Empire Burton
British Catapult armed merchant
We don't have a picture of this vessel at this time.
| Name | Empire Burton | ||
| Type: | Catapult armed merchant (CAM) | ||
| Tonnage | 6,966 tons | ||
| Completed | 1941 - Short Bros, Sunderland | ||
| Owner | Common Brothers Ltd, Newcastle-upon-Tyne | ||
| Homeport | Sunderland | ||
| Date of attack | 20 Sep 1941 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-74 (Eitel-Friedrich Kentrat) | ||
| Position | 61° 34'N, 35° 05'W - Grid AD 7851 | ||
| Complement | 54 (3 dead and 51 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | SC-44 | ||
| Route | Halifax - Sydney, CB (11 Sep) - Liverpool | ||
| Cargo | 9106 tons of wheat | ||
| History | Completed in August 1941 for Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) | ||
| Notes on event | At 01.13 hours on 20 September 1941, U-74 fired a spread of four torpedoes at convoy SC-44 east of Cape Farewell. Kentrat reported two hits on a first ship and one hit on a second vessel which sank later. The fourth torpedo hit a third ship but was a dud. However, only the Empire Burton (Master John Mitchell) was hit and sunk. One crew member and two gunners were lost. The master, 41 crew members, three gunners and six passengers (RAF personnel) were picked up by HMS Honeysuckle (K 27) (LtCdr G.W. Gregorie, RNR) and landed at Reykjavik. | ||
| On board | We have details of 4 people who were on board. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.