SS Empire Crossbill

World War II merchant ship of the United Kingdom

History
Name|

* West Amargosa (1919–41)
* Empire Crossbill (1941)

Owner|

* United States Shipping Board (1919–37)
* United States Maritime Commission (1937–40)
* Ministry of War Transport (1940–41)

Operator|

* United American Lines (1919–21)
* United States Shipping Board (1921–37)
* United States Maritime Commission (1937–40)
* Sir W. Reardon Smith & Sons (1940)
* John Morrison & Co Ltd (1940–41)

Port of registry|

* Los Angeles, USA (1919–40)
* London, United Kingdom (1940–41)

Builder| Los Angeles Shipbuilding & Drydock Company
Yard number| 11
Launched| 25 September 1918
Completed| March 1919
Out of service| 11 September 1941
Identification|

* United States Official Number 217631 (1919–40)
* United Kingdom Official Number 168177 (1940–41)
* Code Letters LQBW (1919–34)
*   * Code Letters KLCP (1934–40)
*   * Code Letter MNLP (1940–41)

Fate| Torpedoed and sunk
General characteristics
Type| Cargo ship
Tonnage|

* 5,463 GRT
* 3,411 NRT
* 8,600 DWT

Length| 410 ft 0 in (124.97 m) between perpendiculars
Beam| 54 ft 4 in (16.56 m)
Draught| 23 ft (7.0 m)
Depth| 27 ft 2 in (8.28 m)
Propulsion| Triple expansion steam engine, single screw propeller
Speed| 11 knots (20 km/h)
Complement| 38 + 10 DEMS gunners (Empire Crossbill)

class=notpageimage|

Location of the sinking of Empire Crossbill off Greenland.

Empire Crossbill was a 5,463 GRT Design 1013 cargo ship that was completed in 1919 by Los Angeles Shipbuilding & Drydock Company, San Pedro, California, United States for the United States Shipping Board (USSB). She was transferred to the United States Maritime Commission (USMC) in 1937 and the Ministry of Transport (MoT) in 1941, serving until she was torpedoed and sunk on 11 September 1941 by U-82 in the Atlantic Ocean while a member of Convoy SC 42.

## Description

[edit]

The ship was built in 1919 by Los Angeles Shipbuilding & Drydock Company, San Pedro, California.[1] She was Yard Number 11.[2]

The ship was 410 feet 0 inches (124.97 m) long between perpendiculars, with a beam of 54 feet 4 inches (16.56 m). She had a depth of 27 feet 2 inches (8.28 m),[3] and a draught of 23 feet (7.0 m).[4] She was assessed at 3,750 GRT, 3,411 NRT.[3] Her DWT was 6,800.[2]

The ship was propelled by a 359 nhp triple expansion steam engine, which had cylinders of 28+1⁄2 inches (72 cm), 47 inches (120 cm) and 78 inches (200 cm) diameter by 48 inches (120 cm) stroke. The engine was built by Los Angeles Shipbuilding & Drydock Corporation.[3]

## History

[edit]

West Amargosa was built for the USSB. She was completed in March 1919,[2] The United States Official Number 217631 and Code Letters LQBW were allocated.[3] West Amargosa was chartered by United American Lines until 1921, operating the Plymouth – Gibraltar – Tunis – New York route.[5] With the change of Code Letters in 1934, she was allocated KLCP.[6] In 1937, she was transferred to the USMC and laid up as part of the reserve fleet.[7]

In 1940, West Amargosa was transferred to the MoWT. She was initially operated under the management of Sir W. Reardon Smith & Sons.[8] Management was later transferred to John Morrison & Co Ltd, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.[8] West Amargosa was due to join Convoy HX 119, which departed from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on 6 April 1941 and arrived at Liverpool, Lancashire on 22 April. She was recorded as carrying a cargo of scrap iron bound for Middlesbrough, Yorkshire.[9] Instead, she joined Convoy SC 28, which departed from Halifax on 9 April and arrived at Liverpool on 28 April. Her destination was now given as West Hartlepool, Co Durham.[10] She left the convoy at the Clyde, joining Convoy WN 228, which departed the Clyde on 1 May and arrived at Methil, Fife on 5 May.[11]

West Amargosa was renamed Empire Crossbill.[1] She was allocated the United Kingdom Official Number 168177 and Code Letters MLNP. Her port of registry was London.[12] She departed Middlesbrough on 30 May for the Tyne, returning to Middlesbrough on 2 June and departing the same day for the Tyne again. On 10 June,[13] she joined Convoy EC 31, which had departed from Southend, Essex on 9 June and arrived at Loch Ewe on 14 June.[14] She then joined Convoy OB 334, which departed from Liverpool on 11 June and arrived at Halifax on 25 June.[15] She left the convoy at St John's, Newfoundland on 24 June. Empire Crossbill departed St. John's that day for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, arriving on 2 July.[13]

