SS Alster (1928)

SS Alster in 1929
History
Name:	Alster (1928–40) Empire Endurance (1940–41)
Namesake:	Alster, a tributary of the river Elbe in Germany
Owner:	Norddeutscher Lloyd (1927–40) Kriegsmarine (1940) Ministry of War Transport (1940–41)
Operator:	Norddeutscher Lloyd (1928–40) Kriegsmarine (1940) Booth Steamship Co Ltd (1940–41)
Port of registry:	Bremen, Germany (1928–33) Bremen (1933–40) Kriegsmarine (1940) Middlesbrough, United Kingdom (1940–41)
Route:	Germany - Australia (1928–40)
Builder:	Deschimag Werk Vulcan, Hamburg
Yard number:	211
Launched:	5 January 1928
Completed:	25 February 1928
Out of service:	20 April 1941
Identification:	United Kingdom Official Number 164841 (1940–41) Code Letters QMHG (1928–34) Code Letters DOEO (1934–40) Code Letters GMJJ (1940–41)
Fate:	Torpedoed and sunk
General characteristics
Class and type:	Cargo liner
Tonnage:	8,514 GRT 5,328 NRT 12,000 DWT
Length:	509.9 ft (155.42 m)
Beam:	63.6 ft (19.39 m)
Depth:	30.9 ft (9.42 m)
Installed power:	6,500 ihp (4,800 kW)
Propulsion:	Triple expansion steam engine, 1 low pressure steam turbine
Speed:	14 knots (26 km/h)
Crew:	As Alster: 1928-30: 69 + 12 passengers 1930-40: 69 + 16 passengers April 1940: 80 As Empire Endurance: 90

Empire Endurance was a 8,514 GRT cargo liner that was built in 1928 as Alster by Deschimag Werk Vulkan, Hamburg, Germany for the shipping company Norddeutscher Lloyd. In the years leading up to the Second World War Alster carried cargo and passengers between Germany and Australia. After the outbreak of war she was requisitioned by the Kriegsmarine for use as a supply ship.

Alster was captured off Norway on 10 April 1940 by the British destroyer HMS Icarus. Initially serving under the original name as a repair, supply and cargo ship in Norway, she was later passed to the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) and renamed Empire Endurance. She served until 20 April 1941 when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-73 south-east of the islet of Rockall in the North Atlantic Ocean.

The ship was a 8,514 GRT cargo liner. She was built in 1928 by Deschimag Werk Vulkan, Hamburg as Alster, with yard number 211.

Alster was 509.9 feet (155.42 m) long, with a beam of 63.6 feet (19.39 m). She had a depth of 30.9 feet (9.42 m). She was assessed at 8,514 GRT, 5,328 NRT, 12,000 DWT. She had four masts, a single funnel, a round stern and a slanted stem.

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