The White Star steamer Belgic in Far Eastern waters

White Star's first Belgic and her sister Gaelic were ordered and laid down for the Bibby Line but purchased on the stocks for White Star's short-lived South American steam cargo service in 1872. Built by Harland & Wolff at Belfast, the two vessels were identical sisters and registered at 2,685 tons gross (1,716 net). Measuring 370 feet in length with a 36 foot beam, each was rigged as a four-masted barque and could steam at 12 knots. After less than one year on the Liverpool to Valparaiso service, Belgic was transferred onto the main Liverpool to New York run and continued regular sailings until the summer of 1875 when she and Gaelic were chartered (for five years) to the Occidental & Oriental Steamship Company for their San Francisco to Japan and Hong Kong service. Sold to new Spanish owners in 1883 for £30,000 and renamed Goefredo, she was wrecked on the Burbo Bank, in the Mersey, on 16^th February 1884 whilst en route to Havana after repairs in Liverpool docks.