SS Empire Eland Empire Eland was a Design 1019 cargo ship that was built in 1920 as West Kedron by Long Beach Shipbuilding Co , Long Beach , California , United States for the United States Shipping Board ( USSB ) . She was transferred to the United States Maritime Commission ( USMC ) in 1937 . In 1940 , she was transferred to the Ministry of War Transport ( MoWT ) . She was torpedoed and sunk by on the night of 15 – 16 September 1941 . Description . The ship was built in 1920 by Long Beach Shipbuilding Co , Long Beach , California . She was yard number 137 , As built , the ship was long , with a beam of . She had a depth of , and a draught of . She was assessed at 5 , 620 GRT , 3 , 516 NRT , 8 , 538 DWT . The ship was propelled by a 359 nhp triple expansion steam engine , which had cylinders of , ) and diameter by stroke . The engine was built by Llewellyn Iron Works , Los Angeles , California . It drove a single screw propeller and could propel the ship at . History . " West Kedron " was built in 1920 for the USSB . The United States Official Number 220317 and Code Letters LWVR were allocated . Her port of registry was Los Angeles , California . She was delivered in August 1920 . In 1928 , she was transferred to the American West African Line , and placed under the management of the Barber Steamship Co . " West Kedron " was returned to the USSB in 1933 . With the change of Code Letters in 1934 , " West Kedron " was allocated KDAP . The USSB became the USMC in 1937 , and her port of registry was changed to New York . " West Kedron " was then laid up as part of the reserved fleet . In 1940 , " West Kedron " was transferred to the Ministry of Shipping , which later became part of the MoWT . She was due to join Convoy HX 69 , which departed from Halifax , Nova Scotia , Canada on 28 August and arrived at Liverpool , Lancashire on 12 September . She did not sail with this convoy , but joined the next convoy . This was Convoy HX 70 , which sailed on 1 September and arrived at Liverpool on 16 September . " West Kedron " was carrying a cargo of pig iron bound for Swansea , Glamorgan . " West Kedron " was a member of Convoy WN 25 , which departed from the Clyde on 23 October and arrived at Methil , Fife on 27 October . She then joined Convoy FS 322 , which departed on 29 October and arrived at Southend , Essex on 1 November . " West Kedron " was renamed " Empire Eland " . The United Kingdom Official Number 168041 and Code Letters GLXD were allocated . She was placed under the management of Douglas & Ramsey . Her port of registry was London . She was assessed as 5 , 613 GRT , 3 , 520 NRT . " Empire Eland " was a member of Convoy FN 346 , which departed from Southend on 29 November and arrived at Methil on 1 December . She then joined Convoy EN 35 , which departed on 2 December and arrived at Oban , Argyllshire on 6 December . She continued on to the Clyde , arriving on 7 December . " Empire Eland " was a member of Convoy OB 262 , which departed from Liverpool on 20 December and dispersed at sea on 23 December . She was in ballast , bound for Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , United States . She arrived on 10 January 1941 , sailing on 27 January for Halifax , where she arrived on 22 January . Laden with a cargo of steel , " Empire Eland " was a member of Convoy HX 108 , which departed from Halifax on 9 February and arrived at Liverpool on 27 February . She then sailed to Newport , Monmouthshire , from where she departed on 18 March for Swansea , arriving the next day . " Empire Eland " departed from Swansea on 19 March for the Clyde , arriving on 21 March . She was a member of Convoy OB 303 , which departed from Liverpool on 28 March and dispersed at sea on 3 April . She was bound for Baltimore , Ohio . " Empire Eland " is recorded as leaving Halifax on 15 April , and returning on 25 April . She then joined Convoy SC 30 , which departed on 29 April and arrived at Liverpool on 20 May . She was carrying a cargo of steel , and left the convoy at Loch Ewe , arriving on 16 May . " Empire Eland " then sailed to the Belfast Lough , arriving on 19 May . She then joined Convoy BB 23 , which departed on 20 May and arrived at Milford Haven , Pembrokeshire on 22 May . She sailed on to Newport , arriving later that day . " Empire Eland " sailed from Newport to Swansea on 1 June , departing on 7 June for Milford Haven , where she arrived later that day , sailing two days later to join Convoy OB 333 , which departed from Liverpool on 10 June and dispersed at on 21 June . She was bound for Boston , Massachusetts , where she arrived on 1 July . She sailed on 27 July for Halifax , arriving on 29 July . " Empire Eland " was a member of Convoy HX 142 , which departed on 1 August and arrived at Liverpool on 18 August . She was carrying a cargo of scrap steel . " Empire Eland " was a member of Convoy ON 14 , which departed from Liverpool on 7 September and dispersed at on 14 September . She straggled behind the convoy . At 23 : 48 German time on 15 September , " Empire Eland " was struck by a torpedo fired by , under the command of Kapitänleutnant Otto Ites . A " coup de grâce " fired at 23 : 57 missed , but a second fired at 00 : 30 sank the ship at . All 32 crew and five DEMS gunners were killed . Those killed serving on " Empire Eland " are commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial .