SS America (1869)
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | SS America |
| Operator | Pacific Mail Steamship Company |
| Builder | Henry Steers, Greenpoint, Brooklyn |
| Cost | $1,250,000 |
| Laid down | 1868 |
| Launched | 1869 |
| Fate | Destroyed by fire, August 24, 1872 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 4,454 tons |
| Length | 363 ft (111 m) |
| Beam | 49 ft (15 m) |
| Draft | 18 ft (5.5 m) |
| Depth of hold | 31 ft (9.4 m) |
| Propulsion | Beam engine, 3,000 nhp |
| Capacity | 92 passengers |
| Crew | 103 |
SS America (1869–1872) was a ship for Pacific Mail Steamship Company operating on the China Line along with the SS Colorado, SS Great Republic, SS China, SS Alaska, SS Japan and spare steamer SS Herman.[1] The America, which was one of the largest paddle wheel steamers in the world, was valued by Pacific Mail Steamship Company at $1,017,942 or about $40,000 less than the SS Great Republic or SS Japan.[2]
America was built in 1868–1869 by Henry Steers's shipyard (see George Steers and Co), at Greenpoint, Long Island, and was 4,454 tons. Length 363 feet; beam of hull 49 feet (wide) and 31 feet deep in hold, draft of water 18 feet. She had a beam engine, with 105-inch cylinder and twelve feet stroke of piston, the engine working up to 3,000 nominal horse-power.
At Bridgewater Iron Manufacturing Company were forged the large forgings for most of the ships of this time including America.[3] The ship was built by George Steers and Co (New York) started in 1868, and finished in 1869. The ship cost $1,250,000.[4]