The Pennsylvania was one of four sister ships built by the Cramp Shipyards of Philadelphia. The four were financed by the Pennsylvania railroad in a venture designed to assure a plentiful supply of freight for the railroad and to help restore the importance of the port of Philadelphia as a terminal for Atlantic trade. The ship design represented a challenge to Cramps. They were to be constructed entirely of iron and were larger than any vessels previously undertaken. The yards were expanded to accommodate them and the resulting construction helped make the reputation of the Cramp Shipyards.

The new shipping company was named the Keystone Line, later the American Line, and although the four ships, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, were never the fastest, their steady 13 knot speed and their reliability gave them a good reputation. They plied their trade for many years as the only American flag ships on the North Atlantic. In all their years of service they never lost a passenger but they never made money either. Foreign competition enjoyed the benefits of strong subsidies and the political and financial support of their governments. The U.S. Congress was behaving in a manner all too familiar. Congress gives no support, and shows little interest in the merchant marine except in time of war.

The American Line struggled on but the four sisters grew older and were replaced on the Atlantic run. In 1884 they were sold to the International Navigation company, which eventually developed into the giant J. P. Morgan shipping combine, the International Mercantile Marine. In 1897 these four vessels were sold to West Coast interests under the management of the Pacific Mail Line. They operated on the coastal trade and were then chartered as passenger ships during the 1898 Alaskan Gold Rush. While it lasted all four ships were running from Seattle to Alaska operated by the Empire Transportation company. Afterward they reverted to Pacific Mail and its subsidies. Illinois was taken over by the US Navy becoming the cargo ship USS Supply. They had remarkably long lives, with the last ship surviving until 1936.

The class was involved in two noteworthy events in their career on the North Atlantic. In February 1874, on her return voyage from Europe, Pennsylvania encountered a severe gale. The captain, first and second officers, and two seaman were swept from the bridge and drowned. This left no one to command the ship. One of the passengers was a Mr. C.L. Brady, formerly the third officer of the White Star liner Atlantic. He took over command and brought the ship in. This incident is probably unique in the annals of the sea. In 1877 the Indiana was chosen to carry President Grant across the Atlantic to begin his celebrated European tour.

The USS Supply (Illinois) demanded the surrender of the German raider Cormoran at Guam. Cormoran had arrived on December 14, 1914 seeking a safe harbor and coal and was interned by the Americans. When war came on April 17, 1917 the Supply was at Guam and her captain demanded the Germans surrender their ship. Shots were exchanged, the Cormoran was scuttled and her crew taken prisoner. This was the first shot fired by a US ship and the first capture of the war. Decommissioned after the war, Supply was sold for scrap in 1928 but was not actually broken up until 1936.

Ohio was sold to the White Star Shipping company of Seattle. On August 26, 1909 she ran aground upon a rock spur in Finlayson Channel, British Columbia and partially sank, a total loss. The remains of the wreck are still there. It is intact, only partially submerged, in clear water, and can be visited by sport divers although the water is quite cold.

Indiana was still in Pacific Mail service when she was lost by stranding at Cape Tosco, Santa Margarita Island, Mexico on April 3, 1909. She was salvaged for scrap.

Pennsylvania was destroyed by fire at Iquique Bay, Chile on November 12, 1918, one day after the Armistice. No lives were lost. She was the last of the quartet in commercial service.

Pennsylvania class; Built 1872-1873. Length 343 ft.(BP), width 43 ft.

Colors: American Line: Hull - black with red waterline. Upper works and masts - rust brown. Vents - black. Boats - white. Funnel - red with narrow white dividing line below the black top. On the red, a keystone (coffin shaped) device with a red star in the center.

Pacific Mail Line: Hull - black. Upper works - white. Masts - buff. Boats - white. Funnel - black.

USN: (Illinois/Supply) As Pacific Mail Line then repainted light grey overall.

1/700 Scale Drawings