Official Number: 133048
Laid down:
Builder: Murdock & Murray Ltd., Port Glasgow
Pennant Nr:
Launched: 20 April 1912
Into Service: 25 October 1915
Out of service: 30 June 1920
Fate: August 1946 broken up
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: One of an additional group of ships requisitioned by the Admiralty during WW1 and WW2 to augment the ships of the RFA
Career Data:
20 April 1912 launched by Murdock & Murray, Port Glasgow as Yard Nr: 249 named Queen Empress for John Williamson, Glasgow
24 April 1912 the Port Glasgow Express newspaper reported …
June 1912 completed as a paddle steamer. Carried 1,321 passengers
25 October 1915 requisitioned for Admiralty service initially as a Troop Transport, name unchanged then commissioned as an Auxiliary Minesweeper as HMS QUEEN EMPRESS
15 March 1916 Trimmer Frederick J Booth discharged dead from illness
7 to 8 October 1917 involved in the salvage of the Ketch Arkley – salvage money awarded vide London Gazette 30803
15 to 20 February 1918 involved in the salvage of the ss Glasgow – salvage money awarded vide London Gazette 31506
6 May 1919 served as a Hospital Carrier HC4 in the White Sea
30 June 1920 decommissioned, refitted and returned to her owners as Queen Empress. Owners now Williamson-Buchanan Steamers Ltd., Glasgow
1 October 1935 owners became Caledonian Steam Packet Co Ltd., Glasgow – name unchanged
1936 owners became London, Midland & Scottish Railway Co – name unchanged
31 March 1936 owners now Williamson-Buchanan Steamers (1936) Ltd., Glasgow – name unchanged
1939 requisitioned for Admiralty service, initially as an Auxiliary Minesweeper then as an Auxiliary Patrol Vessel
June 1940 based at Sheerness as the Senior Officer of the 12th Minesweeping Flotilla with Acting Commander K F Boxall Royal Navy as Commanding Officer
January 1942 based at Harwich as the Senior Officer of the 12th Minesweeping Flotilla together with HMS’s DUCHESS OF ROTHESAY and LORNA DOONE
HMS QUEEN EMPRESS
27 February 1943 returned to Caledonian Steam Packet Co Ltd., – name unchanged
1945 laid up at Northam
August 1946 arrived Nieuw Lekkerland for demolition by Scheepsloterij De Koophandel