Bessel was a cargo ship that was built in 1925 as Sorrento by AG Weser, Bremen for German owners.

She was seized by the Allies in Vigo, Spain, in May 1945, passed to the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) and renamed Empire Coniston.

She was renamed Nicolo Martini in 1961, serving until 1972 when she ran aground at Portoscuso, Sardinia.

[2] In October 1926, she was sold to Otwi Werke GmbH, Bremen and renamed Bessel.

Her port of registry was changed to London and the Code letters GTFY and United Kingdom Official Number 180717 were allocated.

On 6 November 1951, a fire on board the ship while docked at Valencia, Spain affected the crew accommodation area.

In September 1959, Birgitte Skou was sold to Armamento Agenzia Marittima Framar, Genoa, Italy.

[2] On 24 April 1972, Nicolo Martini struck a submerged object at Portoscuso, Sardinia while on a voyage from Caloforte to Genoa.