The White Star Line steamships Nomadic and Tauric were built as cattle and cargo ships, to meet the requirements of the Atlantic live cattle trade. They were are 460ft. in length, 49ft. in breadth, and 35ft. in depth, with a gross register of 5,750 tons., and a dead weight capacity of 7,500 tons. They were propelled by twin screws with manganese bronze blades, driven by triple expansion engines of 600 horse power nominal. Each ship had permanent fittings for the accommodation of 1,216 head of cattle, besides which each ship was fitted with chambers for carrying 2,387 quarters of beef. There was also cargo space, besides comfortable quarters for the cattle men.