| Name: | EMPIRE FOAM |
| Type: | Cargo Ship |
| Launched: | 13/03/1941 |
| Completed: | 05/1941 |
| Builder: | Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd |
| Yard: | Neptune Yard, Low Walker |
| Yard Number: | 1694 |
| Dimensions: | 7047grt, 5178nrt, 432.5 x 56.2 x 34.2ft |
| Engines: | T3cyl (23, 39 & 66 x 45ins), 433nhp |
| Engines by: | Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd |
| Propulsion: | 1 x Screw |
| Construction: | Steel |
| Reg Number: | 165810 |
| History: | |
| 05/1941 | Ministry of War Transport (F Carrick & Co, managers), Newcastle |
| 1946 | Ministry of Transport (F Carrick & Co, managers), Newcastle |
| 1946 | Graig Shipping Co Ltd, Cardiff; renamed GRAIGAUR |
| 1957 | Marinos & Frangos Ltd, Cardiff; renamed MALTEZANA |
| 1958 | Stanley Shipping Co Ltd, Cardiff; renamed JOHORE BAHRU |
| 23/08/1963 | Broken up |
| Comments: | 05/1941: She was completed as a CAM ship for convoy protection. |
| CAM stands for Catapult Aircraft Merchantman and she was one of 35 so equipped as a temporary measure until sufficient escort aircraft carriers could be built. | |
| She was fitted with a catapult for a rocket propelled launch of a Sea Hurricane fighter aircraft. There was no facility for recovery of the aircraft once launched. The pilot had to be picked up from the sea and the plane was lost. | |
| 23/08/1963: Broken up by Osaka Kogai KK at Etajima, Japan |
Above: A typical CAM catapult & Sea Hurricane configuration
Above photos as GRAIGAUR courtesy of Richard Cox