SS Belgic (1873)

SS Belgic was a steamship of the White Star Line. She was launched on 14 January 1873 as hull number 81 at Harland and Wolff Shipyards, Belfast, and delivered to the owners on 29 March 1873.[1] She was one of two cargo ships initially built by Harland and Wolff for the Bibby Line, but bought on the stocks for use on the South American service, the other ship being Belgic 's sister, SS Gaelic.[2]

She sailed from Liverpool on her maiden voyage to Valparaíso on 16 April 1873, but White Star made the decision later that year to withdraw the steamship service to South America. Belgic made White Star's last steamship voyage to South America in December, though the company's sailing ships continued to operate the route.[2] Belgic was transferred to the North American service in 1874, making voyages between London and New York. On 20 July 1874 she encountered the disabled Spanish steamer Tornas and towed her into New York. Belgic was briefly transferred to the Liverpool - New York routine, but was withdrawn from service in 1875 and chartered with Gaelic to the Occidental and Oriental Steamship Company on 29 May, operating out of San Francisco.[2]

Belgic operated these routes until her sale in 1883 to Cia de Nav. 'La Flecha', and her name was changed to Goefredo.[3] Her career in this new incarnation was short and was marked with two accidents, the first occurred on 27 January 1884 when she ran aground off Santiago de Cuba. She was sent to undergo repairs at Liverpool, but while leaving the port on 26 February 1884 bound for Havana, she ran onto Burbo Bank at the mouth of the River Mersey and was wrecked.