Oceanic was built by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, and was launched on 27 August 1870, arriving in Liverpool for her maiden voyage on 26 February 1871.

All were of the same approximate dimensions with differences in tonnage, with the exception of the Adriatic and the Celtic, the designs for which were later modified to slightly increase their sizes.

[3] In January 1872, Oceanic underwent a refit, during which a large forecastle was added to help prevent the bow being inundated during high seas.

[3] Oceanic continued sailing with the White Star Line on the Liverpool to New York City route until 11 March 1875, when she became surplus to the company's needs on the North Atlantic when the larger Britannic entered service.

[3] On 22 August 1888, Oceanic collided with the coastal liner SS City of Chester just outside the Golden Gate; the latter ship sank, killing 16 on board.

[4][page needed] On 7 January 1890, Nellie Bly boarded Oceanic in Yokohama to cross the Pacific as part of her voyage Around the World in Seventy-Two Days.

In 1895, Oceanic was returned to the White Star Line, which planned to modernise the ship, and put her back into service.

She was sent back to Harland and Wolff for new engines to be installed, but when the ship was inspected closely, it was found not to be cost-effective to carry out the work.