View source for SS Polar Chief

{{Short description|British merchant steamship}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2022}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image               = Anglo Norse (I).jpg
| Ship caption             = The ship as ''Anglo-Norse'' in 1927
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header              = 
| Ship name                = *1897: ''Montcalm''
*1914: "HMS ''Audacious''"
*1916: RFA ''Crenella''
*1918: ''Crenella''
*1923: ''Rey Alfonso''
*1927: ''Anglo-Norse''
*1929: ''Polar Chief''
*1941: ''Empire Chief''
*1946: ''Polar Chief''
| Ship namesake= *1897: [[Louis-Joseph de Montcalm|Marquis de Montcalm]]
*1916: the genus ''[[Crenella (bivalve)|Crenella]]''
| Ship owner               =*1897: [[African Steamship Company|African SS Co]]
*1903: [[Elder Dempster Lines|Elder, Dempster]]
*1903: [[Canadian Pacific Railway|Canadian Pacific Rly]]
*1916: [[Admiralty (United Kingdom)|Admiralty]]
*1917: [[Shipping Controller]]
*1919: [[Shell plc|Anglo-Saxon Petroleum]]
*1920: Velefa Shipping Co
*1924: LA Millis
*1924: Christian Nielsen & Co
*1925: HM Wrangell & Co
*1927: Anglo Norse Co
*1929: Falkland Whaling Co
*1941: [[Ministry of War Transport]]
*1946: Falkland Whaling Co
| Ship operator            =*1896: Elder, Dempster
*1898: [[Atlantic Transport Line]]
*1900: Elder, Dempster
*1903: Canadian Pacific
*1914: {{flagicon|UKGBI|naval}} [[Royal Navy]]
*1916: [[Frederick Richards Leyland|Frederick Leyland]]
*1916: {{flagicon|UKGBI|RFA}} Lane & MacAndrews or Anglo-Saxon Petroleum for the [[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]]
*1918: Anglo-Saxon Petroleum
*1920: Runciman & Co
*1923: Christian Nielsen & Co
*1927: HM Wrangell & Co
*1929: Hans Borge
*1929: Falkland Whaling Co
*1941: Christian Salvesen & Co Ltd
*1946: Falkland Whaling Company
| Ship registry            =*1897: {{flagicon|UKGBI|civil}} [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool]]
*1916: {{flagicon|UKGBI|civil}} [[Port of London|London]]
*1923: {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Larvik]]
*1925: {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Haugesund]]
*1927: {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Tønsberg]]
*1929: {{flagicon|UK|civil}} [[Jersey]]
*1946: {{flagicon|UK|civil}} [[Leith]]
| Ship route               =*1898–1900: London – New York
*1900–02: New Orleans – Cape Town
*1903–14: Avonmouth – Montreal
| Ship ordered             = 
| Ship builder             = [[Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company|Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Co]], [[Jarrow]]
| Ship original cost       = 
| Ship yard number         = 724
| Ship way number          = 
| Ship laid down           = 
| Ship launched            = 17 May 1897
| Ship completed           = August 1897
| Ship commissioned        = August 1914
| Ship decommissioned      = 1923
| Ship christened          = 
| Ship acquired            = 
| Ship maiden voyage       = 3 September 1897
| Ship refit               = 1916, 1929
| Ship in service          = 
| Ship out of service      = 1920–23, 1930, 1939
| Ship identification      =*UK [[Official number]] 106869
* 1897–1916: [[Code letters]] PTDS
* {{ICS|Papa}}{{ICS|Tango}}{{ICS|Delta}}{{ICS|Sierra}}
* by 1913: [[Wireless telegraphy|w/t]] [[Maritime call sign|Call sign]] MLZ
* [[Pennant number]]s X04, X71, YZ.143
* 1917–23: Code letters JNLQ
* {{ICS|Juliet}}{{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Lima}}{{ICS|Quebec}}
* 1923–29: Code letters LDJN
* {{ICS|Lima}}{{ICS|Delta}}{{ICS|Juliet}}{{ICS|November}}
* 1930–52: Call sign GFMT
*{{ICS|Golf}}{{ICS|Foxtrot}}{{ICS|Mike}}{{ICS|Tango}}
| Ship fate                = Scrapped
| Ship notes               = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header              = 
| Header caption           = 
| Ship type                =*1897: [[Cargo liner]]
*1914: [[Troopship|Troop ship]]
*1914–15: Dummy [[battleship]]
*1915–16: [[Combat stores ship|Store ship]]
*1916–23: [[Oil tanker]]
*1923–27: [[Whale oil]] tanker
*1927–52: [[Factory ship]] & whale oil tanker
| Ship tonnage             =*1897: {{GRT|5466}}, {{NRT|3575}}
*1900: {{GRT|6981|link=off}}, {{NRT|5284|link=off}}
*1901: {{GRT|5505|link=off}}, {{NRT|3508|link=off}}
*1916: {{GRT|7035|link=off}}, {{NRT|5371|link=off}}
*1922: {{GRT|5772|link=off}}, {{NRT|3608|link=off}}
*1929: {{GRT|7172|link=off}}, {{NRT|4348|link=off}}
*1939: {{GRT|8040|link=off}}, {{NRT|6279|link=off}}
| Ship displacement        = 
| Ship length              = {{cvt|445.0|ft|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam                = {{cvt|52.5|ft|abbr=on}}
| Ship height              = 
| Ship draught             = 
| Ship depth               = {{cvt|27.6|ft|abbr=on}}
| Ship decks               = 2
| Ship deck clearance      = 
| Ship ramps               = 
| Ship power               = 664 [[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|NHP]]
| Ship propulsion          = *1 × [[Marine steam engine#Triple or multiple expansion|Triple expansion engine]]
*1 × [[Propeller]]
| Ship speed               = {{convert|12.5|kn|km/h|0}}
| Ship capacity            = *1897: 12 2nd Class passengers
*[[Reefer ship|Refrigerated cargo]]: {{convert|15340|cuft|0}}
| Ship crew                = 
| Ship armament            = 
| Ship sensors             = *by 1911: [[Submarine signals|submarine signalling]]
*by 1931: Wireless [[direction finding]]
*by 1948: [[Echo sounding]] device, [[radar]]
| Ship notes               = [[Sister ship]]s: {{SS|Montrose|1897|2}}, ''Monteagle'', ''Montfort''
}}
|}

