The SS Maudie was a versatile tanker built in 1920 by Lithgows Ltd in Port Glasgow, Scotland, with a length of approximately 384 feet 7 inches (117.22 meters) and a beam of 52 feet (15.85 meters). She was originally constructed as a whale oil refinery ship, with a gross register tonnage (GRT) of 4,661 and a net register tonnage (NRT) of 2,757. Her propulsion system consisted of a 2,650 nhp triple expansion steam engine, built by Rankin & Blackmore, which drove a single screw propeller, enabling her to reach speeds of up to 10 knots. Initially laid down as War Peshwa for the British Shipping Controller, she was launched as Maudie on 30 July 1920. Her early ownership was under A/S Hvalen of Tønsberg, Norway, managed by N Bugge. She was allocated the code letters LBDM. In 1929, she was sold to A/S Hektor, Tønsberg. Around 1937, Maudie was sold to Finnish interests, becoming part of Rederi AB Atlanta-Laivanvarustaja OY in Helsinki, and was converted from a whale oil refinery ship to a dry cargo vessel, with her name changed to Angra on 14 January 1937. She was later renamed Mercator in 1942, under Finland America Line ownership. Her service during World War II was marked by significant wartime events. In September 1944, while loading coal at Danzig, she was caught amidst the shifting allegiances and was seized by Germany, passing to the Kriegsmarine. Her crew was interned at Stutthof until the end of the war. After Germany's defeat, she was seized in Copenhagen in May 1945, declared a prize of war, and transferred to the UK Ministry of War Transport, renamed Empire Crouch. She was returned to Finnish ownership in 1946 and resumed her name Mercator. Throughout her career, she underwent several ownership and name changes, including Ruth Nurminen in 1957. Her operational lifespan concluded in 1959 when she was scrapped in Yokohama, Japan. The SS Maudie/Mercator/Ruth Nurminen was a notable vessel for her adaptability, wartime service, and the extensive alterations she underwent across her nearly four-decade career.

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