The KRONPRINZ FRIEDRICH WILHELM was built for Norddeutscher Lloyd by Caird & Co, Greenock (yard #156), and was launched on 13 September 1870. 2,387 tons; 97,05 x 12,02 meters (length x breadth); clipper bow (the last vessel built for Norddeutscher Lloyd with such a bow), 1 funnel, 2 masts; iron construction, screw propulsion (single expasion, intermediate pressure, 1200 hp); service speed 10 knots; accommodation for 105 passengers in 1st class, 50 in 2nd class, and 405 in steerage; crew of 61-89.

The KRONPRINZ FRIEDRICH WILHELM was built for Norddeutscher Lloyd's service to the West Indies and Colon. 7 April 1871, maiden voyage, Bremen - Southampton - Colon (Panama). 14 May 1873, first voyage, Bremen - Southampton - New York. 1875, given compound engine and new boilers; service speed 12 knots. 1876, first voyage, Bremen-South America. 10 August 1884, last voyage, Bremen-New York (9 roundtrip voyages). 1887, quadruple-expansion engines by W. Denny & Brothers of Dumbarton (5,000 hp). 23 March 1893, first voyage, Genoa - Naples - New York. 8 May 1895, last voyage, Naples-New York (16 roundtrip voyages). 7 July 1895, resumed Bremen-South America service. 10 April 1897, last voyage, Bremen-South America. 1897, sold to Gebrüder Mosbacher, scrappers, of Frankfurt/Main; resold to La Spezia, and scrapped in Italy.

Sources: Arnold Kludas, Die Seeschiffe des Norddeutschen Lloyd, Bd. 1: 1857 bis 1919 (Herford: Koehler, c1991), pp. 20-21 (picture); Edwin Drechsel, Norddeutscher Lloyd Bremen, 1857-1970; History, Fleet, Ship Mails, vol. 1 (Vancouver: Cordillera Pub. Co., c1994), p. 55, no. 31 (picture); Noel Reginald Pixell Bonsor, North Atlantic Seaway; An Illustrated History of the Passenger Services Linking the Old World with the New (2nd ed.; Jersey, Channel Islands: Brookside Publications), vol. 2 (1978), p. 548; Noel Reginald Pixell Bonsor, South Atlantic Seaway; An Illustrated History of the Passenger Lines and Liners from Europe to Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina (Jersey, Channel Islands: Brookside Publications, c1983), p. 240.