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HMS Empress (1914) CV (2nd) |
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This the second ship to carry the name HMS Empress was a seaplane carrier. Originally a South-East & Chatham Railway Company, cross-Channel packet, built by William Denny & Brothers of Dumbarton, launched 13-Apr-1907, 323ft long, 41ft wide, drawing 15ft and displacing 1694 tons. Requisitioned 11-Aug-1914, used for about 3 weeks as a Royal Naval Air Services transport and despatch vessel. Converted to a seaplane carrier at Chatham Dockyard 30-Aug/30-Sep by installing canvas screens fore and aft. Joined similarly converted Engadine and Riviera at Harwich Oct-1914, Took part in operations in the North Sea including the Cuxhaven raid 25-Dec-1914. Modified by Cunard of Liverpool 09-May/18-Jul-1915 with a large permanent hangar aft. Stationed at Queenstown, then Jan-1916 to Cairo to join the East Indies and Egypt Seaplane Squadron. Operated in the Aegean and East Mediterranean waters until Nov-1916. From Jan-1918 until the end of the war was used mainly for anti-submarine duty, based first at Port Said, then Gibraltar. Returned to her owners Nov-1919. Sold to the Southern Railway 1933 and later that same year to a French company. Scrapped in France 1933.
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This page last edited -
19 July, 2012.
Copyright © Ian M King, except where otherwise indicated. |
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