EMPIRE MACKENDRICK (MAC aircraft carrier)

[aukepalmhof]

(Not jet a image of the stamp)

Built as a merchant aircraft carrier (MAC) and bulk carrier under yard No 277 by Burntisland Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Burntsland, Scotland for the British Ministry of War Transport.
24 September 1943 laid down.
29 September 1943 launched as the EMPIRE MACKENDRICK.
Tonnage 7,933 gross, 5,106 net. 8,767 dwt. Dim. 139.90 x 18.90 x 8.76m. (draught).
Powered by one 6-cyl oil diesel engine manufactured by J.G. Kincaid & Co, Greenock, 3,500bhp., one screw, speed 12.5 knots.
Armament: 1 – 10.2 cm Mk IV, 2 – 4 cm Bofors (2x1), 4 – 2 cm Oerlikon (4x1).
Carried four Fairey Swordfish planes.
Flight deck fitted above the main deck.
Crew 107.
12 December 1943 completed.

After completing under merchant marine colours, and manned by civilian crews, only the air crew and the necessary maintenance staff were naval personnel. She carried her regular cargo during the war. Used to protect the North Atlantic convoys.
She was managed by William Thomson & Co. (Ben Line), Edinburgh.
During the war her planes were mostly used to attack long-range reconnaissance aircraft to prevent tracking the convoys.
25 May 1944 planes from her and ANCYLUS attacked U-853 under command of Captain Sommer in the North Atlantic, the submarine escaped

1946 Sold to the Mediterranean & Atlantic Lines Ltd., renamed GRANPOND.
1947 Laid up at Barrow until June 1949.
1949 Sold to Cia Mar. del Este S.A., Panama flag, managed by Lombardi & Icaza Panama R.P., renamed CONDOR.
Towed to Hamburg for conversion as a cargo vessel, January 1951 work completed.
Tonnage 4,761 grt, 2,625 net, 8,800 dwt.
1953 Sold to Soc. Armadora del Norte S.A. Panama, not renamed, same managers.
1955 Sold to Turnbull, Scott Shipping Co., U.K. renamed in SALTERSGATE.
1957 Sold to Navigation Maritime Bulgare, Varna, renamed in VASSIL LEVSKY.
1967 Transferred to Balkan & Black Sea Shipping Co Ltd., London.

June 1967 trapped in the Great Bitter Lake on a voyage from Haiphong to Varna after closure of Suez Canal by the Middle East war between Egypt and Israel (the Six Day War).
16 May 1975 released and towed to Port Said.
Sold to Yugoslav breakers and arrived Split, Yugoslavia under tow on 22 June 1975.

Bahamas 2009 $2 sg?, scott?

Source: Various Lloyds Registers. Info received from Mr. Erhard Jung Wikipedia and other internet sites.
British Tramps by I.G. Stewart. Ben Line by Graeme Somner.

[Arturo]

Empire MacKendrick

Bahamas 2009, S.G.?, Scott: 1286.