Bayano was a banana boat owned by Elders & Fyffes. Built in 1913 by Alexander Stephen’s of Glasgow, she was requisitioned in November 1914 as an armed merchant cruiser, pendant number M78. She was equipped with two 6-in guns and some light armament, and attached to the 10th Cruiser Squadron. Under the command of Captain H.C. Carr, she was heading for Liverpool to refuel.
Around 5.15am on 11th March 1915 Bayano was intercepted some three miles off Corsewall Point, near Stranraer by the German submarine U-27, under Lt. Cmdr. Bernd Wegener. Hit by a torpedo, Bayano sank very quickly, with the loss of her captain, 14 officers and 181 crew. Only four officers and 22 ratings were rescued.