In the First World WarGloucester Castle served as a hospital ship.
She was torpedoed off the Isle of Wight by German U-boatUB-32 (Kapitänleutnant Max Viebeg) on 30 March 1917. Three died during the transfer of crew and wounded but she was able to be towed back to port after two weeks.
After the war she was returned to her owners on 9 September 1919 for service on the intermediate routes and later served on the round-Africa service, earning the nickname 'Go Slowster Castle' because of her inadequate speed.
In the Second World War she remained in civilian service as a passenger and general cargo liner. On 15 July 1942, off the coast of Angola, she was intercepted by the Germanauxiliary cruiserMichel. Michel's commander KzSHelmuth von Ruckteschell chose to attack after dark without warning. The first shells from Michel destroyed the bridge and radio room and, consequently, no S.O.S. was transmitted. The ship sank with 93 killed, including the Master, Herbert H. Rose, six woman passengers, and two children. The remaining 61 survivors were picked up by the Michel and interned at Yokohama, Japan. After repatriation, the survivors reported the conditions under which they were forced to work and live.
The hospital ship Gloucester Castle down by the stern after being torpedoed by the U-boat UB-32 off the Isle of Wight, 31 March 1917.
