She was used in a number of Arctic convoys, to deliver supplies from the Western Allies to the Soviet Union.

Commanded by her master, Harold William Charlton, she sailed from Middlesbrough bound for Archangel via Reykjavík, carrying a cargo of 2,314 tons of military stores, 36 tanks, 12 vehicles and seven aircraft.

After dispersal of the convoy, River Afton was sighted by the German submarine U-703 at 21:02 on 5 July 1942, steaming north east of the Kola Peninsula.

She sank after being hit by two more torpedoes at 21:05 and 21:22, which caused her to explode and break in two.

The master, the commodore, 31 crew members, one gunner, one passenger and three naval staff members were picked up by the Flower-class corvette HMS Lotus, and landed at Matochkin, in Novaya Zemlya.