[5] The four ships shared a similar layout, with a bridge and main superstructure amidships and engine room and funnel aft.

Between them, Iron Chieftain's piston engine and exhaust turbine were rated at 553 NHP[5] and gave her a speed of 11 knots (20 km/h).

Ore carriers acquired a reputation as "death ships" because the density of their cargo caused them to sink too quickly for their crew to launch lifeboats.

[7] At 1100 hrs on 3 June 1942 Iron Chieftain left Newcastle, laden with coke and materials for shipbuilding for shipyards at Whyalla, South Australia.

At 2240 hrs that night she was about 27 nautical miles (50 km) east of Manly, NSW when a torpedo fired by I-24 hit her port side amidships.

[8] Iron Chieftain's crew launched her starboard lifeboat, with her Second Officer, Philip Brady, in command and carrying 24 other survivors.