Empire Crossbill departed Philadelphia on 22 August for Halifax, where she arrived on 25 August, departing the same day for Sydney, Cape Breton, Canada.[13] Empire Crossbill was a member of Convoy SC 42, which departed Sydney on 30 August 1941 and arrived at Liverpool on 15 September.[16] She was stated to be carrying 6,686 tons of steel and four tons of relief goods,[7] although it is also stated that she was carrying a cargo of explosives.[17] At 03:11 GMT on 11 September,[18] Empire Crossbill was torpedoed and sunk by U-82 at 63°14′N 37°12′W﻿ / ﻿63.233°N 37.200°W﻿ / 63.233; -37.200.[1] All 38 crew, ten DEMS gunners and her single passenger were killed.[4] Those lost on Empire Crossbill are commemorated at the Tower Hill Memorial, London.[19]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Mitchell, W.H.; Sawyer, L.A. (1995). The Empire Ships. London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong: Lloyd's of London Press Ltd. p. not cited. ISBN 1-85044-275-4.
2. ^ a b c "Todd Pacific Shipyards, San Pedro CA (formerly Los Angeles Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company)". Ship Building History. Archived from the original on 22 September 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
3. ^ a b c d "LLOYD'S REGISTER, STEAMERS & MOTORSHIPS" (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
4. ^ a b "SS Empire Crossbill (+1941)". Wrecksite. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
5. ^ "West Amargosa". Ellis Island. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
6. ^ "LLOYD'S REGISTER, STEAMERS & MOTORSHIPS" (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
7. ^ a b "Empire Crossbill". Uboat. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
8. ^ a b "EMPIRE – C". Mariners. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
9. ^ "CONVOY HX 119A & HX 119B". Warsailors. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
10. ^ "CONVOY SC 28". Warsailors. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
11. ^ "Convoy WN.122". Convoyweb. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
12. ^ "LLOYD'S REGISTER, STEAMERS & MOTORSHIPS" (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
13. ^ a b c "EMPIRE CROSSBILL". Convoyweb. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
14. ^ "Convoy EC.31". Convoyweb. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
15. ^ "Convoy OB.334". Convoyweb. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
16. ^ "CONVOY SC 42". Warsailors. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
17. ^ "Valour at Sea 1941 – The War Intensifies". Veterans Affairs Canada. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
18. ^ "REPORT ON INTERROGATION OF SURVIVORS FROM "U 432," A 500-TON U-BOAT SUNK AT ABOUT 1200 G.M.T. ON 11th MARCH, 1943". U-boat Archive. Archived from the original on 26 October 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
19. ^ "Ship Index A-F". Brian Watson. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2011.

* v
* t
* e

Design 1013 ships

Built by Los Angeles Shipbuilding
& Dry Dock Company|

* Accomac
* Crown City
* Culberson
* Las Vegas
* The Angels
* Topa Topa
* Wakulla
* Wampum
* Wassaic
* West Arvada
* West Amargosa
* West Cajoot
* West Calumb
* West Conob
* West Cusseta
* West Erral
* West Galeta
* West Galoc
* West Grama
* West Hika
* West Himrod
* West Hixton
* West Holbrook
* West Honaker
* West Mingo
* West Montop
* West O'Rowa
* West Selene
* West Zucker
* West Zula

Built by Skinner & Eddy|

* Absaroka
* Canoga
* Jeanette Skinner
* Lieutenant Demissiessy
* Ossineke
* West Alsek
* West Apaum
* West Arrow
* West Cohas
* West Cressey
* West Durfee
* West Ekonk
* West Elcajon
* West Elcasco
* West Eldara
* West Gambo
* West Gotomska
* West Haven
* West Hobomac
* West Hosokie
* West Humhaw
* West Lake
* West Lashaway
* West Lianga
* West Loquassuck
* West Madaket
* West Mahomet
* West Maximus
* Western Front
* Western Hero
* Western Queen

Built by J.F. Duthie & Company|

* West Bridge (laid down as War Topaz)
* West Helix
* West Hembrie
* West Hematite
* West Henshaw
* West Hepburn
* West Herkimer
* West Herrick
* West Hesperia
* West Hesseltine
* West Ivan
* West Point
* Westboro
* Western Cross
* Western Hope
* Western King
* Western Sea
* Western Star
* Westerner
* Westfield
* Westover
* Westpool

