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 , , 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,