Akademik Karpinsky was a 1,122 GRT cargo ship that was built in 1936 as ThaliabyNordseewerke, Emden, Germany for German owners. She was interned at Cadiz, Spain in 1943, and surrendered to the Allies in May 1945. Thalia passed to the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) and was renamed Empire Consett. In 1946, she was transferred to the Soviet Union and renamed Akademik Karpinsky, serving until 31 August 1953 when she foundered.
The ship was 235 feet 0 inches (71.63 m) long, with a beam of 34 feet 7 inches (10.54 m) and a depth of 13 feet 1 inch (3.99 m). The ship had a GRT of 1,122 and a NRT of 587.[1]
The ship was propelled by a 4-stroke Single Cycle Single Acting diesel engine, which had 12 cylinders of 11+5⁄8 inches (30 cm) diameter by 16+9⁄16 inches (42.1 cm) stroke. The engines were built by Friedrich Krupp GermaniawerftAG, Kiel.[1]
Thalia was renamed Empire Consett.[2] Her port of registry was changed to London. The Code Letters GSNQ and United Kingdom Official Number 180747 were allocated. Empire Consett was operated under the management of Coast Lines Ltd.[5] It was not until 25 August 1945 that Empire Consett arrived at Falmouth due to problems with her engines on the voyage from Spain. She departed Falmouth under tow on 12 September bound for Cardiff.[2]
In 1946, Empire Consett was allocated to the Soviet Union. She was renamed Akademik Karpinsky. She served until 31 August 1953, when she foundered whilst on a voyage from KaliningradtoAmsterdam, Netherlands.[2]
in July 2011, the wreck was re-discovered 20 miles north of the port of WładysławowoinPoland in 255 feet (78 Meters) of water.[6]
^ abcdefMitchell, W.H.; Sawyer, L.A. (1995). The Empire Ships. London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong: Lloyd's of London Press Ltd. p. not cited. ISBN1-85044-275-4.
