Empire Thrush
Freighter · United Kingdom · Lost 1942 · The Outer Banks
All 55 aboard Empire Thrush escaped after U-203 torpedoed the freighter off Cape Hatteras in 1942.
Become Captain of RecordSee Shipwreck on Map
The Vessel and Her Loss
Built in New Jersey in 1919 as Lorain, the freighter entered reserve in 1937. In 1942 she transferred to British control as Empire Thrush under the Ministry of War Transport. On April 14, carrying phosphate, TNT and citrus pulp from Tampa, she was torpedoed by U-203 off Cape Hatteras. All 55 crew escaped and were rescued by USS Asterion. Navy salvage reduced the wreck in 1944.
Vessel
- 1919
- Hull no. 12
- Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co.
- Kearny, New Jersey
- Steel
- 395.5 ft
- 53 ft
- 6,160 gross tons
- Oil-fueled geared steam turbine; three Scotch boilers
- United States Shipping Board; British Ministry of War Transport
Loss
- April 14, 1942
- Enemy action
- Off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
- Atlantic Ocean
- Tampa, Florida
- 5,000 tons of rock phosphate, 740 tons of TNT and 2,800 tons of citrus pulp
- 55
- 0
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- 65 ft
- Visible remains are limited: a Scotch boiler and nearby material surveyed in 2016; further remains are likely buried in shifting sand.
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- 35.21° N 75.25° W
- Approximate position
- Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
NOAA decimal wreck-site position retained as approximate.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Well documented (93/100)
The inspected NOAA narrative does not establish the voyage destination, captain or discovery date; further wreck material may be buried.
NOAA Monitor National Marine Sanctuary — Empire Thrush
Complete statistics, historical narrative, completed loss and casualties, surveyed site position/condition and inspected historical photograph.
