SS Empire Adventure was a 5,787-ton steamship built in 1920 as the Eastney. She was sold to France in 1924 and renamed Germaine L D. In 1931 she was sold to Italy, being renamed Andrea, being seized in 1940 and renamed Empire Adventure. She was torpedoed on the night of 20/21 September 1940 and sank while under tow on 23 September 1940.
Eastney was built by the Northumberland Shipping Co, Howdon, Wallsend,[1] as yard number 356. She was owned and operated by the Romney Steamship Co, London. In 1924, Eastney was sold to L Dreyfus & Co, France, and renamed Germaine L D. On 25 March 1929, she was in collision with in the North Sea off Vlissingen, Netherlands. She was beached at Rammekens for temporary repairs to be carried out.[2] Germaine L D was refloated the next day.[3] On 3 March 1931, she collided with at Rotterdam, Netherlands. Southborough sustained some damage but Germaine L D was undamaged.[4] On 23 March 1932, she ran aground at Buenos Aires, Argentina, but was freed the next day with assistance from a tug. No damage was sustained.[5] In 1932, Germaine L D was sold to Società Anonima di Navigazione Corrado, Genoa, and renamed Andrea. In June 1940, Andrea was seized at Newcastle upon Tyne and renamed Empire Adventure.[1]
Convoy OB 216 departed from Liverpool on 19 September 1940.[6] During the night of 20/21 September 1940, Empire Adventure was torpedoed by [7] 52miles northwest of Rathlin Island 55.1833°N -41°W.[8] Although taken in tow by HMS Superman, Empire Adventure sank on 23 September 1940 at 55.8°N -29°W. A total of 21 of the 39 crew were killed. The survivors were picked up by [6] and the Swedish merchantman Industria and landed at Belfast.[9] Those lost on Empire Adventure are commemorated at the Tower Hill Memorial, London.[10]
Official Numbers were a forerunner to IMO Numbers.
Eastney and Empire Adventure had the UK Official Number 146165[11] Andrea had the Italian Official Number 1829.[12]
Andrea used the Code Letters NDAT[12] and IBXA.[13] Empire Adventure used the Code Letters GLXW.[11]
