MV Athelqueen (1942)

Empire Benefit was built by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast.[1] She was yard number 1164 and was launched on 24 November 1942 with completion on 20 April 1943.[2] She was 465 feet 6 inches (141.88 m) long, with a beam of 59 feet 5 inches (18.11 m) and a depth of 33 feet 8 inches (10.26 m).[3] Her GRT was 8,202,[1] with a NRT of 4,761,[3] and a DWT of 11,900.[4]

Empire Benefit was placed under the management of Dodd, Thompson & Co Ltd.[3] She was a member of a number of convoys during the Second World War.

MKS 16A

Convoy MKS 16A departed Tripoli, Libya on 29 June 1943 and arrived at Gibraltar on 6 July.[5]

HX 253

Convoy HX 253 departed New York on 20 August 1943 and arrived at Liverpool on 4 September. Empire Benefit was due to sail with this convoy but joined the following one, HX 254.[6]

HX 254

Convoy HX 254 departed New York on 27 August 1943 and arrived at Liverpool on 12 September. Empire Benefit was bound for Milford Haven and Falmouth.[7]

In 1945, Empire Benefit was sold to Athel Line Ltd and renamed Athelqueen.[1] Her port of registry was changed to London.[8] In 1955, Athelqueen was sold to Mariblanca Navigazione SA, Panama,[1] as she was unsuitable for transporting molasses and due for an extensive refit.[4] Athelqueen was renamed Mariverda. She was operated under the management of Chandris (England) Ltd,[1] and reflagged to Liberia. On 11 February 1958, Mariverda ran aground in the Suez Canal during foggy weather.[9] She served until 1961 when she was scrapped at Kure, Japan,[1] arriving on 6 September.[2]

Official Numbers were a forerunner to IMO Numbers. Empire Benefit had the UK Official Number 168528 and the Code Letters BFJP.[3]

The ship was propelled by a four-stroke Single Cycle Single Action diesel engine which had six cylinders, 29+1⁄8 inches (740 mm) diameter by 59+1⁄16 inches (1,500 mm) stroke. It was built by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Glasgow.[3]