1942 and completed in October 1942. Operated under the management of Townsend Brothers Ltd until 1965, then Ellerman Lines, Ellerman's Westcott & Laurence Line Ltd. Sold in 1968 to Progressive Trading Agency Ltd, Malta. Sold in 1970 to Cantieri Navale Giuseppe, Italy. Laid up at Augusta, Sicily awaiting conversion to a Crane vessel, floating crane. Dismantled in 1978, her hull was used as a barge at Augusta.

''Empire Roamer''

''SS Narwik, Empire Roamer'' was a 7,030 GRT cargo ship which was built by C Connell & Co Ltd, Glasgow. Launched on 5 January 1942 as ''Empire Roamer''. Allocated to the Politics of Poland, Polish Government and completed in March 1942 as ''Narwik''. On 10 October 1942 she rescued over 1,000 passengers and crew from which had been torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-172, ''U-172''. Survivors landed in Cape Town on 12 October. Sold in 1951 to Polish Ocean Lines, Poland. Sold in 1967 to Polska Żegluga Morska, Poland. Arrived on 7 March 1972 at Bilbao, Spain for scrapping.

''Empire Robin''

''Empire Robin'' was a 5,756 GRT (8,800 DWT) cargo ship which was built by River Shipbuilding Corp, Portland, Oregon, Portland, Oregon. Completed as ''West Harshaw'' for USSB. To Lykes Bros-Ripley Steamship Co Inc in 1933. To MoWT in 1940 and renamed ''Empire Oryx''. Renamed ''Empire Robin'' in 1941. Allocated in 1942 to the Dutch Government and renamed ''Ferdinand Bol''. Collided on 30 July 1942 with ''Norse King'' and sank at .

''Empire Rock''

''Empire Rock'' was a 7,064 GRT cargo ship which was built by Bartram & Sons, Bartram & Sons Ltd, Sunderland. Launched on 22 April 1943 and completed in July 1943. Sold in 1946 to S G Embiricos Ltd, London and renamed ''Admiral Codrington.'' Sold in 1956 to E Szabados, Italy and renamed ''Sandro Primo''. Sold in 1959 to D Lijnzaad Transport-en-Handel, Rotterdam and renamed ''Amalie B''. Scrapped in August 1960 at Hamburg, West Germany.

''Empire Roden''

''Empire Roden'' was a 2,837 GRT cargo ship which was built by Helsingørs Maskinbyggeri, Helsingør, Denmark. Completed in 1943 as ''Halsnaes'' but renamed ''Helgenaes'' later that year. Requisitioned by Germany in 1943, to DDG Hansa, Bremen and renamed ''Kronenfels''. Seized in May 1945 at Copenhagen. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Roden''. Allocated to the United States in 1947, to USMC then sold later that year to Sword Line Inc., New York, and renamed ''Florida Sword''. Sold in 1956 to Gecapo Maritime Navigation, Liberia and renamed ''Cheyenne''. Sold in 1957 to Supreme Navigation Corp, Liberia, and renamed ''St Nicholas''. Ran aground on 8 August 1958 on a reef off Kingston, Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica. Salvage efforts abandoned in September 1968, declared a total loss.

''Empire Roderick''

''Empire Roderick'' was a 235 GRT tug which was built by A Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen. Launched on 21 December 1945 and completed in February 1946. To the Admiralty in 1947 and renamed ''Security''. Scrapped in April 1966 at Burcht, Antwerp, Burght, Belgium.

''Empire Roding''

''Empire Roding'' was a 2,957 GRT cargo ship which was built by Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg. Completed in 1937 as ''Ernst L M Russ'' for Ernst Russ, Hamburg. Seized in May 1945 at Flensburg. To MoWT and renamed ''Empire Roding''. Allocated to the US in 1946, to USMC. Sold in 1947 to Eastport Steamship Corp, New York, and renamed ''Eastport''. Sold in 1950 to Zim Israel Navigation Co, Israel, and rename ''Tsfonit''. Sold in 1961 to Agenzia Generale Navigazione Marittima, Italy and renamed ''Flamatt''. Sold in 1963 to Nana Trading & Shipping Co Ltd, Liberia, and renamed ''Florita''. Sold in 1970 to Raffaele di Maio, Liberia and renamed ''Pamela''. Scrapped in August 1972 at Trieste, Italy.

