The following is a partial list of merchant ships that began with the prefix "Empire" and the letter "E," built for or acquired by the British Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) during World War II and shortly thereafter. These ships were crucial for supplying Britain and its allies with essential goods and materials. The "Empire" prefix denoted vessels under government control, distinguishing them from privately owned merchant ships. This list is not exhaustive, and further research may reveal additional ships that fit the criteria.
Key Characteristics of Empire Ships:
- Purpose: Primarily cargo transport, troop transport, or specialized roles like tankers and salvage vessels.
- Ownership: Owned by the MoWT, but often managed by private shipping companies.
- Naming Convention: All ships in the series were prefixed with "Empire".
- Fate: Many Empire ships were sold to commercial owners after the war, renamed, and continued service for decades. Others were lost during the war due to enemy action, accidents, or weather.
Partial List of "Empire" Ships Starting with "E":
- Empire Eagle
- Empire Earl
- Empire Earn
- Empire Echo
- Empire Eden
- Empire Edgar
- Empire Editor
- Empire Edward
- Empire Eel
- Empire Egrets
- Empire Elaine
- Empire Eldon
- Empire Elinor
- Empire Ella
- Empire Ellen
- Empire Elm
- Empire Elms
- Empire Elgar
- Empire Elias
- Empire Elk
- Empire Ellerdale
- Empire Ellesmere
- Empire Elmsdale
- Empire Elswick
- Empire Ely
- Empire Emerald
- Empire Empress
- Empire Endurance
- Empire Engineer
- Empire Enlist
- Empire Ensign
- Empire Enterprise
- Empire Envoy
- Empire Epsom
- Empire Eric
- Empire Erica
- Empire Erin
- Empire Ermine
- Empire Ernie
- Empire Esquire
- Empire Esther
- Empire Ethel
- Empire Etheridge
- Empire Eton
- Empire Eugene
- Empire Evaine
- Empire Evelyn
- Empire Everard
- Empire Everest
- Empire Every
- Empire Evron
- Empire Ewe
- Empire Exe
- Empire Exchange
- Empire Execlusive
- Empire Exmouth
- Empire Expedition
- Empire Expert
- Empire Explorer