[1] In the LYR-LNWR naming system, she was named for Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (1850–1942), a younger son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
The Duke of Connaught was built at Cammell Laird, as part of a fleet of seven ships delivered by the company between 1892 and 1909.
She operated on the Fleetwood-Belfast route and passed into the hands of the LNWR in 1922 and the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in 1923.
The Duke of Connaught remained on the Fleetwood-Belfast route until 1930 when she was transferred to the Hull to Zeebrugge service.
She sailed between Hull and Zeebrugge in the summer, returning to the Fleetwood-Belfast service for the winter months.