The SS Belgic was a steam ship built by Harland & Wolff for the White Star Line for service in the Far East and across the Pacific. Sold to the Atlantic Transport Line in 1899 she was transferred to the North Atlantic. After service as a Boer War transport she was scrapped at Garston, Liverpool in 1903.
Construction
Belgic was a steel-hulled ship divided by watertight bulkheads into 8 separate compartments. In addition to her engines she had four masts with the first pair being square rigged. Her main propulsion was provided by two double cylindered engines of 400 NHP, also built by Messrs. Harland and Wolff, the steam for which was supplied from three coal-fired elliptical boilers, working at a pressure of 90 psi. In the event of one engine failing it could be disconnected from the propeller shaft enabling the vessel to continue at reduced power. She carried eight lifeboats as well as two life rafts.
The comfort of passengers on board was enhanced by the provision of electric light and a refrigerated compartment enabling fresh meat to be served on the voyage.[1]