Beschreibung:

Scratch built model of 'SS Empire Dace' 1942, in grey and red with smaller model of the same vessel, in an oak and glass display case, 74cm long SS Empire Dace was a 716 GRT coastal ferry, built in 1942 as a merchant ship by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne. In 1943, she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy to carry Bren-gun carriers for the Yorks & Lancs Regiment. She was carrying 42 carriers and 6 anti-tank guns when she set sail for Phillipville, Algeria. On the first night out torpedo bombers came over, and for an hour the sky was blasted continually by heavy Ack-Ack fire. The bombers finally made off and the Empire Dace reached her destination safely. Her cargo was quickly discharged and three hours later she was bound for Oran, to load for an American Armoured Division. During the night the Germans dropped flare after flare in an effort to spot them, two torpedoes were fired at the Empire Dace but both missed. Another attack was made at dusk but she reached her destination. In no time again she was back on her way to Oran and encountered more flare and torpedo-bomber attacks with little result. After reaching Oran and dropping off tanks a hitch occurred and the convoy left without Empire Dace. She was ordered to catch up but she never did, instead she ran into the worst Mediterranean gale for over 20 years, battered the ship reached a position off Algiers and finally arrived back at Oran. There were several more voyages like this and she served until December 1944, when she struck a mine and sank in Greek waters. (1)