In 1914, when World War I broke out, Tabora was converted into a hospital ship for the German colonies in East Africa.

Pioneer received orders to open fire if the German ship made any suspicious move.

After time had passed without a reply from Tabora, Pioneer received orders to fire four warning shots from her 4-inch (102-mm) guns.

Germany's behavior after the incident indicated that Tabora was not a hospital ship protected under Articles X and XI of the Hague Convention of 1907, and as such that her sinking was not a violation of international maritime law.

[4] The burned-out wreck of Tabora remained in the harbor of Dar es Salaam until 1955, when she finally was scrapped by the Italian salvage company Mawa Handels Anstalt nearly 40 years after her sinking.