Unit History: HMT Empire Abercorn

Built by Harland and Wolff Limited (Belfast) in 1944/45 for the Ministry of War Transport, the Empire Abercorn was managed by the New Zealand Shipping Company until 1946 when the Company bought her and renamed her Rakaia.
She was a refrigerated cargo vessel of 8,213 gross tons with a length overall of 474 feet 2 inches and an insulated cargo capacity of 367,902 cubic feet. Her 8 cylinder, 2 cycle, double-acting diesel engine gave her a service speed of 14.5 knots.