 The only known photograph of SS Broompark, taken in June 1940
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | SS Broompark |
| Owner | J. & J. Denholm Ltd, Glasgow |
| Operator | Denholm Line Steamers |
| Port of registry |  Greenock, United Kingdom |
| Builder | Lithgows |
| Yard number | 921 |
| Launched | 12 September 1939 |
| Out of service | 28 July 1942 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Sunk by U-boat U-552 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Cargo ship |
| Tonnage | 5,136 GRT, 3,057 NRT |
| Length | 446 ft (136 m) overall |
| Beam | 56 ft (17.1 m) |
| Draft | 25 feet 9 inches (7.85 m) |
| Depth | 24.8 ft (7.56 m) |
| Installed power | 1,950 indicated horsepower (1,450 kW) |
| Propulsion | 1 x 3 cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw, cruiser stern |
| Speed | 10.5 kn (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph) |
| Crew | 49 |
SS Broompark was a British cargo ship which was torpedoed by a U-boat on 25 July 1942 and sank three days later. Launched in October 1939, it was operated by the Denholm Line. In June 1940 as part of Operation Aerial it brought 33 French scientists including Lew Kowarski and Hans Halban, and their families to Britain before the Fall of France. They brought with them 26 cans containing 185 kilograms (408 lb) of heavy water, machine tools, and $10 million in diamonds. The ship was torpedoed on 21 September 1940, but made port under its own steam.