WASHINGTON paddlesteamer 1864

[aukepalmhof]

The vessel depict on the stamp is the WASHINGTON with the year 1847, the year is not correct it must be 1864. A drawing in the book North Atlantic Seaway on page 621 depicts the same vessel.

She was built as iron paddle steamer by Messrs. Scott and Co at Greenock for the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (French Line) for the mail service between Le Havre and New York.
17 June 1863 launched under the name WASHINGTON.
Tonnage 3.408 gross, 2.091 net. Dim. 355 x 345.7 (bpp) x 43.7 x 30.2ft. Breadth over paddle boxes, about 70ft, mean draught 20 ft
Powered by two 2 cyl. side-lever steam engines, 3.200 ihp., speed 13 knots. Steam supplied by 4 boilers. Machinery manufactured by the Greenock Foundry Co.
Passenger accommodation for 128 first, 54 second and 29 third class.
Four decks. Cargo capacity 1.000 tons.
Building cost including custom duty £121.000.

15 June 1864, sailed for her maiden voyage from Le Havre to New York, during the passage she met heavy weather, arrived 10 days later at New York.
After five round voyages to New York, transferred to the St Nazaire to Colon service.

1868 Refitted by Robert Napier at Glasgow in a twin-screw steam vessel, which increased her speed to 13.75 knots. Cargo space increased to 1350 tons.
08 Jan. 1871 sailed in the first voyage from Le Havre via Brest to New York.
25 April 1873 last voyage in the service.
1873 Refitted with two compound inverted engines of 500 nhp., manufactured by Messrs Schneider et Cie., at Creusot, France.
19 June 1874 resumed service from Le Havre via Brest to New York.
After a total of 19 round voyages, she sailed 14 August 1874 for her last voyage in this service.
Then in the service from St Nazaire to the West Indies.
1899 Sold for scrap, and in 1900 scrapped at Marseilles.

Mali 1996 320fr. sg?, scott831b

Sources: Transatlantic Paddle Steamers by H.Philip Spratt. North Atlantic Seaway Vol II by N.