Empire Baron was a 5,890 GRT cargo ship which was built in 1926 for Navigazione Generale Gerolimich & Compagnia Società in Anzioni, Trieste, Italy.

Monte Piana was built by Cantiere Navale Triestino,[1] Monfalcone for Navigazione Generale Gerolimich & Compagnia Società in Anzioni, Trieste.

[2] On 18 June 1933, Monte Piana was in collision with the Greek ship P Margaronis in the River Plate, in Argentine waters.

Attempts to repair her electrical system and engines at Aden were unsuccessful, and she was towed to Vizagapatam, India by SS Nirvana, arriving on 23 February 1941.

Empire Baron had started her voyage at Oban and was bound for Durban and Calcutta with a load of Government stores.

Empire Baron had started her voyage at the Clyde and was bound for Cape Town and East London, South Africa and then Basra, Iraq.

Empire Baron had started her voyage at Belfast and was bound for Port Said, Egypt with a cargo of coal.

[1] She was propelled two 6-cylinder SCSA diesel engines of 489 horsepower (365 kW) which were built by Stabilimento Tecnico Triestino, Trieste.