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PS Peru ship model

Details of model

• Builder's hull model, wood
• Scale 1:48 (1/4 inch to 1 foot)
• Made c1840
• Model size 130 cm (l) x 30.5 (w) x 32.5 (h)
• Long-term loan from the Pacific Steam Navigation Company Ltd, 1940, converted to gift by Furness Withy and Company Limited, 2002.

The first passenger liner on the west coast of South America route

The wooden paddle steamer 'Peru' and her sister, 'Chile', were built by Thomas Wilson of Liverpool for William Wheelwright's Pacific Steam Navigation Company. 'Chile', which sailed from Falmouth for South America in June 1840, and 'Peru', which followed a month later, were the company's first ships.

Shortly afterwards, under Captain George Peacock, 'Peru' began the company's first coastal sailing from Valparaiso to Callao, over 1300 miles away. She carried general cargo and forty passengers. She thereby inaugurated the South American coastal service that was to be provided by the company for almost a century. With her slightly smaller sister, 'Chile', she was a new breed of vessel, the coastal passenger liner.

In 1852, when due to be sold, 'Peru' was stranded and lost off Valparaiso. 'Chile' was sold in the same year.