SS City of Paris

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SS City of Paris, sister ship of the City of New York, was an ocean liner originally operated by Inman Line and later operated by American Line (as SS Paris) and US Navy (as USS Yale and USS Harrisburg). Built by John Brown and Company of Clydebank, Scotland, and launched in October of 1888. City of Paris held the Blue Riband on westbound record, from 1889 to 1891 and from 1892 to 1893. She held the eastbound record from 1889 to 1892.

[edit] History

City of Paris was launched seven months after City of New York. She went to sea trials on March 19, 1889 and began her maiden voyage on April 3, 1889. With an average speed of 20 knots, she edged the Cunarder Etruria both eastbound and westbound records. City of Paris westbound speed record was broken by White Star liner Majestic and her sister ship Teutonic in 1891. However, she regained the speed record in 1892, and she briefly held it until 1893. On the westbound crossing, City of Paris retained the eastbound record until her older sister, City of New York, broke her record in 1892. City of Paris and her older sister City of New York was transferred to the American Line in 1893 when the British Government stopped subsidising both ships. She was renamed to Paris, but remained active on the passenger route between the United States and England. During Spanish-American War she chartered by US Navy as USS Yale in 1898 . After the war, she returned to commercial work as Paris.

While westbound on May 21, 1899, Paris ran aground in western Britain. Refloated after a major salvage effort, the badly damaged ship was rebuilt at Belfast, Ireland, receiving new engines and having her triple smokestacks replaced by a pair of taller ones. Renamed Philadelphia, she resumed North Atlantic passenger service. After the United States entered World War I in 1917 she was used as a transport, carrying U.S. troops to Europe. This important duty continued in 1918, when the U.S. Navy took her over and renamed her USS Harrisburg. Returned to her owners in September 1919 and again named Philadelphia, she once more was employed carrying passengers between America, Britain and France. By now outdated and old-fashioned, in 1922 the ship was purchased by new owners, who planned to use her in the Mediterranean. However, financial problems stopped Philadelphia at Naples, Italy, where she remained until sold for scrap in 1923.