The Iron Screw Auxilliary Steamer Alster was built by Denny & Rankin of Dumbarton in 1854. Ordered by Gee's of Hull, she was 213½ feet long and registered at 387 tons. Trading mostly between the northeast coast ports and Antwerp, she was sold to W. Liddell (also of Hull) in 1874 and sunk following a collision in 1881.