SS Blanche was the first ship built by A and J Inglis at Pointhouse, Glasgow as Yard No.1 and launched on 8 April 1863.[1] She was a cargo steamer and entered service in May 1863 with Glasgow shipowner, Hermann L Seligmann on his Glasgow-Dunkirk service.[1][2][3] Seligmann sold Blanche in 1864 to Mathew Langlands of M Langlands & Sons, Glasgow, and in 1867 she was resold to London-based Joseph Weatherley.[3] In 1888 the ship was purchased by Christopher Furness of West Hartlepool, who employed her as a coastal collier.[3][4] Furness' shipping business was incorporated in October 1891 as Furness, Withy & Company Ltd but, before formal transfer of her ownership, Blanche was sold to Osborn & Wallis of Bristol.[3][4]