Empire Abercorn was built by Harland & Wolff, Belfast for the MoWT and was initially managed by the New Zealand Shipping Co, London.

[3] On 16 February 1955, a dockside fire at Wellington, New Zealand, threatened to spread to Arawa, Port Pirie, Rakaia, and Rangitoto.

The engine was reduced from eight to six cylinders, running at a maximum of 50 rpm; it took eleven days to reach Liverpool.

[5] On 28 December 1966, Rakaia was sold to the Federal Steam Navigation Co, remaining under the management of the New Zealand Shipping Co.

[6] Empire Abercorn had an eight-cylinder, two-cycle double-acting diesel engine built by Harland & Wolff.