SS Indiana (1873)

SS Indiana, probably in the early 1890s
History
United States
Name	SS Indiana
Namesake	Indiana, USA
Owner	American Line
Operator	American Steamship Company
Port of registry	United States
Builder	William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia
Cost	$520,000
Yard number	182
Launched	March 25, 1873
Maiden voyage	October 27, 1873
Refit	1891
Fate	Wrecked off Cape Tosco, Mexico, April 4, 1909
General characteristics
Class and type	Pennsylvania class passenger-cargo ship
Tonnage	3,104 gross
Length	343 ft
Beam	43 ft
Depth of hold	32 ft 2 in
Propulsion	Compound (later triple expansion) steam engine, single screw, auxiliary sails
Speed	11.5 knots
Capacity	46 x 1st-, 132 2nd class and 789 steerage passengers

SS Indiana was an iron passenger-cargo steamship built by William Cramp & Sons of Philadelphia in 1873. The third of a series of four Pennsylvania-class vessels, Indiana and her three sister ships – Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois – were the largest iron ships ever built in the United States at the time of their construction, and among the first to be fitted with compound steam engines. They were also the first ships to challenge British dominance of the transatlantic trade since the American Civil War.

Though soon outclassed by newer vessels, Indiana was to enjoy a substantial 36-year career, a highlight of which was her transportation of United States President Ulysses S. Grant on the first leg of his celebrated 1877–78 world tour. After 24 years of transatlantic crossings, Indiana was sold for Pacific service, before being requisitioned as a troopship for service during the Spanish–American War. She was wrecked off Isla Santa Margarita, Mexico, in 1909.