Magd was a tanker that was built by Sir J. Laing & Sons in 1943 as Empire Gain for the Ministry of War Transport. She was sold to the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Co. Ltd. in 1946 and renamed Barbatia. Sold to Shell Tankers Ltd in 1955, she was seized by Egypt in November 1956 during the Suez Crisis. Allocated to the Egyptian General Petroleum Organisation in 1956, she was renamed Magd. In 1961, she was allocated to the United Arab Maritime Co. Magd was attacked and sunk by Israeli aircraft on 8 June 1967 during the Six-Day War. Her wreck was cleared in 1975.
Description
The ship was 357 feet 6 inches (108.97 m) long overall (343 feet 5 inches (104.67 m) between perpendiculars) with a beam of 48 feet 3 inches (14.71 m). She had a depth of 26 feet 9 inches (8.15 m) and a draught of 26 feet 5 inches (8.05 m).[1]
She was assessed at 3,738 GRT, 3,077 NRT, 2,000 DWT.[1]
History
Empire Gain was a tanker built by Sir J. Laing & Sons Ltd, Sunderland. For the Ministry of War Transport.[2] She was launched on 17 June 1943 and completed in September.[3] She was operated under the management of the Hadley Shipping Co. Ltd. Her port of registry was Sunderland. The Code Letters GBYV and United Kingdom Official Number 169121 were allocated.[1]
In 1946, Empire Gain was sold to the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Co. Ltd. and was renamed Barbita. She was sold to Shell Tankers Ltd. in 1955, and was operated under the management of Shell Petroleum Co. Ltd. In November 1956, Barbita was seized by Egypt during the Suez Crisis.[2]
In 1957, Barbita was allocated to the Egyptian General Petroleum Organisation and was renamed Magd.[2] The Code Letters SUBM were allocated.[4] She was allocated to the United Arab Maritime Co. in 1961.[2] She was attacked and sunk at the southern end of the Suez Canal by Israeli aircraft on 8 June, during the Six-Day War.[2][5]
Roland and Thor clearing a wreck in the Suez Canal, 1975.
Her wreck was cleared by the salvage shipsRoland and Thor in 1974 as part of the operation to reopen the canal.[2]Magd lay on her starboard side at a position 159.90 kilometres (99.36 mi) from Port Said. The wreck was cut in two by explosives on 6 November. The stern section was removed on 14 November and the bow section on 23 November. The work was carried out by the Murphy Pacific Marine Salvage Company under the direction of the Supervisor of Salvage, United States Navy.[6]
References
^ abcd"Empire Gain (37277)"(PDF). Lloyd's Register: Navires à Vapeur et à Moteurs. E (in English and French). London: Lloyd's Register. 1943–1944 – via Southampton City Council.