'''SS ''Polar Chief''''' was a merchant [[steamship]] that was built in [[England]] in 1897 and scrapped in [[Scotland]] in 1952. In her 55-year career she had previously been called '''''Montcalm''''', '''RFA ''Crenella''''', '''''Crenella''''', '''''Rey Alfonso''''', '''''Anglo-Norse''''' and '''''Empire Chief'''''. Early in the [[World War I|First World War]] she spent eight months pretending to be the [[battleship]] {{HMS|Audacious|1912|6}}.

The ship was built in [[Newcastle upon Tyne]] as the [[cargo liner]] ''Montcalm''. In the First World War she was a [[Troopship|troop ship]], a dummy battleship and a [[depot ship]], and then in 1916 was converted into the [[oil tanker]] ''Crenella''. She spent about 20 months in the [[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]], survived being hit by a torpedo in 1917, and returned to civilian service in 1919.

In 1923 she was sold to [[Norway|Norwegian]] buyers who renamed her ''Rey Alfonso'' and had her converted to carry [[whale oil]]. In 1927 she was sold back to [[United Kingdom|UK]] owners who renamed her ''Anglo-Norse'' and had her equipped as a [[whaling]] [[factory ship]]. In 1929 new owners bought her and renamed her ''Polar Chief''. She was laid up in Norway in September 1939, but returned to Britain that December.

In the [[World War II|Second World War]] the ship carried [[heavy fuel oil]] and other cargoes as well as whale products. In 1941 the [[Ministry of War Transport]] acquired her and renamed her ''Empire Chief''. In 1942 she ran aground, but was refloated and repaired. In 1946 she was returned to commercial ownership and her name was returned to ''Polar Chief''. In 1952 she was scrapped by two [[Ship breaking|shipbreakers]] in the west of Scotland.

==Building==
''Montcalm'' was the first of a set of four [[sister ship]]s built for the [[African Steamship Company]]. [[Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company]] in [[Jarrow]] built her, launching her on 17 May 1897 and completing her that August.<ref name=TBS>{{cite web |url= http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/M-Ships/montcalm1897.html |title=Montcalm |work=Tyne Built Ships |publisher=Shipping and Shipbuilding Research Trust |access-date=6 June 2022}}</ref> Sir [[Raylton Dixon]] and Company in [[Middlesbrough]] built her sister ship {{SS|Montrose|1897|2}}, launching her on 17 June 1897 and completing her that September.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.teesbuiltships.co.uk/view.php?year_built=&builder=&ref=169796 |title=Montrose |work=Tees Built Ships |publisher=Shipping and Shipbuilding Research Trust |access-date=6 June 2022}}</ref>

The dimensions of the two ships were almost identical. ''Montcalm''{{'}}s registered length was {{cvt|445.0|ft|abbr=on}}, her beam was {{cvt|52.5|ft|abbr=on}} and her depth was {{cvt|27.6|ft|abbr=on}}. As built, her [[tonnage]]s were {{GRT|5466}} and {{NRT|3575}}.{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1897}} {{convert|15340|cuft|0}} of her cargo space was [[Reefer ship|refrigerated]].{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1914|loc=List of Vessels Fitted With Refrigerating Appliances}} She was primarily a cargo ship, but she had berths for 12 Second Class passengers.<ref name=TSL>{{cite web |url= https://www.theshipslist.com/ships/descriptions/ShipsMM.shtml |last1= Swiggum |first1= Susan |last2= Kohli |first2= Marjorie |title= Ship Descriptions – MI to MU |work= TheShipsList |date= 25 September 2008 |access-date= 6 June 2022}}</ref>

Three double ended boilers supplied steam at {{convert|180|psi|bar}} to her three-cylinder [[Marine steam engine#Triple or multiple expansion|triple expansion engine]], which drove her single [[Propeller|screw]]. Her engine was rated at 664 [[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|NHP]]{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1898}} and gave her a speed of {{convert|12.5|kn|km/h|0}}.<ref name=TBS/><ref name=HRFA-battleship>{{cite web |url= http://www.historicalrfa.org/index.php/index.php/battleship-rfa-crenella |title=RFA Crenella |publisher=Royal Fleet Auxiliary Historical Society |access-date=30 March 2010}}</ref>

In 1897 Elder, Dempster registered ''Montcalm'' in [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool]]. Her UK [[official number]] was 106869 and her [[code letters]] were PTDS.{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1898}}{{sfn|''Mercantile Navy List'', 1898}}

Elder, Dempster & Co ordered a second pair of ships from Palmers, built to the same design. ''Monteagle'' was launched on 13 December 1898 and completed in March 1899.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/M-Ships/monteagle1899.html |title=Monteagle |work=Tyne Built Ships |publisher=Shipping and Shipbuilding Research Trust |access-date=6 June 2022}}</ref> ''Montfort'' was launched on 13 February 1899 and completed that April.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/M-Ships/montfort1899.html |title=Montfort |work=Tyne Built Ships |publisher=Shipping and Shipbuilding Research Trust |access-date=6 June 2022}}</ref>

==Career==
===''Montcalm'' in peacetime===
At the start of her career, ''Montcalm'' was [[Ship management|managed]] by the African Steamship Company's parent company [[Elder Dempster Lines|Elder, Dempster & Co]]. On 3 September 1897 she started her maiden voyage from [[Avonmouth]] to [[Port of Montreal|Montreal]]. On 13 November 1898 she was [[Chartering (shipping)|chartered]] to the [[Atlantic Transport Line]]. Between then and January 1900 ''Montcalm'' made eleven trans-Atlantic voyages between New York and either [[Port of London|London]] or Gravesend.<ref name=HRFA-timeline>{{cite web |url= http://www.historicalrfa.org/index.php/index.php/rfa-crenella-ship-information |title=RFA Crenella RFA Crenella |publisher=Royal Fleet Auxiliary Historical Society |access-date=6 June 2022}}</ref>