''Empire Roger''

''Empire Roger'' was a 235 GRT tug which was built by A Hall & Co Ltd, Aberdeen. Launched on 10 April 1944 and completed in May 1944. Sold in 1949 to J Fisher & Sons, Barrow in Furness and renamed ''Fisherstown''. Scrapped in June 1968 at Barrow in Furness.

''Empire Ronaldsay''

''Empire Rondaldsay'' was a 7,331 GRT cargo ship which was built by Shipbuilding Corporation Ltd, Sunderland. Launched on 28 April 1947 and completed in July 1947 as ''Lagosian'' for United Africa Co Ltd, London. Sold in 1949 to Palm Line, Palm Line Ltd and renamed ''Lagos Palm''. Operated under the management of United Africa Co Ltd. Renamed ''Oguta Palm'' in 1961. Sold in 1964 to Skaramange Shipping Co, Greece, and renamed ''Heraclitos''. Operated under the management of M Scufalos, Greece. Management passed to G Eleftheriou, Greece in 1968. Sold in 1969 to Helean Navigation Co, Greece and renamed ''Herodemos'', remaining under Eleftheriou's management. Arrived on 4 April 1973 at Split (city), Split, Yugoslavia for scrapping.

''Empire Rosa'' (I)

''Empire Rosa'' was a 593 GRT tug which was built by Clelands Shipbuilding Company, Clelands (Successors) Ltd, Willington Quay, Willington Quay-on-Tyne. Launched on 30 December 1944 as ''Empire Rosa'' and completed in April 1945 as ''Empire Jean''. Sold in 1946 to Metal Industries Ltd and renamed ''Metinda III''. To Spanish Navy, Armada Española in 1961 and renamed ''R A 3''.

''Empire Rosa'' (II)

''Empire Rosa'' was a 292 GRT tug which was built by Blyth Shipbuilding, Blyth Dry Docks & Shipbuilding Co Ltd. Launched on 6 December 1945 and completed in April 1946. To the Admiralty in 1949. Used as a target tug for Royal Air Force, RAF bombing practice. On 3 December 1977 she broke from her moorings and drifted ashore at Luce Bay, Galloway. Salvaged but declared a constructive total loss. Scrapped at Troon, Ayrshire.

''Empire Rosalind''

''Empire Rosalind'' was a 7,290 GRT cargo ship that was built by the Burntisland Shipbuilding Company Ltd, Burntisland, Fife. Launched on 10 November 1942 and completed in January 1943. Sold in 1949 to W Runciman & Co Ltd and renamed ''Rosemoor''. Sold in 1952 to W H Schlieker AG, West Germany and renamed ''Helga''. Sold in 1959 to August Bolten, West Germany, and renamed ''Helga Bolten''. Sold in 1960 to Krupp, Krupp Seeschiffahrt GmbH, West Germany and renamed ''Sollingen''. Sold later that year to Oversea Shipping Co SA and renamed ''Mar Feliz''. Operated under the management of Mariner Shipping Co Ltd, Hong Kong. Ran aground on 17 September 1960 in the Straat Kidjang, Indonesia, and damaged her bottom. Proceeded to Singapore then Hong Kong. Scrapped in 1960 in Hong Kong.

''Empire Roseberry''

''Empire Roseberry'' was a 2,370 GRT tanker which was built by Blythswood Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Glasgow. Completed in July 1944. Struck a Naval mine, mine on 24 August 1944 off Normandy, France, and sank.

''Empire Rother''

''Empire Rother'' was a 1,940 GRT cargo ship which was built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne. Completed in 1929 as ''Imari''. Sold in 1930 to St Lawrence Steamships Ltd and renamed ''Delaware''. To MoWT in 1943 and renamed ''Empire Rother''. Operated under the management of Cory Environmental, William Cory & Sons Ltd. Sold in 1949 to Quebec North Shore Paper Co, Montreal and renamed ''Manicouagun''. Renamed ''Washington Times-Herald'' in 1951 and ''Manitoulin'' in 1954. Scrapped in July 1961 at Port Dalhousie, Ontario, Port Dalhousie, Ontario.

