Ismore was a steam cargo ship built in 1899 by the Barclay, Curle & Co. of Glasgow for Edward Bates & Sons of Liverpool and operated by the Johnston Line on their trade routes between North America and the United Kingdom.

In mid-1890s Johnston Line considered employing two extra ships of approximately 9,500 deadweight for their North American cattle trade between Montreal and Baltimore and Liverpool.

She had all the modern machinery fitted for quick loading and unloading of the cargo, including several powerful steam winches and a large number of derricks.

After loading a large general cargo and 805 oxen she departed for her return trip on June 15 and arrived at Liverpool on July 1, concluding her maiden voyage.

[12] On October 16 it was announced that Ismore with a number of other vessels was chartered by the Imperial government to transport troops and stores to South Africa as the war against the Boers got under way.

[14] On leaving the port the ship encountered rough seas and high wind and had to put into Moelfre Bay to wait out the weather, where she remained until the evening of November 8.

On December 2 at around noon, the ship's position was determined by observation to be approximately 30°41′S 15°30′E / 30.683°S 15.500°E / -30.683; 15.500, and the course was set to pass the Dassen Island Lighthouse about 13 miles distant.

[18] An inquiry into the wrecking was held in December 1899 at Cape Town, which found both the captain and the second mate to be at fault and negligent in their conduct, as they failed to use the lead to ascertain the ship's position, disregarded a strong northeast current present in the area which carried the ship closer to the shore, and failure to act when land was spotted on the port side about 8 minutes before the disaster.