MV Empire MacKay

Fairey Swordfish landing on Empire MacKay in 1944
History
United Kingdom
NameEmpire MacKay
OwnerMinistry of War Transport
OperatorBritish Tanker Co. Ltd.
BuilderHarland and Wolff, Govan
Yard number1167[1]
Launched17 June 1943
Completed5 October 1943[1]
RenamedBritish Swordfish in 1946
FateScrapped Rotterdam 1959
General characteristics
Tonnage8,908 GRT
Length460 ft (140 m) (pp) 482 ft 9 in (147.14 m) (oa)
Beam59 ft (18 m)
Depth27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
Propulsion
  • Diesel
  • one shaft
  • 3,300 bhp
Speed11 knots (20 km/h)
Complement110
Armament
Aircraft carriedFour Fairey Swordfish

MV Empire MacKay was an oil tanker constructed with rudimentary aircraft handling facilities as a merchant aircraft carrier (MAC ship).

MV Empire MacKay was built by Harland and Wolff, Govan under order from the Ministry of War Transport. She entered service as a MAC ship in October 1943, however only her air crew and the necessary maintenance staff were naval personnel.[2] She was operated by the British Tanker Company.[3]

She returned to merchant service as an oil tanker in 1946 as British Swordfish and she was eventually scrapped in Rotterdam in 1959.[3]


References

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  1. ^ a b McCluskie, Tom (2013). The Rise and Fall of Harland and Wolff. Stroud: The History Press. p. 152. ISBN 9780752488615.
  2. ^ H.T. Lenton & J. J. Colledge (1973). Warships of World War II. Ian Allan. p. 296. ISBN 0-7110-0403-X.
  3. ^ a b "List and history of the Empire ships - M". Mariners. Retrieved 18 March 2007.
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