In 1936–37 Bartram & Sons built four sister ships for two companies linked to Evans and Reid of Cardiff.

[9] Nailsea Meadow made several transatlantic crossings in the Battle of the Atlantic: eastbound in HX or SC convoys but westbound mostly unescorted.

She called at various ports on the Pacific coast of the US and Canada[8] before returning through Panama in September with a cargo of timber.

In May 1941 Harry Finestone, sometime Chief Officer on Nailsea Meadow, was formally commended for "brave conduct" during an enemy attack on the ship.

[16] In January 1942 Nailsea Meadow crossed the North Atlantic westbound unescorted to New York City.

[8] On 8 May 1943 Nailsea Meadow left Cape Town for Bombay and Karachi with 7,104 tons of cargo including war materials and mail.

[17] In 1997 Emlyn Brown, working with the National Underwater and Marine Agency and Clive Cussler, found Nailsea Meadow's wreck.