View source for SS Empire Eland

{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image               = 
| Ship caption             = 
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header              = 
| Ship name                = ''West Kedron'' (1920–40)<br>''Empire Eland'' (1940–41)
| Ship owner               = United States Shipping Board (1920–28)<br>American West Africa Line (1928–33)<br>United States Shipping Board (1933–37)<br>United States Maritime Commission (1937–40)<br>Ministry of Shipping (1940)<br>Ministry of War Transport (1940–41)
| Ship operator            = United States Shipping Board (1920–28)<br>Barber Steamship Co (1928–33)<br>United States Shipping Board (1933–37)<br>United States Maritime Commission (1937–40)<br>Douglas & Ramsey (1940–41)
| Ship registry            = {{flagicon|United States}} Los Angeles, CA, USA (1920-37)<br>{{flagicon|United States}}New York, NY, USA<br>{{flagicon|United Kingdom|civil}} London, UK (1940–41)
| Ship route               = 
| Ship ordered             = 
| Ship builder             = Long Beach Shipbuilding Co
| Ship original cost       = 
| Ship yard number         = 137
| Ship way number          = 
| Ship laid down           = 
| Ship launched            = 1920
| Ship completed           = August 1920
| Ship commissioned        = 
| Ship decommissioned      = 
| Ship christened          = 
| Ship acquired            = 
| Ship maiden voyage       = 
| Ship in service          = 
| Ship out of service      = 15 September 1941
| Ship identification      = United States Official Number 220317 (1920-40)<br>United Kingdom Official Number 168041 (1940-41)<br>Code Letters LWVR (1920-34)<br>{{ICS|Lima}}{{ICS|Whiskey}}{{ICS|Victor}}{{ICS|Romeo}}<br>Code Letters KDAP (1934–40)<br>{{ICS|Kilo}}{{ICS|Delta}}{{ICS|Alpha}}{{ICS|Papa}}<br>Code Letters GLXD (1940–41)<br>{{ICS|Golf}}{{ICS|Lima}}{{ICS|X-ray}}{{ICS|Delta}}
| Ship fate                = Torpedoed and sunk
| Ship status              = 
| Ship notes               = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
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| Header caption           = 
| Ship class               = Design 1019 ship
| Ship tonnage             = {{GRT|5,620|first=short}} (1920-40)<br>5,613 GRT (1940-41)<br>3,516 [[net register tonnage|NRT]] (1920-40)<br>3,520 NRT (1940–41)<br>8,538 [[deadweight tonnage|DWT]]
| Ship displacement        = 
| Ship length              = {{convert|410|ft|5|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam                = {{convert|54|ft|2|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| Ship height              = <!--{{convert|xx|ft|x|in|m|2|abbr=on}}{{convert|xx.xx|m|ftin|abbr=on}}-->
| Ship draught             = {{convert|24|ft|0+1/2|in|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship depth               = {{convert|27|ft|2|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| Ship decks               = 
| Ship deck clearance      = 
| Ship ramps               = 
| Ship ice class           = 
| Ship range               = 
| Ship power               = 359 nhp
| Ship propulsion          = Triple expansion steam engine, single screw propeller
| Ship speed               = {{convert|10.5|kn|km/h}}
| Ship capacity            = 
| Ship crew                = 33, plus 5 DEMS gunners
| Ship notes               = 
| Ship armament            = 
}}
|}
{{location map|North Atlantic|width=304
|lat=54
|long=-28
|caption=Location where ''Empire Eland'' was torpedoed and sunk.
}}

'''''Empire Eland''''' was a {{GRT|5,613|first=short}} [[Design 1019 ship|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 {{GS|U-94|1940|2}} on the night of 15–16 September 1941.