On 5 April 1900 she sailed from Liverpool for [[Port of Cape Town|Cape Town]] as a transport ship for the [[Second Boer War]]. ''Montcalm'' then made six return voyages between Cape Town and [[Port of New Orleans|New Orleans]], carrying [[horse]]s or [[mule]]s. In September 1900 ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' reported that she sustained a [[mutiny]]. Her English [[Fireman (steam engine)|stokers]] had refused to work with several [[Danes]] who had been signed on to the ship, and US [[Arriero|muleteers]] caring for her cargo of 1,400 mules objected to the quality of food aboard.<ref name=HRFA-timeline/>

In 1900 ''Montcalm''{{'}}s tonnages were increased to {{GRT|6981}} and {{NRT|5284}}.{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1900}} However, in 1901 this was reversed and she was assessed at {{GRT|5505|link=off}} and {{NRT|3508|link=off}}.{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1901}}

In June 1902 ''Montcalm'' started the first of four round trips between Avonmouth and Montreal. On 10 December that year she left Avonmouth for [[Saint John, New Brunswick]].<ref name=HRFA-timeline/> In 1903 she passed to Elder Dempster Lines when that company absorbed the African Steamship Company.<ref name=M&S>{{harvnb|Mitchell|Sawyer|1995|page=}}{{page needed|date=June 2022}}</ref>

On 6 April 1903 the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] bought Elder, Dempster's shipping service to and from Canada, with 14 ships including ''Montcalm'' and her three sisters. On 21 May 1903 she sailed from [[Swansea Docks|Swansea]]. Her usual route with Canadian Pacific was between Avonmouth and Montreal or [[Saint John, New Brunswick]]. She occasionally visited [[Port of Bristol|Bristol]], [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool]] or [[Port of Quebec|Quebec]], and on 11 March 1913 she called at [[Greenock]].<ref name=HRFA-timeline/>{{efn|One source claims that in 1903 Canadian Pacific had ''Montcalm'' converted to carry 70 Second Class and 1,800 Third Class passengers.<ref name=HRFA-timeline/> Other sources do not corroborate this, and there is a lack of evidence of her carrying large numbers of passengers. Her sister ship {{SS|Montrose|1897|2}} was converted to carry exactly this number of passengers.<ref name=TSL/> The source may have inadvertently confused the two ships.}}

By 1911 ''Montcalm'' was equipped for [[wireless telegraphy]] and [[Submarine signals|submarine signalling]].{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1911}} The [[Marconi Company]] supplied and operated her wireless equipment under contract.{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1914|loc=List of Vessels Fitted with Installation of Wireless Telegraphy}} By 1913 her wireless [[Maritime call sign|call sign]] was MLZ.{{sfn|The Marconi Press Agency Ltd|1913|p=257}}

===''Montcalm'' in the First World War===
In August 1914 the [[Admiralty (United Kingdom)|Admiralty]] requisitioned ''Montcalm''. She was initially used as a troop ship carrying members of the [[British Expeditionary Force (World War II)|British Expeditionary Force]]. In October 1914 she was converted to a dummy battleship, mimicking {{HMS|Audacious|1912|6}}, whose name she carried. She was a member of a dummy battleship squadron, which was disbanded on 6 July 1915.<ref name=HRFA-timeline/>

In 1915 the Admiralty intended to use her as a [[blockship]], but instead she was used as either a [[depot ship]]<ref name=M&S/> or a [[Combat stores ship|store ship]].<ref name=HRFA-timeline/> On 19 January 1916 she was transferred to the [[Shipping Controller]], who appointed [[Frederick Richards Leyland|Frederick Leyland Ltd]] of Liverpool to manage her.<ref name=HRFA-battleship/>

===RFA ''Crenella''===
On 29 January the Admiralty bought ''Montcalm''.<ref name=HRFA-timeline/> In August 1916 she arrived in Liverpool for conversion into an oil tanker,<ref name=HRFA-battleship/> which was completed on 26 October 1916.<ref name=HRFA-timeline/> Her tonnages were increased to {{GRT|7035}} and {{NRT|5371}}.{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1918}}

