The steamship NÜRNBERG was built for Norddeutscher Lloyd by Robert Steele & Co, Greenock (yard #80), and was launched on 9 September 1873. 3,116 tons; 107,24 x 11,92 meters (length x breadth); straight stem, 1 funnel, 2 masts; iron construction, single-screw propulsion, double-expansion engines, service speed 12 knots; accommodation for 34 passengers in 1st class, 33 in 2nd class, and 600 in steerage; crew of 101.

The NÜRNBERG was built for Norddeutscher Lloyd's Baltimore service. 17 February 1874, maiden voyage, Bremen - Southampton - Baltimore. 1876, passenger numbers failing to meet expectations, the forward saloon converted into a cargo hatch. 11 September 1880, first of 9 roundtrip voyages, Bremen - Southampton - New York. 1886, rebuilt at Bremerhaven for the new German Imperial Mail service (Reichspostdienst) to the Far East; service speed 13.5 knots. 15 December 1886, first voyage, Bremen-Suez Canal-Far East; brought the first keg of German beer to China. Between 13 July 1887 and 11 June 1891, 8 roundtrip voyages, Bremen-Suez Canal-Australia. 21 January 1892, last voyage, Bremen-Baltimore. 1892-1895, ran in Norddeutscher Lloyd's East Asia Branch Line service between Hong Kong and Japan. 15 September 1895, sold to F. Raben. 1896, scrapped at Vegesack.

Sources: Arnold Kludas, Die Seeschiffe des Norddeutschen Lloyd, Bd. 1: 1857 bis 1919 (Herford: Koehler, c1991), pp. 24-25 (photograph); Edwin Drechsel, Norddeutscher Lloyd Bremen, 1857-1970; History, Fleet, Ship Mails, vol. 1 (Vancouver: Cordillera Pub. Co., c1994), pp. 70-71 (photograph); 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. 549.