SS Ancon
Encyclopedia
SS Ancon was an American steamship that became the first ship to officially transit the Panama Canal
in 1914. The steamer began life as the SS Shawmut, built for the Boston Steamship Line in 1902. About 1910 she was purchased by the Panama Railroad Company to provide shipping required for the construction of the Panama Canal
. The name was changed to Ancon after Ancon Hill
and Ancon
township in Panama
, home to the head of the Canal Commission.
Ancon and her sister ship Cristobal played a crucial role in building the canal, bringing workers and supplies, notably massive amounts of cement, from New York to Panama for the construction project.
On August 15, 1914 Ancon made the first official transit of the canal as part the canal's opening ceremonies. (Her sister ship Cristobal had made the first unofficial transit on August 3, delivering a load of cement, while an old French crane boat Alexandre La Valley had crossed the canal from the Atlantic in stages during construction, finally reaching the Pacific on January 7.)
Ancon was acquired by the United States Navy
from the US Army just after the end of World War I
and fitted out as USS Ancon (ID-1467)
, a troop transport to return Americans home.
The Panama Railroad Company replaced SS Ancon in 1938 with a second SS Ancon
, a larger steam turbine cargo liner which later saw considerable action as US Navy Transport USS Ancon
in World War II
.
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
in 1914. The steamer began life as the SS Shawmut, built for the Boston Steamship Line in 1902. About 1910 she was purchased by the Panama Railroad Company to provide shipping required for the construction of the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
. The name was changed to Ancon after Ancon Hill
Ancon Hill
Ancon Hill is a steep 654-foot hill which overlooks Panama City, Panama adjacent to the township of Ancón.-Natural Features:It was under U.S. jurisdiction as part of the Panama Canal Zone for much of the 20th century and therefore was never developed like most of the surrounding urbanized parts of...
and Ancon
Ancón, Panama
Ancón is a "corregimiento" in central Panama , northeast of the [town-]limits of the town of Balboa. Ancon Hill is also the name of a large hill that overlooks Panama City, and served as a form of protection from pirates, and sea invasion...
township in Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
, home to the head of the Canal Commission.
Ancon and her sister ship Cristobal played a crucial role in building the canal, bringing workers and supplies, notably massive amounts of cement, from New York to Panama for the construction project.
On August 15, 1914 Ancon made the first official transit of the canal as part the canal's opening ceremonies. (Her sister ship Cristobal had made the first unofficial transit on August 3, delivering a load of cement, while an old French crane boat Alexandre La Valley had crossed the canal from the Atlantic in stages during construction, finally reaching the Pacific on January 7.)
Ancon was acquired by the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
from the US Army just after the end of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and fitted out as USS Ancon (ID-1467)
USS Ancon (ID-1467)
USS Ancon was a screw steamship in the United States Navy. As SS Ancon, she was the first ship to sail through the Panama Canal....
, a troop transport to return Americans home.
The Panama Railroad Company replaced SS Ancon in 1938 with a second SS Ancon
USS Ancon (AGC-4)
USS Ancon was an ocean liner acquired by the United States Navy during World War II and converted to a combined headquarters and communications command ship.-Early civilian service:...
, a larger steam turbine cargo liner which later saw considerable action as US Navy Transport USS Ancon
USS Ancon (AGC-4)
USS Ancon was an ocean liner acquired by the United States Navy during World War II and converted to a combined headquarters and communications command ship.-Early civilian service:...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
See also
- USS Ancon (ID-1467)USS Ancon (ID-1467)USS Ancon was a screw steamship in the United States Navy. As SS Ancon, she was the first ship to sail through the Panama Canal....
- USS Ancon (AGC-4)USS Ancon (AGC-4)USS Ancon was an ocean liner acquired by the United States Navy during World War II and converted to a combined headquarters and communications command ship.-Early civilian service:...