,transcriber's ,note ,italic text displayed as3 italic ,bold text displayed as3 bold ,,the ,,history ,,of ,,steam ,,navigation4 ,illustration3 ,,liverpool ,,in #ahcg4 ,,the ,,history ,,of ,,steam ,,navigation4 ,,by ,,john ,,kennedy4 ,,with ,,numerous ,,illustrations4 ,,published ,,by ,,charles ,,birchall1 ,,limited1 #g #i1 ,,victoria ,,street1 ,,liverpool4 #aijc4 ,c4 ,,tinling ,,and ,,co41 ,,printers1 ,,victoria ,,street1 ,,liverpool4 ,,preface4 ,illustration3 ,decoration ,the historical information contained in this volume has been in a large measure collected from the ,press of the period1 and chiefly from the ,times1 ,liverpool ,mercury1 ,glasgow ,herald1 and ,chambers' ,journal4 ,lindsay's 8,merchant ,shipping10 a most admirable work1 has also been consulted1 as well as other works of a similar nature4 ,the name of the authority quoted has been given in most cases1 but1 where ,i have been unable to do so1 ,i trust this general acknowledgment will suffice4 ,some of the chapters in ,part ,,ii4 were contributed in #aija to the ,journal of ,commerce1 as part of a series of articles on 8,historical ,steamship ,companies40 ,chapter ,,xxii4 in ,part ,i4 was published in the ,may number 7#aijc7 of the ,wide ,world ,magazine1 under the title of 8,the ,strange ,case of the ,,ferret40 ,i take this opportunity of thanking the ,directors1 ,managers1 ,agents1 and other officials of the various ,steamship ,companies referred to1 by all of whom1 and at all times1 ,i have been treated with the utmost courtesy4 ,i desire also to express my appreciation of the uniform kindness and assistance received from the ,librarians of the ,bootle1 ,glasgow1 and ,liverpool ,libraries in placing at my disposal publications1 some of which were printed nearly a hundred years ago4 ,,john ,,kennedy4 ,,liverpool1 #bjth ,november1 #aijc4 ,,contents4 ,,part ,i4 ,,page ,,chapter ,i4--,inventors and ,alleged ,inventors prior to #ahjg4--;,de ,garay 7#aedc7--,papin 7#afij7--,savory1 ,newcomen 7#agje7--;,hulls 7#agcf7--;,abb ,arnal and the ,marquis de ,jouffroy 7#agha7--;,fitch 7#aghc7--,miller and ,taylor 7#aghh7--,symington 7#ahja7--,the ,,charlotte ,,dundas 7#ahjc7--;,bell 7#ahjc7 #a ,,chapter ,,ii4--,fulton 7#ahjg7--,the ,,clermont 7#ahjg71 the first passenger steamboat in the world--,narrative of her first voyage--,steam ,navigation in ,canadian waters--,first steamers on the ,st4 ,lawrence--,the ,,accommodation 7#ahji7--,,swiftsure1 ,,car ,,of ,,commerce 7#ahac7--,,quebec 7#ahag7 #g ,,chapter ,,iii4--#ahab to #ahae--,steamboats on the ,clyde--,,the ,,comet1 ,,industry and ,,argyle--,first ,irish ,steamer1 ,,city ,,of ,,cork 7#ahae7--;,ireland's honourable position in the annals of steam navigation--,first ,london ,steampackets1 ,,marjory1 ,,defiance and ,,thames #aa ,,chapter ,,iv4--,the year #ahae--;,arrival of the first steampacket on the ,mersey--,narrative of the voyage of the ,,thames from ,glasgow to ,london #ae ,,chapter ,v4--#ahaf to #ahah--,london packets1 the ,,defiance1 ,,majestic1 ,,regent--,loss of the ,,regent 7#ahag7--,liverpool and ,eastham ,packet1 ,,princess ,,charlotte 7#ahaf7--,liverpool and ,tranmere ,packets ,,regulator1 ,,etna 7#ahag7--,parkgate and ,bagillt ,packet1 ,,ancient ,,briton 7#ahag7--,loss of the ,,regulator 7#ahah7--;,first ,spanish ,steamer1 ,,royal ,,ferdinand 7#ahag7--,siberian ,steamboats 7#ahag7--;,david ,napier--,the ,,rob ,,roy1 ,,hibernia 7#ahaf7 #bc ,,chapter ,,vi4--,early ,clyde ,steampackets--,the first steamer to cross the ,english ,channel1 ,,caledonia--,first steamer on the ,rhine 7#ahaf7--,season contract tickets issued 7#ahaf7--,stranding of the ,,rothesay ,,castle 7#ahaf7--,steamship passengers' fares on the ,clyde in #ahah--;,,dumbarton ,,castle steams round ,north of ,scotland 7#ahai7 #bg ,,chapter ,,vii4--#ahai to #ahba--,the first steamer to cross the ,atlantic1 the ,,savannah--,arrival at ,liverpool of the first cross-channel steamer1 ,,waterloo--,the ,,robert ,,bruce--,curious accident to the ,,morning ,,star--,the ,,triton--,,conde ,,de ,,patmella--,,snake--,cattle ventilators suggested--,the ,,tourist--,london and ,leith steamers #cb ,,chapter ,,viii4--,the ,st4 ,george ,steampacket ,co4--,steam ,yacht ,,hero--,liverpool steampackets highly commended in ,parliamentary ,report--,,aaron ,,manby1 first iron steamer--,first steamer ,hull to ,continent--,city of ,dublin ,steampacket ,co4--,dublin and ,liverpool ,steam ,navigation ,co4--,h4,m4,s4 ,,lightning--,general ,steam ,navigation ,co4--,belfast ,steampacket ,co4--,keen competition on the ,glasgow and ,belfast station--,advertising extraordinary--,messrs4 ,g4 ,j4 ,burns commence business #ahbe--,messrs4 ,mac,brayne's ,highland ,service--,competition in the ,liverpool and ,dublin trade--,first steamer ,london to ,hamburg--,first steamer ,england to ,india2 rapid increase of steampackets--,hostile meeting at ,swansea--,the ,,erin--,admiralty ,mail ,steampacket ,service between ,liverpool and ,kingstown established--,city of ,dublin ,steampacket ,co4 establish a service between the ,united ,kingdom and ,bordeaux #cg ,,chapter ,,ix4--,routes to ,india and the ,east--,the ,,enterprize--,lieut4 ,johnston1 ,r4,n4--,lieut4 ,waghorn1 ,e4,i4,n4--,east ,india ,co4's ,bombay and ,suez ,service--,the ,peninsular ,steam ,navigation ,co4 7#ahcd7 altered to ,peninsular and ,oriental ,steam ,navigation ,co4 7#ahcg7--,sketch of the ,company's career--,suez ,canal opened 7#ahfi7--;,calcutta and ,burmah ,steam ,navigation ,co4 7#ahee7--,title changed to ,british ,india ,steam ,navigation ,co41 ,limited 7#ahfb7--;,bibby ,line #de ,,chapter ,x4--,steam on the ,pacific--,the ,,telica 7#ahbe7--,mr4 ,wheelwright--,the ,pacific ,steam ,navigation ,co4 incorporated 7#ahdj7--,pioneer steamers ,,chili and ,,peru--,sketch of the ,company's history #eh ,,chapter ,,xi4--,french expedition to ,algiers 7#ahcj7--;,civil war in ,portugal--,loss of the ,,rival 7#ahcb7--,mutiny on board the ,,lord ,,blaney 7#ahca7--,loss of the ,,lord ,,blaney 7#ahcc7--;,arrival of the ,,birmingham with news of the total defeat of ,don ,miguel 7#ahcc7--,the ,,margaret1 first screw steamer trading from ,hull2 lost #ahde #fc ,,chapter ,,xii4--,pioneers of ,transatlantic ,steam ,navigation--,valentia ,transatlantic ,steam ,navigation ,co41 incorporated #ahbh--,scheme revived #ahce--;,dr4 ,lardner's famous speech--,his disclaimer1 #ahea--,the ,,royal ,,william 7of ,canada71 #ahcc--;,dr4 ,julius ,smith--,british ,queen ,steam ,navigation ,co41 #ahcf--;,,british ,,queen 7#ahch7--,,sirius 7#ahch7--,,royal ,,william 7,city of ,dublin ,co41 #ahch7--,,liverpool 7#ahch7--;,british and ,american ,steam ,navigation ,co4's steamer ,,president1 launched #ahci--,lost #ahda #ff ,,chapter ,,xiii4--,british ,government and the ,atlantic ,mail ,service--,mr4 ,samuel ,cunard--,formation of the ,cunard ,line--,the ,,great ,,britain1 launched #ahdc--,leaves ,bristol for ,london--,inspected by ,h4,m4 ,queen ,victoria--,leaves ,london for ,liverpool--,first voyage to ,new ,york 7#ahde7--,stranded ,dundrum ,bay 7#ahdf7--,re-floated 7#ahdg7--,sails to ,new ,york 7#ahcb7 #gh ,,chapter ,,xiv4--,steam communication with the ,west ,indies--,the ,royal ,mail ,steampacket ,co4 7#ahda71 commences with a fleet of fourteen steamers--,generous concessions from ,government--,rapid increase of trade--,the 8,,trent affair0--,first screw steamers for ,company--,the ,imperial ,direct ,west ,india ,mail ,service1 ,limited1 established #aija #hd ,,chapter ,,xv4--,early ,american ,transatlantic ,steamships--,,massachusetts 7#ahde7--,,washington 7#ahdg7--,the ,collins ,line--,general description of steamers--,arrival at ,liverpool of pioneer steamer ,,atlantic--,description of--,accident to ,,atlantic--,loss of steamers ,,arctic and ,,pacific and collapse of the company #ia ,,chapter ,,xvi4--,the loss of the ,collins ,liner ,,arctic #aja ,,chapter ,,xvii4--,steamship companies of the past 7defunct or absorbed7--,the ,inman ,line1 #ahej--;,galway ,line1 #ahei--,national ,line1 #ahfc--;,guion ,line1 #ahff--,royal ,atlantic ,steam ,navigation ,co4 #ajf ,,chapter ,,xviii4--,liverpool and ,glasgow ,steamers--,the ,,orion wrecked off ,portpatrick1 #ahej--,the steamer ,,neptune--,a second ,grace ,darling #aae ,,chapter ,,xix4--,the ,eastern ,steam ,navigation ,co4--,proposal to build a line of ,leviathan steamers--,,great ,,eastern--,contracted for--,attempts to launch--,finally successful--,description of--,enormous loss to shareholders--,sails for ,new ,york--,carries troops to ,canada--,lays ,atlantic ,cable--,is ultimately bought by 8,lewis0 for exhibition purposes1 and finally broken up#a #aai ,,chapter ,,xx4--,steam to ,australia--,,sophia ,,jane--,,great ,,britain--,,golden ,,age--,,royal ,,charter lost1 #ahei #abi ,,chapter ,,xxi4--,steamships in ,chinese waters--,,scotland 7#ahfj7--,,robert ,,lowe#b 7#ahfc7--;,alfred ,holt ,line1 #ahfe #acd ,,errata4-- ,,chapter ,,xxii4--,remarkable ,history of the ,glasgow ,steamer ,,ferret #acg ,,chapter ,,xxiii4--,anglo-,canadian ,steamship ,companies--,mc,kean1 ,mc,larty and ,lamont--,allan ,bros4 ,co4--,canadian ,pacific ,railway ,co4--,dominion ,line #adg ,,chapter ,,xxiv4--,railway ,companies as steamship owners--,south ,eastern and ,chatham ,railway--,london ,brighton and ,south ,coast ,railway--,london and ,south ,western ,railway--,great ,western ,railway--,london and ,north ,western ,railway--,lancashire and ,yorkshire ,railway--,stranraer and ,larne ,service--,caledonian ,railway--,glasgow and ,south ,western ,railway--,north ,british ,railway--,great ,central ,railway--,great ,eastern ,railway #aeb ,,chapter ,,xxv4--,turbine ,steamers--,,turbinia--,,king ,,edward--,,queen ,,alexandra--,,queen--,,emerald--,allan ,liners #aeg ,,part ,,ii4 ,,page ,,chapter ,i4--,elder1 ,dempster ,co4 #afa 0 ,,ii4--,african ,steamship ,co41 ,limited #aff 0 ,,iii4--,british and ,african ,steam ,navigation ,co41 ,limited #aga 0 ,,iv4--,imperial ,direct ,west ,india ,service1 ,limited #agd 0 ,v4--,city of ,dublin ,steampacket ,co41 ,limited #agh 0 ,,vi4--,british and ,irish ,steampacket ,co41 ,limited #aie 0 ,,vii4--,bibby ,line #bjc 0 ,,viii4--,cork ,steamship ,co41 ,limited #bjg 0 ,,ix4--,cunard ,steamship ,co41 ,limited #bba 0 ,x4--,houston1 ,r4 ,p41 ,co4 #bcg 0 ,,xi4--,houlder ,bros4 ,co4 #bdd 0 ,,xii4--,laird1 ,alex4 ,a41 ,co4 #bea 0 ,,xiii4--,langlands1 ,m41 ,sons #bfa 0 ,,xiv4--,little1 ,jas41 ,co4 #bfh 0 ,,xv4--,mac,brayne1 ,david #bgd 0 ,,xvi4--,mac,iver1 ,david1 ,co4 #bhb 0 ,,xvii4--,mac,iver's ,liverpool and ,glasgow ,steamers #bhg 0 ,,xviii4--,sligo ,steam ,navigation ,co41 ,limited #bij 0 ,,xix4--,waterford ,steamship ,co41 ,limited #bic 0 ,,xx4--,white ,star ,line #cjj 0 ,,xxi4--,adelaide ,steamship ,company1 ,limited--,john ,bacon1 ,limited--,r4 ,burton ,sons1 ,limited--,fletcher1 ,woodhill ,co4--,t4 ,j4 ,harrison--,w4 ,s4 ,kennaugh ,co4--,lamport ,holt--,h4 ,w4 ,nelson--,r4 ,j4 ,h4 ,rea--,john ,s4 ,sellers--,henry ,tyrer ,co4 #cae ,,footnotes3 #a ,on page #abg read #ahhf instead of #ahif4 #b ,on page #acd this vessel is called the ,,robert ,,bruce in error4 ,,list ,,of ,,illustrations4 ,,part ,i4 ,,page ,liverpool in #ahcg ,frontispiece4 ,ferry ,steamer on the ,st4 ,lawrence #aj ,early type of ,african ,coasting ,steamer #bh ,,inverary ,,castle ,p4,s4 #ch ,,colombo ,s4,s4 #df ,p4 ,o4 ,liner 7,early type7 #dg ,p4 ,o4 ,liner 7,modern ,steamer7 #dg ,,sicilian ,s4,s4 #eg ,,peru ,p4,s4 #ei ,,orellana ,s4,s4 #fa ,,sirius ,s4 at ,new ,york #ff ,,royal ,,william ,s4 in ,mid-,atlantic #gd ,,great ,,britain ,s4 #hj ,,clyde ,r4,m4,s4 #hf ,,nile ,r4,m4,s4 #hg ,,port ,,antonio ,r4,m4,s4 #hi ,,britannia ,r4,m4,s4 #ic ,,asia ,r4,m4,s4 #ig ,,great ,,eastern #abj ,the ,,ferret ,s4,s4 #adj ,arrest of ,conspirators #adc ,,tunisian ,r4,m4,s4 #adh ,,arundel ,s4 #aec ,,glen ,,sannox ,p4,s4 #aed ,,lucy ,,ashton ,p4,s4 #aee ,,part ,,ii4 ,,page ,sir ,alfred ,l4 ,jones ,frontispiece4 ,w4 ,j4 ,davey1 ,esq4 0 ,,jebba ,r4,m4,s4 #aff ,,tarquah ,r4,m4,s4 #agj ,,port ,,royal ,r4,m4,s4 #agd ,,ulster ,r4,m4,s4 #agh ,,royal ,,william ,p4,s4 #ahe ,holyhead ,mail ,steamer #ahg ,wm4 ,watson1 ,esq4 #aib ,,lady ,,roberts ,s4,s4 #aif ,,lady ,,wolseley ,s4,s4 #bja ,bibby ,liner #bjd ,ebenezer ,pike1 ,esq4 #baj ,,sirius ,p4,s4 #bab ,,rissa ,s4,s4 #bah ,joseph ,pike1 ,esq4 #bbj ,liverpool ,landing ,stage #bbb ,,europa and ,,america ,r4,m4,s4 #bbd ,,scotia ,r4,m4,s4 #bbf ,,russia ,r4,m4,s4 #bbh ,,etruria ,r4,m4,s4 #bcb ,,lucania ,r4,m4,s4 #bcd ,,hydaspes ,s4,s4 #bch ,,oswestry ,,grange ,s4,s4 #bdd ,,beacon ,,grange ,s4,s4 #bdf ,,hornby ,,grange ,s4,s4 #bdh ,,rose ,s4,s4 #bej ,alex4 ,a4 ,laird1 ,esq4 #bed ,,olive ,s4,s4 #beh ,,princess ,,maud ,s4,s4 #bfb ,,princess ,,royal ,p4,s4 #bfd ,,claymore ,r4,m4,s4 #bgd ,,columba ,r4,m4,s4 #bhj ,,clodagh ,s4,s4 #bid ,t4 ,h4 ,ismay1 ,esq4 #cjj ,,oceanic 7first7 #cje ,,teutonic ,r4,m4,s4 #cjg ,,oceanic 7second7 #caa ,,celtic ,r4,m4,s4 #cab ,,cymric ,r4,m4,s4 #cac ,,highland ,,brigade ,s4,s4 #cah ,,the ,history of ,steam ,navigation4 ,part ,i4 ,,its ,,origin ,,and ,,expansion4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,inventors and alleged ,inventors prior to #ahjg4 ,there is not a more fascinating page in history than that which tells of the growth of the ,mercantile ,steam ,navies of the ,world4 ,it is a record of the triumphs of ,science and ,art in ,marine ,architecture2 of bold enterprises--not always carried to a successful financial issue2 of deeds of 8derring do0 as romantic as the older stories of the ,vikings4 ,it is a page brightened by stories of true heroism1 where men have bravely faced death1 not in the lust of battle1 but in calm devotion to duty1 or in unflinching determination to save the lives of those weaker than themselves4 ,it is not possible1 nor would it answer any useful purpose1 to discuss fully the various claims which have been put forward for the honour of having invented the first ,marine ,steam ,engine4 ,it will be sufficient to refer briefly to the inventors1 or alleged inventors1 prior to the year #ahjg4 ,in the ,appendix to ,seor ,navarette's 8,history of the ,four ,voyages of ,columbus10 are copies of certain documents which the historian vouches to be authentic extracts from the series of ,spanish ,records preserved at ,simancas4 ,these documents narrate 8that in the month of ,may or ,june1 #aedc1 ,blasco de ,garay1 a naval captain in the service of the ,emperor ,charles ,v41 conducted at ,barcelona1 a series of experiments upon the applicability to ships of a certain propulsive force1 which he alleges he had himself discovered40 ,de ,garay describes the mechanism he employed as consisting of two wheels1 one attached to either extremity of a movable axis which traversed the vessel's waist1 and was connected with a large caldron of boiling water4 ,the experiments1 it is alleged1 were conducted in the presence of several persons of high birth1 deputed by the ,emperor to witness them1 and amongst whom were many naval commanders4 ,it is further alleged that ,de ,garay succeeded in taking to sea a vessel of two hundred tons burthen1 without the aid of sail or oar1 and that her speed was about one league per hour4#c ,rear-,admiral ,geo4 ,preble1 ,u4,s4,n41 author of a 8,history of ,steam ,navigation10 gives the names of several persons who have searched the documents referred to1 none of whom have been able to trace any mention of steam2 he1 therefore1 concludes that the account of ,de ,garay's invention is a ,spanish legend4 #d ,papin1 who was driven from ,france by the revocation of the ,edict of ,nantes1 and was elected ,f4,r4,s4 in #afha1 describes1 in #afij1 a steam cylinder in which a piston descends by atmospheric pressure1 and1 as one of its uses1 he mentions the propulsion of ships by paddle wheels4 ,towards the close of the #agth century1 or the beginning of the #ahth1 ,papin made the acquaintance of ,thomas ,savory1 one of the most ingenious men of his times1 and of ,thomas ,newcomen1 a working blacksmith1 of ,devon4 ,savory designed a marine engine1 which was greatly improved by ,newcomen in #agje1 and was used by ,papin to propel a steamboat on the ,fulda4 ,thirty years later 7#agcf71 ,jonathan ,hulls1 of ,berwick-on-,tweed1 received a patent for the first steamboat of which there is any authentic record from ,george ,,ii41 which recited as follows3-- #e8,whereas our trusty and well-beloved ,jonathan ,hulls hath by his petition humbly represented unto our most dearly beloved ,consort1 the ,queen1 that he hath1 with much labour and with great expense1 invented and formed a machine for towing ships and vessels out of1 or into any harbour or river1 against wind or tide1 or in a calm1 which the petitioner apprehends may be of great service to our ,royal ,party and merchant ships1 and to boats and other vessels1 of which the petitioner hath made oath that he is the sole inventor1 as by affidavit to his said petition annexed4 8,know ye1 therefore1 that we1 of our special grace1 hath given and granted to the said ,jonathan ,hulls our special license1 full power1 sole privilege and authority during the term of fourteen years1 and he shall lawfully make use of the same for carrying ships and other vessels out to sea1 or into any harbour or river4 8,in witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent4 87,witness7 ,,caroline1 8,queen of ,great ,britain1 c4 8,given by right of ,privy ,seal at ,westminster1 this #bast day of ,december1 #agcf40 ,in the description of his invention1 ,hulls states that1 in his opinion1 it would not be practicable to place his machine on anything but a tow-boat1 as it would take up too much room for other goods to be carried on the same vessel with it1 and it could not 8be used in a storm1 or when the waves are very raging40 ,hulls' vessel is stated to have been a stern-wheeler1 a type of steamboat which is now extensively used for navigating shallow rivers in the ,southern ,states of ,america and in ,india4 ,the steam tow-boat brought its inventor nothing but ridicule1 and he died in ,london in almost destitute circumstances4 ,next in chronological sequence come the ,abb ,arnal and the ,marquis de ,jouffroy1 of ,france1 who1 in #agha1 made experiments to show the practicability of applying steam power to vessels4 ,two years later 7#aghc71 a ,mr4 ,fitch tried a species of steam boiler on board a small nine-ton vessel on the ,delaware ,river in ,america1 propelling the vessel by paddles4 #f8;,in #aghg he built another boat1 #de;ft4 by #ab;ft41 and fitted her with a #ab;in4 cylinder4 ,with this vessel he is reported to have made the trip from ,philadelphia to ,burlington at an average rate of seven miles per hour4 ,in #agij he completed another and a larger boat40 ,but all his plans failed1 and1 like ,hulls1 his contemporaries deemed him to be crazy4 ,he died in #agih4 #g;,about this period 7#aghj to #aghh7 there resided in ,edinburgh a banker1 of aristocratic birth and connection4 ,patrick ,miller1 the banker referred to1 was a man of an active and ingenious mind1 and1 having realised a large fortune by banking1 he used it as a means of enabling him to work out schemes for the benefit of the public4 ,having purchased an estate in the beautiful valley of the ,nith1 from which he derived the title of ,laird of ,dalswinton1 he retired thither to solve the problem of navigating a vessel by some more certain means than oars and sails4 ,he had 7prior to this7#h8;exhibited a triple vessel at ,leith1 having rotatory paddles in the two interspaces1 driven by a crank and wrought by four men4 ,he determined one day to try its powers against a fast sailing ,customs ,wherry1 between ,inch-colm and the harbour of ,leith1 a distance of six or seven miles4 ,he beat his opponent by several minutes1 and was very well satisfied with the result4 ,his boys' tutor1 a ,mr4 ,taylor1 who had taken his turn at the crank1 and realised how violent was the necessary exertion1 was convinced that without a more staying power than manual labour the invention would prove practically useless4 ,he stated his objections to ,mr4 ,miller1 and they had frequent discussions on the subject4 ,at length1 one day1 ,taylor said #8,mr4 ,miller1 ,i can suggest no power equal to the steam engine1 or so applicable to your purpose4' ,the result of this suggestion was that ,mr4 ,miller decided to fit up a new double boat1 which he had recently placed on the lake at ,dalswinton for the amusement of his family4 ,taylor made the necessary arrangements under the direction of an ingenious mechanic named ,william ,symington4 ,the engine was a very small one1 having four-inch brass cylinders1 made by ,george ,watt1 brassfounder1 ,edinburgh4 ,on the #adth ,october1 #aghh1 several hundreds of people assembled on the banks of ,dalswinton ,loch to witness the trial trip of the twin steamboat1 which was entirely successful4 ,mr4 ,miller was so pleased with the success of the experiment that he resolved to repeat it on a larger scale4 ,the following year he fitted a twin vessel #fj feet long1 belonging to himself1 with an engine of #ah;in4 cylinders4 ,this vessel steamed at the rate of seven miles an hour on the ,forth and ,clyde ,canal1 in the presence of a vast multitude of spectators4 ,it had been ,mr4 ,miller's wish to try a third experiment with a third vessel1 in which he should venture out on to the ocean1 and attempt a passage from ,leith to ,london4 ,unfortunately1 he became dissatisfied with ,symington1 and1 being vexed at the cost of fitting up the second vessel1 which was much greater than he anticipated1 as well as by a miscalculation1 through which the machinery was made too heavy for the hulls1 he hesitated to make further trial40 8,taylor being poor1 and a scholar1 not a mechanician1 could do nothing without ,mr4 ,miller's assistance4 ,symington was the only one of the three who persevered4 ,he deserves credit for having done so1 but not for the manner in which he did it1 for without any communication with ,messrs4 ,miller and ,taylor1 the true inventors1 he took out a patent for the construction of steamboats in #ahja4 ,through the interest of ,lord ,dundas1 he was able1 in #ahjc1 to fit up a new steamboat for the ,forth and ,clyde ,canal ,co41 and this vessel1 called the ,,charlotte ,,dundas1 was tried in towing a couple of barges upon the canal with entire success1 except in one respect1 which was that the agitation of the water by the paddles was found to wash down the banks in an alarming manner4 ,for this reason the ,canal ,co4 resolved to give up the project1 