On this day (28th December) WW2 Shipwreckollections

Empire Javelin LSI (1943-1944)

The SS Empire Javelin was a British war landing ship built by Consolidated Steel Corp. in Orange, Texas. She was owned by the British Royal Navy and was captained on her last voyage by Captain Mclean.

Initially given the name Cape Lobos and later renamed Empire Javelin, on 28^th December 1944 she was lost after detonating a mine. Interestingly, it is widely believed that the Empire Javelin sank after being torpedoed by a German U-boat, however this has proven to be incorrect as the U-boat in question sank before December 1944.

Sadly, eight people were lost at sea.

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society provided the survivors with £87/18s worth of financial support – the equivalent of £3,613 today.

Photo credit: www.wrecksite.eu