Half-tone print of a painting by Routledge of the California, a side wheel steamer, the first American steamship to round the Horn, ca.1850

Photograph of a half-tone print of a painting by Routledge of the California, a side wheel steamer, the first American steamship to round the Horn, ca.1850. The ship has two masts showing 5 sails, a paddle wheel at the side, and flag each at the bow and the stern. A smokestack belches smoke amidships. View is of the port side. Many people are gathered on deck.; The California was also the first steam line to call at San Diego. Upon discovery of gold in Sutter's Creek it left New York October 6, 1848 by way of the Straits of Magellan to San Diego, Monterey and San Francisco. It was on the north run in the 1850's. Part of Pacific Coast Steamship Company (1848-1936), later the Pacific Mail Transportation Company. In 1887, all Pacific mail ships changed to screw propellor and iron hull