Ancona had sailed from Naples for New York at 11.45 p.m. on Saturday, 6 November 1915, under command of Capt. Massardo. She called at Messina on Sunday and embarked 130 more passengers, leaving again at 5 p.m. with a total of 446 aboard, of whom 163 were crew. On Monday, 8 November, when Ancona was off Cape Carbonara, Sardinia U-38 sighted her at , gave chase and fired about 100 rounds at the liner. Later, at about 1 p.m., U-38 torpedoed Ancona. Her lifeboats were hurriedly launched, but as Ancona was still steaming slowly they capsized as soon as they reached the water. Several of Anconas lifeboats were picked up by the French minelayer Pluton, which put out from Bizerte to assist.
