In 1945, during the Second World War, the United Kingdom seized her and renamed her Empire Alde.

Pelikan was built by Bremer Vulkan Schiff- und Maschinenbau, Bremen as yard number 712 and launched in 1934, being completed in January 1935.

In 1940, ownership passed to the Kriegsmarine (German navy)[2] although Lloyds Register continued to show Pelikan as a merchant ship.

[3] In May 1945 Pelikan was seized at Brunsbüttel, and ownership passed to the Ministry of War Transport; she was renamed Empire Alde,[2] under the management of the Southern Railway[4] and later Kaye, Sons & Co.

In 1946 Empire Alde was sold to Elders & Fyffes Ltd, regaining her original name of Pelikan before being renamed Pacuare in 1947.