| The picture shows a view of both sides of this 1896 American Line Steamship S.S. St. Paul Celluloid Pin Back Button. This pinback button was part of an 1896 collection that we had acquired. It may have been used as a premium or prize from tobacco, cigarette, candy, or gum company as many like this were used at that time.It pictures the S.S. St. Paul at sea. It has a lightly colored background with black print. There is a paper insert in the back. It is marked on the two sides and edge as follows: AMERICAN LINE STEAMSHIP
ST. PAUL. THE WHITEHEAD & HOAG CO.
NEWARK, N.J.
PATENTED
JULY 17, 1894
APRIL 14, 1896
JULY 21, 1896 PAT. JULY 21, 1896 The pinback button measures 7/8'' wide. It appears to be in excellent condition as pictured. There is a small edge tear that is still attached and can be repaired. Below here, for reference, is some historical information about the American Line Steamship S.S. St. Paul: S.S. SAINT PAUL The ''St. Paul'' together with her sister ship ''St. Louis'' were the first American built screw express steamers. She was a steel vessel built in 1895 by W. Cramp & Sons of Philadelphia for the American Line. Her dimensions were 11,629 gross tons, length 535.5 feet x beam 63 feet, two funnels, two masts, twin screw and a speed of 19 knots. There was accommodation for 350 - 1st class, 220 - 2nd and 800 - 3rd class passengers. She was launched on 10 April 1895 and left New York on her maiden voyage to Southampton on 9 October 1895. In 1896 the funnels were heightened. In 1898 she was used as an auxiliary cruiser in the Spanish - American War and in October of the same year resumed the New York - Southampton service. On 25 April 1908 collision in Solent with British cruiser ''Gladiator'', which sank on 27 April 1908. On 25 July 1914 she made her last voyage from Southampton - Cherbourg - Queenstown [Cobh] - New York and was transferred to the New York -Liverpool service and stayed on this run until April 1918. In 1913 she was refitted to carry 2nd and 3rd class passengers. On 25 April 1918 she capsized at the dock in New York. She was salvaged and then became the U.S. Government ship ''Knoxville''. Her first postwar voyage as the ''St. Paul'' (New York - Plymouth - Cherbourg - Southampton) with 516 cabin and 500 third class passengers). Her final voyage was 2 September 1922 Hamburg - New York. In September 1923 she was towed from New York to Germany, where she was scrapped. |
