The Empire ships were a series of ships in the service of the British Government. Their names were all prefixed with Empire. Mostly they were used during the Second World War by the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT), which owned the ships but contracted out their management to various shipping lines. Some ships requisitioned during the Suez Crisis were also given the Empire prefix. They were acquired from a number of sources. Many were built for the MoWT. Several obtained from the USA were built for the United States Shipping Board (USSB). Still others were captured or seized from enemy powers.
Empire Halley was a 7,168 GRT cargo ship which was built by J L Thompson & Sons Ltd, Sunderland. Launced on 26 September 1941 and completed in December 1941. Allocated in 1942 to the Dutch Government and renamed Pieter de Hoogh. Sold in 1947 to Stoomvart Maatschappij Oostzee, Netherlands and renamed Britsum. Operated under the management of Vinke & Zonen, Amsterdam. Arrived on 24 August 1959 at Osaka, Japan for scrapping.
Empire Halley
