SS Empire Bard Overview and Facts

The SS Empire Bard was a British cargo ship that played a significant role in World War II. It was built in 1930 by the Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company in Dundee, Scotland.

The Empire Bard was 4,994 tons and 412 feet long, with a beam of 54 feet and a depth of 27 feet. It was a typical example of a British cargo ship of its time, designed to carry goods and supplies across the Atlantic.

The Empire Bard had a crew of 43, led by Captain John Smith.

During the Second World War, Empire Bard played a significant role in various convoys, primarily in service in Russia.

She was a member of Convoy PQ 14, which sailed from Oban on 26 March 1942 and arrived at Murmansk on 19 April. Empire Bard sailed from Loch Ewe on 27 March and arrived at Reykjavík on 31 March.

Empire Bard was also part of Convoy PQ 15, which departed Oban on 10 April 1942 and arrived at Murmansk on 5 May. She joined the convoy at Akureyri after waiting there due to heavy pack ice and dense fog.

Empire Bard's speed was limited to 8.5 knots (15.7 km/h), which forced the convoy to slow down. Despite this, she was supplied with the best coal available to aid her performance.

Empire Bard was built by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee as yard number 369.

She was launched on 30 December 1941 and completed in March 1942.

Empire Bard was built for the Ministry of War Transport and operated under the management of Dover Navigation Co Ltd.

Here are some interesting facts about Empire Bard's construction and early years:

During the Second World War, Empire Bard played a significant role in various convoys.

She was a member of Convoys PQ 14, PQ 15, and RA 57, RA 59A. These convoys were crucial in transporting goods and supplies to Russia.

Empire Bard sailed from Oban on 26 March 1942 and arrived at Murmansk on 19 April as part of Convoy PQ 14. She was also part of Convoy PQ 15, which departed Oban on 10 April 1942 and arrived at Murmansk on 5 May.

Convoy RA 57 departed the Kola Inlet on 2 March 1944 and arrived at Loch Ewe on 10 March. Empire Bard was part of this convoy, but she put into Iokanka due to alleged steering trouble and then sailed to the Kola Inlet, averaging 6 knots (11 km/h) with occasional bursts of 8 knots (15 km/h).

Empire Bard was judged to be capable of 8.5 knots (15.7 km/h), which required the convoy's speed to be reduced to accommodate this. She was supplied with the best coal available to help her meet this speed.

In May 1945, the Allies were closing in on Germany, and the war in Europe was coming to an end.

The German army was in disarray, with many soldiers surrendering or deserting their posts.

On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered unconditionally, marking the end of the war in Europe.

This day is now known as V-E Day, or Victory in Europe Day.

As the news of the surrender spread, people in the streets of Berlin and other German cities celebrated, but many also feared the consequences of defeat.

The Allied leaders, including Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin, met in Potsdam, Germany, to discuss the post-war reorganization of Europe.

The Potsdam Conference, which lasted from July 17 to August 2, 1945, set the stage for the division of Europe into Eastern and Western blocs.

SS Empire Bard had the UK Official Number 166213. This was a unique identifier assigned to the ship.

Official Numbers were a forerunner to IMO Numbers. They served as a way to distinguish one ship from another.

Empire Bard had the Code Letters BDPK. These letters were used to identify the ship in a more concise way.

The SS Empire Bard was powered by a triple expansion steam engine, which was built by North East Marine Engineering Company (1938) Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne.

This engine was capable of propelling the ship at a speed of 8 knots, which is equivalent to 15 km/h.

The SS Empire Bard's name is a combination of its prefix and the name of the ship. The prefix "Empire" is a common one used by British ships during World War II.

The ship was a British cargo ship, designed to transport goods and supplies. The Empire Bard was one of many ships in the Empire class.

The prefix "Empire" was a nod to the British Empire, which was a symbol of British power and influence at the time.