and the vessel was1 therefore1 laid aside4 ,it lay on the bank at ,lock #af for many years1 generally looked on1 of course1 as a monument of misdirected ingenuity1 but1 as we shall presently see1 it did not lie there altogether in vain4 ,meantime ,symington had been in communication with the ,duke of ,bridgewater1 with the object of introducing steam towage on the ,bridgewater ,canal1 and had actually received a trial order1 when1 unfortunately1 the ,duke died1 and the project was closed4 ,here ,symington vanishes likewise from the active part of this history4 ,miller died in #ahae1 a comparatively poor man1 having exhausted his fortune by improvements and experiments4 ,it has been stated by his son that he spent fully #cj1jjj in projects of a purely public nature4 ,taylor died in #ahbd1 in straitened circumstances1 leaving a widow and daughters1 to whom the ,government granted a pension of #ej a year40 8,the experiments at ,carron1 in #aghi1 had been witnessed by a young man named ,henry ,bell1 a working mason originally1 as it appears1 afterwards a humble kind of engineer in ,glasgow1 and later an hotel proprietor at ,helensburgh4 ,bell never lost sight of the idea1 and when ,symington ceased experimenting in #ahjc he took up the project4 ,at the same time an ingenious ,american1 named ,fulton1 comes into the field4 ,he1 in company with ,bell1 visited the ,,charlotte ,,dundas in #ahjc1 and ,bell gave to ,fulton drawings of the machinery which he 7,bell7 had obtained1 partly from ,mr4 ,miller and partly from ,symington40 ,illustration3 ,small sailboat ,,footnotes3 #c 8,chambers' ,journal40 #d ,hy4 ,fry1 ex ,pres4 ,dominion ,b_/,t4 ,canada and ,lloyd's ,agent at ,quebec1 author of a 8,history of ,north ,atlantic ,steam ,navigation40 #ahif4 #e 8,chambers' ,journal40 #f ,hy4 ,fry4 #g 8,chambers' ,journal40 #h 8,chambers' ,journal10 #aheg4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,fulton 7#ahjg74--,the ,,clermont1 the first ,passenger ,steam-boat in the world4--,narrative of her first ,voyage4--,steam ,navigation in ,canadian ,waters4--,the first ,steamers on the ,st4 ,lawrence4--,the ,,accommodation 7#ahji74--,,swiftsure and ,,car ,,of ,,commerce 7#ahac71 and the ,,quebec 7#ahag74 ,the ,united ,states of ,america has the honour of having built the first passenger steam-boat in the world1 and she held the monopoly of the steamship passenger traffic for a period of about two years4 ,she owes this honourable position in the commercial world to the energy and perseverance of ,robert ,fulton1 who in spite of ridicule and active opposition1 and want of capital1 succeeded in building1 in #ahjg1 a paddle steam-packet1 which he named the ,,clermont4 ,shortly after her trial trip1 she was advertised to run from ,new ,york to ,albany1 and1 as soon as she could be got ready1 the ,,clermont sailed on her first voyage up the ,hudson4 ,the following extract from a letter1 written by an eyewitness on that occasion1 tells how the people along the river were excited by the passage of the steam-boat on her voyage from ,new ,york to ,albany3-- 8,it was in the early autumn of the year #ahjg that a knot of villagers was gathered on a high bluff1 just opposite ,poughkeepsie1 on the west bank of the ,hudson1 attracted by the appearance of a strange-looking craft1 which was slowly making its way up the river4 ,some imagined it to be a sea-monster1 whilst others did not hesitate to express their belief that it was a sign of the approaching judgment4 ,what seemed strange in the vessel was the substitution of a lofty and strange black smoke-pipe rising from the deck1 instead of the gracefully tapered masts that commonly stood on the vessels navigating the stream1 and1 in place of the spars and rigging1 the curious play of the working beam and piston1 and the slow turning and splashing of the huge and naked paddle-wheels1 met his astonished gaze4 ,the dense clouds of smoke1 as they rose wave upon wave1 added still more to the wonder of the rustics4 8,this strange-looking craft was the ,,clermont on her trial trip to ,albany2 and1 of the little knot of villagers above mentioned1 the writer1 then a boy in his eighth year1 with his parents1 formed a part2 and ,i well remember the scene1 one so well-fitted to impress a lasting picture upon the mind of a child accustomed to watch the vessels that passed up and down the river4 8,on her return trip1 the curiosity she excited was scarcely less intense--the whole country talked of nothing but the sea-monster1 belching forth fire and smoke4 ,the fishermen became terrified and rowed homeward1 and they saw nothing but destruction devastating their fishing grounds2 whilst the wreaths of black vapours1 and rushing noise of the paddle-wheels1 foaming with the stirred up waters1 produced great excitement amongst the boatmen1 until it was more intelligent than before2 for the character of that curious boat1 and the nature of the enterprise she was pioneering had been ascertained40 ,several accidents occurred to the machinery of the ,,clermont during her first season1 but none of them caused any loss of life4 ,there were1 however1 so many of these mishaps that the incredulous were encouraged in the belief that she was a failure4 ,but the misfortunes of the boat were not limited to accidents to machinery and other legitimate mishaps4 ,they included wilful attempts at her destruction on the part of those who felt that their business was about to be injured by this new system of navigation4 ,vessels ran foul of her intentionally1 and so determined were the sloop owners and others to rid themselves of this dangerous competitor1 that it became necessary for the ,legislature to interfere4 ,but in spite of all opposition1 ,fulton forced his way onward and upwards4 ,he replaced his first steamer by a second and larger one1 also named the ,,clermont1 and1 as the passenger trade developed1 other steamers were added to the line4 ,american capitalists in different parts of the ,united ,states followed his example4 ,steamers were built so rapidly to ply on the ,american ,atlantic ,seaboard1 and on the ,mississippi and other rivers1 that in #ahbc 7that is sixteen years after the first passenger steamer in the world was built7 there were #cjj steamers plying on ,american waters4 ,the ,st4 ,lawrence is the chief dividing line between the ,united ,states and ,canada4 ,it forms the great summer highway for the traffic of ,british ,north ,america4 ,by it the commerce of ,europe is brought into the country1 and on its bosom is borne outwards the wealth of the forests and the surplus agricultural produce of the ,dominion4 ,on the ,canadian side of this great river are situated the two important cities of ,quebec and ,montreal4 ,two years 7#ahji7 after the building of ,fulton's ,,clermont1 and three years before the first ,european steamer began to ply on the ,river ,clyde1 the steamboat ,,accommodation ran on the ,st4 ,lawrence1 maintaining a passenger service between ,quebec and ,montreal4 ,the following account of this vessel1 and of her first voyage1 appeared in the 8,quebec ,mercury0 of that date3-- 8,on ,saturday morning at eight o'clock arrived here from ,montreal1 being her first trip1 the steamboat ,,accommodation1 with ten passengers4 ,this is the first vessel of the kind that ever appeared in this harbour4 ,she is continually crowded with visitants4 ,she left ,montreal on ,wednesday1 at two o'clock1 so that her passage was sixty-six hours1 thirty of which she was at anchor4 ,she arrived at ,three ,rivers in twenty-four hours4 ,she has at present berths for twenty passengers1 which next year will be considerably augmented4 ,no wind or tide can stop her4 ,she has #ge feet keel1 and #he on deck4 ,the price for a passage up is nine dollars1 and eight down--the vessel supplying provisions4 ,the great advantage attending a vessel so constructed is1 that a passage may be calculated on to a degree of certainty1 in point of time1 which cannot be the case with any vessel propelled by sails only4 ,the steamboat receives her impulse from an open double-spoked1 perpendicular wheel1 on each side1 without any circular band or rim4 ,to the end of each double spoke is fixed a square board1 which enters the water1 and by the rotary motion of the wheel1 acts like a paddle4 ,the wheels are put and kept in motion by steam1 operating within the vessel4 ,a mast is to be fixed in her for the purpose of using a sail when the wind is favourable1 which will occasionally accelerate her headway40 ,in #ahac two new steamers were placed on the ,st4 ,lawrence1 called respectively the ,,swiftsure and the ,,car ,,of ,,commerce1 and1 after a further interval of four years1 a fourth steamer1 the ,,quebec1 began to ply between ,quebec and ,montreal4 ,the first of these steamers1 the ,,swiftsure1 was #adj feet over all1 with a beam of #bd feet4 ,on her maiden voyage she made the passage from ,montreal to ,quebec in twenty-two and a half hours1 in the face of a strong easterly wind all the way4 ,notwithstanding that she 8beat the most famous of the sailing packets on the line 7fourteen hours in a race of thirty-six hours71 her owners do not seem to have been very confident of her movements under all circumstances1 or of the number of passengers who would patronise her1 for she was advertised to sail #8as the wind and passengers may suit4'0#i ,illustration3 ,terry ,steamer ,st ,lawrence ,,footnotes3 #i ,lindsay's 8,merchant ,shipping10 folio #ei4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,steamboats on the ,river ,clyde1 the ,,comet1 ,,industry1 ,,argyle4--,on the ,thames1 the ,,margery and the ,,thames4--,the first ,irish ,steamer1 the ,,city ,,of ,,cork4 ,without1 in the slightest degree1 detracting from the credit due to the inventors referred to in the earlier pages of this history1 it is indisputable that the ,river ,clyde is the birthplace of ,european ,steam ,navigation4 ,for many years the ,,charlotte ,,dundas 7a success from an engineering point of view1 but a failure commercially71 lay idle and corroding at ,lock #af on the ,forth and ,clyde ,canal4 ,she was regarded by the majority of those who saw her there1 as a monument of ,symington's folly--the embodiment of a 8fad40 ,bell1 however1 throughout these years1 retained his faith in the ultimate success of the ,marine ,steam ,engine4 ,there seemed to be no probability of steam being utilized as a motive power for vessels in ,british waters1 but the ,americans were more enterprising1 and ,fulton1 who accompanied ,bell to inspect the ,,charlotte ,,dundas in #ahjc1 gave the latter to understand that he had influential friends in ,america1 whom he could induce to build steamers4 ,bell had good reason to consider himself badly treated by ,fulton in this matter1 yet1 undoubtedly1 indirectly ,bell was benefited by ,fulton's success4 ,it is more than probable that during the five years that succeeded the building of the ,,clermont1 frequent reports regarding both this vessel and her successors in the ,united ,states and ,canada1 reached ,scotland4 ,and as a consequence of the success of these boats1 ,bell succeeded in getting a small steamer built to trade on the ,river ,clyde4 ,the following is a copy of ,mr4 ,bell's advertisement