The SS City of Glasgow, launched on 28 February 1850 by Tod & Macgregor of Partick, Glasgow, was a pioneering iron-hulled passenger steamship of the Inman Line. Designed to establish the viability of Atlantic steamship commerce without government subsidies, she featured a single screw propeller powered by a two-cylinder lever-beam engine producing 350 horsepower, capable of reaching a maximum speed of approximately 9.5 knots. Her construction marked a significant technological advancement over earlier wooden-hulled vessels, with her iron hull offering reduced repair costs and increased durability. The ship measured a modest size for her time, carrying 44 first-class and 85 second-class passengers, along with 1,200 tons of cargo. Initially, City of Glasgow operated on the Glasgow–New York route, making her maiden voyage on 15 April 1850 and completing five crossings. Her design prioritized economy over speed, with a transatlantic voyage time of about 14 days and 4 hours, and coal consumption of only 20 tons per day—substantially less than contemporaries like the Cunard Line's Asia. Her innovative features included the shift from paddle wheels to a screw propeller, which allowed for more space for passengers and cargo. In October 1850, she was acquired by the Liverpool and Philadelphia Steam Ship Company (Inman Line), transitioning to the Liverpool–Philadelphia service. By 1852, she was refitted to carry additional third-class steerage passengers, accommodating up to 400 more in her holds, thus improving conditions for immigrants crossing the Atlantic. Steerage fares were set at eight guineas, with cabins ranging from fifteen to twenty-one guineas. Her service ended abruptly in March 1854 when she departed Liverpool under Captain K. Morrison with 480 aboard, including cabin and steerage passengers, but was lost en route to Philadelphia. Despite extensive searches, her disappearance remains a maritime mystery. Sightings and debris reports, such as a gilded bow washed ashore near Campbeltown and a headboard bearing her name, suggest she was lost in ice-laden waters, but conclusive evidence of her fate has not been established. Her loss marked a significant moment in maritime history, highlighting the dangers faced by early Atlantic steamship travelers.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.