The M.V. SUTHERLAND was built by Willam Doxford & Sons Ltd and was launched in Sunderland on the 16th December 1934. The ship was built as yard number 612 for B. J. Sutherland & Co. Ltd. / Sutherland Steamship Company, Newcastle.  The ship was 412 ft long and had a gross tonnage of 4979, it was powered by a 388 horsepower, 8 cylinder 2 stoke apposing piston diesel engine also built by Willam Doxford & Sons Ltd.

In 1936 the ship was sold to the Renfrew Navigation Company Ltd who renamed the ship BRITISH PRINCE. The ship changed hands again in 1938 and kept the same name, it was then owned by the Rio Cape Line Ltd.

In 1941 the BRITISH PRINCE was on passage from New York to London and nearing the end of her voyage, when the ship was bombed by German aircraft whilst navigating the Thames Estuary. The ship was carrying a cargo of 1200 tons of steel, 1600 tons of copper and a mixed general cargo,  the crew of 32 men & 6 gunners all escaped with their lives.