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Previous name: LST 3513, HMS Trouncer
Subsequent name:
Official Number: 187471
Class: LANDING SHIP TANK MK 3
Pennant No: LST 3513 / L3513
Laid down: 20 December 1944
Builder: G T Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd., Lauzon, Quebec, Canada
Launched: 9 July 1945
Into Service: February 1970
Out of service: October 1978
Fate: Broken up
Items of historic interest involving this ship: -
Nick name - Black Pig
Background Data: Demands for a Landing Ship Tank were first placed around 1940 when requirements demanded a ship type that could transport and land armoured fighting vehicles and their crews onto a beach anywhere in the world, and the United States was primarily responsible for the majority of their design and construction, but in 1943, when agreement could not be reached with the United States over the allocation of the LST (2) type ships to the two Allies, the British embarked upon their own construction programme and the resulting ships were modified versions of the US-built LST (2). Some were built in the U.K. while others were built in Canada and LST (3) 3523 was one of the ships ordered from Canadian yards. Originally operated by the Royal Navy, she was transferred to civilian administration in 1956 and joined the RFA in 1970. She was the only LST ever operated as an RFA
24 April 1944 Ordered
20 December 1944 laid down
9 July 1945 Launched by G.T. Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co Ltd, Lauzon as Yard Nr 970 named LST (3) 3523 for the Royal Navy
October 1945 completed
1947 appeared in the Pink Lists as being in replacement reserve on Gareloch
April 1947 renamed HMS TROUNCER but remained on Gareloch in various reserve categories
October 1950 underwent a routine refit at Harland & Wolff Ltd, Govan
February 1951 returned to reserve on Gareloch
1953 underwent dehumidification and on completion of this was laid up in the Great Harbour at Greenock
October 1956 was one of 12 of this type of ship recalled to service as a direct result of Operation Musketeer -the Suez Crisis for use as a military transport. She was transferred to civilian administration by the Ministry of Transport and was renamed EMPIRE GULL She was sent to Harland & Wolff Ltd, Liverpool for suitable conversion for civilian operation
July 1958 Received her first Lloyds Survey. The day to day management and manning was allocated to Atlantic Steam Navigation Co Ltd, London
23 October 1958 deployed to assist in the withdrawal of British troops from Jordan. Berthed at Akaba this day to load
20 February 1959 moored in Grand Harbour, Malta
3 April 1959 carrying 200 Officers and Men and 20 vehicles from the 3rd Battalion the Grenadier Guards arrived at Tripoli from Cyprus. 140 Officers and Men of 9 (Alma) Battery, Royal Artillery returned on board to Cyprus after four weeks training at Libya
23 May 1960 sailed Grand Harbour, Malta for Tripoli
August 1961 managers became British India Steam Navigation Co Ltd, London name unchanged
1 July 1961 a squadron of Centurion tanks of the 3rd Carabiniers embarked in H.M.S. Striker and Empire Gull for Kuwait
20 September 1962 sailed Grand Harbour, Malta for Benghazi
3 March 1964 before the Law Courts, Valetta, Malta Seaman Tse Sik Ming, aged 20 years, from Shanghai, China appeared before the Magistrate charged with refusing to work. The ship was berthed at Grand Harbour, Malta. The evidence to the Court showed he refused the direct orders of the ships Master - Captain R Thompson. In addition it was claimed he used threatening and obscene words to the Chief Steward John Brandon. It was also claimed he argued with the Cook saying he wanted to leave the ship and return to Hong Kong. He refused to wear the Company supplied uniform.
4 November 1967 grounded at Pinto Wharf, Marsa, Malta when berthing at the Army Movements Quay to unload military stores. The ship suffered slight damage to the keel. Sailed the same afternoon for Benghazi
3 January 1968 sailed Malta for Tobruk with 'S' Company, The Loyal Regiment for three weeks training in North Africa
17 January 1968 at Grand Harbour, Malta the mv Luisa, during a spell of high winds dragged her anchor and was blown against the Empire Gull. No damage was caused
24 December 1969 in dry dock at Malta
2 January 1970 berthed at Tobruk from Cyprus and loaded military cargo and 38 vehicles commencing the withdrawl of British Military Forces from Libya
4 January 1970 sailed Tobruk for Cyprus and to discharge of cargo
15 January 1970 berthed at Tobruk from Cyprus and loaded military cargo and 48 vehicles as part of the withdrawl of British Military Forces from Libya
16 January 1970 sailed Tobruk for Malta and discharge of cargo
2 February 1970 berthed at Tobruk from Malta and loaded military cargo, ammunition and 16 vehicles as part of the withdrawl of British Military Forces from Libya
3 February 1970 sailed Tobruk for Cyprus and discharge of cargo
February 1970 RFA manned
15 February 1970 berthed at Tobruk from Cyprus and loaded military cargo and 54 vehicles as part of the withdrawl of British Military Forces from Libya
17 February 1970 sailed Tobruk for Cyprus and discharge of cargo
24 February 1970 berthed at Tobruk from Cyprus and loaded military cargo, and 17 vehicles as part of the withdrawl of British Military Forces from Libya
26 February 1970 sailed Tobruk for Cyprus and discharge of cargo
8 March 1970 berthed at Tobruk from Cyprus and loaded military cargo, 36 vehicles and 1 passenger as part of the withdrawl of British Military Forces from Libya
11 March 1970 sailed Tobruk for Cyprus and discharge of cargo and passenger
17 March 1970 berthed at Tobruk from Cyprus and loaded military cargo, ammunition, 48 vehicles and 7 passengers as part of the withdrawl of British Military Forces from Libya
18 March 1970 sailed Tobruk for Cyprus and discharge of cargo and passengers
26 March 1970 berthed at Tobruk from Cyprus and loaded military cargo, ammunition, 42 vehicles and 78 passengers as part of the withdrawl of British Military Forces from Libya
28 March 1970 sailed with 90% of her capacity loaded with RFA Sir Geriant from Tobruk, Libya for Cyprus with the closure of British military bases there
21 August 1970 sailed from Malta for the last time after serving for 14 years in the Mediterranean and then to refit
1972/3 Captain H Nelberg RFA was Master
1976 Captain E P Witten RFA was Master
3 September 1978 withdrawn from service and destored at Marchwood
4 October 1978 sailed Marchwood for the last time to Portsmouth
19 October 1978 laid up at Portsmouth.
29 February 1980 sold for breaking up to Elkhart & Co KG, Germany and resold for scrap
14 March 1980 sailed Portsmouth in tow of the Spanish tug FANECA
18 March 1980 arrived Santander for demolition by Recuperaciones Submarinas S.A
24 March 1980 breaking up began
7 May 1980 breaking up completed
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