The SS Empire Blanda was a cargo ship originally built in 1919 by Lithgows Ltd in Port Glasgow, designated as yard number 715. Initially launched as Nile on 30 September 1919 and completed in November of the same year, the vessel measured approximately 423 feet 5 inches (129.06 meters) in length, with a beam of 56 feet (17.07 meters) and a depth of 28 feet 7 inches (8.71 meters). Powered by a triple-expansion steam engine manufactured by J G Kincaird Ltd, Greenock, the ship's engine featured cylinders of 27 inches, 45 inches, and 75 inches in diameter, with a 48-inch stroke, enabling it to reach a speed of around 11 knots. Originally owned by Nile Steamship Co Ltd and managed by Glen & Co Ltd, the ship's port of registry was Glasgow. In 1930, she was sold to Jugoslovenska Plovidba DD, Susak, and renamed Sokol in 1933, serving under Yugoslavian ownership. In 1939, the vessel changed hands again, becoming Rio Grande under the Panamanian company Compagnia Panamena de Vapores Ltda, managed by T & N Coumantaros Ltd of Greece. During her service under the name Rio Grande, she carried cargoes such as lumber and sulphur, notably joining Convoy HX 51 in June 1940 from Bermuda to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Requisitioned by the UK's Ministry of War Transport in 1940, she was renamed Empire Blanda and placed under the management of Larrinaga Steamship Co Ltd, with London as her port of registry. As Empire Blanda, she was tasked with wartime cargo transport, including steel destined for Glasgow. Tragically, on 19 February 1941, while straggling from Convoy HX 107 south of Iceland, she was torpedoed and sunk by U-69. The attack resulted in the loss of all 37 crew members and three DEMS gunners. The vessel's sinking marked her as a significant wartime casualty, and her crew is commemorated at the Tower Hill Memorial in London. Throughout her career, the ship bore the UK Official Number 141931 and used the Code Letters GLXW during her time as Empire Blanda. Her service history reflects the tumultuous period of maritime conflict during World War II and highlights her role as a cargo carrier in wartime convoys.

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