Empire Eland was a 5,613 GRT 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).

The engine was built by Llewellyn Iron Works, Los Angeles, California.

[1] The United States Official Number 220317 and Code Letters LWVR were allocated.

[1] 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.

West Kedron was carrying a cargo of pig iron bound for Swansea, Glamorgan.

[10] She then joined Convoy FS 322, which departed on 29 October and arrived at Southend, Essex on 1 November.

[1] The United Kingdom Official Number 168041 and Code Letters GLXD were allocated.

[4] Empire Eland was a member of Convoy FN 346, which departed from Southend on 29 November and arrived at Methil on 1 December.

[12] She was a member of Convoy OB 303, which departed from Liverpool on 28 March and dispersed at sea on 3 April.

She was carrying a cargo of steel,[17] and left the convoy at Loch Ewe, arriving on 16 May.

[12] She then joined Convoy BB 23, which departed on 20 May and arrived at Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire on 22 May.

[21] At 23:48 German time on 15 September, Empire Eland was struck by a torpedo fired by U-94, under the command of Kapitänleutnant Otto Ites.