# SS Empire Adventure

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World War II merchant ship of the United Kingdom

History Name Eastney (1920–1924) Germaine L D (1924–1931) Andrea (1931–1940) Empire Adventure (1940) Owner Romney Steamship Co Ltd, London (1921–1924) L Dreyfus et Compagnie, France (1924–1931) Società Anonima di Navigazione Corrado, Genoa (1931–1940) Ministry of War Transport (1940) Operator Owner operated except:- Runciman Shipping Co Ltd (1940) Port of registry London (1921–1922) London (1922–1924) Dunkirk (1924–1931) Genoa (1931–1940) London (1940) Builder Northumberland Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Sunderland[1] Yard number 256 Launched 13 October 1920 Completed February 1921 Identification UK Official Number 146165 (1921–1924, 1940) Italian Official Number 1829 (1931–1940) Code Letters NDAT (1931–1933) Code letters IBXA (1933–1940) Code letters GLXW (1940) Fate Torpedoed night of 20/21 September 1940, sank 23 September 1940 General characteristics Tonnage 5,145 GRT Length 375 ft (114.30 m) Beam 51 ft 2 in (15.60 m) Depth 31 ft 7 in (9.63 m) Propulsion 1 x triple expansion steam engine (Wallsend Slipway Co Ltd, Newcastle) 370 NHP Speed 11 knots (20 km/h) Complement 39

Sunk

Torpedoed

Location of the torpedo attack and sinking of *Empire Adventure*

**SS *Empire Adventure*** was a 5,787-ton [steamship](/source/Steamship) built in 1920 as ***Eastney***. She was sold to a company in France in 1924 and renamed ***Germaine L D***. In 1931 she was sold to a company based in [Italy](/source/Kingdom_of_Italy), being renamed ***Andrea***, and then seized by the British Government in 1940 and renamed *Empire Adventure*. She was [torpedoed](/source/Torpedo) on the night of 20/21 September 1940 and sank while under tow on 23 September 1940.

## History

*Eastney* was built by the Northumberland Shipping Co, [Howdon](/source/Howdon), [Wallsend](/source/Wallsend),[2] as yard number 356.[3] She was owned and operated by the Romney Steamship Co, [London](/source/London). In 1924, *Eastney* was sold to L Dreyfus & Co, France, and renamed *Germaine L D*.[2] On 25 March 1929, she was in collision with [*Alice Marie*](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=SS_Alice_Marie&action=edit&redlink=1) in the [North Sea](/source/North_Sea) off [Vlissingen](/source/Vlissingen), Netherlands. She was beached at [Rammekens](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rammekens&action=edit&redlink=1) for temporary repairs to be carried out.[4] *Germaine L D* was refloated the next day.[5] On 3 March 1931, she collided with *Southborough*[a] at [Rotterdam](/source/Rotterdam), Netherlands. *Southborough* sustained some damage but *Germaine L D* was undamaged.[6] On 23 March 1932, she ran aground at [Buenos Aires](/source/Buenos_Aires), [Argentina](/source/Argentina), but was freed the next day with assistance from a [tug](/source/Tugboat). No damage was sustained.[7] In 1932, *Germaine L D* was sold to Società Anonima di Navigazione Corrado, [Genoa](/source/Genoa), and renamed *Andrea*. In June 1940, *Andrea* was seized at [Newcastle upon Tyne](/source/Newcastle_upon_Tyne) and renamed *Empire Adventure*.[2]

