Rigged Model Passenger Liner Uruguay

Rigged Model Passenger Liner Uruguay

Usage conditions apply
Downloads
Description
This model represents the twin-screw turbo-electric steamer S. S. California built to 1/8" scale. It has two stacks, a black hull, red bottom paint, and white superstructure. The steamship California was built by the Newport News Shipbuilding Company, in Virginia, for the Panama Pacific Line. At her launching in 1928, the California was the largest America-built liner and the world's largest commercial vessel with electric propulsion. The California was built especially for service through the Panama Canal on the run between New York and San Francisco, with stops at intermediate ports. With a speed of 21-3/4 miles an hour, the California was advertised to reach California in 13 days, two days faster than usual. In 1937 the vessel was sold to the United States Maritime Commission and rebuilt for service between the U.S. and South America. Renamed Uruguay, the ship ran between New York and Buenos Aires until 1942 when it was converted to a troop transport for the War Shipping Administration. After the war the Uruguay returned to service and in 1964 was broken up in New Jersey. This model was given to the Smithsonian in 1952.
Object Name
S.S. California
uruguay
Date made
1928
used date
1928-1964
Associated Place
United States: New York
United States: California
United States: Virginia
Measurements
overall: 24 in x 10 1/2 in x 75 in; 60.96 cm x 26.67 cm x 190.5 cm
ID Number
TR.314251
catalog number
314251
accession number
196508
Credit Line
Gift of United State Lines Company, New York, New York
See more items in
Work and Industry: Maritime
America on the Move
Transportation
Ship Models
Exhibition
America On The Move
Exhibition Location
National Museum of American History
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.   

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.

Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. We apologize for the interruption. If you have a question relating to the museum's collections, please first check our Collections FAQ. If you require a personal response, please use our Contact page.