HM Troopship Nubia was built by Caird & Co, Greenock, and launched 13th December 1894 for the P & O Steam Navigation Co. being 5,914 gross tons. She was used on the intermediate service to Calcutta and trooping as required. In 1897 cholera broke out among Indian troops while she was trooping. She served as a troopship and hospital ship during the Boer War. In 1915, while en route Bombay - Colombo - Shanghai with general cargo, she was lost outside Colombo whilst waiting for the pilot.