title: ST Empire Birch
text: # ST Empire Birch
  
  Empire Birch was a 245 GRT tug built in 1941 for the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). In 1942 she struck a mine and sank.
  
  ## Description
  
  Empire Birch was built by Henry Scarr Ltd, Hessle. She was yard number 418 and was launched on 9 August 1941 with completion on 12 December. She was 106 feet 7 inches (32.49 m) long, with a beam of 26 feet 7 inches (8.10 m) and a draught of 11 feet 6 inches (3.51 m). Her GRT was 245 with a NRT of 229.
  
  ## Career
  
  Empire Birch was operated by the MoWT, her port of registry was Hull. She was the lead ship of the Birch-class tugs. On 10 August 1942, Empire Birch hit a mine in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Portuguese East Africa 150 nautical miles (280 km) north of Lourenço Marques (24°45′S 34°47′E﻿ / ﻿24.750°S 34.783°E﻿ / -24.750; 34.783). Although she was beached and abandoned, Empire Birch slid off the beach and sank in deep water.
  
  ## Official Numbers and Code Letters
  
  Official Numbers were a forerunner to IMO Numbers. Empire Bermuda had the UK Official Number 167111 and the Code Letters BCMV.
  
  ## Propulsion
  
  Empire Birch was propelled by a triple expansion steam engine which had cylinders of 16 inches (41 cm), 26 inches (66 cm) and 43 inches (110 cm) bore by 30 inches (76 cm) stroke. It was built by the O D Holmer & Co, Hull.
  
  