The Red D Line had been operating a well-established sailing ship service to Venezuela since 1839.
This service continued uninterrupted for almost 40 years.
By the summer of 1879 however, the company decided to modernize its service with steamships.
Three German vessels were leased to begin this service, but it soon became clear that a permanent fleet would need to be provided.
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.

In 1882, the sister ship of Caracas was completed.
The new steamer, Valencia, was shorter in length than her older sister by 5 ft (2 m) and began her maiden voyage in May 1882.
An extension service for Valencia and Caracas was provided by the small wooden steamship Maracaibo to the port of the wooden steamer's namesake.
Unlike Valencia and Caracas, Maracaibo was registered under the British flag, as she did not operate into the United States.
Voyages on Valencia and Caracas were scheduled twice a month, once for each ship, and lasted around 26 days.
In 1888, Caracas was sold to Thomas Egenton Hogg of the Oregon Pacific Railroad Company and renamed Yaquina Bay.
Valencia however, continued operations with the Red D Line.
In later years, Valencia operated from New York City to Laguayra, via Puerto Cabello and the island of Curaçao.

In 1897, the liner Niagara of the Ward Line was laid up to undergo repairs.
The Valencia was subsequently chartered from the Red D Line to temporarily take Niagara's place.
Despite the charter, Valencia was still manned by her Red D Line crew.
On 29 May 1897, the Valencia was purposely attacked by the Spanish cruiser Reina Mercedes.
The cruiser fired two shots at the Valencia off Guantánamo Bay.
One of the shots missed Valencia's stern by 240 ft (73 m) Immediately, the American flag was raised on Valencia's stern, preventing Reina Mercedes from firing any further shots.
It was later revealed that the shots were fired by Reina Mercedes in order to intimidate Valencia into raising her colors.
The crew of Reina Mercedes was otherwise well aware of Valencia's identity.
Despite not being able to see the cruiser's flag, Valencia's captain was able to identify Reina Mercedes, as both ships were together in Santiago de Cuba only days before.
A Spanish official claimed Reina Mercedes had every right to fire upon Valencia for not displaying her American flag, which violated maritime courtesy.
In response an American official stated Reina Mercedes did not display her colors while attacking Valencia, making the attack unjustified.
The Red D Line had been operating a well-established sailing ship service to Venezuela since 1839. This service continued uninterrupted for almost 40 years. By the summer of 1879 however, the company decided to modernize its service with steamships. Three German vessels were leased to begin this service, but it soon became clear that a permanent fleet would need to be provided. 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.
In 1882, the sister ship of Caracas was completed. The new steamer, Valencia, was shorter in length than her older sister by 5 ft (2 m) and began her maiden voyage in May 1882. An extension service for Valencia and Caracas was provided by the small wooden steamship Maracaibo to the port of the wooden steamer's namesake. Unlike Valencia and Caracas, Maracaibo was registered under the British flag, as she did not operate into the United States. Voyages on Valencia and Caracas were scheduled twice a month, once for each ship, and lasted around 26 days. In 1888, Caracas was sold to Thomas Egenton Hogg of the Oregon Pacific Railroad Company and renamed Yaquina Bay. Valencia however, continued operations with the Red D Line. In later years, Valencia operated from New York City to Laguayra, via Puerto Cabello and the island of Curaçao.
In 1897, the liner Niagara of the Ward Line was laid up to undergo repairs. The Valencia was subsequently chartered from the Red D Line to temporarily take Niagara's place. Despite the charter, Valencia was still manned by her Red D Line crew. On 29 May 1897, the Valencia was purposely attacked by the Spanish cruiser Reina Mercedes. The cruiser fired two shots at the Valencia off Guantánamo Bay. One of the shots missed Valencia's stern by 240 ft (73 m) Immediately, the American flag was raised on Valencia's stern, preventing Reina Mercedes from firing any further shots. It was later revealed that the shots were fired by Reina Mercedes in order to intimidate Valencia into raising her colors. The crew of Reina Mercedes was otherwise well aware of Valencia's identity. Despite not being able to see the cruiser's flag, Valencia's captain was able to identify Reina Mercedes, as both ships were together in Santiago de Cuba only days before. A Spanish official claimed Reina Mercedes had every right to fire upon Valencia for not displaying her American flag, which violated maritime courtesy. In response an American official stated Reina Mercedes did not display her colors while attacking Valencia, making the attack unjustified.
SS Valencia