SS Michael E

History
United Kingdom
Name	Michael E
Owner	Bury Hill Shipping Co Ltd[3]
Operator	Counties Ship Management Co Ltd, London[1] [2]
Port of registry	London[1]
Builder	William Hamilton & Co, Port Glasgow[2]
Completed	May 1941[1][2]
Identification	UK official number 168165[1] Call sign BCKB[1]
Fate	Torpedoed and sunk, 2 June 1941[2]
General characteristics
Type	Cargo ship
Tonnage	7,628 GRT[1] tonnage under deck 7,217[1] 5,508 NRT[1]
Length	421.1 ft (128.4 m) p/p 434.5 ft (132.4 m) o/a[1]
Beam	60.4 ft (18.4 m)[1]
Draught	23 ft 2+1⁄4 in (7.07 m)[1]
Depth	35.8 ft (10.9 m)[1]
Installed power	443 NHP[1]
Propulsion	triple-expansion steam engine; screw[1]
Crew	46 Merchant Navy personnel, 12 RAF personnel, four DEMS gunners[2]
Aircraft carried	1 Hawker Sea Hurricane
Aviation facilities	aircraft catapult
Notes	sister ships: Kingston Hill, Lulworth Hill, Marietta E, Primrose Hill

SS Michael E was a 7,628 GRT cargo ship that was built in 1941. She was the first British catapult aircraft merchant ship (CAM ship): a merchant ship fitted with a rocket catapult to launch a single Hawker Hurricane fighter aircraft to defend a convoy against long-range German bombers. She was sunk on her maiden voyage by a German submarine.