of the sailing of his steamer3-- 8,the ,,comet1 between ,glasgow1 ,greenock and ,helensburgh1 for passengers only4 ,the subscriber having at much expense1 fitted up a handsome vessel to ply upon the ,river ,clyde1 between ,glasgow and ,greenock1 to sail by the power of wind1 air1 and steam1 he intends that the vessel shall leave the ,bromielaw on ,tuesdays1 ,thursdays1 and ,saturdays1 about mid-day or such hour thereafter as may answer from the state of the tide2 and to leave ,greenock on ,mondays1 ,wednesdays1 and ,fridays1 in the morning to suit the tide4 ,the terms are fixed for the present at #ds4 for the best cabin1 and #cs4 for the second2 but beyond these rates nothing is to be allowed to servants or any other person employed about the vessel40 ,the ,,comet was a steamer of #be tons burden1 #dj feet long1 and #aj feet #f inches broad1 and she steamed about #e miles per hour4 ,a correspondent of the 8,steamship0 7#ast ,january1 #ahhc71 relates regarding one ,dougal ,jamson1 a ,clyde skipper1 of the time of the ,,comet1 that whenever the steamboat passed his slow going sloop1 he invariably piped all hands--a man and a boy--and bade them 8,kneel down and thank ,god1 that ye sail wi' the ,almichty's ain win'1 an' no' wi' the deevil's sunfire an' brimstane1 like that spluttery thing there40 ,the following year there were three additional steamers constantly plying on the ,clyde between ,glasgow and ,greenock4 ,one of these was probably the steamer 7whose name has not been recorded71 which came from the ,clyde to ,liverpool in #ahae4 ,the second of this trio was the ,,industry1 whose remains were to be seen more than half a century later at ,bowling4 ,and the third was the steamer ,,argyle1 afterwards re-named the ,,thames4 ,all these boats were faster than the ,,comet1 and were twice as large1 being #ge feet long and #ad feet broad4 ,against such competitors the ,,comet could not compete successfully4 ,in his later years ,bell received a small annuity from the ,clyde ,trustees1 who1 after his decease1 erected an obelisk to his memory1 which may still be seen standing on a rock a little below ,bowling4 ,for two or three summers ,glasgow was the only ,city in ,great ,britain or ,ireland whose citizens enjoyed the advantages of steam packet communication with the coast4 ,but1 in the summer of the year #ahae1 the citizens of ,london and of ,cork were given equal facilities4 ,ireland has always occupied a most honourable position in the ,annals of ,steam ,navigation4 ,cork had a steamship service certainly as early as ,liverpool2 the pioneer of the ,liverpool coasting steamship trade was a ,belfast steamer2 from ,cork1 sailed the first steamer with passengers from ,europe to ,america2 the first ,trans-,atlantic ,liner from ,liverpool was a ,dublin steamer2 and in this year of grace #aijc1 the steamers built in ,belfast1 which carry the ,white ,star flag across the ,atlantic and ,pacific ,oceans1 have a reputation unsurpassed by any steamships afloat4 ,but ,cork anticipated ,belfast in shipbuilding and ship-owning4 ,messrs4 ,michael ,o',brien and ,christopher ,owens1 of ,cork1 were the first to introduce steamers to the merchants and travelling public of the ,south of ,ireland4 ,they built1 in #ahae1 the river steamer ,,city ,,of ,,cork4 ,she was a wooden paddle steamer of #ej tons register2 and of slightly larger dimensions than the ,clyde-built steamers referred to1 being #hf feet long1 #ac feet broad1 and #i feet deep4 ,the steam fleet of the ,thames consisted at this date of the three steam-packets ,,marjory1 ,,defiance and ,,thames1 which steamers plied between ,london and ,margate4 ,the ,,defiance1 probably a locally built vessel1 was commanded by ,william ,robins1 and sailed from near ,summer ,quay1 ,billingsgate1 every ,sunday and ,wednesday morning1 at #g o'clock1 returning from ,margate every ,tuesday and ,friday morning4 8,the ,,thames1 steam yacht10 7says the ,london 8,times10 of the #hth ,july1 #ahae71 8from ,london to ,margate1 starts from ,wool ,quay1 near the ,custom ,house1 ,thames ,street1 every ,tuesday and ,saturday at #h o'clock a4m41 precisely1 and leaves ,margate on her return to ,london every ,monday and ,thursday at the same hour4 ,this rapid1 capacious and splendid vessel lately accomplished a voyage of #a1ejj miles1 has twice crossed ,st4 ,george's ,channel1 and came round the ,land's ,end with a rapidity unknown before in naval history1 and is the first steam vessel that ever traversed those seas4 ,she has the peculiar advantage of proceeding either by sails or steam1 separated or united1 by which means the public have the pleasing certainty of never being detained on the water after dark1 much less one or two nights1 which has frequently occurred with the old packets4 ,against the wind1 the tide1 or in the most perfect calm1 the passage is alike certain1 and has always been achieved in one day4 ,her cabins are spacious1 and are fitted up with all that elegance could suggest1 or personal comfort require2 presenting a choice library1 backgammon boards1 draught tables1 and other means of amusement4 ,for the express purpose of combining delicacy with comfort a female servant attends upon the ladies4 ,the fares 7which include ,pier ,duty7 are in the ,chief ,cabin #aes41 and in the ,fore ,cabin #aas41 children half price4 ,no articles or goods will be taken1 except the luggage accompanying passengers2 and the proprietors will not be answerable for any of the above1 unless delivered into the care of the ,steward1 nor to the amount of more than #e value1 except entered and paid for as such40 ,a narrative of the remarkable voyage of this steamer from the ,clyde to the ,thames1 referred to in the above quotation from the 8,times10 will be found in the following chapter4 ,illustration3 ,sailboat near land ,,chapter ,,iv4 8,the ,year #ahae40 ,to the student of ,british history1 the year #ahae is one of the most remarkable of the nineteenth century4 ,in ,june of that year was fought the ,battle of ,waterloo--a victory for the ,british which effectually destroyed the power of the first ,napoleon1 and delivered ,europe from the terror of a military despotism4 ,the merchants of the 8good old town0 of ,liverpool were determined that the famous victory should never be forgotten by their descendants1 and so they perpetuated the name in the 8,waterloo ,road10 the 8,waterloo ,dock10 and their latest seaside suburb 8,waterloo40 ,another event occurred in that same eventful month of ,june1 #ahae1 an event unheralded at the time1 but whose results have been more widely spread and more beneficent than those which resulted from the ,battle of ,waterloo4 ,this was the arrival from the ,clyde of the first steamer ever seen on the river ,mersey4 ,the following brief and unsatisfactory paragraph appeared in the 8,liverpool ,mercury0 of the #cjth ,june3-- 8,liverpool ,steamboat4--,on ,wednesday last1 about noon1 the public curiosity was considerably excited by the arrival of the first steamboat ever seen in our river4 ,she came from the ,clyde1 and in her passage called at ,ramsay1 in the ,isle of ,man1 which place she left early on the same morning4 ,we believe she is intended to ply between this port and ,runcorn1 or even occasionally as far as ,warrington4 ,her cabin will contain about one hundred passengers40 ,this is one of the most tantalising paragraphs ever printed4 ,if 8the public curiosity was considerably excited10 the reporter certainly took no pains to gratify it4 ,the name of the vessel is not given1 nor any particulars of her dimensions1 or of her power and speed4 ,the daring mariners who navigated her are nameless1 and the incidents of this pioneer voyage are left unrecorded4 8,the evil that men do lives after them1 ,the good is oft interred with their bones40 ,fortunately we are able1 from other sources1 to gather some idea of the size and appearance of the vessel1 and of the impression she made on the minds of the spectators4 ,she was presumably one of the three steamers built on the ,clyde in #ahac1 as competitors against the ,,comet1 for passengers between ,glasgow and ,greenock2 the other two were the ,,argyle and the ,,industry4 ,there was only a difference of five feet between the smallest and the largest of these three steamers1 so that a description of the ,,argyle will answer for the others as well4 ,the ,,argyle was a packet steamer of #gj tons register1 measuring in her keel #gi feet1 with #af feet beam1 paddle wheels #i feet in diameter1 and engines #ad h4p4 ,her smoke was carried off by a funnel1 which also did duty as a mast1 being rigged with a large square sail4 ,a gallery1 upon which the cabin windows opened1 projected so as to form a continuous deck1 interrupted only by the paddle boxes1 an arrangement which had the further effect of making the vessel appear larger than she really was4 ,on the outside of the gallery eighteen large port holes were painted1 which1 with the two she displayed upon her stern1 made the ,,argyle look so formidable to those to whom a steamer was a novelty1 that it was stated in a ,committee of the ,house of ,commons1 by several naval officers1 that if they had met her at sea they would have endeavoured to reconnoitre before attempting to bring her to4 ,after plying for twelve months between ,glasgow and ,greenock1 the ,,argyle was sold to a ,london firm1 who changed her name to the ,,thames4 ,in consequence of this change of ownership1 this vessel made one of the most remarkable voyages ever accomplished by any steamer4 ,an interesting narrative of the voyage1 from which these particulars are taken1 was published in 8,chambers' ,journal0 on the #beth ,april1 #aheg4 ,the task of bringing the little steam-packet round by sea from the ,clyde to the ,thames1 was intrusted to an ex-naval officer named ,dodd1 a man of considerable and diverse abilities4 ,he projected the ,thames tunnel1 proposing to carry it across from ,gravesend to ,tilbury1 at an estimated cost of under #af1jjj4 ,according to an account of the voyage which ,dodd himself published in the 8,morning ,chronicle0 of the #aeth ,june1 #ahae1 and afterwards embodied in his evidence before a ,committee of the ,house of ,commons1 ,dodd sailed from ,glasgow about the middle of ,may with a crew of eight persons--a mate1 an engineer1 a stoker1 four seamen1 and a cabin-boy4 ,his voyage at first was far from auspicious4 ,the weather was stormy1 the sea ran high in the strait which separates ,scotland from ,ireland1 and either through ignorance or negligence1 the pilot during the night altered the course of the vessel1 so that it ran a great risk of being wrecked4 ,dodd had given orders that the steamer should be steered so as to gain the ,irish coast by the morning2 but at break of day a heavy gale was blowing1 and it was discovered that1 instead of being off the coast of ,ireland1 they were within half-a-league off a lee shore1 rock bound1 about two miles to the north of ,port ,patrick4 ,relying entirely upon the efficiency of his engine1 ,dodd at once laid the vessel's head directly to windward1 and ordered the log to be kept constantly going4 ,the plan succeeded4 ,the ,,thames began slowly to clear the shore1 going direct in the wind's eye at the