Empire Opal

Leslie served on the Empire Opal and wrote most of the diary aboard. As such it is one of the main protaganists of the story. Empire Opal was a 9,811 GRT tanker which was built by Sir J Laing & Sons Ltd, Sunderland. Launched on 28 April 1941 and completed in July 1941. Sold in 1945 to The South Georgia Co Ltd, converted to a whaling tanker, now 12,874 GRT (14,560 DWT) and renamed Southern Opal. Operated under the management of Christian Salvesen Ltd, Leith. Laid up on 15 May 1961 at Tønsberg, Norway and scrapped in August 1964 in Hamburg.