RFA Eppingdale

Original Name                         Empire Gold

Official Number:                      164843

Class:

Pennant No:                          

Laid down:                                23 November 1939
Builder:                                      Furness Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Haverton Hill
Launched:                                 4 October 1940
                         
Fate:                                           18 April 1945 torpedoed and sank

Items of historic interest involving this ship: -

Background Data:  Although originally intended  for Admiralty service, she was never taken over and saw service in the RFA

4 October 1939  launched by Furness Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Haverton Hill as Yard Nr 325 named EMPIRE GOLD for the MoWT

February 1941 completed under management of Common Bros Ltd, London

21 February 1943 while registered at Middlesbrough  and under refit at Palmers Yard at Hebburn, the Registrar of Shipping was requested to re-register the vessel at London as RFA EPPINGDALE for transfer to the Director of Stores for manning and management.

22 February 1943 despite 5 Officers having been appointed to her, the intended transfer was cancelled

3 April 1945 sailed New York in Convoy HX 348

18 April 1945 While on passage from Philidelphia and New York to Antwerp, with a cargo of 10278 tons of motor spirit, she was damaged by a  torpedo from U-1107 in the Bay of Biscay in position 47.47 N 06.26 W, caught fire and  broke in two with the loss of 43 of her crew. Both halves later sank 4 crew were picked up by a rescue ship and landed at Greenock. Some of those who were killed including the Captain Henry Cecil Cansdale are buried in Pornic War Cemetery, St. Nazaire, France

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