SS Ancon

SS Ancon was a United States-owned steamship that played a significant role in the Panama Canal construction, with notable connections to Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson. The ship was involved in various events, including the Panama Revolution of 1903 and the Construction of the Panama Canal, which was overseen by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and John Frank Stevens. The SS Ancon was also associated with prominent figures such as George W. Goethals, Philippe Bunau-Varilla, and John Hay, who were instrumental in the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty.

● History

The SS Ancon was built in the late 19th century and initially operated as a passenger ship for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, offering services to destinations such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Honolulu. During its early years, the ship was commanded by experienced captains, including Robert Edwin Peary, who later became famous for his Arctic expeditions. The SS Ancon also had connections to notable shipping lines, such as the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company and the Dollar Steamship Lines, which operated vessels like the SS President Hoover and the SS Malolo. As the ship's career progressed, it became involved in the Spanish-American War, with the United States Navy playing a significant role in the conflict, including the Battle of Manila Bay and the Battle of Santiago de Cuba.

● Design and construction

The SS Ancon was designed and constructed by the New York Shipbuilding Company, with a gross tonnage of over 3,000 tons and a length of approximately 300 feet. The ship's propulsion system consisted of a steam engine and a screw propeller, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 15 knots. The SS Ancon was also equipped with advanced navigation systems, including a chronometer and a gyrocompass, which were developed by companies like Harrison & Sons and Anschütz & Co.. The ship's design and construction were influenced by notable naval architects, such as William H. Webb and John W. Griffiths, who worked on other prominent vessels, including the SS Great Eastern and the SS Normandie.

● Career

The SS Ancon had a long and varied career, with service in both the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. The ship operated on routes such as the San Francisco-Honolulu and New York-Panama runs, with stops at ports like Puntarenas, Colón, and Cristóbal. The SS Ancon was also involved in the banana trade, transporting cargo for companies like the United Fruit Company and the Standard Fruit Company, which were founded by entrepreneurs like Andrew Preston and Lorenzo Baker. During its career, the ship was commanded by experienced captains, including Joshua Slocum, who was known for his solo circumnavigation of the globe, and Roald Amundsen, who led the first expedition to reach the South Pole.

● Notable events

The SS Ancon was involved in several notable events, including the Panama Canal opening on August 15, 1914, which was attended by dignitaries like Woodrow Wilson, William Jennings Bryan, and Josephus Daniels. The ship also played a role in the World War I effort, with the United States entering the conflict after the sinking of the Lusitania and the sinking of the Sussex. The SS Ancon was involved in the transportation of troops and supplies for the American Expeditionary Forces, which were commanded by John J. Pershing and Tasker H. Bliss. The ship also had connections to other notable vessels, including the SS Olympic, the SS Titanic, and the SS Britannic, which were operated by the White Star Line and the Cunard Line.

● Specifications

The SS Ancon had a gross tonnage of 3,237 tons and a net tonnage of 1,943 tons, with a length of 307 feet and a beam of 40 feet. The ship's draft was approximately 20 feet, and its depth was around 25 feet. The SS Ancon was powered by a steam engine with a cylinder diameter of 24 inches and a stroke length of 42 inches, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 15 knots. The ship's propulsion system consisted of a screw propeller with a diameter of 14 feet and a pitch of 18 feet, which was designed by companies like Worthington Corporation and De Laval Steam Turbine Company. The SS Ancon was also equipped with advanced navigation systems, including a chronometer and a gyrocompass, which were developed by companies like Harrison & Sons and Anschütz & Co..

Category:Ships of the United States