Originally built on the Clyde for the Allan Line (Montreal Ocean Steamship Company) in 1891, gross tonnage 4,838, as a Royal Mail Steamer. In 1900 she was used as a troopship by the British Amry. She was sold to the British Admiralty in 1915. She was defensively-armed, but on 21st July 1918, 5 miles south-east from Filey Brig, she was torpedoed without warning and sunk by a submarine, 36 lives were lost.