RMS Connaught was a steamship built in 1897 and operated by the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company for Royal Mail as well as passenger service.

As one of these, Connaught was a twin-screw vessel powered by an eight-cylinder steam engine, capable of 24 kn (28 mph; 44 km/h).

Having transported troops the previous evening, on 3 March 1917, Connaught was returning to Southampton from Le Havre.

At about 13:45, submarine U-48 fired a torpedo which exploded aft on the starboard side.

The sinking occurred in the English Channel about 29 mi (47 km) south of the Light Vessel Owers.