The SS Clan Alpine was a British steam cargo liner launched in 1918 by the Greenock and Grangemouth Dockyard Co Ltd of Greenock. She measured 410.2 feet (125.03 meters) in length with a beam of 53.5 feet (16.31 meters) and a draught of 26 feet (7.92 meters). Initially, her tonnages were recorded as 5,485 GRT and 3,425 NRT, later revised in 1930 to 5,442 GRT and 3,390 NRT. The vessel was powered by a triple-expansion steam engine producing 538 NHP, and following a 1930 upgrade that included the addition of a Bauer-Wach exhaust steam turbine, her total power increased to 627 NHP, attaining a service speed of approximately 10.5 knots. Throughout her career, Clan Alpine served exclusively with Clan Line, a company operating cargo routes connecting Britain with India, South Africa, East Africa, Australia, and the USA. She was registered under the UK official number 141879, with the code letters JSTW until 1933–34, when her call sign was changed to GQMR. During World War II, Clan Alpine was armed for defensive purposes, with a 4-inch or 4.7-inch gun on her stern, two Bofors 40 mm guns, and four machine guns for anti-aircraft defense. Notably, on 19 November 1942, she rescued 154 survivors from the torpedoed troopship City of Cairo while en route to Saint Helena. Her service ended in March 1943 when she was part of Convoy OS 44, traveling from Liverpool with a cargo of over 11,000 tons of general supplies. On 13 March 1943, U-107 torpedoed her in the North Atlantic near Cape Finisterre. Clan Alpine was damaged, resulting in the death of 28 lascar crew members. Unable to be repaired or safely towed, she was abandoned by her crew and subsequently scuttled by the escort vessel HMS Scarborough with depth charges. Her sinking marked the end of her service, but her wartime rescue and convoy participation highlight her role in maritime logistics and wartime efforts.

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