==Description==
The ship was built in 1920 by Long Beach Shipbuilding Co, [[Long Beach, California]].<ref name=Ships>{{cite book |last1= Mitchell |first1=W.H. |last2=Sawyer |first2=L.A. |year=1995 |title=The Empire Ships |page=not cited |publisher= Lloyd's of London Press Ltd |location= London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong |isbn=1-85044-275-4}}</ref> She was yard number 137,<ref name=SBH>{{cite web |url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/history/shipyards/2large/inactive/craig.htm |title=Long Beach Shipbuilding, Long Beach CA |publisher=Shipbuilding history |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref>

As built, the ship was {{convert|410|ft|5|in|m|2}} long, with a beam of {{convert|54|ft|2|in|m|2}}. She had a depth of {{convert|27|ft|2|in|m|2}},<ref name=Kedron30/> and a draught of {{convert|24|ft|0+1/2|in|m}}.<ref name=Eland40>{{cite web|url=http://www.plimsollshipdata.org/pdffile.php?name=40a1061.pdf |title=LLOYD'S REGISTER, NAVIRES A VAPEUR ET A MOTEURS |publisher=Plimsoll Ship Data |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> She was assessed at 5,620 [[Gross register tonnage|GRT]], 3,516 [[net register tonnage|NRT]],<ref name=Kedron30>{{cite web |url=http://www.plimsollshipdata.org/pdffile.php?name=30b1293.pdf |title=LLOYD'S REGISTER, STEAMERS & MOTORSHIPS |publisher=Plimsoll Ship Data |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> 8,538 [[deadweight tonnage|DWT]].<ref name=SBH/>

The ship was propelled by a 359 [[nominal horsepower|nhp]] [[triple expansion steam engine]], which had cylinders of {{convert|24+1/2|in|cm}}, {{convert|41+1/2|in|cm}}) and {{convert|72|in|cm}} diameter by {{convert|48|in|cm}} stroke. The engine was built by Llewellyn Iron Works, [[Los Angeles, California]].<ref name=Kedron30/> It drove a single screw propeller and could propel the ship at {{convert|10.5|kn|km/h}}.<ref name=Wrecksite/>

==History==
''West Kedron'' was built in 1920 for the USSB.<ref name=Ships/> The United States Official Number 220317 and [[Code Letters]] LWVR were allocated. Her port of registry was [[Los Angeles, California]].<ref name=Kedron30/> She was delivered in August 1920.<ref name=SBH/> 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.<ref name=Uboat>{{cite web |url=http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/1108.html |title=Empire Eland |publisher=Uboat |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> With the change of Code Letters in 1934, ''West Kedron'' was allocated KDAP.<ref name=Kedron37/> The USSB became the USMC in 1937,<ref name=Wrecksite>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?11898 |title=SS Empire Eland (+1941) |publisher=Wrecksite |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> and her port of registry was changed to [[New York City|New York]].<ref name=Kedron37>{{cite web |url=http://www.plimsollshipdata.org/pdffile.php?name=37b0944.pdf |title=LLOYD'S REGISTER, STEAMERS & MOTORSHIPS |publisher=Plimsoll Ship Data |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> ''West Kedron'' was then laid up as part of the reserved fleet.<ref name=Uboat/>

In 1940, ''West Kedron'' was transferred to the Ministry of Shipping, which later became part of the MoWT.<ref name=Ships/> She was due to join Convoy HX 69, which departed from [[Halifax Regional Municipality|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.<ref name=HX69>{{cite web |url=http://www.warsailors.com/convoys/hx69.html |title=CONVOY HX 69 |publisher=Warsailors |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> 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]].<ref name=HX70>{{cite web |url=http://www.warsailors.com/convoys/hx70.html |title=CONVOY HX 70 |publisher=Warsailors |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> ''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.<ref name=WN25>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/wn/index.html?wn.php?convoy=25!~wnmain |title=Convoy WN.25 |publisher=Convoyweb |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> She then joined Convoy FS 322, which departed on 29 October and arrived at [[Southend-on-Sea|Southend]], [[Essex]] on 1 November.<ref name=FS322>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/fs/index.html?fs.php?convoy=0322!~fsmain |title=CONVOY FS.322 = Convoy FS.22 / Phase 4 |publisher=Warsailors |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref>

