PS Washington Irving
Steamer Washington Irving ca. 1913. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Namesake | Washington Irving |
| Owner | Hudson River Day Line |
| Route | Hudson River between New York City and Albany NY |
| Builder | New York Shipbuilding Company |
| Cost | $1,000,000 |
| Yard number | 126 |
| Laid down | 23 May 1912 |
| Launched | 7 December 1912 |
| Completed | 1912 |
| Maiden voyage | 17 May 1913 |
| Out of service | 1 June 1926 |
| Stricken | 1 June 1926 |
| Fate | Collided with oil barge and sunk |
| Notes | World record at the time for licensed passenger-carrying capacity. Had adequate deck space for 1,400 more than its 6,000 capacity license. |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 4,000 |
| Length | 416 feet 6 inches (126.9 m) LOA |
| Beam |
|
| Draft | 8 feet 6 inches (2.6 m) |
| Depth | 14 feet 2 inches (4.3 m) |
| Decks | Four |
| Installed power | Steam via oil burners |
| Propulsion | River side-wheel steamer |
| Speed | 23.5 miles per hour (37.8 km/h) |
| Capacity | 6,000 passengers |
PS Washington Irving was a 4,000-short-ton (3,600 t) sidewheel day boat and the flagship of the Hudson River Day Line that operated on the Hudson River from 1913 to 1926.
The Washington Irving collided with an oil barge in the fog on 1 June 1926 on the North River. With the aid of tugboats, it reached shore at Pier 12, Jersey City, where it sank soon thereafter. Out of 200 passengers and 105 crew, three died as a result of the accident.
Its removal was complicated due to its sinking upon the site of the Holland Tunnel, which was under construction. It remained submerged there until 13 February 1927, when it was raised and determined to be a total loss. A bond was issued for its replacement.