Pontic was 150 feet 5 inches (45.85 m) long, with a beam of 26 feet 1 inch (7.95 m) and a depth of 11 feet 1 inch (3.38 m).[2]Pontic was propelled by a 62 bhptriple expansion steam engine, which had cylinders of 13 inches (33 cm), 21 inches (53 cm) and 34 inches (86 cm) diameter by 24 inches (61 cm) stroke. The engine was built by Harland & Wolff.[2] It could propel the ship at 8 knots (15 km/h).[3]
While in the Manchester Ship Canal on May 3 1902, the Pontic, carrying a cargo of coal, collided with a Welsh steamer named Shahristan and was badly damaged. [4]
On 9 October 1919,[3]Pontic was sold to Rea Towing Co Ltd, Liverpool.[5] She continued in use as a tender. On 23 January 1925, Pontic was sold to John Donaldson's Beardmore Steam Ship Co Ltd. She was placed under the management of Beardmore Donaldson Coal Trimmers Ltd and used as a collier and sand carrier. Pontic was scrapped at a Clyde shipbreakers in 1930.[3]