[2] Empire Airman was built by Sir J. Laing & Sons Ltd, Sunderland as yard number 739.

Empire Airman was owned by the Ministry of War Transport[2] and operated under the management of the Eagle Oil and Shipping Company.

Empire Airman joined the convoy at sea, being en route from Aruba to Belfast laden with oil and motor spirit.

[7] From 1944 Empire Airman was under charter to an American oil company to carry aviation fuel.

Empire Airman had the Official Number 169009 on Lloyd's Register and used the Code Letters BCWX[1]