### Convoy OB 216

Convoy OB 216 departed from [Liverpool](/source/Liverpool) on 19 September 1940.[8] During the night of 20/21 September 1940, *Empire Adventure* was torpedoed by [*U-138*](/source/German_submarine_U-138_(1940))[9] 52 miles (84 km) northwest of [Rathlin Island](/source/Rathlin_Island)[10] [55°11′N 11°30′W / 55.183°N 11.500°W / 55.183; -11.500](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=SS_Empire_Adventure&params=55_11_N_11_30_W_).[11] Although taken in tow by [HMS *Superman*](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=HMS_Superman&action=edit&redlink=1), *Empire Adventure* sank on 23 September 1940 at [55°48′N 07°22′W / 55.800°N 7.367°W / 55.800; -7.367](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=SS_Empire_Adventure&params=55_48_N_07_22_W_). A total of 21 of the 39 crew were killed.[10] The survivors were picked up by [HMS *Arabis*](/source/HMS_Arabis_(K73))[8] and the Swedish merchantman *Industria* and landed at [Belfast](/source/Belfast).[10] Those lost on *Empire Adventure* are commemorated at the [Tower Hill Memorial](/source/Tower_Hill_Memorial), London.[12]

## Official number and code letters

Official Numbers were a forerunner to [IMO Numbers](/source/IMO_ship_identification_number).

*Eastney* and *Empire Adventure* had the UK [Official Number](/source/Official_Number) 146165[13] *Andrea* had the Italian [Official Number](/source/Official_Number) 1829.[14]

*Andrea* used the [Code Letters](/source/Code_Letters) NDAT[14] and IBXA.[15] *Empire Adventure* used the Code Letters GLXW.[13]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Not the [SS *Southborough*](/source/SS_Southborough) sunk late in World War I.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["SS Eastney (1921)"](https://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/E-Ships/eastney1921.html). www.tynebuiltships.co.uk. Retrieved 23 May 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Mariner_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Mariner_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Mariner_2-2) ["EMPIRE - A"](http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/EmpireA.html). Mariners-L. Retrieved 15 December 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Miramar_3-0)** ["1145165"](https://www.miramarshipindex.nz/ship/1145165). [Miramar Ship Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Miramar). Retrieved 15 December 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Times260329_4-0)** "Casualty reports". *The Times*. No. 45161. London. 26 March 1929. col. G, p. 21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Times280329_5-0)** "Casualty reports". *The Times*. No. 45163. London. 28 March 1929. col. D, p. 26.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Times040331_7-0)** "Mails and Shipping, Casualty Reports". *The Times*. No. 43762. London. 4 March 1931. col. F, p. 23.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Times360332_8-0)** "Casualty Reports". *The Times*. No. 46091. London. 26 March 1932. col. E, p. 19.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Convoy_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Convoy_9-1) ["Naval Events, September 1940, Part 2 of 2, Sunday 15th – Monday 30th"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160610154833/http://www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-4009-22SEP02.htm). naval history.net. Archived from [the original](http://www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-4009-22SEP02.htm) on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Vary_10-0)** Ubootwaffe gives 21:26 on 20 September 1940 (German time), Uboatnet gives 02:27 on 21 September 1940

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Uboat_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Uboat_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Uboat_11-2) ["Empire Adventure"](https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/540.html). uboat.net. Retrieved 15 December 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Waffe_12-0)** ["EMPIRE ADVENTURE"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110928060717/http://www.ubootwaffe.net/ops/ships.cgi?boat=138;nr=4). ubootwaffe.net. Archived from [the original](http://www.ubootwaffe.net/ops/ships.cgi?boat=138;nr=4) on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-THM_13-0)** ["Ship Index A-F"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111006025450/http://www.benjidog.co.uk/Tower%20Hill/Ship%20Index%20A-F.html). Brian Watson. Archived from [the original](http://www.benjidog.co.uk/Tower%20Hill/Ship%20Index%20A-F.html) on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Adventure_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Adventure_14-1) ["LLOYD'S REGISTER, NAVIRES A VAPEUR ET A MOTEURS"](https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/40/40a1056.pdf) (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 10 January 2009.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Andrea_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Andrea_15-1) ["LLOYD'S REGISTER, NAVIRES A VAPEUR ET A MOTEURS"](https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/33/33b0046.pdf) (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 10 January 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Andrea2_16-0)** ["LLOYD'S REGISTER, STEAMERS & MOTORSHIPS"](https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/37/37b0048.pdf) (PDF). Plimsoll Ship Data. Retrieved 10 January 2009.