In 1916 the ship was renamed ''Crenella'', registered in London, and her code letters were changed to JNLQ.{{sfn|''Mercantile Navy List'', 1917}} The Admiralty placed her under the management of either Lane and MacAndrews<ref name=HRFA-battleship/> or the [[Shell plc|Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Company]].<ref name=HRFA-timeline/> Anglo Saxon Petroleum was a subsidiary of [[Shell plc|Royal Dutch Shell]], which named all of its ships after genera of [[Mollusca|molluscs]]. ''[[Crenella (bivalve)|Crenella]]'' is a genus of [[mussel]]s. On 18 November 1916 the ship entered service with the [[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]] as RFA ''Crenella''.<ref name=HRFA-battleship/> On 11 October 1917 her ownership was transferred to the [[Shipping Controller]].<ref name=HRFA-timeline/>

[[File:USSCushingDD55.jpg|thumb|After ''Crenella'' was torpedoed, the destroyer {{USS|Cushing|DD-55|6}} assisted and escorted her.]]
On 26 November 1917 ''Crenella'' was sailing in [[Ballast tank|ballast]] from [[Cobh|Queenstown]] to Montreal when {{SMU|U-101||2}} [[torpedo]]ed her {{convert|146|nmi|km}} west of Queenstown,<ref name=HRFA-timeline/> at {{coord|49|47|N|10|58|W}}.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://uboat.net/wwi/ships_hit/1487.html |last=Helgason |first=Guðmundur |title=Crenella |work=uboat.net |access-date=30 March 2010}}</ref> ''Crenella'' was damaged but remained afloat. The [[United States Navy|US Navy]] destroyer {{USS|Cushing|DD-55|6}} gave damage control assistance and escorted ''Crenella'' back to Queenstown.<ref name=HRFA-timeline/><ref name=Cushing>{{cite web |url= http://www.historycentral.com/NAVY/destroyer/CushingIIdd55.html |title= Cushing II DD-55 |publisher=History Central |access-date=30 March 2010}}</ref> On 1 August 1918 a submarine fired a torpedo at ''Montcalm'', but missed.<ref name=HRFA-timeline/>

On 26 November 1919 Anglo Saxon Petroleum bought ''Crenella''.<ref name=HRFA-timeline/> On 19 October 1920 the Velefa Shipping Co Ltd of London bought her and placed under the management of Runciman & Co Ltd, but she was then laid up.<ref name=M&S/> In 1922 her tonnages were reduced to {{GRT|5772|link=off}} and {{NRT|3608|link=off}}.{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1922}}

===''Rey Alfonso''===
On 20 June 1923 A/S Larvik Hvalfaugerselsk bought ''Crenella'' for £24,000, renamed her ''Rey Alfonso'' and registered her in [[Larvik]] in Norway.<ref name=HRFA-timeline/> Her code letters were changed to LDJN.{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1924}} She was refitted as a [[whale oil]] depot ship and placed under the management of Christian Nielsen & Co.<ref name=M&S/> In 1925 HM Wrangell & Co A/S bought her and registered her in [[Haugesund]].<ref name=HRFA-timeline/> In Her tonnages were revised to {{GRT|5938|link=off}} and {{NRT|3480|link=off}}.{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1925}}

===''Anglo-Norse''===
In 1927 the Anglo-Norse Company bought ''Rey Alfonso'', renamed her ''Anglo-Norse'' and registered her in [[Tønsberg]].{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1928}} She was fitted out with four 50-ton [[derrick]]s to lift whales aboard for [[flensing]]. Hans Borge was appointed to manage her. He sent her to work in the [[South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands#South Sandwich Islands|South Sandwich Islands]] in the South Atlantic.<ref name=HRFA-timeline/>

