Winter was traditionally a slow time for European trans-Atlantic shipping companies, with some ships standing idle.
In the 1920s, several companies started offering winter cruises to warmer climes as a means of keeping the ships in work. Red Star Lines was one of these, and their vessel S.S. Belgeland departed New York on 4th December 1924 on a round-the-world cruise, calling at 60 ports in 14 countries. Maybe it ran into a bit of heavy weather in the Pacific - hence the find. (Or maybe just a clumsy steward!).