The steamer Main was built by Blohm & Voss  and delivered to Norddeutscher Lloyd (NDL) in April 1900.  Main served primarily on NDL’s Bremerhaven to New York route.

In 1902, 1903, and 1904, Main was chartered by the German government for three voyages transporting troops to and from China.  She carried MSP cancellers on all three voyages – MSP 27 (1902), MSP 49 (1903), and MSP 5 (1904).

At the outbreak of World War I, Main was in Antwerp, where she was confiscated by the Belgian government.  She was then re-captured by Germany upon the occupation of Belgium, but remained in Antwerp for the remainder of the war.  At the end of the war, she was surrendered to the British in accordance with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.