SS Empire Curlew (1945)

For other ships with the same name, see SS Empire Curlew and HMS Hunter.

History
Name
  • HMS LST 3042 (1945-47)
  • HMS Hunter (1947-56)
  • SS Empire Curlew (1956-62)
Owner
  • Royal Navy (1945-56)
  • Ministry of Transport (1956-62)
Operator
  • Royal Navy (1945-56)
  • Atlantic Steam Navigation Company Ltd (1956-61)
  • British India Steam Navigation Co Ltd (1961-62)
Port of registry
  • United Kingdom Royal Navy (1945-56)
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom (1956-62)
BuilderHarland & Wolff Ltd
Yard number1298
Launched31 January 1945
CompletedNovember 1945
Commissioned16 November 1945
Out of service1962
Identification
FateScrapped in 1962
General characteristics
Class and typeLanding Ship, Tank
Tonnage
Length347 ft 6 in (105.92 m)
Beam55 ft 1 in (16.79 m)
Draught12 feet 2+1⁄2 inches (3.721 m) (summer)
Depth27 ft 1 in (8.26 m)
PropulsionTriple expansion steam engine
Speed13 knots (24 km/h)
Capacity90 troops (HMS LST 3042, HMS Hunter)
Complement14 (HMS LST 3042, HMS Hunter)
Armament8 x 20mm AA guns

Empire Curlew was a 4,273 GRT ferry that was built in 1945 as LST Mk.3 HMS LST 3042 by Harland & Wolff, Govan, Scotland for the Royal Navy. In 1947, she was renamed HMS Hunter. During the Suez Crisis in 1956, she was transferred to the Ministry of Transport and renamed Empire Curlew. She served until 1962, when she was scrapped.