SS City of Rome Archival Collection
SS City of Rome (1881) of the Inman and Anchor Lines. GGA Image ID # 1e41e7e184
City of Rome (1881) (a) Inman Line, (b) Anchor Line
Built by Vickers, Sons & Maxim, Ltd., Barrow-in-Furness, England. Tonnage: 8,415. Dimensions: 560' x 52' (586' o.l.). Propulsion: Single-screw, 16 knots. Compound engines. Masts and Funnels: Four masts and three funnels. Note: Considered by many as the most beautiful steamship ever built. Passengers: 520 cabin, 810 third class. Change in Ownership: Ownership was transferred to the Anchor Line in 1882. As a record breaker she proved a failure, but nevertheless ran successfully for many years for the Anchor Line. Modifications: Triple expansion engines were later installed to replace the original engines. Fate: Broken up for scrap by German shipbreakers in 1902.
The Story of the City of Rome
In June 1881, the beautiful City of Rome was launched at Barrow for the company and sailed on her maiden voyage the following October. She was constructed of iron throughout, was 560 feet in length by 52¹⁄₂ beam and 37 feet in depth, and was 8144 tons gross.
This was the first of the company's steamers to have three funnels, which were placed between the main and mizzen masts at regular spaces and added to the vessel's appearance.
Her machinery marked another important innovation. Although the engine was on the three-crank system, it had three high-pressure cylinders of 46 inches in diameter each and three low-pressure cylinders of 86 inches in diameter each arranged on the tandem method. The piston had a stroke of six feet.
The eight boilers worked up to 90 lb. pressure, with forty-eight furnaces so arranged that a water-tight bulkhead was fitted fore and aft and formed the coal bunkers. However, this arrangement was modified afterward. This splendid vessel did not meet expectations regarding speed and was returned to the builders.
In 1875, the company underwent a transformation, becoming the Inman Steamship Company, Ltd. The City of Rome was the last steamer the line's founder ordered, and he passed away before her completion. No further additions were made to the Inman Company's fleet.
However, after the company and fleet were acquired by the International Navigation Company in 1886, the new firm made an intriguing purchase. They bought the City of Chicago, a vessel under the Inman flag that stood out with its unique straight stem. After running for several years, this vessel met a tragic fate on the south coast of Ireland.
R. A. Fletcher, "The City of Rome," in Steam-Ships: The Story of Their Development to the Present Day, London: Sidgwick & Jackson, Ltd., 1910:243.
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- Steamship Line: Anchor Steamship Line
- Class of Passengers: Saloon
- Date of Departure: 23 August 1884
- Route: Liverpool to New York
- Commander: Captain R. D. Munro
1888-06-13 SS City of Rome Passenger List
Steamship Line: Anchor Steamship Line
Class of Passengers: Second Class
Date of Departure: 13 June 1888
Route: New York to Liverpool
Commander: Captain Hugh Young
1896-08-20 SS City Of Rome Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Anchor Steamship Line
- Class of Passengers: Saloon
- Date of Departure: 20 August 1896
- Route: Glasgow to New York via Moville
- Commander: Captain Hugh Young
- Notable Passengers included James Maxwell, Baron Felix Stackelberg, Gilbert Walker.
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Rates of Passage, New York-Glasgow-Londonderry, 1895. First Cabin Rates for the SS City of Rome, SS Furnessia, and for All Other Steamers of the Service. Second Cabin Rates and Steerage Rates Including Bedding and Eating Utensils. Back Cover of a Anchor Steamship Line SS Furnessia Second Cabin Passenger List from 8 June 1895. GGA Image ID # 1e41325176
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Back Cover, SS City of Rome Second Class Passenger List, 13 June 1888. GGA Image ID # 20b8febc4b
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Anchor Steamship Line Sailing Schedule, 23 August 1884 to 18 October 1884
The SS City of Rome, operated by Anchor Steamship Line, was scheduled for transatlantic voyages between 23 August 1884 to 18 October 1884.
Anchor Steamship Line Sailing Schedule, 31 July 1889 to 7 November 1889
The SS City of Rome, operated by Anchor Steamship Line, was scheduled for transatlantic voyages between 31 July 1889 to 7 November 1889.
Anchor Steamship Line Sailing Schedule, 19 July 1890 to 29 November 1890
The SS City of Rome, operated by Anchor Steamship Line, was scheduled for transatlantic voyages between 19 July 1890 to 29 November 1890.
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Back Cover of a Saloon Class Passenger List for the SS City of Rome of the Anchor Line Dated 20 August 1896. GGA Image ID # 15b7faf015
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