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Empress 1918

Ships

Name	Launched // Comm.	Builder	Tonnage, BRT	Dimensions, m	Speed, kts	Machinery, Fuel, Power, t	Armament	Fate
Empress N38, N39	13.4.1907 // 8.1914	Denny, Dumbarton // Chatham DYd	2580t	98.5x12.5x4.6	21	3turbines, coal 425, 11000	2-40/39, 3 seaplanes	returned 11.1919
Riviera N85	1.4.1911 // 8.1914	Denny, Dumbarton // Chatham DYd	2500t	96.3(pp)x12.5x4.3	20.5	3turbines, 6000	2-40/39, 3 seaplanes	returned late 1919
Engadine N91, N42	23.9.1911 // 8.1914	Denny, Dumbarton // Chatham DYd	1881t	96.3(pp)x12.5x4.9	21.5	3turbines, 6000	2-40/39, 3 seaplanes	returned 12.1919
Ben-My-Chree P49	23.3.1908 // 3.1915	Vickers, Barrow // Cammell Laird, Birkenhead	3888t	114.3x14.0x4.9	24.5	3turbines, 14500	4-76/50, 2-47/40, 4-6seaplanes	sunk 11.1.1917
Campania P54, N15	8.9.1893 // 4.1915	Fairfield, Govan // Cammell Laird, Birkenhead	18000t	189.6x19.8x7.9	21	2VTE, 28000	6-120/40 QF Mk.I/II/III/IV, 1-76/45, 10 seaplanes	collision 5.11.1918
Raven II (ex-Rabenfels), 1917- Ravenrock	1903 // 6.1915	Swan Hunter, Wallsend	4706	120.2x15.7x8.4	10	1VQE	1-76/40, 6seaplanes	mercantile service 1.1918
Anne (ex-Anne Rickmers)	1911 // 8.1915	Rickmers, Bremerhaven, Germany	4083	111.9x14.5x8.3	11	1VTE	1-76/40, 2seaplanes	collier 1.1918
Vindex (ex-Viking) N00, N3A	7.3.1905 // 11.1915	Armstrong, Elswick //Cammell Laird, Birkenhead	2950t	110.2x12.8x4.2	23	3turbines, 11000	4-76/50, 1-57/40, 7seaplanes	sold 2.1920
Manxman N70	15.6.1904 // 4.1916	Vickers, Barrow // Chatham DYd	2048t	104.0x13.0x4.9	21	3turbines, 6300	2-102/40, 1-57/40, 8seaplanes	returned 2.1920
Alader Yousanoff (ex-Aleydar Useynov)	1905 // 10.1918	Sormovo, Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia	2071		11		1-76/40, 2 seaplanes	to White Russia 8.1919
Orlionoch (ex-Orlionok)	1883 // 10.1918		1406				2-102/40, 2 seaplanes	to White Russia 8.1919

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Project history

At beginning of war Admiralty requisitioned three fast ferries from South East and Chatham Railway Co 11.8.1914 (Empress, Riviera, Engadine), they were commissioned at first in August 1914 but soon in 1915 rebuilt by Cunard, receiving permanent hangars, cranes and more powerful artillery.

In addition to the converted Cross-Channel steamers the Admiralty was anxious to acquire a larger hull for use as a seaplane earlier capable of working with the Grand Fleet. The only hull immediately available was the old Cunard record-breaker Campania, which was already in the hands of the breakers T W Ward, but only snipped of deck fittings. She was bought outright on 27 November 1914 and towed to Cammell Laird for a 5-month conversion to a seaplane carrier. The conversion was ambitious, with a 120ft flight deck forward, and a hangar and workshops. Unfortunately the old ship's machinery required constant attention, and keeping up with the Grand Fleet in all weathers was always a strain. The runway was found to be too short, and after unsuccessful trials the fore funnel was removed and replaced by twin flat-sided uptakes which permitted the runway to be extended to 61m. In November 1915 she was fitted to launch a kite balloon aft. The first flight from her deck look place on 6 August 1915, with a Sopwith Schneider.

Three more fast ferries were requisitioned in 1915: Ben-My-Chree and Viking (which became Vindex) from Isle of Man Steam Packet Co and Manxman from Midland Railway Co late in 1915. in January and March 1915 respectively. They received huge hangars aft and flying-off ramps fwd. Later in 1915 two seaplanes were converted from German vessels seized in August 1914 at Port Said: Raven II (ex-Rabenfels) and Anne (ex-Anne Rickmers).

During operations in support of 'White Russians' on the Caspian Sea in late 1918 and 1919 two Russian steamers were converted to small seaplane carriers, Alader Yousanoff and Orlionoch.

Modernizations

1915, Empress, Riviera, Engadine: received permanent hangar instead of canvas, for 4 seaplanes; - 2 x 1 - 40/39; + 4 x 1 - 76/40 12pdr 12cwt QF Mk I, 2 x 1 - 47/50 3pdr Vickers Mk I

mid-1915, Engadine: + 1 x 1 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk II (AA)

5/1916, Ben-My-Chree: + 4 x 1 - 76/50 12pdr 18cwt QF Mk I

Naval service

Campania 5.11.1918 dragged her cables during a gale in the Firth of Forth and drifted across the bows of the battleship Revenge, and foundered. Ben-My-Chree 11.1.1917 while anchored off Castellorizo was set on fire by Turkish artillery, blew up and sank.