Magdalena was a 17,547 GRT passenger and refrigerated cargo ocean liner that Harland and Wolff built in Belfast in 1948 for Royal Mail Lines (RML).

Built as a replacement for a ship lost during the Second World War, she was to serve on route between England and the east coast of South America.

She was wrecked on her maiden voyage in 1949, the sixth ship built by Harland and Wolff to suffer this fate.

Due to changing trading conditions RML decided not to build a replacement vessel.

[1] She was propelled by two Parsons steam turbines, double reduction geared, driving twin screws.

[2] Magdalena had five holds for the carriage of refrigerated cargo, three forward and two aft,[2] for a total of 460,000 cubic feet (13,000 m3).

[8] The ship was the third in the Royal Mail Lines fleet to carry the name Magdalena,[9] she was built to serve on the Tilbury – Cherbourg – Vigo – Lisbon – Las Palmas – Pernambuco – Bahia – Rio de Janeiro – Santos – Montevideo – Buenos Aires route.

[1] Magdalena left London on her maiden voyage on 9 March 1949,[13] bound for Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The captain retired to bed at about 22:45, leaving written orders to be called when the ship was at a bearing of 315° off the Garituba Lighthouse.

Shortly before 04:30, a fix was obtained which showed that Magdalena was again 1⁄2 nautical mile (930 m) north of her intended position.

The ship's bell and some other small parts, including some portholes are preserved at the Jurujuba Yacht Club, Niterói.

It is difficult to dive due to strong currents in the area, poor visibility and anchoring in the busy shipping lane being banned.

[11] On 4 May, Magdalena was declared to be a total loss,[30] making her the sixth ship built by Harland and Wolff to be lost on her maiden voyage.

[34] The enquiry was held at the Royal Courts of Justice, London on 26–28 September 1949 with J. V. Naisby KC in charge, assisted by Captains Grimston and Williamson, and a Mr. Gray.

Evidence was heard that the ship was seaworthy, and that the provision of rescue equipment on board either met or exceeded the required standard.

The course selected was deemed to be correct, but the navigation of the ship was defective, with insufficient attention being paid to compass errors.

[2] In April 1996 a reunion was held at Belfast of people who had either helped to build or worked on board Magdalena.