"Pass of Balmaha" was captured by in the North Sea in 1915 under somewhat peculiar circumstances. She departed from New York Harbor in June 1915, bound for the Arctic port of Arkhangelsk with a cargo of cotton for Russia. She was intercepted by the British auxiliary cruiser "Victorian" off the coast of Norway. "Victorian"s captain led a boarding party to inspect the cargo for contraband. The British captain found reason for suspicion, and ordered "Pass of Balmaha" to sail to Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands for further inspection. A prize crew of an officer and six marines was left aboard to ensure compliance.