 Resulting from this decision, two steamships were ordered from William Cramp & Sons in Philadelphia.Both ships were to carry a combination of passengers, cargo and mail, sail under American Registration and be manned by American crews.In 1881, the first of this duo, the 1,200 ton "Caracas", was completed and began service in July 1881 between New York City and Caracas via Laguayra and Puerto Cabello.