''West Kedron'' was renamed ''Empire Eland''.<ref name=Ships/> 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.<ref name=Eland40/> ''Empire Eland'' was a member of Convoy FN 346, which departed from Southend on 29 November and arrived at Methil on 1 December.<ref name=Port>{{cite web |url=http://convoyweb.org.uk/ports/index.html?search.php?vessel=EMPIRE%20ELAND~armain |title=EMPIRE ELAND |publisher=Convoyweb |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> She then joined Convoy EN 35, which departed on 2 December and arrived at [[Oban]], [[Argyllshire]] on 6 December.<ref name=EN35>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/en/index.html?en.php?convoy=35/1!~enmain |title=Convoy EN.35 (Series 1) |publisher=Convoyweb |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref name=OB262>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/ob/index.html?ob262.htm~obmain |title=Convoy OB.262 |publisher=Convoyweb |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> She arrived on 10 January 1941, sailing on 27 January for Halifax, where she arrived on 22 January.<ref name=Port/> 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.<ref name=HX108>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/hx/index.html?hx.php?convoy=108!~hxmain |title=Convoy HX.108 |publisher=Convoyweb |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> She then sailed to [[Newport]], [[Monmouthshire (historic)|Monmouthshire]], from where she departed on 18 March for Swansea, arriving the next day.<ref name=Port/>

''Empire Eland'' departed from Swansea on 19 March for the Clyde, arriving on 21 March.<ref name=Port/> 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]].<ref name=OB303>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/ob2/index.html?ob.php?convoy=303!~obmain |title=Convoy OB303 |publisher=Convoyweb |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> ''Empire Eland'' is recorded as leaving Halifax on 15 April, and returning on 25 April. She then joined Convoy SC 30,<ref name=Port/> which departed on 29 April and arrived at Liverpool on 20 May. She was carrying a cargo of steel,<ref name=SC30>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/sc/index.html?sc.php?convoy=30!~scmain |title=Convoy SC.30 |publisher=Convoyweb |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> and left the convoy at [[Loch Ewe]], arriving on 16 May. ''Empire Eland'' then sailed to the [[Belfast Lough]], arriving on 19 May.<ref name=Port/> She then joined Convoy BB 23, which departed on 20 May and arrived at [[Milford Haven]], [[Pembrokeshire]] on 22 May.<ref name=BB23>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/bb/index.html?bb.php?convoy=23!~bbmain |title=Convoy BB.23 |publisher=Convoyweb |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> She sailed on to Newport, arriving later that day.<ref name=Port/>

''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,<ref name=Port/> which departed from Liverpool on 10 June and dispersed at {{coord|40|20|N|34|40|W}} on 21 June. She was bound for [[Boston, Massachusetts]],<ref name=OB333>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/ob2/index.html?ob.php?convoy=333!~obmain |title=Convoy OB.333 |publisher=Convoyweb |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> where she arrived on 1 July. She sailed on 27 July for Halifax, arriving on 29 July.<ref name=Port/> ''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.<ref name=HX142>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/hx/index.html?hx.php?convoy=142!~hxmain |title=Convoy HX.142 |publisher=Convoyweb |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> 

''Empire Eland'' was a member of Convoy ON 14, which departed from Liverpool on 7 September and dispersed at {{coord|56|25|N|24|50|W}} on 14 September. She straggled behind the convoy.<ref name=ON14>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/on/index.html?onz.php?convoy=14!~onzmain |title=CONVOY ON.14 |publisher=Warsailors |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref> At 23:48 German time on 15 September, ''Empire Eland'' was struck by a [[torpedo]] fired by {{GS|U-94|1940|2}}, 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 {{coord|54|00|N|28|00|W|display=inline, title}}. All 32 crew and five [[Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship|DEMS]] gunners were killed.<ref name=Uboat/> Those killed serving on ''Empire Eland'' are commemorated on the [[Tower Hill Memorial]].<ref name=Benjidog>{{cite web |url=http://www.benjidog.co.uk/Tower%20Hill/Empire%20Day%20to%20Empire%20Engineer.html |title=Empire Day to Empire Engineer |publisher=Brian Watson |accessdate=13 August 2011}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{Design 1019 ships}}
{{Empire E ships}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Empire Eland}}
[[Category:1920 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Los Angeles, California]]
[[Category:Merchant ships of the United States]]
[[Category:Steamships of the United States]]
[[Category:Empire ships]]
[[Category:Ministry of War Transport ships]]
[[Category:Steamships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1941]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by German submarines in World War II]]