===''Polar Chief'' (1929)===
In August 1929 the Falkland Whaling Company bought ''Anglo-Norse'', renamed her ''Polar Chief''<ref name=HRFA-timeline/> and registered her in [[Jersey]].{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1931}} Her tonnages were increased to {{GRT|7172}} and {{NRT|4348}}.{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1929}} By 1930 her wireless call sign was GFMT.{{sfn|''Mercantile Navy List'', 1930}}{{efn|From 1930 until 1933 the ''Mercantile Navy List'' records ''Polar Chief''{{'}}s wireless call sign as GFMT.{{sfn|''Mercantile Navy List'', 1930}}{{sfn|''Mercantile Navy List'', 1933}} However, ''[[Lloyd's Register]] of Shipping'' records it as QFMT from 1934 to 1937, and GFMT from 1938 onward.{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1935}}{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1937}}{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1938}} The international convention at the time was for all UK-registered merchant ships to have a four-letter call sign beginning with the letter "G". Therefore records citing "QFMT" may be an error.
}} She was laid up for the 1930 whaling season<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.atlantictransportline.us/content/18Montcalm.htm |title= S.S. Montcalm |publisher= [[Aberdeen City Council]] |access-date= 29 March 2010 |archive-date= 6 June 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100606174145/http://www.atlantictransportline.us/content/18Montcalm.htm |url-status= dead }}</ref> but then returned to service.<ref name=M&S/> By 1931 her navigation equipment included wireless [[direction finding]].{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1931}} In 1939 her tonnages were increased to {{GRT|8040|link=off}} and {{NRT|6279|link=off}}.{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1940}}

In September 1939 ''Polar Chief'' was laid up at Tønsberg, but that December she left Norway in Convoy HN 5 to the [[Firth of Clyde|Clyde]]. In the early part of the [[World War II|Second World War]] she continued whaling, visiting [[South Georgia]] in March 1940. In an attempt to reduce exposure to U-boats and German surface raiders, she sailed via the Western Atlantic. On her outward voyage she called at [[Curaçao]]. On her return voyage she called at [[Aruba]], and then [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]], where she joined Convoy HX 35 to reach [[The Downs (ship anchorage)|The Downs]] off the coast of [[Kent]]. Her cargo on her return voyage was [[Heavy fuel oil|furnace fuel oil]].<ref name=HRFA-timeline/>

On 2 July 1941 the [[Ministry of War Transport]] acquired ''Polar Chief'' and appointed [[Christian Salvesen]] & Co Ltd to manage her.{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1942}} She sailed independently to New York, and returned via Halifax where she joined Convoy HX 141 to [[Belfast Lough]]. In October 1941 she sailed to New York again, returning via Halifax to join [[Convoy HX 156]].<ref name=HRFA-timeline/><ref>{{cite web |url =http://www.warsailors.com/convoys/hx156.html |title=Convoy HX 156 |publisher=Warsailors |access-date=30 March 2010}}</ref>

===''Empire Chief''===
On 17 November 1941 ''Polar Chief'' was renamed ''Empire Chief''.<ref name=HRFA-timeline/> On 16 January 1942 she ran aground at [[Reykjavík]], [[Iceland]]. She was refloated on 7 March and temporarily repaired.<ref name=M&S/> She was towed back to Britain, leaving Reykjavík in 8 July and reaching the [[River Tyne]] on 15 July where she was permanently repaired.<ref name=HRFA-timeline/>

In March 1943 ''Empire Chief'' left New York carrying fuel oil. She sailed with [[Convoy HX 231]] to Belfast Lough. The Admiralty considered having her converted into a [[Replenishment oiler|fleet oiler]], but in April 1943 decided she was not [[Replenishment oiler|stable]] enough at sea for this.<ref name=HRFA-timeline/>

In August 1943 ''Empire Chief'' sailed with Convoy HX 251 from New York to Belfast Lough. Her cargo was fuel oil, plus a deck cargo of [[armoured fighting vehicle]]s. In November 1943 she sailed with Convoy HX 266 from New York to the Clyde. Her cargo was fuel oil, plus spare [[depth charge]]s.<ref name=HX>{{cite web |url= http://www.warsailors.com/convoys/hxconvoys6.html |title=HX 251 through HX 300 |publisher=Warsailors |access-date=30 March 2010}}</ref>

From January until September 1944 ''Empire Chief'' operated in the [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean]] and along the [[East Coast of the United States]]. She called frequently at [[Guantanamo Bay Naval Base|Guantanamo Bay]] and at New York, and occasionally at Aruba, Curaçao, [[Port of Houston|Houston]], [[Port of Charleston|Charleston]] and [[Port of Portland (Maine)|Portland, Maine]].<ref name=HRFA-timeline/>