## External links

- [Photo of *Germaine L D*](http://www.lda.fr/img/100_germaine-ld.jpg) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081114055148/http://lda.fr/img/100_germaine-ld.jpg) 14 November 2008 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

[55°48′N 7°22′W / 55.800°N 7.367°W / 55.800; -7.367](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=SS_Empire_Adventure&params=55_48_N_7_22_W_)

v t e Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1929 Shipwrecks 2 Jan: Malakoff 16 Jan: Hsin Wah 12 Feb: Alloway 19 Feb: Kanowna 22 Mar: I'm Alone 25 Mar: Muggia 29 Mar: Selje 26 May: Aleutian 9 Jul: HMS H47 17 Jul: USS General Alava 1 Aug: Asakaze 30 Aug: San Juan 7 Sep: Kuru 9 Sep: Andaste 11 Sep: Acielle 2 Oct: Commandant Bultinck 22 Oct: Milwaukee 29 Oct: Wisconsin 31 Oct: Senator 4 Nov: Gilbert San 29 Nov: Norwich City 7 Dec: Ägir 18 Dec: Fort Victoria Unknown date: San Antonio Other incidents 5 Jan: Siboney 20 Jan: President Garfield 29 Jan: City of Cairo 28 Feb: Liberty Glo 7 Mar: Thétis 10 Mar: Pengreep 22 Mar: USCGC Dexter 25 Mar: Germaine L D 26 Mar: Europa 28 Mar: Libia 30 Mar: Naïade 6 Apr USS Childs 7 Apr Paris 18 Apr Paris 27 Apr: Duchess of Richmond April (unknown date) Franconia 15 May: Irwell May (unknown date): Duke of Lancaster, Duke of Rothesay 9 Jul: HMS L12 11 Jul: I-55, Kinugasa 3 Aug: Medway Queen 9 Aug: Viceroy of India 20 Aug Paris September (unknown date): Binnendijk, Eider 5 Oct: NRP Adamastor 12 Oct: USFS Widgeon 13 Oct: Empress of Canada 19 Oct: Bowes Castle 20 Oct: USAT Liberty 6 Nov: Barbana G 13 Nov: Ro-63 22 Nov: Parizhskaya Kommuna 7 Dec: Aba 18 Dec: Algonquin 24 Dec: Roosevelt 1928 1930

v t e Empire ships By suffix, Empire x A B Ca–Cl Co–Cy D E F G H I–J K L M N O P R Sa–Sh Si–Sy Ta–Te Th–Ty U–Z See also: Fort ship, Liberty ship, Park ship, Ocean ship, Victory ship.

v t e Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in September 1940 Shipwrecks 1 Sep: HMS Ivanhoe 2 Sep: UJ-121 Jochen 3 Sep: U-57 5 Sep: V 201 Gebrüder Kähler, V 403 Deutschland 7 Sep: HMS Inanda, HMS Inkosi 8 Sep: Antonios Chandris 13 Sep: Flandre 15 Sep: HMS Dundee 17 Sep: Borea, Aquilone, Crown Arun, HMS Sussex, Tregenna, V 304 Breslau 18 Sep: City of Benares 20 Sep: Commissaire Ramel, Java, New Sevilla 21 Sep: Canonesa 23 Sep: Empire Adventure, Empire Airman, L'Audacieux, Persée 24 Sep: Ajax, HMS Wellesley Other incidents 4 Sep: Sakito Maru 7 Sep: Méduse 21 Sep: Empire Adventure 25 Sep: HMS Resolution 27 Sep: Augusto Riboty, Nicolò Zeno 1939 1940 1941 August 1940 October 1940

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [SS Empire Adventure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Empire_Adventure) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Empire_Adventure?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.