SS Pacific (1850)

SS Pacific, from a drawing commissioned early in its career.
SS Pacific, from a drawing commissioned early in her career
History
United States
NamePacific
BuilderWilliam H. Brown, New York
LaunchedSeptember 24, 1850
Identification
FateSunk after collision, November 4, 1875
General characteristics
Class and typeSteamship
Tonnage876 tons
Length223 ft (68 m)
Beam33 ft 6 in (10.21 m)
Decks2
Installed power275 hp (205 kW)
Propulsion
Speed16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Capacity546 passengers
Crew52

SS Pacific was a wooden sidewheel steamer built in 1850 most notable for its sinking in 1875 as a result of a collision southwest of Cape Flattery, Washington. Pacific had an estimated 275 passengers and crew aboard when she sank. Only two survived. Among the casualties were several notable figures, including the vessel's captain at the time of the disaster, Jefferson Davis Howell (1846–1875), the brother-in-law of former Confederate President Jefferson Davis. The sinking of Pacific killed more people than any other marine disaster on the West Coast at the time.