The ARIOSTO was a 2,376 gross ton ship, length 300.4 ft x beam 38 ft, one funnel, two masts, a speed of 14.5 knots, and with accommodation for 53-1^st, 24-2^nd and 1,000-emigrant class passengers. Launched by Earle’s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Hull on 10^th Dec. 1889 for the Wilson Line of Hull (Thos Wilson, Sons & Co.). She made her maiden voyage from Hull to Gothenburg in March 1890 and continued Scandinavian and Baltic voyages until June 1910 when she was sold to La Roda Herinanos, Valencia and renamed LUIS VIVES. In 1913 she was sold to Cia Valenciana de Vapores Correos de Africa, Valencia and on 11^th Sep. 1916 was captured and sunk with bombs by the German submarine UB. l8 in position 49.23N 06.26W, thirty miles south of Bishop Rock while on passage from Valencia to Liverpool with a cargo of fruit and vegetables. When built she was the largest North Sea passenger ship on regular service and was fitted with refrigerating machinery and electric light throughout.