SS Abukir

History
Name
  • Island Queen (1920–34)
  • Kyle Queen (1934–35)
  • Abukir (1935–40)
NamesakeAbu Qir, Egypt
Owner
  • London and Channel Islands Steamship Co (1920–34)
  • Monroe Bros, Liverpool (1934–35)
  • Khedivial Mail Line (1935)
  • HE Ahmed Abboud Pasha (1935–36)
  • Pharaonic Mail Lines SAE (1936–40)
  • Ministry of War Transport (1940)
Operator
Port of registry
  • London (1920–34)
  • Alexandria (1935–39)
  • London (1940)
BuilderSwan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Wallsend
Yard number1159
Launched27 September 1920
CompletedNovember 1920
Identification
FateSunk by torpedo, 28 May 1940
General characteristics
Typecoaster
Tonnage689 GRT, 355 NRT
Length173.5 ft (52.9 m)
Beam28.1 ft (8.6 m)
Draught13 ft 5 in (4.09 m)
Depth12.9 ft (3.9 m)
Installed power97 IHP
Propulsion3-cylinder triple-expansion steam engine; single screw
Speed8 knots (15 km/h)
Armament(as DEMS) 1 Lewis gun
Armourconcrete slabs to protect the bridge from machine-gun fire

SS Abukir was a British coastal steamship that was launched in 1920 as SS Island Queen and renamed in 1934 as SS Kyle Queen. In 1935 she was renamed Abukir and registered in Egypt. In May 1940 she was torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea while evacuating UK and Belgian soldiers, airmen and civilians from Ostend on the last day of the Battle of Belgium.