rate of something more than three knots an hour4 ,on the #bdth of ,may the voyagers arrived safely at ,dublin1 where they were joined by a ,mr4 ,weld and his wife4 ,mrs4 ,weld has the proud distinction of having been the first lady passenger to cross the ,st4 ,george's ,channel on a steamboat4 ,mr4 ,weld kept a journal1 from which the following is an extract3-- #aj8,on the #beth ,may1 #ahae1 ,i heard by accident that a steam-vessel had arrived at ,dublin4 ,i immediately went to see her1 and found her on the point of starting with a number of curious visitors upon an experimental trip in the bay4 ,i was so much pleased with all that ,i saw and heard concerning her1 that1 having previously intended to proceed to ,london1 ,i determined to request ,captain ,dodd to receive me as a passenger1 and to be permitted to accompany him throughout the voyage4 ,he at once consented1 and my wife having resolved on sharing the dangers of the voyage with me1 we proceeded to make the necessary arrangements for our departure4 ,on the #bhth of ,may1 being ,sunday1 we left the ,liffey at noon4 ,many persons embarked with us from curiosity1 but only to cross the bay as far as ,dunleary 7now ,kingstown71 where they landed4 ,unfortunately1 the sea was very rough1 which occasioned the most violent sea-sickness amongst the passengers4 ,several naval officers were on board1 who were unanimous in declaring it to be their firm opinion that the vessel could not live long in heavy seas1 and that there would be much danger in venturing far from shore4 ,i deemed it right to inform my wife of this opinion1 but1 although she suffered greatly from sea-sickness1 she persisted in her intention of accompanying me1 and that evening1 after having passed some hours on land at the house of a friend1 the vessel put to sea1 we being the only passengers4 ,the shore was covered with several thousands of spectators1 who cheered and wished us a prosperous voyage4 8,the sea was comparatively calm as the vessel steamed into the ,bay of ,dalkey1 and the passengers calculated on a pleasant voyage during the night1 but1 when beyond the shelter of the coast1 they found it to be as rough as ever4 ,the ,,thames again proved her admirable sea-going qualities1 bounding so lightly over the waves that her passengers were not once wetted1 even by the spray40 ,she soon left behind her all the vessels which had sailed from ,dublin with the same tide1 and about nine o'clock next morning arrived off ,wexford4 ,the dense smoke which issued from its mast chimney being observed from the heights above the town1 it was concluded that the vessel was on fire4 ,all the pilots immediately put off to its assistance2 and nothing could exceed their surprise1 mingled with disappointment1 when they saw that the ship was in no danger whatever1 and that their hopes of salvage were at an end4 ,the weather had now become so stormy1 that ,captain ,dodd determined to put into port1 his great object being to navigate the vessel safely to ,london1 rather than1 by using great dispatch1 to expose her to unnecessary risk4 ,at two o'clock on ,tuesday morning1 #cjth ,may1 ,dodd left ,wexford and sailed for ,st4 ,david's ,head1 the most westerly point of ,wales4 ,during the passage across ,st4 ,george's ,channel one of the blades of the starboard paddle wheel got out of order4 ,the engine was stopped and the blade cut away4 ,some hours after a similar accident befell the port wheel1 which was remedied in the same manner4 ,the loss of one blade in each wheel made no apparent difference in the speed of the vessel4 ,fortunately when the accidents occurred the sea was very calm4 ,after a voyage of twelve hours duration1 the steamer arrived at the ,pass of ,ramsay1 between the island of that name and ,st4 ,david's ,head4 ,there the adventurers remained for three hours to oil the engine1 and to give the stoker1 who had not quitted his post for an instant since leaving ,wexford1 a little rest4 ,there1 too1 as at ,wexford1 boats put out from different parts of the coast to the assistance of the vessel1 which they believed to be on fire4 ,leaving ,ramsay1 the ,,thames steamed through the straits and across ,st4 ,bride's ,bay4 ,the weather had again become unfavourable1 and a heavy sea had arisen in the bay4 ,so high indeed were the waves1 that1 when ingulphed between them1 the coast1 though lofty1 could not be seen2 but the little craft held her way most gallantly over all4 ,on the south side of ,st4 ,bride's ,bay1 between ,skomar ,island and the mainland1 there is a dangerous passage called ,jack ,sound4 ,the pilot warned the captain against attempting this passage1 except under favourable conditions as to wind and water1 but ,dodd1 who knew the power of his engine1 insisted on going through the sound1 in order to save five hours1 and to avoid another night at sea4 ,the dangerous sound was safely navigated1 and the voyagers reached ,milford ,haven4 ,as they were steaming up the harbour1 they met the ,government mail packet proceeding from ,milford to ,waterford1 with all her sails spread4 ,they had passed her about a quarter of a mile1 when ,captain ,dodd determined to send some letters by her to ,ireland4 ,the ,,thames was immediately put about1 and in a few minutes she was alongside the packet ship1 and sailed round her1 although the latter continued under way4 ,the captain and passengers wrote a few letters1 put them on board the packet1 sailed round her once more1 and then continued their course to ,milford4 ,the two following days were spent in satisfying the curiosity of numerous naval officers who were anxious to see the ,,thames1 and to examine her engine1 as well as to test her sailing powers4 ,it became necessary also to clean out the boiler1 which had not been done since leaving ,glasgow4 ,late on the evening of the #cast ,may1 she sailed in company with the ,,myrtle1 sloop-of-war1 whose captain 7,bingham7 and a company of ladies were aboard the steamer1 anxious to see how she would behave in a rough sea4 ,the ,,myrtle was obliged to hoist royals and studding sails to keep up with the ,,thames1 and at last by crowding all sail1 she got a little ahead4 ,but the great superiority of steam was yet to be shown4 ,dodd gallantly determined to carry the ladies back to ,milford1 instead of transferring them to the ,,myrtle in an open boat4 ,accordingly he steamed back to ,milford1 leaving the sloop of war far behind1 and when he was again outward bound1 he found the sloop had anchored1 being unable owing to the failure of the wind to regain her former station4 ,next morning 7,friday7 the voyagers found themselves mid-way across the ,bristol ,channel1 with no land visible on either side1 but towards evening the ,cornish coast was sighted4 ,the weather1 however1 had again become threatening1 and the pilot did not consider it would be prudent to attempt to round the ,land's ,end that night1 and ,dodd accordingly decided to put into ,st4 ,ives4 ,as the ,,thames approached the shore1 a fleet of small craft was seen making towards her1 with all possible speed by means of sails and oars1 in the belief 7as at ,wexford7 that the ,,thames was a ship on fire making for the port4 ,when they discovered their mistake they tacked about and endeavoured to out-sail each other4 ,all the rocks from which a view of ,st4 ,ives could be obtained were crowded with spectators1 to whom the appearance of the ,,thames created as much surprise as the ships of ,captain ,cook produced amongst the islanders of the ,south ,sea4 ,the harbour of ,st4 ,ives affording no shelter from gales from the ,north ,east1 ,dodd took his vessel to the sheltered port of ,hayle1 four miles distant1 where she lay in perfect safety4 ,it had been represented to ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,weld that rounding the ,land's ,end was the most difficult and dangerous part of the voyage1 and they had in consequence crossed the neck of land to the ,south coast with the intention of remaining there until the steamer arrived4 ,on further consideration1 however1 they resolved1 instead of waiting for the ,,thames1 to return to ,hayle1 and to brave with the steamer's crew the dangers of doubling the ,land's ,end4 ,the weather having moderated they re-embarked at #d o'clock on ,monday afternoon1 #eth ,june1 and the steamer at once proceeded on her voyage4 ,as the little vessel rounded ,cornwall ,head1 the more northerly of the two great promontories which terminate ,england on the west1 a tremendous swell from the ,atlantic met her1 whilst the tide1 which ran strongly down ,st4 ,george's ,channel1 combining with the swell1 raised the waves to such a height as to render her position in the highest degree alarming4 ,dodd would not put back1 and after a night of severe struggle1 the adventurers succeeded in rounding the ,land's ,end1 and found themselves in a comparatively tranquil sea4 ,next day the sun shone with great brilliance1 and revealed the beauties of the ,south ,coast as they steamed along it towards ,plymouth1 which they reached at eleven o'clock in the morning4 ,as the ,,thames passed the various ships at anchor1 the sailors on board ran in crowds to the sides of their vessels or climbed the rigging for a better view4 ,the harbour-master1 who had never seen a steam vessel before1 was as much excited when he boarded the ,,thames as a child is in getting possession of a new plaything4 ,the whole of the following day 7,wednesday7 was occupied in showing the capabilities of the steamer to the ,port-,admiral and to the naval officers who went on board4 ,the ,,thames left ,plymouth at noon on ,thursday for ,portsmouth1 where she arrived at #aa o'clock on ,friday morning1 having steamed #aee miles in twenty-three hours4 ,at ,portsmouth she created a greater sensation than at any of the ports she had visited4 ,tens of thousands of spectators assembled to gaze at her2 and the number of vessels that crowded around her was so great1 that it became necessary to request the ,port-,admiral to assign the voyagers a guard1 in order to preserve some degree of order4 ,the ,,thames steamed into the harbour in the most brilliant style1 travelling with the aid of wind and tide at the rate of between twelve and fourteen knots an hour4 ,a court-martial was sitting at the time on board the ,,gladiator frigate1 but the novelty of the steam-boat presented an irresistible attraction1 and the whole court went off to her 7except the president74 ,at an early hour next morning 7,saturday71 the ,port-,admiral1 ,sir ,edward ,thornborough1 sent his band and a guard of marines on board1 and soon afterwards followed in person1 accompanied by three admirals1 eighteen post-captains1 and a large number of ladies4 ,the morning was spent very pleasantly in steaming amongst the fleet1 and running over to the ,isle of ,wight4 ,the ,admiral1 and all the naval officers1 expressed themselves delighted with the ,,thames4 ,from ,portsmouth the steamer proceeded to ,margate1 which was reached on ,sunday morning4 ,she remained at ,margate until the following day1 when she started on the final portion of her voyage at half-past eight in the morning1 and reached her destination 7,limehouse71 about six o'clock the same evening1 having