History - Timeline: 1846-1899

General, Company History Year Vessel, Maritime History Oregon Territory purchased from Britain. 1846 Using the Isthmus of Panama to transport goods and people between the East Coast and West Coast of the U.S. was far more direct that the clipper ship route around Cape Horn. However, the ardous four-day journey across the isthmus consisted of traveling by canoe along the Chagres River, then by mule to the Pacific (trail in red above). In 1855, William Henry Aspinwall's Panama Railroad Company began offering rail service (rail line in black above) across the isthmus. The day-long trip across the isthmus, along with more precisely coordinated steamer schedules, resulted in a record 21-day transit from New York to San Francisco. 29th Congress passes the Mail Steamer Bill, which provides for mail delivery to and from the U.S. East Coast to the West via the Isthmus of Panama. 1847 Mexican War ends; U.S. Pacific Coast extends from Puget Sound to San Diego. 1848 Wm. H. Aspinwall William Henry Aspinwall is successful in a bid for a 10-year government contract to deliver mail between Panama and Oregon. In April, the New York Senate incorporates the Pacific Mail Steamship Company to fulfill the contract. Aspinwall is elected president of the company, APL’s earliest predecessor. Pacific Mail Flag Construction begins on three wooden, paddle-wheel steamers for the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. The keel of the California is laid in January in the shipyard of William H. Webb, and the steamer is launched in May. The California Pacific Mail’s first steamer, California, departs New York on October 6 to take its place in the company’s Panama-Oregon service. Gold is discovered on January 24 at the remote trading post of Sutter’s Mill, California. President Polk News of discovery of gold in California is announced on the U.S. East Coast by President Polk on December 5. Gold Rush begins in earnest; most 49ers make the journey to California by ship because the overland route is closed by winter storms and snow. 1849 California reaches San Francisco on February 28, followed by her sister ships Oregon and Panama on April 1 and June 4, respectively. California becomes the 48th state. 1850 Pacific Mail purchases two steamers from Empire City Line in order to maintain a monopoly in the Panama-Oregon trade.   Pacific Mail’s office in San Francisco. Click image for larger version. Click image for more information about our logos. Pacific Mail opens a West Coast office in San Francisco. Company stock pays dividends as high as 50%. Congress of New Granada ratifies a contract giving the Panama Railroad Company, controlled in part by Aspinwall, exclusive rights for a rail line across the Isthmus of Panama. Pacific Mail begins an expansive shipbuilding program. The four resulting vessels are designed for the needs of the expanding California trade. Commodore Perry opens trade with China and Japan. 1854 Panama Railroad offers service between Atlantic and Pacific sides of the isthmus. The trip from ocean to ocean is reduced from four days to four hours. Coordination of rail and steamship schedules results in travel time of about 21 days between New York and San Francisco. 1855 William Henry Aspinwall retires from the presidency of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. 1856 Civil War begins. 1861 Steamers are used to transport gold to the East to support the northern cause. 1864 Pacific Mail’s SS Colorado is launched from the same shipyard that built her predecessor, the California. Continue>>