Hamburg American Line: The PENNSYLVANIA was the first of four "P" class of Hamburg American Line ships launched in the late 1890s. Never flashy, the purpose of the P class was to carry a lot of freight and a lot of immigrants. At the time of her maiden voyage in 1897, the ship carried 162 in First Class, 180 in Second, and an enormous 2,382 in steerage. With a crew of only 250 you can only image what the conditions were like down there in the holds. In 1910 the ship's accommodations were downgraded to 404 in Second and 2,200 in steerage. That is the configuration shown on this tissue Cabin deck plan from 1913. In many ways the lay-out looks even older than 1897. For public rooms there was a Smoking Room up on B Deck along with that throw back to the early days, a "Ladies Saloon". On C Deck there was a Social Hall toward the stern and a Main Saloon (dining room) toward the bow with long rows of tables with bolted down swivel chairs. Most of the rest of the cabin area was taken up by lots of little two berth cabins with a long walk down the hall to find the loo. The ship did have one claim to fame. In the fall of 1910 a slanting wooden deck was built over the Social Salon on C Deck and an attempt was made to launch an airplane. Apparently the idea was too advanced and the deck was removed. This deck plan measures 20" by 30" and is in fair condition. It is fully intact but has a lot separation along the seams along with some tears.