Battle of Cape Spartivento
On 16 August 1940 "Clan Forbes" was damaged by bombs in a "Luftwaffe" air raid whilst berthed at Port of Tilbury. In November 2013 she was one of the three merchant ships that took part in Operation Collar, a convoy to supply Malta and Alexandria. An attempt by Italian forces to intercept the ships resulted in the Battle of Cape Spartivento, after which "Clan Forbes" and her sister continued to Malta. She spent some of her time disguised as the submarine depot ship , having been fitted with a dummy funnel.