| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Murex (1892–1916) |
| Owner |
|
| Builder | William Gray & Company,West Hartlepool |
| Yard number | 442 |
| Launched | 28 May 1892 |
| Completed | July 1898 |
| Honours and awards |
|
| Fate | Torpedoed and sunk on 21 December 1916 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 3564 gross, 2329 net. |
| Length | 338 ft (103 m) |
| Beam | 43 ft (13 m) |
| Draught | 326.4 ft (99.5 m) |
| Installed power | Triple expansion steam engine aft (Central Marine Engine Works, West Hartlepool) |
Murex was a 3,564gross ton M class oiler, built byWilliam Gray & Company,West Hartlepool in 1892 forMarcus Samuel & Company. She was the first bulk-oil tanker to pass through theSuez Canal en route toThailand in 1892. She was chartered by theRoyal Australian Navy and took part in operations against the German colonies in the Pacific with theAustralian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force during theFirst World War in 1914, as an oiler.Murex was given the battle honour "Rabual 1914", for her service.[1][2] She was later requisitioned by theAdmiralty.
Murex wastorpedoed on 21 December 1916 by theImperial German NavysubmarineU-73 in theMediterranean Sea 94 miles offPort Said,Egypt, at32°20′N31°00′E / 32.333°N 31.000°E /32.333; 31.000 and was sunk with the loss of one man.
Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in December 1916 | |
|---|---|
| Shipwrecks | |
| Other incidents |
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