ECUADOR (1) was built in 1845 by Tod & MacGregor at Glasgow with a tonnage of 323grt, a length of 120ft 8in, a beam of 21ft 6in and a service speed of 8 knots. A simple side wheel paddle steamer she was the company's first iron hulled ship and commenced her maiden voyage in January 1846 under the command of Capt. N. Glover from Liverpool to Callao via Valparaiso. She was then deployed on the Callao - Guayaquil - Panama coastal service which linked with Royal Mail's Panama overland route. In 1850 she was deemed too small for the service and was sold to Pacific Mail Steamship Corp. of America. After three further years service she was wrecked at Coquimbo.
From Auke Palmhof.