The Steam Ship City of Washington, launched in 1877, served as a vital transport vessel between New York, Cuba, and Mexico. Notably, in 1898, she played a role in the events leading to the Spanish-American War, aiding in the rescue efforts following the USS Maine explosion. Following the war, she continued her maritime duties until retirement in 1908. Repurposed as a coal barge, she met her final fate on July 10, 1917, when she ran aground on Elbow Reef off Key Largo and sank, marking the end of her storied journey.