Originally a schooner-rigged steamship, she was launched in 1888 as "City of New York" by John Brown and Company, Clydebank, Scotland, for the Inman Line. Sister ship of "City of Paris", "City of New York" was one of the largest and best liners of her day, and one of the first steamships with twin screws. She was transferred to American registry under the American Line in 1893 as "New York". These ships brought the United States to the front rank in the Atlantic passenger trade, and "New York" established the record for the Southampton to New York crossing in September 1893.