SS Persier

SS Persier was a cargo vessel built in 1918 by John Cockerill in Hoboken, Belgium. The ship was initially owned by Lloyd Royal Belge, a Belgian shipping company. Over the course of its service, the ship changed hands multiple times and was renamed several times. It was finally sunk during World War II in 1945.

Construction and Design

The SS Persier was a steam-powered cargo ship. It was built with a steel hull and had a gross register tonnage of 5,629. The ship was equipped with a triple-expansion steam engine that was capable of propelling the ship at a speed of 11 knots.

Service History

The SS Persier was launched in 1918 and completed later that year. It was initially used by Lloyd Royal Belge for commercial cargo transport. In 1930, the ship was sold to Compagnie Maritime Belge, another Belgian shipping company, and was renamed Belgique. The ship was again sold in 1934 to Compagnie Nationale de Navigation, a French shipping company, and was renamed Sainte Marguerite.

During World War II, the ship was requisitioned by the British Ministry of War Transport and was renamed Empire Penryn. The ship was used to transport supplies for the war effort. In 1945, the ship was torpedoed by a German submarine and sank in the Atlantic Ocean.

Sinking

On February 18, 1945, while en route from New York City to Avonmouth, the SS Persier was torpedoed by the German submarine U-1018. The ship sank within minutes. Of the 61 crew members on board, only 8 survived.

Legacy

The sinking of the SS Persier is remembered as one of the many tragic losses of civilian ships during World War II. The ship's service during the war highlights the important role that cargo ships played in supporting the war effort.