YORK CASTLE was built in 1901 by Sir James Laing & Sons at Sunderland with a tonnage of 5517grt, a length of 408ft, a beam of 50ft 4in and a service speed of 12 knots.

She joined the cargo fleet in May 1901 and joined the three Union 'S' vessels on a triangular service between South Africa - USA - UK except during the fruit season when she traded between South Africa and the USA.

In 1924 she was sold to G. B. Bibolini of Genoa and renamed San Terenzo. After a short period laid up she was broken up during 1932.