The Baltic's rescue of all passengers drew attention to the important role that the new wireless telegraphy technology could play in ensuring safety at sea.

In the late 1890s and shortly before his death, Thomas Henry Ismay, chairman of the White Star Line, initiated a policy shift away from the race for speed to focus on slower but larger ships, compensating for the loss of speed through great savings, increased comfort, and better passenger capacity.

This task was not easy as the hull was already built; the ship was nevertheless cut in two and the rear part set back nearly six metres to make room for an addition.

[5] The Baltic made her maiden voyage on 29 June 1904 from Liverpool to New York under the command of Edward Smith, the future captain of the Titanic.

However, the modifications made to her structure during her design posed a problem: the machinery was not upgraded accordingly, and due to her increased tonnage the ship struggled to maintain the service speed required to ensure regular rotations.

[11] The Baltic remained on the route from Liverpool to New York for the following years, and proved to be more popular with customers than her fellow liners, probably thanks to her more spacious facilities.

[17] On 23 January 1909, the White Star liner RMS Republic steaming in a fog was rammed by the Italian ship SS Florida off the northeastern coast of the United States and was severely damaged by the collision.

Her radio operator, Jack Binns, hastened to telegraph a CQD, a distress signal in use at the time for the stations of the Marconi company.

[19] In the meantime, the Republic's passengers were evacuated onto the less damaged Florida, and only part of the crew, including Captain Sealby, remained on board, still hoping to be able to have the liner towed by another ship in order to beach her to prevent her from sinking.

[21] The Florida was in turn in a bad position, and the passengers were transferred again, this time to the Baltic, without any losses despite the complexity of the operation in the middle of the night and in the fog.

The Republic finally sank around 8 PM the next day, with her captain remaining on board with an officer before being picked up by another one of the ships that had arrived in the vicinity.

The passengers of the Baltic for their part decided to contribute to offering commemorative medals to the three captains, as well as to the radio operator Jack Binns.

[23] When World War I broke out in 1914, the Baltic continued to provide her passenger service, as did the Adriatic which joined the other members of the Big Four on the Liverpool route.

Joined by the Lapland, the Zeeland, and the Vaderland of the Red Star Line (the latter two being quickly renamed Northland and Southland respectively), they provided the only transatlantic service of the company, between Liverpool and New York while many other ships were requisitioned for the war effort, starting with the Celtic and the Cedric, converted to auxiliary cruisers.

On 26 April 1917, she was attacked by the German submarine U-66 which tried unsuccessfully to torpedo her, and the U-boat engaged in a two-day pursuit, from which the Baltic emerged unscathed.

On 9 June 1917, the War Department released its first communique revealing the General's arrival in England: "Baltic Carried Pershing Over.

London, June 9.- Headed by Major General John J. Pershing, its commander, the first representation of the American army that is to enter the European war disembarked at a British port after an uneventful voyage of 10 days onboard the White Star liner Baltic.

The party was received with full military honours and immediately entrained for London, where it arrived and was welcomed by the Earl of Derby, the minister of war; Viscount French commander of the British forces, and the American officials..."[30]In reference to this event, a commemorative plaque was then installed in the main hall of the liner.

From 1922, the Adriatic returned to the route, uniting the Big Four on the slow secondary service of the White Star Line.

[34] In the early 1930s, however, the White Star Line experienced a period of internal crisis reinforced by the Great Depression.

Sold to Japanese shipbreakers in early 1933 along with the Megantic for £33,000, the liner left Liverpool for Osaka on 17 February 1933, under the command of Captain Corfe, to be scrapped there.