Orizaba (1854 ship)

Orizaba flying the Pacific Coast Steamship Company flag
History
United States
NameOrizaba
BuilderJacob A. Westervelt & Company
Cost$240,000
LaunchedJanuary 14, 1854
HomeportSan Francisco
IdentificationSignal letters H.W.M.T.
FateBroken up in San Francisco, June 1887
General characteristics
Class and typeSidewheel Steamship
Tonnage1,244 GRT
Tons burthen1600 tons
Length240 ft (73 m)
Beam34 ft (10 m)
Draft15.4 ft (4.7 m)
Depth17 ft (5.2 m)
Installed power500 horsepower
Sail planBrigantine
Speed13.5 knots
Capacity786 Passengers, 1450 tons of freight
NotesOfficial number 19148

Orizaba was one of the first ocean-going steamships in commercial service on the west coast of North America and one of the last side-wheelers in regular use. Her colorful career spanned the business intrigues of Cornelius Vanderbilt, civil unrest in Mexico and Nicaragua, and the Fraser River gold rush. The ship was particularly important to Southern California ports, where she called for roughly the last 20 years of her service.