| History | |
|---|---|
| Name |
|
| Owner | War Shipping Administration |
| Operator | Cunard White Star Line |
| Port of registry |  London |
| Builder | Consolidated Steel Corporation,Wilmington,California |
| Launched | 16 August 1943 |
| Completed | December 1943 |
| Out of service | 2 July 1944 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Struck a mine and sank |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | |
| Length | 396 ft 5 in (120.83 m) |
| Beam | 60 ft 1 in (18.31 m) |
| Depth | 35 ft (10.67 m) |
| Propulsion | Steam turbines, double reduction geared driving a single screw |
| Armament |
|
Empire Broadsword was aType C1-S-AY-1infantry landing ship built in 1943 asCape Marshall. She was renamedEmpire Broadsword before completion and entering into service for theMinistry of War Transport (MoWT). She had a short career, entering service in December 1943 and being sunk by amine in July 1944.
The ship was built byConsolidated Steel Corporation,Wilmington,California as yard number 348. She was launched on 16 August 1943 asCape Marshall.[1] She was 396 feet 5 inches (120.83 m) long, with a beam of 60 feet 1 inch (18.31 m) and a depth of 35 feet (10.67 m). She was propelled by two steam turbines which drove a single screw via double reduction gearing. The steam turbine were manufactured byWestinghouse Electrical and Manufacturing Corp,Essington, Pennsylvania.[2]
The ship was transferred under the terms oflend lease shortly after being completed in 1943 under the nameEmpire Broadsword.[3] She waschartered by the MoWT, and was operated under the management ofCunard White Star Line[2]
Empire Broadsword wasmined and sunk offNormandy on July 2, 1944, while supporting theallied invasion of Europe.[4] Her position is49°25′N0°54′W / 49.417°N 0.900°W /49.417; -0.900.[1] Seventy survivors were rescued byUSS PC-1225.[5] The wreck lies on its starboard side in 27 metres (89 ft) of water and is now a dive site.[6] Those lost onEmpire Broadsword are commemorated at theTower Hill Memorial, London.[7]
Official Numbers were a forerunner toIMO Numbers.Empire Broadsword had the UKOfficial Number 169737 and used theCode Letters MYMJ.[2]
Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in July 1944 | |
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| Shipwrecks |
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| Other incidents |
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