In May 1945 ''Empire Chief'' sailed with Convoy HX 354 from New York to Liverpool. Her cargo was fuel oil and acids. In October 1945 she sailed unescorted from Curaçao to Swansea and then [[Barry Docks|Barry]].<ref name=HRFA-timeline/>

===''Polar Chief'' (1946)===
On 3 August 1946 the South Georgia Company bought ''Empire Chief'', restored her name to ''Polar Chief'', and registered her in [[Leith]].{{sfn|''Mercantile Navy List'', 1947}} Christian Salvesen remained her managers. In August 1947 she berthed in Avonmouth carrying whale bone meal, whale oil, sperm oil and salted whale livers from South Georgia, but also furnace fuel oil from Aruba.<ref name=HRFA-timeline/> By 1948 her navigation equipment included an [[echo sounding]] device and [[radar]]. Her tonnages were increased to {{GRT|8091|link=off}} and {{NRT|6334|link=off}}.{{sfn|''LLoyd's Register'', 1948}}

On 29 April 1952 ''Polar Chief'' arrived at [[Dalmuir]] in [[Dunbartonshire]] for WH Arnott Young Ltd to start breaking her up. On 22 June her partly-dismantled hulk was towed to [[Troon]] in [[Ayrshire]], where the West of Scotland Shipbreaking Co Ltd continued her demolition. Her hulk was beached on 27 August 1952, and demolition was completed on 12 January 1953.<ref name=HRFA-timeline/>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |year=1897 |title=Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping |volume=I–Steamers |place=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]] of Shipping |at=Supplement, M |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1897ST/page/n792/mode/1up |via=[[Internet Archive]] |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1897}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1898 |title=Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping |volume=I–Steamers |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=MON |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1898ST/page/n466/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1898}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1899 |title=Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping |volume=I–Steamers |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=MON |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1899ST/page/n595/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1899}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1900 |title=Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping |volume=I–Steamers |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=MON |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1900ST/page/n494/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1900}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1901 |title=Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping |volume=I–Steamers |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=MON |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROSS1901/page/n525/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1901}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1904 |title=Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping |volume=I–Steamers |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=MON |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1904ST/page/n567/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1904}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1911 |title=Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping |volume=I–Steamers |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=MON |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1911ST/page/n713/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1911}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1914 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=I–Steamers, Sailing Vessels, and Owners |place=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]] of Shipping |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1914}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1915 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=I–Steamers |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=MON |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1915ST/page/n734/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1915}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1918 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=I–Steamers |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=CRA–CRE |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1918ST/page/n243/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1918}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1922 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=I–Steamers |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=CRE |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1922ST/page/n304/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1922}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1923 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II–Steamers and Motor Vessels |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=CRA–CRE |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1923ST/page/n291/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1923}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1924 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II–Steamers and Motor Vessels |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=Supplement, R |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1924ST/page/n1475/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1924}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1925 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II–Steamers and Motorships |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=REX–RHI |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1925ST/page/n962/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1925}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1928 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II–Steamers and Motorships |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=Supplement, A |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1928ST/page/n1302/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1928}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1929 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II–Steamers and Motorships |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=ANG |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1929ST/page/n181/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1929}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1931 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II–Steamers & Motorships |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=POL |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/30/30b0946.pdf |via=[[Southampton City Council]] |access-date=30 March 2010 |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1931}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1933 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II–Steamers and Motorships |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=POI–POL |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1933ST/page/n720/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1933}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1935 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II–Steamers & Motorships |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=POI–POL |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/34/34b0671.pdf |via=Southampton City Council |access-date=30 March 2010 |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1935}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1937 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II–Steamers & Motorships |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=POK–POL |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/36/36b0671.pdf |via=Southampton City Council |access-date=6 June 2022 |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1937}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1938 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II–Steamers and Motorships |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=POI–POL |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1938ST/page/n691/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1938}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1940 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II–Steamers & Motorships |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=POI–POL |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/39/39b0709.pdf |via=Southampton City Council |access-date=30 March 2010 |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1940}} }}
*{{Cite book |year=1942 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II–Steamers & Motorships |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=Supplement, E |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/41/41b0986.pdf |via=Southampton City Council |access-date=30 March 2010 |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1942}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1947 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |chapter=Steamers and Motorships |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=EMPIRE CHI |chapter-url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1947ST/page/n340/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1947}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1948 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |chapter=Steamers and Motorships |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=PO–POL |chapter-url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1948ST/page/n859/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1948}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1952 |title=Register Book |volume=M–Z |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=POL |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1952MZ/page/n344/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1952}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1953 |title=Register Book |volume=M–Z |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |at=POL |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1953MZ/page/n355/mode/1up |via=Internet Archive |ref={{harvid|''LLoyd's Register'', 1953}} }}
*{{cite book |author=The Marconi Press Agency Ltd |author-link=Marconi Company |year=1913 |title=The Year Book of Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony |place=London |publisher=The St Katherine Press}}
*{{cite book |year=1898 |title=Mercantile Navy List |page=241 |via=Crew List Index Project |url= https://www.crewlist.org.uk/data/viewimages?&name=Montcalm&steamsail=Steam&submit=Enter&year=1898 |access-date=6 June 2022 |ref={{harvid|''Mercantile Navy List'', 1898}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1917 |title=Mercantile Navy List |page=137 |via=Crew List Index Project |url= https://www.crewlist.org.uk/data/viewimages?&name=Crenella&steamsail=Steam&submit=Enter&year=1917 |access-date=6 June 2022 |ref={{harvid|''Mercantile Navy List'', 1917}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1930 |title=Mercantile Navy List |page=428 |via=Crew List Index Project |url= https://www.crewlist.org.uk/data/viewimages?&name=Polar%20Chief&steamsail=Steam&submit=Enter&year=1930 |access-date=6 June 2022 |ref={{harvid|''Mercantile Navy List'', 1930}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1933 |title=Mercantile Navy List |page=430 |via=Crew List Index Project |url= https://www.crewlist.org.uk/data/viewimages?&name=Polar%20Chief&steamsail=Steam&submit=Enter&year=1933 |access-date=6 June 2022 |ref={{harvid|''Mercantile Navy List'', 1933}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1940 |title=Mercantile Navy List |page=303 |via=Crew List Index Project |url= https://www.crewlist.org.uk/data/viewimages?name=Polar+Chief&year=1940&steamsail=Steam&submit=Enter |access-date=6 June 2022 |ref={{harvid|''Mercantile Navy List'', 1940}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1947 |title=Mercantile Navy List |page=100 |via=Crew List Index Project |url= https://www.crewlist.org.uk/data/viewimages?name=Empire+Chief&year=1947&steamsail=Steam&submit=Enter |access-date=6 June 2022 |ref={{harvid|''Mercantile Navy List'', 1947}} }}
*{{cite book |last1= Mitchell |first1= WH |last2= Sawyer |first2= LA |year= 1995 |title= The Empire Ships |place= London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong |publisher= Lloyd's of London Press Ltd |isbn= 1-85044-275-4}}

==External links==
*{{cite web |url= http://rapidttp.co.za/museum/comments.html |title=Interesting comments in letters between the JMMRC and clients about ships in the collection |publisher=John H Marsh Maritime Research Centre}}

{{Empire ships}}
{{November 1917 shipwrecks}}
{{January 1942 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Polar Chief}}
[[Category:1897 ships]]
[[Category:Cargo liners]]
[[Category:Empire ships]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1917]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in January 1942]]
[[Category:Merchant ships of Jersey]]
[[Category:Merchant ships of Norway]]
[[Category:Merchant ships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ministry of War Transport ships]]
[[Category:Second Boer War]]
[[Category:Ships built on the River Tyne]]
[[Category:Steamships of Jersey]]
[[Category:Steamships of Norway]]
[[Category:Steamships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Tankers of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary]]
[[Category:World War I merchant ships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II tankers]]
[[Category:World War II merchant ships of Jersey]]