In August 1939 Panama Line, on the 25^th anniversary of the opening of the Panama Canal, inaugurated a regular weekly service, between New York and the Canal Zone, with three ultra-modern new sister ships - the PANAMA, the ANCON, and the CRISTOBAL.

These three new sister ships were designed by George G. Sharp, naval architect, and styled by Raymond Loewy, industrial engineer. They were built at Quincy, Massachusetts in the Fore River Plant of the Bethlehem Steel Company. They cost more than $4,000,000 each. They were 493 feet in length - 64 feet in beam. Top speed was 19 knots. They were three of the safest, most ultra-modern, and smartly appointed ships in the world!

During the Second World War all three ships gave sterling service on war duties. As a command ship of the US Navy the Ancon had a brilliant history, taking part in US Navy amphibious assaults from North Africa to Okinawa, and flashing the news of the final surrender in Tokyo Bay on the 2^nd September 1945. The story of the Ancon – “The Mighty A” is a proud one.

The Cristobal and the Panama (called the James Parker for most of her war career) became US Army transport ships. They braved the hazards of submarine and air attacks in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and safely carried tens of thousands of combat troops to Europe, New Zealand and Australia. In 1961 the route switched from New York to New Orleans. The Cristobal, the flagship, continued in service sailing between the USA and Panama until her last voyage on the 19^th September 1981, after 42 years of U.S. Government service.

We believe that the story of these three ships will be of interest to all who have travelled on them, in war or peace. This website celebrates their story and gives you a brief insight into their remarkable careers at sea.