The Zino line operated passenger ships between Italy, South America and North America from 1889. Of the five ships they sailed, four were ultimately lost. The Alacrita sank in the North Atlantic in 1921, Lealta sank off Malta in 1917 after hitting a mine, Equita also lost to a mine in 1921 off Greece. The Attitiva was sold in 1911, this leaves the Assiduita. Built as Mentmore in 1881 for the Johnston Line, Zino bought the ship in 1896 and renamed her. She  was used on the Genoa to the River Plate route until 1900 when she was changed to Italy to New Orleans route for the cotton trade.

On Nov. 16, 1900 the Assiduita caught fire in the North Atlantic fortunately the British liner SS Lanarkshire was nearby and took off the passengers and  crew. The Assidutia was abandoned and later sank.