The China was an iron built ship, and at the time of launch considered very strongly framed, amply secured by strong watertight bulkheads. She was propelled by two engines on the oscillating principle, with an aggregate of 560-horse power. The sleeping berths for passengers were on the main deck, below the saloons. The Board of Trade measurements for passengers gave space for 268 first-class and 771 second class (or forward) passengers. However, she was competent to carry 1500 troops without dismantling her saloons or taking down her after cabins. Suspension rods ran all along her beams, to which hammocks could be slung. In 1879 she was thus used as a Zulu War transport.
Chronological History
| Year |
Event |
| 1861 |
Oct. 8, launched |
| 1862 |
Mar. 15, maiden voyage Liverpool - Queenstown - New York |
| 1870 |
Liverpool July 25 → New York July 5 |
| 1871 |
Liverpool June 17 → New York June 27 |
| 1872 |
Had to return to Queenstown on way to New York with cracked cylinder |
| 1873 |
Re-engined with compound engines by Barclay, Curle & Co, Glasgow |
| 1874 |
Liverpool → New York Aug. 28 |
| 1879 |
Zulu War transport |
| 1880 |
Sold to Spain renamed "Magallanes" |
| 1889 |
Sold to Norway and renamed "Theodore", converted to a four masted bark |
| 1906 |
Went missing on way Tampa - Yokohama |
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