She was launched in 1921 on the River Tyne as one of a class of 11 ships to replace many of Blue Funnel's losses in the First World War.

Like most members of the class she was powered by two steam turbines, which drove a single screw via double reduction gearing.

[4] In 1934 Automedon's code letters KMSP[5] were superseded by the call sign GBCK, and she was fitted with wireless direction finding.

Her cargo included cement, sodium nitrate, manganese, tinplate and a large quantity of cable and machinery.

On 22 January 1941 Meriones struck the wreck of the cargo ship Monte Nevoso, which had grounded and sunk on South Haisborough Bank in 1932.

[citation needed] On 24 January Great Yarmouth Port and Haven Commissioners' 122 GRT salvage tug Richard Lee Barber[12] took pumps to try to refloat Meriones.

Richard Lee Barber carried a salvage officer, Blue Funnel Line's marine superintendent, Captain Glazier,[10] and Coxswain Henry Blogg of the Cromer Lifeboat, who had the best knowledge of Haisborough Sands.

One attack was made as Richard Lee Barber approached Haisborough Sands, but was eventually repelled by gunners on nearby ships.

[citation needed] H F Bailey positioned herself in the lee of Meriones and, after several attempts, was made fast to the ship with large ropes.

[10] After five and a half hours it was light enough to fix H F Bailey's position from the tower of the parish church of Winterton-on-Sea two miles to the south.

[10] Her wreck now lies on South Haisborough Bank next to that of Monte Nevoso at a depth of 19 m (62 ft) at position 52°51′N 01°45′E / 52.850°N 1.750°E / 52.850; 1.750.