Defoe
Ship Number
1030
Vessel Type
Cargo Ship
Built
Belfast
Slip Number
8
Launch Date
June 20, 1940
Delivered
August 30, 1940
Owner
Lamport & Holt Line Ltd
Weight
6245 grt
BP Length
430 feet
Breadth
62 feet
No. of Screws
Single
Speed (approx)
14 knots
Propulsion
Direct Acting (D.A.) Diesel
Official No.
166301
Registered
Liverpool
Fate
Fire
 Defoe

24 September 1942 she caught fire after an explosion off Rockall. The bow of the vessel as far as the foremast was blown off and she was abandoned. She was on voyage from Manchester to Famagusta carrying drums of liquid chlorine and aeroplane varnish.
 
"Dictionary of disaster at sea, by Charles Hocking.