The SS Clan Alpine was a cargo vessel with a gross register tonnage (GRT) of 7,168, built in 1942 by J L Thompson & Sons Ltd in Sunderland as yard number 615. Launched on 17 January 1942 and completed by April of the same year, she was originally named Empire Barrie and constructed for the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). The vessel featured a triple expansion steam engine capable of producing 2,510 horsepower, powered by three Scotch boilers, and was fitted with two Belliss and Morcom steam-powered generators for electrical supply. Her maximum speed was approximately 10.5 knots. Throughout World War II, Empire Barrie participated in several convoy operations, transporting cargo such as manganese ore, general goods, ammunition, and aircraft, including delivering 24 Spitfire fighters to Casablanca in May 1943. She was managed initially by Allan, Black & Co., and later by Cayzer, Irvine & Co Ltd. In 1945, she was transferred to Clan Line Steamers Ltd and renamed Clan Alpine, becoming the fourth vessel of that name in the fleet. Notably, in 1952, she underwent tests with the Ocean Vulcan. Her service record includes a tragic incident in 1956 when six crew members died from carbon monoxide fumes while in dry dock at Glasgow. In 1957, she was sold to Bullard, King & Co Ltd and renamed Umvoti, but in 1959, she reverted to Clan Alpine after being reacquired by Clan Line. Her operational life ended when she was sold for scrapping in 1960, but her final voyage was marked by a catastrophic cyclone at Chittagong, East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh). Despite her engines being at full ahead, the storm caused her to be dragged ashore, and she ran aground approximately 11 miles upstream of the Karnaphuli River mouth. The ship was stranded in a cyclone with winds exceeding 120 knots, peaking at 135 knots. The crew managed to discharge her cargo into trucks, and she was declared a constructive total loss. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited her during her stranded period. Ultimately, Clan Alpine was sold for scrap in February 1961 to East Bengal Trading Corporation Ltd and dismantled in situ. Her wreck remains a notable maritime event, exemplifying the hazards faced by cargo ships in cyclone-prone waters.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.