The SS Jolee was a cargo vessel built in 1920 by American International Shipbuilding at Hog Island, Philadelphia, as a Design 1022 ship. She displaced approximately 5,500 gross register tons (GRT) and measured 390 feet in length with a beam of 54 feet 2 inches and a depth of 27 feet 8 inches. Her propulsion system consisted of a steam turbine manufactured by General Electric, geared to drive a single screw propeller, enabling her to reach a speed of approximately 11.5 knots. Originally launched as Cardington and completed as Jolee, she was assigned the code letters LWHQ and registered in Philadelphia. Her service commenced with the United States Shipping Board (USSB). In 1933, she was sold to Lykes Brothers - Ripley Steamship Co Inc., with her registration moving to Houston, Texas, and her code letters changed to KUVT. During World War II, in 1941, Jolee was acquired by the UK's Ministry of War Transport, renamed Empire Flamingo, and registered in London with the official number 168084 and code letters BCFG. She served as a cargo ship under British management, participating in numerous convoys across the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and West Africa, carrying cargos such as phosphates, scrap steel, pig iron, and West African produce. Notably, Empire Flamingo played an active role in wartime logistics, often joining convoys traveling between North America, the UK, North Africa, and the Mediterranean. She was involved in rescue operations, such as saving 65 people from the torpedoed Fort ship Fort Battle River near Gibraltar in March 1943. Her service ended when she was sunk as a blockship at Juno Beach during the Normandy invasion in June 1944. Her bow section was salvaged in 1948 but sank off Cornwall in 1949 while being towed for scrapping. The SS Jolee/Empire Flamingo exemplifies the vital role of cargo ships in wartime logistics and maritime history, reflecting both her construction significance and her active wartime service.

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