The SS Empire Coleridge was a substantial tanker built in 1942 by Sir J Laing & Sons Ltd in Sunderland for the British Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). With a gross register tonnage (GRT) of 9,811, she measured 484 feet in length, with a beam of 68 feet 3 inches, and a depth of 36 feet 1 inch. Her design included a triple expansion steam engine, crafted by North East Marine Engine Co Ltd in Newcastle upon Tyne, featuring cylinders of 27 inches, 44 inches, and 76 inches in diameter, with a 48-inch stroke, providing reliable propulsion for her wartime service. Launched on 17 March 1942 and completed by May of that year, the Empire Coleridge was registered in Sunderland, bearing the UK official number 169020 and the code letters BDXQ. She was managed by the Anglo-American Oil Co Ltd and was equipped with anti-torpedo nets, reflecting her role in wartime convoy protection. During World War II, Empire Coleridge participated in several convoys, notably Convoy HX 239 in May 1943 from New York to Liverpool, where she was bound for Avonmouth. She was commended for her excellent behavior during the convoy and was praised by the convoy commodore for her conduct. She also took part in Convoy HX 254 in August 1943, traveling from New York to Liverpool en route to Thameshaven, Thurrock. Following the war, in 1946, the vessel was sold into merchant service and renamed Esso Cheyenne, operated by the Anglo-American Oil Company. She continued her service until 1961, when she was finally scrapped in Boom, Belgium, arriving there on 15 April 1961. The SS Empire Coleridge's service history highlights her role in wartime logistics and post-war commercial shipping, illustrating the vital contribution of such tankers to both military efforts and merchant trade during the mid-20th century.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.