SS West Aleta was a 142 metre long American Design 1019 cargo steamship with home port San Francisco.

Several things on Terschelling were later named after the ship, including the business that sold a part of the wine barrels and a choir.

She was propulsed by a General Electric steam turbine, had 4 boilers, a single shaft and one screw, and could reach a speed of 10.5 knots.

[1] During her maiden voyage in early 1920, the ship was en route from Seattle, United States to Hamburg and Bremen in Germany with a cargo of 35,000 barrels of wine and whiskey, bales of rice, boxes of herring, pine beams, spirits and other general cargo.

The salvage was carried out by “Nieuwe Bergingsmaatschappij” of Andries Dirkzwagwr from Maassluis, but eventually also vessels of local fishermen and of Rederij Doeksen [nl] helped.

Two companies were founded to sell the barrels: wine manufacturer Siebrand from Kampen and drink trader Jan Kooijman.