The ST Empire Ace was a 275-ton tug built in 1942 by Cochrane & Sons Ltd, Selby, with yard number 1255. Launched on 12 September 1942 and completed by 22 December 1942, she was initially constructed for the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). The vessel’s physical characteristics include a modest tonnage indicative of a robust, purpose-built tug designed for wartime service. During her operational career, Empire Ace was deployed to Malta, serving in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters. She participated in convoy operations, including Convoy RS 3 in March 1943 and Convoy KMS 25, which passed Gibraltar on 19 September 1943. Her service was interrupted by a significant event on 15 March 1944 when she was sunk in an air raid on Malta. However, she was salvaged on 10 May 1944, and repairs were subsequently carried out, allowing her to return to service. In 1947, she was transferred to the Admiralty and renamed Diligent. Her role persisted through changing organizational structures, and in 1961, she was transferred to the Ministry of Defence, reverting again to Empire Ace. During this period, from December 1961 to December 1964, she was loaned to the US Navy, serving in Scottish waters, which underscores her continued utility and versatility within naval support operations. Her maritime career ended after she ran aground in heavy seas at Campbeltown on 11 November 1968 and was abandoned. She was later refloated in June 1969 but was deemed a constructive total loss. The vessel was subsequently scrapped at Campbeltown in 1971. Throughout her service, Empire Ace carried the UK official number 1690781 and the call sign MFLY, marking her as a notable wartime and post-war auxiliary vessel with a significant operational record spanning over two decades.

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