Completed in November 1915 as Morris Adler for Passolt SS Co Inc, New York. 1916 sold to Norway and renamed Jotunfjell for Olsen & Ugelstad, Oslo. 1934 lengthened and renamed Varangfjell for the same owner. 1939 renamed Varangberg for Reinhart Mithassel, Oslo.

At 14.53 and 14.57 hours on 20 Dec, 1940, U-95 (Schreiber) missed the unescorted Varangberg in 55°30N/19°25W with two G7e torpedoes and let her escape because the second attack was noticed and rough seas prevented futher attacks.

At 00.31 hours on 26 Sep, 1941, U-203 fired four torpedoes at the convoy HG-73 north of the Azores and saw one hit and heard three detonations after diving. Later Mützelburg saw lifeboats and sank a damaged vessel by a coup de grâce at 06.34 hours (probably the Cortes). He claimed two ships with 20.000 tons sunk and one other damaged. In fact, three ships were sunk: Varangberg, Avoceta and Cortes.

The Varangberg (Master Edward Steen Stenersen) was hit by two torpedoes on the port side at #1 hatch and forward of the bridge and sank immediately. The survivors had no time to launch lifeboats and rescued themselves on debris and rafts that floated free until being picked up by a British corvette, which took them to Milford Haven.