MV Californian (1921)

Sister ship Missourian
History
Name	Californian (1921–40) Empire Kite (1940) Empire Seal (1940–42)
Namesake	Inhabitants of California (1921–40)
Owner	American-Hawaiian Steamship Co (1921–40) Ministry of War Transport (1940–42)
Operator	American-Hawaiian Steamship Co (1921–40) Runciman (London) Ltd. (1940–42)
Port of registry	New York, United States (1921-40) London, United Kingdom (1940-42)
Builder	Merchant Shipbuilding Corporation
Launched	14 November 1921
Completed	April 1922
Maiden voyage	19 May 1922
Out of service	19 February 1942
Identification	Code Letters MDNF (1921–34) Code Letters WACB (1934–40) United States Official Number 222054 (1921-40) Code Letters GMSG (1940–42) United Kingdom Official Number 168021 (1940-42)
Fate	Torpedoed and sunk by U-96, 19 February 1942
General characteristics
Type	Cargo ship
Tonnage	7,899 gross register tons (GRT), 3,642 net register tons (NRT), 11,450 tons deadweight (DWT)
Displacement	16,500 tons
Length	461 ft 8 in (140.72 m) overall, 445 ft 1 in (135.66 m) between perpendiculars
Beam	59 ft 10 in (18.24 m)
Draught	28 ft 7 in (8.71 m)
Installed power	2 x B&W diesel engines, 4,500 ihp
Propulsion	Twin screw propellers
Speed	12 knots (22 km/h)
Notes	Sister ship Missourian

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Location where Empire Seal was torpedoed and sunk

Californian was an early American motor cargo ship which was built in 1921 in Chester, Pennsylvania for the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company. She was sold to the British Ministry of War Transport in 1940 and renamed Empire Kite, and renamed Empire Seal later that year. She was torpedoed and sunk in February 1942.