''Empire Rowan''

''Empire Rowan'' was a 9,462 GRT CAM ship which was built by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Glasgow. Completed in 1922 as ''Lochgoil'' for Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, Royal Mail Lines Ltd. Damaged by a mine on 6 October 1939 from the Scarweather Light Vessel, Bristol Channel. Beached at Mumbles. Declared a constructive total loss but repaired. To MoWT in 1940 and renamed ''Empire Rowan''. Torpedoed on 27 March 1943 by aircraft in Bay of Collo, northwest of Annaba, Bône, Algeria and sunk. Wreck exploded underwater on 8 January 1951, believed to be caused by an unofficial salvage attempt.

''Empire Ruby''

''Empire Ruby'' was a 667 GRT (800 DWT) coaster which was built by G Brown & Co (Marine) Ltd, Greenock. Launched on 26 June 1941 and completed in October 1941. Sold in 1946 to Athel Line Ltd and renamed ''Athelruby''. Operated under the management of United Molasses Co Ltd, London. Sold in 1950 to F T Everard & Sons Ltd and renamed ''Akinity''. Scrapped in April 1965 at Bruges, Belgium.

''Empire Runner''

''Empire Runner'' was a 313 GRT (350 DWT) collier which was built by Richard Dunston Ltd, Thorne, South Yorkshire, Thorne. Launched on 23 August 1943 and completed in October 1943. Sold in 1947 to South Coast Sand & Ballast Co Ltd. Converted to a sand sucker and renamed ''Sand Runner''. Sold in 1954 to Zinal Steamship Co Ltd. Operated under the management of J Burness & Sons Ltd, London. Sold in 1954 to Burness Shipping Co Ltd, London. Remained under Burness's management until 1956, then operated under the management of William Cory & Son Ltd. Scrapped in July 1970 at Southampton.

''Empire Rupert''

''Empire Rupert'' was a 487 GRT tug which was built by Goole Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Goole. Launched on 10 November 1942 and completed in May 1943. Collided on 24 January 1945 with off Dover, Kent () and sank.

''Empire Ruskin''

''Empire Ruskin'' was a 7,037 GRT cargo ship which was built by John Readhead & Sons Ltd, South Shields. Launched on 14 July 1942 and completed in September 1942. Allocated in 1943 to the Dutch Government and renamed ''Van der Capelle''. Sold in 1947 to Koninklijke Hollandsche Lloyd NV, Amsterdam and renamed ''Delfland''. Sold in 1959 to Cerrahogullari Umumi Nakliyat TAS, Istanbul and renamed ''M Esref''. Arrived on 13 October 1968 at Istanbul for scrapping.

''Empire Russell''

''Empire Russell'' was a 3,750 GRT tanker which was built by Sir J Laing & Sons Ltd, Sunderland. Launched on 28 October 1943 and completed in February 1944. Sold in 1946 to Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Co Ltd and renamed ''Batissa''. Sold in 1956 to Royal Dutch Shell, Shell Tankers Ltd. Sold in 1960 to Estrella Maritima SA, Argentina. On 7 June 1970 ''Batissa'' was in collision with in the Paraná River. Explosions and fire followed, the ship ran aground and was abandoned. Later refloated and laid up damaged at Buenos Aires. Previously arranged sale to Toba S.A.M.C.I.F, Argentina and renaming to ''Toba Pegaso'' fell through. Scrapped in 1977 at Buenos Aires.

''Empire Ruth''

''Empire Ruth'' was a 258 GRT tug which was built by Scott & Sons, Bowling. Launched on 18 December 1944 and completed in February 1945. Sold in 1948 to the Politics of Iraq, Iraqi Government and renamed ''Hadhir''. Sold in 1966 to Iraqi Ports Administration and renamed ''Al Zab''.

See also

The above entries give a précis of each ship's history. For a fuller account see the linked articles.

References

Sources

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{{Empire ships

Lists of Empire ships, R