Over the next three decades she passed through a number of owners and had several different names; Milazzo (1919–1924), Aldersgate (1924–1925), Mistley Hall (1925–1934), Kutais (1934–1935), Dneprostroi (1935–1938) and finally Ashkhabad from 1938 to 1942.

Ashkhabad was built by Harland & Wolff, Govan and launched on 16 October 1917 as War Hostage for the Shipping Controller, London.

In 1919 she was sold to the Italian company Società Italiana di Navigazione Transoceanica, of Naples, who converted her to a dry cargo ship and renamed her Milazzo.

[2] On 26 April 1942, Ashkhabad left New York City for Matanzas, Cuba, and was being escorted by the Royal Navy trawler Lady Elsa.

Two life boats and one raft holding forty-seven crew members (three of whom were women) were rescued by Lady Elsa and taken to Morehead City, North Carolina.

[4] At 10:00 am the next day, crew from HMT Hertfordshire, a British trawler, boarded Ashkhabad and took valuable navigational equipment and clothing.

It lies at a depth of 55 feet off North Carolina, close to the shoals which are an hour boat ride from the Beaufort inlet.