Athelqueen was an tanker which was built by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast in 1942 as Empire Benefit for the Ministry of War Transport. Postwar she was sold into merchant service and renamed Athelqueen and later Mariverda, serving until scrapped in 1961.
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. She was 465feet long, with a beam of 59feet and a depth of 33feet.[2] Her GRT was 8,202,[1] with a NRT of 4,761,[2] and a DWT of 11,900.
Empire Benefit was placed under the management of Dodd, Thompson & Co Ltd.[2] She was a member of a number of convoys during the Second World War.
In 1945, Empire Benefit was sold to Athel Line Ltd and renamed Athelqueen.[1] Her port of registry was changed to London.[6] In 1955, Athelqueen was sold to Mariblanca Navigazione SA, Panama,[1] as she was unsuitable for transporting molasses and due for an extensive refit.[7] 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.[8] She served until 1961 when she was scrapped at Kure, Japan,[1] arriving on 6 September.
Official Numbers were a forerunner to IMO Numbers. Empire Benefit had the UK Official Number 168528 and the Code Letters BFJP.[2]
The ship was propelled by a four-stroke Single Cycle Single Action diesel engine which had six cylinders, NaNinches diameter by NaNinches stroke. It was built by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Glasgow.[2]