accomplished the ninety miles run from ,margate in about nine hours4 ,the ,,thames carried fifteen tons of coal1 her consumption being1 on the average1 a ton for every hundred miles4 ,so ended this memorable voyage1 practically the first ever attempted by a steamboat on the open sea4 ,dodd's after career was a most melancholy one4 ,talented1 enterprising and courageous though he undoubtedly was1 yet he never succeeded in his enterprises4 ,and in his later years1 instead of seeking that divine help which would have enabled him to meet his disappointments with fortitude1 he sought to forget them in intemperance1 and almost literally died a beggar in the streets4 ,,footnotes3 #aj 8,chambers' ,journal10 #beth ,april1 #aheg4 ,chapter ,v4 #ahaf to #ahah4--,rivals to the ,,thames1 the ,,defiance 7#ahae71 ,,majestic and ,,regent 7#ahaf74--,loss of the ,,regent 7#ahag74--,liverpool ,steam-boats3 the ,,runcorn ,,packet1 the ,,princess ,,charlotte1 ,liverpool to ,eastham 7#ahaf74 ,,regulator and ,,etna1 ,liverpool to ,tranmere 7#ahag74--,parkgate to ,bagillt1 ,n4,w41 the ,,ancient ,,briton 7#ahag74--;,first ,spanish ,steamer1 ,,royal ,,ferdinand 7#ahag74--,siberian ,steam-boats 7#ahag74--,loss of the ,,regulator 7#ahah74--;,david ,napier4--,greenock and ,belfast ,steamer1 ,,rob ,,roy4--,first ,steamer between ,england and ,ireland1 the ,,hibernia 7#ahaf74 ,the successful voyage from the ,clyde to the ,thames achieved by ,captain ,dodd1 and the less-known one by the ,runcorn ,packet from the ,clyde to the ,mersey1 gave a great impetus to steam-packet building1 and created active opposition1 especially on the ,london and ,margate service4 ,the ,,thames1 after being refitted1 opened the service in ,july1 #ahae4 ,she had a monopoly of the station for about three months1 when the ,,defiance was put on in opposition4 ,the following year saw the ,,majestic placed on the ,river ,thames1 and this vessel was probably the first steamer employed in towing ships4 ,she towed1 on ,wednesday1 #bhth ,august1 #ahaf1 the large ,indiaman1 the ,,hope1 from ,deptford to ,woolwich at the rate of three miles per hour against the wind4 ,on the #bith ,june of the same year1 a new steamboat1 named the ,,regent1 was tried on the ,thames4 ,she was built under the supervision of the eminent engineer ,brunel1 by ,maudsley 7founder of the famous engineering firm of ,maudsley and ,field74 ,her burden was #aab tons1 and she was propelled by engines of #bd horse power4 ,on her trial trip she steamed from ,blackfriars ,bridge to ,battersea ,bridge in #cj minutes1 and back through ,london ,bridge in #eb minutes4 ,her machinery was remarkably light4 ,her engines1 paddle-wheels1 and all connections necessary to give and convey the motive power1 weighing only five tons4 ,the ,,regent had a very short existence4 ,on the #bnd ,july1 #ahag1 she left ,london for ,margate1 with between #dj and #ej passengers on board4 ,although it was blowing a gale1 all went well until the vessel arrived off ,whitstable1 about #ah miles from ,margate4 ,the ,,regent was keeping well out in mid-channel1 and was about three miles from land1 when she was discovered to be on fire amidships4 ,the force of the wind had carried away the funnel1 and the wood-work at the bottom of the funnel 7nearly breast high from the deck for the protection of the passengers71 caught fire4 ,the vessel's life-saving equipment consisted of one small boat1 barely sufficient to accommodate her crew2 and the only available means of extinguishing the fire was by hand buckets1 dipped overside4 ,to add to the alarm of the passengers1 the buckets one after the other were either broken against the side of the steamer1 or carried away by the turbulent waves4 ,the passengers bore themselves bravely1 as ,britons should in the face of danger1 and did not give way to panic4 ,perfect discipline appears to have been maintained amongst the crew4 ,seeing that he had no means of keeping the fire under1 the ,captain collected all the passengers forward and headed the ,,regent for the nearest shore with the intention of beaching her4 ,this he succeeded in doing without the loss of a single life1 but the vessel herself was almost totally destroyed4 ,on the ,mersey1 also1 progress had been made since the arrival of the first steamer1 the ,,packet1 to and from ,runcorn4 ,in ,july1 #ahaf1 the steam-packet ,,princess ,,charlotte commenced the ,liverpool and ,eastham service1 and continued to sail twice each way daily4 ,the fare charged to ,eastham and back was #as4 ,at ,eastham the steamer connected with coaches to and from ,chester1 ,shrewsbury1 ,holyhead1 and many other places4 ,the ,liverpool and ,tranmere ,steam ,ferry was opened by the steam-packet 8,etna0 sailing from the ,west-side ,queen's ,dock4 ,she was shortly afterwards opposed by the steam-packet ,,regulator1 running in connection with coaches from ,tranmere to ,parkgate1 thence by steam-packet ,,ancient ,,briton to ,bagillt1 ,north ,wales4 ,during a gale on ,monday1 #abth ,january1 #ahah1 the ,,regulator was sunk near the ,liverpool ,pierhead1 but all on board were rescued4 ,illustration3 ,,international ,,code ,,flags4 ,answering ,pennant4 ,a ,b ,powder ,flag4 ,c ,assent--,yes4 ,d ,negative--,no4 ,e ,f ,g ,h ,i ,j ,k ,l ,cholera1 ,yellow ,fever1 or ,plague ,flag4 ,n ,o ,p ,blue ,peter4--,about to proceed to ,sea4 ,q ,quarantine ,flag4 ,r ,s ,i require a ,pilot4 ,t ,u ,v ,w ,x ,y ,z ,illustration3 ,,african ,s4 ,s4 ,,co4 ,,allan ,,bros4 ,,co4 ,,american ,,line4 ,,anchor ,,line4 ,,adelaide ,s4 ,s4 ,,co4 ,,john ,,bacon4 ,,bates ,,son4 ,,belfast ,s4 ,s4 ,,co4 ,,booth ,s4 ,s4 ,,co4 ,,bibby ,,line4 ,meantime other continental nations were awakening to the advantages of steam navigation4 ,on the #cjth ,may1 #ahag1 there was launched at ,seville the ,,royal ,,ferdinand1 the first steamer built in ,spain4 ,and1 about the same date1 ,mr4 ,wesewelodsky1 a man of great wealth1 and owner of several rich mines in ,siberia1 built two steamers for navigating the ,river ,kama4 ,these vessels were #ea feet and #ajj feet long1 respectively4 ,mr4 ,wesewelodsky travelled with his steamers from his mines to ,casan1 a distance of #a1jjj versts1 and accomplished the voyage in #aje hours4 #aa8;,england owes to ,david ,napier the establishment of deep-sea communication by steam-vessels1 and of ,post ,office steam-packets4 ,as a first step1 he endeavoured to ascertain the difficulties to be encountered4 ,for this purpose he took passage at a stormy period of the year on a sailing packet1 which formed one of a line1 and the only means of intercourse between ,glasgow and ,belfast2 a passage which often required seven days to accomplish what is now done by steam in as many hours4 ,the captain of the packet found a young man1 whom he afterwards knew as ,mr4 ,napier1 during one of his winter passages to ,belfast1 constantly perched on the bow of the vessel1 fixing an intent gaze on the sea when it broke on the side of the ship1 quite heedless of the waves and spray that washed over him4 ,he only ceased from this occupation at intervals1 as the breeze freshened1 to ask the captain whether the sea was such that it might be considered a rough one1 and1 when told that it was by no means unusually rough1 he returned to the bow of the vessel and resumed his study of the waves breaking at her stem4 ,when the breeze began to freshen into a gale1 and the sea to rise considerably1 he again enquired of the captain whether the sea might now be considered a rough one1 and was told that as yet it could not be called very rough4 ,disappointed1 he returned again to his station at the bow1 and resumed his employment4 ,at last he was favoured with a storm to his contentment1 and when the seas1 breaking over the vessel1 swept her from stem to stern1 he found his way back to the captain and repeated his enquiry1 #8,do you call it rough now8' ,the captain replied he could not remember having faced a worse night in the whole of his experience1 a reply which delighted young ,napier1 who muttering1 as he turned away1 #8,i think ,i can manage if that is all1' went down to his cabin4 ,napier saw then the end of his difficulties1 and soon satisfied himself as to the means of overcoming them4 ,his next enquiry was as to the means of getting through the water with least resistance4 ,to determine this1 he commenced a series of experiments with models of vessels in a small tank of water1 and soon found that the round full bluff bow adopted for sailing vessels was quite unsuited for speed with mechanical propulsion of a different nature4 ,this led him to adopt the fine wedge-like bows by which the vessels built under his superintendence were afterwards so distinguished40 ,napier established regular steam-packet communication between ,greenock and ,belfast by means of the ,,rob ,,roy1 a vessel of #ij tons burden and #cj horse power4 ,after plying for two years between these ports with great regularity and success1 the ,,rob ,,roy was transferred to the ,english ,channel as a packet between ,dover and ,calais4 ,cross-channel steamboats between ,england and ,ireland were first introduced in #ahaf1 when the steam-packet ,,hibernia was built by a company to carry passengers between ,holyhead and ,howth4 ,the ,,hibernia was #aab tons burden1 #gg feet keel measurement1 and #i feet draft4 ,she was lugger rigged1 and capable of making the passage by sails only4 ,her average passage1 ,holyhead to ,howth1 was about seven hours1 and her passengers frequently had the satisfaction of arriving in ,dublin considerably in advance of the ,mail packets4 ,illustration3 ,paddlewheeler ship ,,footnotes3 #aa 8,history of ,steam ,navigation10 ,adm4 ,prebble1 ,u4,s4,n4 ,chapter ,,vi4 ,early ,clyde ,steam-packets4--,season ,tickets issued1 #ahaf4--;,first steamer to cross the ,english ,channel4--,,dumbarton ,,castle steams round ,north of ,scotland1 #ahai4--;,first serious ,accident to a ,steam-packet4--,clyde ,passenger ,fares1 #ahah4 ,many circumstances combined to make the ,clyde the birthplace and the home of the ,marine ,steam ,engine4 ,coal and iron mines were in close proximity1 and skilled labour for the construction of engines and of ships was abundant4 ,the beautiful ,firth1 with its numerous lochs and islands1 constituted an ideal locality for the employment of steamboats while yet the art of steamship building was in its infancy4 ,and on the shores of the ,river1 or within easy distance of it1 dwelt a large industrial population1 eager to take advantage of the facilities for travel which steamboats afforded4 ,under these circumstances it is not surprising that steam-packets on the ,clyde increased with marvellous rapidity4 ,in #ahab the ,,comet first began to ply between ,glasgow1 ,greenock and ,helensburgh1 and she was1 in fact1 the only steamboat then sailing on ,british waters4 ,three years later 7in #ahae7 a fleet of seven steamers1 viz41 the ,,glasgow1 ,,britannia1 ,,dumbarton ,,castle1 ,,caledonia1 ,,argyle1 ,,prince ,,of ,,orange1 and ,,princess ,,charlotte1 sailed regularly from ,glasgow to ,largs1 ,ardrossan1 ,troon and ,ayr1 southwards2 and ,rothesay1 ,tarbert1 ,lochgilphead and ,inverary1 westwards4 ,no agents' names are given in any of the press advertisements of this or previous