The Baltic was built by Harland & Wolff, Ltd., Belfast, Ireland in 1871. It was owned by the White Star line and began its maiden voyage in Liverpool on 14 September, 1871 and sailed to New York. Its burthen was 3,707 tons, with dimensions of 420' x 40' and an iron hull. It had one funnel and four masts and used a single-screw powered by compound engines, with a speed of 14 knots. Its sister ships were the Atlantic, Oceanic and Republic.

It broke the trans-Atlantic speed record in January 1873. In 1888 it was renamed the Veendam. It foundered after striking a submerged derelict on 6 February, 1898.

The image shows a part of the passenger list its journey that started in Liverpool and ended in New York on 20 May, 1881.

The first passenger shown in the image is James Godber from South Normanton, England.