The PS Anglia was a paddle steamer passenger vessel built in 1847 by Ditchburn and Mare in Blackwall. Designed for passenger service, she was initially operated by the Chester and Holyhead Railway, serving this route from 1847 until 1859. During this period, her primary function was to facilitate passenger and perhaps light freight transportation across the Irish Sea, contributing to regional connectivity. In 1859, the Chester and Holyhead Railway was absorbed by the London and North Western Railway, and the PS Anglia continued her service under this new ownership until 1861. Specific details about her dimensions, tonnage, or passenger capacity are not provided in the available source, but as a paddle steamer of this era, she would have featured a side-lever or oscillating engine driving large paddle wheels on either side of her hull, typical of mid-19th-century steamers. In 1861, she was sold and repurposed as a blockade runner for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. Her role in this clandestine activity signifies her adaptability and the strategic importance of fast, maneuverable steamers during wartime. Her Confederate service ended in 1862 when she was captured by Union forces, after which she was renamed Admiral Dupont in honor of Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont. Her service under the Union was brief. On June 7, 1865, she departed New York City for Fortress Monroe with U.S. troops, but the following morning, at 4:20 a.m., she collided with the sailing vessel Stadaconda (or Studaconda). The collision resulted in her sinking in approximately three minutes, marking a tragic end to her varied career. The PS Anglia's history reflects her significance as a vessel that served multiple roles—from regional passenger transport to wartime blockade running—highlighting her versatility and the turbulent maritime history of the mid-19th century.

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