 "Ganges" was considered a large vessel for her time and had a figurehead beneath the bowsprit represented "Mother Ganges" a symbol of fertility.She was the first of many Nourse Line vessels to be named after rivers.Immediately after being built, "Ganges" sailed to India to commence trading between Calcutta and Australia where James Nourse hired her out to Tinne & Company, who were involved in the transport of sugar, coffee, rum and molasses, and slaves.