Built by Columbia River
Shipbuilding Company|

* Circinus
* Corvus
* Westbrook
* West Coast
* West Cobalt
* West Corum
* West Harcuvar
* West Hardaway
* West Hargrave
* West Harlan
* West Harma
* West Harqua Hala
* West Harshaw
* West Hartland
* West Hartley
* West Harts
* West Hassayampa
* West Hasson (completed as Siletz)
* West Hastan1
* West Haswell1
* West Imboden
* West Indian
* West Munham
* West Nosska
* West Quechee
* West Totant
* West Wauneke
* Western Belle
* Western City
* Western Plains
* Western Pride

Built by Northwest Steel Company|

* West Bomoken1
* West Celeron
* West Celina
* West Chana
* West Chaska
* West Chatala
* West Chatala
* West Cherow
* West Cheswald
* West Compo
* West Croswicks1
* West Jaffrey
* West Joplin1 (completed as J.R.Gordon)
* West Kyska
* West Matas1 (completed as Clauseus)
* West Minsi1 (completed as Centaurus)
* West Modus
* West Nohno
* West Paramas1
* West Pocasset
* West Raritan
* West Saginaw
* West Segovia
* West Tacook
* West Togus
* West Wauna
* West Zeda

Built by others|

* Western Sun

1 = Cancelled
List of auxiliary ships of the United States Navy

* v
* t
* e

Ships built at Todd Pacific Shipyards, Los Angeles Division, San Pedro, California

Merchant ships
(Los Angeles SB&DDC)|

* Accomac
* Catalina
* Crown City
* Culberson
* Las Vegas
* Ralph J. Scott
* The Angeles
* Topa Topa
* Wakulla
* Wampum
* Wassaic
* West Amargosa
* West Arvada
* West Cajoot
* West Calumb
* West Chopaka
* West Conob
* West Cusseta
* West Erral
* West Faralon
* West Galeta
* West Galoc
* West Grama
* West Graylock
* West Hika
* West Himrod
* West Hixton
* West Holbrook
* West Honaker
* West Lewark
* West Mingo
* West Montop
* West O'Rowa
* West Prospect
* West Selene
* West Zucker
* West Zula

Merchant ships
(Todd)|

* Japan Mail
* Philippine Mail
* Sealift Arabian Sea
* Sealift China Sea
* Sealift Indian Ocean
* Sealift Pacific
* Washington Mail
* Zapata Courier
* Zapata Patriot
* Zapata Ranger
* Zapata Rover

Auxiliary ships|

* Ajax
* Arcadia
* Everglades
* Frontier
* Hector
* Jason
* Klondike
* Norton Sound
* Pine Island
* Salisbury Sound

Warships|

* Badger
* Copeland
* Curts
* England
* Fanning
* Ford
* Fox
* Francis Hammond
* Gary
* George Philip
* Harold E. Holt
* Hepburn
* Ingraham
* Jarrett
* John A. Moore
* Lang
* Lewis B. Puller
* Mahlon S. Tisdale
* McClusky
* Meyerkord
* Reid
* Rentz
* Reuben James
* Rodney M. Davis
* Sides
* Thach
* Wadsworth

* v
* t
* e

Empire ships

By suffix, Empire x

* A
* B
* Ca–Cl
* Co–Cy
* D
* E
* F
* G
* H
* I–J
* K
* L
* M
* N
* O
* P
* R
* Sa–Sh
* Si–Sy
* Ta–Te
* Th–Ty
* U–Z

See also: Fort ship, Liberty ship, Park ship, Ocean ship, Victory ship.

* v
* t
* e

Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in September 1941

Shipwrecks|

* 6 Sep: Bremse
* 9 Sep: Empire Springbuck
* 10 Sep: U-501
* 11 Sep: Empire Crossbill, Sadko, U-207
* 13 Sep: Barøy, Ilmarinen
* 14 Sep: Petropavlovsk
* 15 Sep: Empire Eland
* 18 Sep: Vitebsk, Oceania
* 19 Sep: HMCS Lévis, Rodina
* 20 Sep: Empire Burton, Pink Star, Portsdown
* 21 Sep: Steregushchy, Walmer Castle
* 23 Sep: Marat, Minsk, V 308 Oscar Neynaber
* 26 Sep: Avoceta
* 27 Sep: Albatros
* 30 Sep: Aurora

Other incidents|

* 1 Sep: V 1512 Unitas 8
* 10 Sep: Condorcet, Le Glorieux
* 28 Sep: Brazil

1940 1941 1942
August 1941 October 1941
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