The SS City of Peking was an iron-hulled steamship constructed in 1874 by the Delaware River Iron Ship Building and Engine Works in Chester, Pennsylvania, for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. At her launch, she was the largest vessel built in the United States, with her sister ship City of Tokio, and was second in size worldwide, surpassed only by the British Great Eastern. Designed to carry both passengers and cargo, she could accommodate approximately 1,400 passengers: 120 in first class, 250 in second class, and around 1,000 in steerage. The vessel was equipped to transport a variety of goods, including foodstuffs, hardware, silk, tea, and bullion, reflecting her role in facilitating trade and immigration. Her construction was part of a strategic fleet upgrade prompted by congressional subsidies and competition from British shipbuilders. Initially, her design specifications called for a 4,000-ton vessel, but these were later increased to 5,000 tons, necessitating a complete hull redesign. Despite financial difficulties and a tumultuous development process marked by corporate fraud and delays, City of Peking was launched to great fanfare in March 1874. Her early voyages were troubled by structural issues related to improper loading, which caused hull stress and necessitated repairs. Nonetheless, after modifications, she proved reliable, setting a speed record of 22 days on her first San Francisco to Hong Kong crossing and completing 116 round trips between 1875 and 1903. Throughout her career, City of Peking served as a vital link between the United States, China, and Japan, bringing immigrants and exporting goods. Her crew was primarily Chinese, commanded by Western officers, and she played a role in immigration and trade. During the Spanish–American War in 1898, she was chartered by the U.S. government to transport troops to the Philippines, marking her as a significant auxiliary vessel in wartime. She continued active service until 1903, after which she was retired and eventually scrapped in 1920. Her history highlights her importance in late 19th-century maritime commerce and American transpacific relations.

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