1-646-399 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

White Star Line's steamer 'Oceanic', 1871. Built in 1870 by Harland and Wolff at Belfast, the 'Oceanic' was the first liner built for the White Star Line. Powered by a combination of steam and sail, she had a crew of 143 and could carry 166 first class and 1000 third class passengers. The 'Oceanic' made her maiden voyage on 2nd March 1871 and continued to operate on the transatlantic route between Liverpool and New York until March 1875, before being chartered to the Occidental and Oriental Steamship Company, sailing between San Francisco, Yokohama and Hong Kong.