A full-scale regular passenger service to New York commenced in 1892 and today the line is best known for its first class only direct London to New York passenger/cargo service operated by its four Minne class ships, SS Minneapolis, SS Minnehaha, SS Minnetonka and SS Minnewaska from 1900 to 1915.
SS Belgic (III) was launched as the freighter "SS Mississippi" on the 15 Dec 1902 for Atlantic Transport Line and transferred on 7 July 1906 to the Red Star Line as "SS Samland" .
She did not serve with the Wilson & Furness-Leyland Line, instead being purchased by the Atlantic Transport Line, who were seeking to replace ships that had been requisitioned as troop transports by the United States government for use in the Spanish-American War.
She was bought by the Atlantic Transport Line in 1897 because she was "practically a sister" to other Massachusetts class of ships already in service there.
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