SS City of Paris (1866) - Development and Design

Development and Design

By the end of the American Civil War, Inman was the largest passenger steam ship line to America, and was known for its screw propelled ships that were economical, but not especially fast. When in 1862 Cunard commissioned Scotia, a paddle wheel Blue Riband holder, it also commissioned China, the first screw steamer in Cunard's express mail service. While China was only a knot slower than Scotia, China's coal consumption was only half of Scotia's while China carried more cargo. Cunard quickly ordered two additional screw steamers to partner the paddlers Scotia and Persia on the New York express route. Cunard also opened a secondary service for immigrants that directly competed against Inman. Inman countered Cunard by opening its own express service. With City of Paris, Tod and Macgregor started construction of five fast liners for Inman's Liverpool - New York route to rival the Cunard Line's best. In response, Cunard commissioned its own fast screw express liners, starting with Russia that replaced Persia in 1867.