Norhauk was a 6,086 GRT refrigerated cargo ship which was built to Design 1015 by G. M. Standifer Construction Company, Vancouver, Washington in 1919 as Waban for the United States Shipping Board (USSB).

She was transferred to the Norwegian Government in 1942 and renamed Norhauk, serving until she struck a mine and sank in December 1943.

Waban was built to Design 1015 by G. M. Standifer Construction Company, Vancouver, Washington.

[3] On 14 January 1932, Waban was in collision with El Oceano in the Houston Channel, Texas.

[5] Waban served with the USSB until 1933 when she was sold to Lykes Brothers-Ripley Steamship Co Inc.[1] Her port of registry was Portland, Oregon.

[7] In 1940, Waban was sold to the Ministry of Shipping (later the MoWT) and renamed Empire Sambar.

Empire Sambar was carrying a cargo of pig iron, bound for Grangemouth.

[9] On 6 March 1941, Empire Sambar was damaged by an explosion in her boiler room.

Empire Beaver was carrying a general cargo bound for Holyhead and Liverpool.

[11] On 5 April 1942, Empire Beaver was transferred to the Norwegian government-in-exile and renamed Norhauk.

Her port of registry was changed to Oslo, despite that the city was occupied by Germany at the time.

During the voyage, Norhauk rescued some of the survivors from Empire Hartebeeste which had been torpedoed and sunk by U-596.

[23] Norhauk sailed from Oban on 27 July to join the convoy at sea.

Norhauk was carrying general cargo and was bound for Hull,[24] where she arrived on 3 October.

[25] Norhauk was bound for St John, New Brunswick and arrived on 6 November.

[4] She arrived at Loch Ewe on 16 December and sailed for London the same day.

At 14:38 on 21 December, Norhauk struck a mine in the Thames Estuary and sank almost immediately.

An inquiry into the loss of Norhauk on 6 January 1944 heard that the ship had degaussing equipment fitted and that it was in use at the time she struck the mine.