MV Empire MacKay

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MV Empire MacKay was an oil tanker constructed with rudimentary aircraft handling facilities as a merchant aircraft carrier (MAC ship).

Fairey Swordfish landing on Empire MacKay in 1944
History
United Kingdom
NameEmpire MacKay
OwnerMinistry of War Transport
OperatorBritish Tanker Co. Ltd.
BuilderHarland and Wolff, Govan
Yard number1167[1]
Launched17 June 1943
Completed5 October 1943[1]
RenamedBritish Swordfish in 1946
FateScrapped Rotterdam 1959
General characteristics
Tonnage8,908 GRT
Length460 ft (140 m) (pp) 482 ft 9 in (147.14 m) (oa)
Beam59 ft (18 m)
Depth27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
Propulsion
  • Diesel
  • one shaft
  • 3,300 bhp
Speed11 knots (20 km/h)
Complement110
Armament
Aircraft carriedFour Fairey Swordfish

MV Empire MacKay was built by Harland and Wolff, Govan under order from the Ministry of War Transport. She entered service as a MAC ship in October 1943, however only her air crew and the necessary maintenance staff were naval personnel.[2] She was operated by the British Tanker Company.[3]

She returned to merchant service as an oil tanker in 1946 as British Swordfish and she was eventually scrapped in Rotterdam in 1959.[3]


References

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  1. ^ a b McCluskie, Tom (2013). The Rise and Fall of Harland and Wolff. Stroud: The History Press. p. 152. ISBN 9780752488615.
  2. ^ H.T. Lenton & J. J. Colledge (1973). Warships of World War II. Ian Allan. p. 296. ISBN 0-7110-0403-X.
  3. ^ a b "List and history of the Empire ships - M". Mariners. Retrieved 18 March 2007.
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