Panama Pacific Line
Encyclopedia
The Panama Pacific Line was a subsidiary line of International Mercantile Marine (IMM) established to carry passengers and freight between the U.S. East
and West Coasts
via the Panama Canal
.
Although IMM had begun preparations for this intercoastal service as far back as 1911, service began in May 1915 with the former Red Star Line
(another IMM subsidiary line) ships and . When landslides in September 1915 closed the canal for an extended time, Kroonland and Finland were reassigned to the IMM's American Line
. The outbreak of World War I
and its strain on international shipping caused the intercoastal route to be abandoned.
In 1923, Kroonland and Finland were returned to the resurrected intercoastal route along with the American Line passenger steamer . Manchurias sister ship supplanted Kroonland on the route in 1925.
Three ships featuring steam turbines and electric drive—, , and —came into service beginning in 1928, replacing all of the other ships on the intercoastal service. These three newest ships featured a drive-on service for passengers' automobiles, which allowed passengers to disembark with their car at ports of call, like Havana
, a stop added in the early 1930s.
In 1936, California, docked at San Pedro, California, was the setting for the SS California strike
, which contributed to the demise of the International Seamen's Union
and the creation of the National Maritime Union
.
By 1938, the intercoastal service had ended and the three electric ships, California, Pennsylvania, and Virginia were sold for use on South American routes.
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
and West Coasts
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
via the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
.
Although IMM had begun preparations for this intercoastal service as far back as 1911, service began in May 1915 with the former Red Star Line
Red Star Line
The Red Star Line was an ocean passenger line founded in 1871 as a joint venture between the International Navigation Company of Philadelphia, which also ran the American Line, and the Société Anonyme de Navigation Belgo-Américaine of Antwerp, Belgium...
(another IMM subsidiary line) ships and . When landslides in September 1915 closed the canal for an extended time, Kroonland and Finland were reassigned to the IMM's American Line
American Line
The American Line was a shipping company based in Philadelphia that was founded in 1871. It began as part of the Pennsylvania Railroad, although the railroad got out of the shipping business soon after founding the company...
. The outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and its strain on international shipping caused the intercoastal route to be abandoned.
In 1923, Kroonland and Finland were returned to the resurrected intercoastal route along with the American Line passenger steamer . Manchurias sister ship supplanted Kroonland on the route in 1925.
Three ships featuring steam turbines and electric drive—, , and —came into service beginning in 1928, replacing all of the other ships on the intercoastal service. These three newest ships featured a drive-on service for passengers' automobiles, which allowed passengers to disembark with their car at ports of call, like Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, a stop added in the early 1930s.
In 1936, California, docked at San Pedro, California, was the setting for the SS California strike
SS California strike
The SS California strike was a strike aboard the ocean liner from 1 March to 4 March 1936 as the ship lay docked in San Pedro, California. The strike led to the demise of the International Seamen's Union and the creation of the National Maritime Union .-Strike:Joseph Curran was a seaman about the...
, which contributed to the demise of the International Seamen's Union
International Seamen's Union
The International Seamen's Union was an American maritime trade union which operated from 1892 until 1937. In its last few years, the union effectively split into the National Maritime Union and Seafarer's International Union.-The early years:...
and the creation of the National Maritime Union
National Maritime Union
The National Maritime Union was an American labor union founded in May 1937. It affiliated with the Congress of Industrial Organizations in July 1937...
.
By 1938, the intercoastal service had ended and the three electric ships, California, Pennsylvania, and Virginia were sold for use on South American routes.