[2][3] On 13 May 1916 a new company (Aktieselskapet Dampskibet "Solstad"), a subsidiary of A. F. Klaveness & Co, with NOK 87,000 starting capital was registered to operate the new vessel.

[5] After delivery Solstad was immediately chartered to transport coal to Egypt and left Sunderland for her maiden voyage on 15 June 1916 for Alexandria.

[6] The vessel conducted one more trip from Baltimore carrying 5,689 tons of coal at the end of October arriving at Alexandria on 27 November.

Solstad finished loading 78,685 sacks (approximately 6,497 tons) of wheat in Melbourne on 2 February and left the next day for Europe.

After taking on 500 tons of coal the ship departed Port Said at approximately 17:30 and was directed by the British authorities to proceed to Livorno to discharge her cargo.

As the captain ordered the crew to abandon ship and lower the lifeboats, a submarine flying a German navy ensign but no identification, approached.