years1 but the sailings were advertised on boards placed outside the agent's counting houses1 and exhibited in taverns and other places of public resort4 ,in #ahaf and subsequent years the owners' or agents' names are appended to the press notices of the various steam-packets4 ,illustration3 ,early type of ,african ,coasting ,steamer4 ,in ,may of the year named1 the steamboats ,,britannia and 7new7 ,,waterloo were advertised to sail between ,glasgow and all the watering places on both sides of the ,clyde4 8,families wishing to agree for the season may know particulars by applying to ,mr4 ,lewis ,mac,lellan1 ,gallowgate1 ,mr4 ,wm4 ,smith1 ,bromielaw1 and the ,masters on board40 ,these small steamers were the pioneers of the magnificent fleet of ,channel steamships1 sailing from ,glasgow1 and known as the 8,laird ,line40 ,a grandson of the ,mr4 ,lewis ,mac,lellan here referred to1 and a nephew1 are still 7#aijc7 connected with the ,company as directors4 ,the steamer ,,albion was advertised in the same paper in similar terms1 and on the #ith ,july following the agents of nine steam-packets sailing from ,glasgow1 gave notice that the issue of season tickets was discontinued for the remainder of the season4 ,hence it appears that the issue of season contract tickets1 popularly supposed to be a modern institution of the railway companies1 is found to be a common practice amongst the steamship owners of ,glasgow more than three-quarters of a century ago4 ,mr4 ,w4 ,s4 ,lindsay1 in his admirable book 8,the ,history of ,merchant ,shipping from #ahaf to #ahgd10 quotes ,mr4 ,muirhead's 8,life of ,watt10 as stating that 8,in ,april1 #ahag1 ,mr4 ,james ,watt1 ,jun41 purchased the ,,caledonia1 and having re-fitted her1 took her in ,october to ,holland and up the ,rhine to ,coblentz2 having thus been the first to cross the ,english ,channel in a steamboat4 ,the average speed he obtained was seven and a half knots an hour40 ,either ,mr4 ,muirhead was in error in the dates given1 or he was wrong in assuming that the ,,caledonia was the first steamer to cross the ,english ,channel4 ,a correspondent of the 8,glasgow ,chronicle10 in a letter to that ,journal1 dated ,cologne1 #afth ,june1 #ahaf 7i4e41 sixteen months prior to the date mentioned by ,mr4 ,muirhead as the date on which the ,,caledonia crossed the ,channel71 says3-- 8,to-day1 about noon1 we enjoyed a sight equally novel and entertaining1 a pretty large vessel without a mast ascending the ,rhine1 and proceeding with astonishing rapidity1 arrive before this city4 ,all the vessels stationed on the ,rhine in this neighbourhood were in a moment covered with spectators1 to see the arrival of this vessel1 which is a steamboat coming from ,london1 and bound for ,frankfort4 ,everybody was eager to view the progress1 the motion1 the organisation of this masterpiece of art4 ,the vessel left ,rotterdam on the #fth inst4 ,the passengers affirm that it can go #be leagues in a day40 ,the ,,dumbarton ,,castle 7,captain ,thomson7 was advertised to take passengers for a trip from ,glasgow round ,ailsa ,craig on the #gth ,august1 #ahaf4 ,she was the first ,british steamboat 7the ,,thames excepted7 to take passengers on a deep sea trip1 and she was also the first steamer to sail round the ,north of ,scotland1 which she did in #ahai1 in consequence of being sold for employment between ,leith and ,grangemouth4 ,the first serious accident to a ,clyde steamboat of which there is any record1 occurred in the early part of the year #ahaf4 ,the new steam-packet ,,rothesay ,,castle1 while entering the harbour of ,tarbert on her return voyage from ,inverary1 struck on a reef of sunken rocks4 ,all her passengers were rescued by fishing boats1 which also landed the luggage4 ,one of the fishing boats was also despatched to request the ,master of the ,,argyle 7which was to leave ,inverary four hours later than the ,,rothesay ,,castle7 to call at ,tarbert4 ,this was accordingly done and the shipwrecked passengers were taken on to ,rothesay and ,greenock the same evening4 ,the steamer was subsequently got off the rocks and taken to ,port ,glasgow for repairs4 ,it may interest citizens of ,glasgow and dwellers on the coast to compare1 by means of the following table1 the steamship ,passenger ,fares of #ahah with those of the present day4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ,port ,to ,renfrew4 ,dunglass4 ,glasgow or ,gonrock4 ,greenock4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ,s ,s ,s ,s t t t t e e e e ,from4 ,c e ,c e ,c e ,c e a r a r a r a r b a b a b a b a i g i g i g i g n e n e n e n e ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- s4 d4s4 d4s4 d4s4 d4s4 d4s4 d4s4 d4s4 d4 ,glasgow #a #j #a #j #b #j #a #f #d #j #b #f #d #j #c #j ,greenock #c #j #b #j #b #j #a #f #a #j #j #f ,largs #f #f #d #j #e #f #c #f #c #f #b #f #c #j #b #j ,ardrossan #i #j #f #f #h #j #f #j #f #j #e #j #e #f #d #f ,rothesay ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ,to ,rothesay4 ,largs4 ,millport4 ,ardrossan4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ,s ,s ,s ,s t t t t e e e e ,from4 ,c e ,c e ,c e ,c e a r a r a r a r b a b a b a b a i g i g i g i g n e n e n e n e ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- s4 d4s4 d4s4 d4s4 d4s4 d4s4 d4s4 d4s4 d4 ,glasgow #g #f #e #j #g #f #e #j #h #f #f #j #aj #j #g #f ,greenock #c #f #b #f #c #f #b #f #d #f #c #f #f #j #e #j ,largs #a #f #a #j #a #j #a #j #b #f #b #j ,ardrossan #b #f #b #j #a #f #a #j ,rothesay ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ,campbelton ,to ,troon4 ,ayr4 ,helensburg4 or ,inverary4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ,s ,s ,s ,s t t t t e e e e ,from4 ,c e ,c e ,c e ,c e a r a r a r a r b a b a b a b a i g i g i g i g n e n e n e n e ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- s4 d4s4 d4s4 d4s4 d4s4 d4s4 d4s4 d4s4 d4 ,glasgow #aa #j #h #j #ab #j #i #f #d #f #c #j #ab #j #h #f ,greenock #g #j #f #j #h #j #f #f #a #j #a #j #i #j #f #f ,largs #c #f #b #f #d #f #c #f ,ardrossan #a #f #a #j #b #f #b #j ,rothesay #g #f #e #j ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ,young persons #h to #ad years of age--half-price4 ,below eight years of age at the discretion of the ,master4 ,these rates were fixed by a ,conference consisting of the proprietors of the following steamboats3--,,albion1 ,,argyle1 ,,britannia1 ,,clyde1 ,,defiance1 ,,duke ,,of ,,wellington1 ,,dumbarton ,,castle1 ,,glasgow1 ,,margaret1 ,,marquis ,,of ,,bute1 ,,neptune1 ,,prince ,,of ,,orange1 ,,rothesay ,,castle1 and ,,waterloo1 who agreed that the ,fares taken from passengers travelling by any of the boats named should be according to the above table1 and that no engagements should be entered into with families or individuals at rates below these fares4 ,passengers were allowed #bh lbs4 of luggage free1 excess luggage was charged at the rate of #aj;d4 per cwt4 from ,glasgow to ,greenock1 and proportionately for any further distance4 ,chapter ,,vii4 #ahai to #ahba4--,the ,,savannah the first steamer to cross the ,atlantic4--,arrival at ,liverpool of the ,,waterloo1 the first ,irish ,channel steamer4--,sailing of the ,,robert ,,bruce1 the first steamer trading between ,liverpool and the ,clyde4--,curious ,accident to the steamer ,,morning ,,star4--,the ,,triton4--,the ,,conde ,,de ,,patmella1 first ,european steamer to cross the ,atlantic4--,cattle ,ventilators suggested4--,the ,,tourist4--,steamers between ,london and ,leith4 ,prior to the introduction of marine steam engines1 the ,united ,states of ,america had no inconsiderable share of the world's ocean traffic4 ,no swifter ships raced with cargoes of tea from ,china to the ,thames than the famous ,baltimore clippers4 ,no finer vessels crossed the ,atlantic than the celebrated ,new ,york ,packet ,liners4 ,it cannot be supposed that a people so enterprising as the ,americans would make no attempt at ocean steam navigation4 ,on the contrary1 as they were the first to build a coasting passenger steamer1 so were they the first to build a steamer to cross the ,atlantic4 ,during the latter part of the year #ahah1 and the beginning of #ahai1 there was1 in process of building at ,new ,york1 a beautiful little ship of about #cbj tons burden4 ,whilst on the stocks it was suggested to convert her into a steamer1 which was accordingly done4 ,after she was launched1 the ,,savannah1 that being the name given to her1 sailed from ,new ,york to ,savannah1 and thence1 about the #beth ,may1 #ahai1 she sailed to ,liverpool1 en route to ,st4 ,petersburg4 ,it was reported at the time that she was a present from the ,americans to the ,emperor of ,russia4 ,although she did not steam the whole of the voyage from ,savannah to ,liverpool1 which occupied twenty-six days1 she was the first steamer that ever attempted to cross the ,atlantic4 ,british and ,canadian authors have contended that she was not entitled to this honour1 as her steam power was merely auxiliary1 but the contention is somewhat ungenerous1 and1 if allowed1 would debar later vessels1 notably the ,,sarah ,,sands and the ,,great ,,britain1 from claiming the title of steamships4 ,the ,,savannah reached ,liverpool on ,sunday1 #bjth ,june1 #ahai1 after a voyage of twenty-six days duration4 ,shortly after leaving ,savannah it began to blow hard1 and the following entry appears in the ,captain's log book3 8,stopped the engines1 and brought the paddle-wheels in-board in thirty minutes40 ,when off the ,irish coast1 the coastguard1 seeing a huge volume of smoke proceeding from a ship at sea1 reported it to be a vessel on fire4 ,a ,government cutter from ,cork put out to render assistance1 and were much surprised on boarding her to learn that she required no assistance1 except a ,channel pilot1 and that she had come from ,america4 ,her arrival at ,liverpool was witnessed by great crowds of people1 who had assembled to watch her entering the ,mersey4 ,after her visit to ,st4 ,petersburg she re-crossed the ,atlantic1 her engines were taken out of her1 and1 as a sailing packet1 she traded between ,new ,york and ,savannah1 until she was wrecked off ,long ,island4 ,a month later1 or to be exact1 on the #bbnd ,july1 #ahai1 the first cross-channel steamer that ever entered the port1 arrived at ,liverpool from ,belfast1 after a passage of twenty-four hours4 ,this steamer was the ,,waterloo1 owned by ,messrs4 ,langtry1 of ,belfast1 who were also the owners of a fleet of smacks which traded regularly between the two ports4 ,the ,,waterloo was a schooner-rigged paddle-steamer of #bja tons burthen1 propelled by a pair of low-pressure engines of #hj h4p4 each4 ,her length was #ih feet1 and her breadth on deck was #cg feet4 ,she had a dining room capable of accommodating all the cabin passengers at one sitting1 a separate and neatly decorated cabin for ladies1 and two staterooms for families4 ,she carried sleeping accommodation for #bb cabin passengers1 in addition to steerage passengers4 ,the fares charged for a single passage between ,liverpool and ,belfast were1 cabin #a #aas4 #f;d41 steerage #ajs4 #f;d4 ,the ,,waterloo made two round voyages per week during the season1 sailing from ,liverpool every ,monday and ,friday4 ,she was intended to carry passengers only 7the