The White Star liner Oceanic II, 17,274 tons gross, was the largest vessel in the world when she was launched in 1899. Built by Harland & Wolff at Belfast, she was not designed as a record-breaker even though she could make 19 1/2 knots at full steam and she proved a highly successful ship throughout her career on the North Atlantic run. Commissioned as an Armed Merchant Cruiser on the outbreak of war in August 1914, she was wrecked off Foula Island, west of the Shetlands, on 8 September during her first patrol, although all aboard her were safely evacuated.