The single screw liner Elbe was built in 1881 by the shipyard of John Elder and Co. on the River Clyde. She was an iron four masted Steamer of 4,870 tons and completed before her contract time, making her maiden voyage in the latter part of 1881. On the 28th January 1895, the Elbe departed from Bremen bound for New York with 199 passengers and a crew of 155, comanded by Captain Gossell, an experienced and capable maritime Captain. At 5.30am, at a position 15 miles due East of Lowestoft Harbour, the Elbe was in collision with the S.S. Crathie of Aberdeen, a small coastal Steamer of 425 tons. Although a courageous attempt was made by the Lowestoft fishermen to rescue the passengers and crew of the S.S. Elbe, the vessel sank with significant loss of life.