cargo trade being maintained by the smacks71 and cost her owners nearly #aj1jjj4 ,on the #bith ,july of the same year1 the first steamer that traded between ,liverpool and ,glasgow was advertised in the following terms3-- 8,safe and ,expeditious ,travelling between ,liverpool and ,glasgow4 ,the elegant new ,steam-,packet ,boat1 ,,robert ,,bruce1 ,captain ,john ,patterson1 will sail for ,glasgow on ,monday1 #bnd ,august1 at ,seven o'clock in the morning1 from ,george's ,dock1 ,pierhead4 ,the accommodations for passengers are most excellent1 and she is expected to perform the passage within #cj hours4 8,the ,fares in the ,cabin1 #djs42 ,steerage1 #bas4 ,passengers will be accommodated with ,provisions on moderate terms4 ,for passage apply to ,captain ,patterson1 or to ,john ,richardson40 ,from this date 7#ahai7 the expansion of the ,british steam coasting trade was most rapid4 ,within a very short time regular services were advertised between ,liverpool and ,isle of ,man1 ,whitehaven1 ,dumfries1 the ,clyde ,ports1 ,belfast and ,dublin4 ,nor were these pioneers of the steam trade permitted to be monopolists of their respective stations4 ,frequently two1 and in some cases three companies advertised steamers sailing for the same ports1 of which some account will be found in the succeeding chapters of this volume4 ,an extraordinary accident is reported by the 8,berwick ,advertiser0 7,september1 #ahai71 as having occurred to one of the local steam-packets4 ,the ,,morning ,,star1 while on her usual passage from ,alloa to ,leith1 suddenly stopped4 ,on investigation it was discovered that a salmon had entered and completely obstructed the condensing water pipes1 and thus stopped the machinery4 ,in the fall of the following year 7#ahbj7 steam communication between the ,ports of ,london and ,hull was projected4 ,across the ,channel the steam-packet ,,triton1 built at ,bordeaux1 maintained a passenger service1 three times each way per week1 between ,havre and ,rouen4 ,the passage occupied about nine hours1 and the fares charged were #hs4 first class1 and #ds4 second class4 ,on the #eth ,october1 #ahbj1 the steamer ,,conde ,,de ,,patmella1 ,captain ,silva1 sailed from ,liverpool for the ,brazils4 ,she made a remarkably rapid passage to ,lisbon1 arriving there in four days4 ,this is probably the first steamer that ever crossed the ,atlantic ,ocean from ,europe4 ,perhaps one of the most remarkable steamers ever launched was a small steamboat1 named the ,,snake1 built at ,bombay1 and launched in #ahbj4 ,she was the first steamer on the ,indus or on any river in ,india4 ,her engines were designed and built by a ,parsee1 and were the first ever manufactured in ,india4 ,how well they were constructed is evidenced by their lasting power4 ,after a notable career of #fj years1 she was broken up in #ahhj4 ,above the initials 8,w4 ,p410 a correspondent of the 8,liverpool ,mercury10 in a letter dated #beth ,october1 #ahbj1 suggests the use of iron ventilators1 to supply fresh air to the holds of steamers carrying cattle across the ,channel1 for1 of course1 at that date1 steamers to carry cattle across the ocean were unthought of4 ,he describes the ventilators suggested as 8iron funnels with movable vane tops1 which could be constructed by any mechanic at a cost of about #c #ajs4 each40 ,in the spring of #ahba1 a new steamboat1 named the ,,tourist1 was launched at ,perth4 ,when launched she was the largest steamer in the ,united ,kingdom1 being #abh feet long by #dj feet broad4 ,she was rigged as a three-masted schooner1 with a clipper bow and bowsprit1 and was propelled by two engines of #dj h4p4 each4 ,she was intended 7as her name implies7 for the passenger trade between ,leith and the ,northern ,ports of ,scotland1 and her owners claimed that communication between the ports named 8will thus be effected in one-third less time1 and for one-sixth of the expense incurred by the present mode of travelling40 ,after running for a short time in the ,leith and ,north of ,scotland trade1 she was placed on the station between ,newhaven and ,london1 on behalf of the ,london and ,edinburgh ,steampacket ,co4 ,in ,may of the same year two steam vessels of upwards of #djj tons burden each1 were built for the ,leith and ,london passenger service4 ,these steamers were not intended to carry cargo1 but they had sleeping accommodation for one hundred passengers4 ,they were propelled by engines of #ajj h4p41 and were expected to make the passage in about sixty hours4 ,illustration3 ,bridge in ,london ,chapter ,,viii4 ,st4 ,george ,steam-,packet ,co4 incorporated1 #ahbb4--,swift passage of the ,,hero1 steam yacht4--,liverpool owned steamers highly commended in ,parliamentary ,report1 #ahbb4--;,,aaron ,,manby1 iron steamer4--,first steamer between ,hull and the ,continent1 #ahbc4--;,city of ,dublin ,steam-,packet ,co4 founded1 #ahbc4--;,h4,m4,s4 ,,lightning4--,general ,steam-,packet ,co4 and the ,belfast ,steam-,packet ,co4 established1 #ahbd4--,keen competition1 ,glasgow and ,belfast service1 #ahbe4--;,advertising extraordinary4--,g4 ,j4 ,burns commence business1 #ahbe1 as steamship owners4--,competition on the ,liverpool and ,dublin station4--,first steamer from the ,thames to ,hamburg4--,the ,,enterprize sails for ,calcutta4--,rapid growth of ,steam ,navigation4--,sailing ship owners petition ,parliament1 #ahbf4--,the ,,erin4--,liverpool and ,kingstown ,royal ,mail ,service4--,city of ,dublin ,steam ,packet ,co4 establish a ,passenger ,service between ,england1 ,ireland and ,france1 #ahbg4 ,the year #ahbb1 witnessed the first operations of what was destined to become one of the most famous of the early ,steam-,packet ,companies4 ,projected the previous year1 the ,st4 ,george ,steam-,packet ,company immediately contracted with ,mr4 ,thomas ,wilson1 of ,liverpool1 for two large and powerful steamers1 the ,,st4 ,,patrick and the ,,st4 ,,george4 ,the former was intended to trade between ,dublin and ,liverpool1 and ,dublin and the ,bristol ,channel2 and the latter between ,liverpool1 the ,isle of ,man1 and the ,river ,clyde1 ,mr4 ,alex4 ,a4 ,laird1 the founder of the well-known firm of ,alex4 ,a4 ,laird ,co41 being the agent at ,greenock4 ,the ,,st4 ,,patrick was launched at #aj-cj a4m4 on the #bast ,april1 #ahbb4 ,this event excited great interest in the town of ,liverpool1 as she was1 if not the first steamer ever built in the port1 certainly the finest specimen of the ship-building craft produced there up to that date4 ,her sister ship1 the ,,st4 ,,george1 launched the following day1 rapidly won for herself a reputation for comfort and speed4 ,after running about six months she made a voyage from ,dublin to ,liverpool in #aa hours1 the shortest time on record4 ,eighteen months later she made a passage from ,liverpool to ,dublin in #aj hours #dj minutes1 beating her previous record by #ej minutes4 ,the third steamer was the ,,prince ,,llewellyn1 to ply between ,liverpool1 ,beaumaris1 ,bangor1 and ,carnarvon4 ,the ,st4 ,george ,steam-,packet ,co4 continued until #ahdd1 when it was re-constructed1 the ,cork ,steamship ,co4 taking over its various services and seven of its steamers4 ,illustration3 ,mr4 ,david ,mac,brayne's ,steamer1 ,,inverary ,,castle4 ,see ,paragraph page #dc4 ,the steam-yacht ,,hero is credited with a phenomenal speedy voyage on the #bfth ,july1 #ahbb4 ,she is reported to have steamed from ,london to ,margate in #f hours1 being at the rate of #ad miles an hour4 ,a report relative to steam navigation was laid before the ,house of ,commons 7,august1 #ahbb74 ,all the steam-packets belonging to ,liverpool were named in a manner highly honourable to their owners1 commanders and constructors4 8,on ,thursday1 #ith ,may1 #ahbb1 a large party of distinguished naval officers1 engineers1 c41 embarked at ,parliament ,stairs1 ,london1 on board the ,,aaron ,,manby1 iron steamboat1 which immediately got under weigh and proceeded to ,battersea ,bridge2 she then descended to ,blackfriars1 and manuvred for several hours between the two bridges in a very superior style4 ,this steamboat was built at the ,horsley ,iron ,works1 near ,birmingham1 by ,mr4 ,manby1 and put together at ,rotherhithe4 ,she is the most complete specimen of workmanship in the iron way that has ever been witnessed1 and draws one foot less water than any steamboat that has ever been built4 ,she is #ajf feet long and #ag feet broad1 and is propelled by a #cj h4p4 engine and ,oldham's revolving bars4 ,this boat will leave ,london in a few days for ,paris1 the first instance of a direct communication between the capitals of ,france and ,england4 ,amongst the gentlemen present were ,admirals ,sir ,william ,hope1 ,sir ,pulteny ,malcomb and ,sir ,james ,wood ,gage2 ,captains ,dundas and ,napier2 ,mr4 ,manby1 the inventor2 ,mr4 ,williams1 the patentee of the revolving bars1 c40--8,london ,courier10 #aeth ,may1 #ahbb4 ,on or about the #bdth ,march1 #ahbc1 the steam-packet ,,yorkshireman arrived at ,hull from ,antwerp1 and was only #ca hours on the passage4 ,this vessel is noteworthy as being the first steam vessel to sail from ,hull to the ,continent4 ,in the month of ,february of this year 7#ahbc7 ,mr4 ,c4 ,w4 ,williams1 of ,dublin1 placed an order with ,mr4 ,wilson1 of ,liverpool1 for the pioneer steamer of the future famous ,city of ,dublin ,steam-,packet ,company1 the ,,city ,,of ,,dublin1 a vessel of #acj h4p4 ,it was an express stipulation with the builder1 that this steamer should be constructed of such materials1 and in such a manner1 as to withstand the severity of the winter navigation4 ,the ,,city ,,of ,,dublin differed from her competitors in two respects1 7#a7 in carrying general cargo in addition to live stock and passengers1 and 7#b7 in maintaining the service uninterruptedly throughout the twelve months4 ,a month later1 ,mr4 ,wilson was again applied to1 to build a second vessel for the company1 but in consequence of his having that very morning 7#eth ,march1 #ahbc7 contracted to build the steam-packet ,,henry ,,bell for the ,liverpool and ,glasgow trade1 it was not till some days later the contract was signed for building the ,,town ,,of ,,liverpool1 to be commenced as soon as the ,,henry ,,bell was launched4 ,the ,,city ,,of ,,dublin sailed from ,dublin on her maiden voyage to ,liverpool on ,saturday1 the #bjth ,march1 #ahbd4 ,she anticipated1 by about six months1 the operations of the ,dublin and ,liverpool ,steam ,navigation ,co41 whose first steamer1 the ,,liffey1 #cje tons burthen1 and #aaj h4p41 did not sail until the #acth ,september following4 ,in ,december of the same year 7#ahbd7 the ,,mersey joined the ,,liffey1 and in the ,july following the ,,commerce was added to the ,navigation ,co4's fleet4 ,the ,,commerce was considerably larger than either of her predecessors1 and was launched from the yard of ,messrs4 ,grayson and ,leadley1 ,trentham ,street1 ,liverpool4 ,her 7late7 ,majesty's steamship ,,lightning sailed from ,algiers for home on the #bgth ,july1 #ahbd1 calling at ,gibraltar and ,lisbon4 ,she remained at ,lisbon two days taking in coal1 and finally arrived at ,plymouth nineteen days after leaving ,algiers4 ,the ,,lightning was one of the first vessels in the ,british ,navy to be supplied with steam power4 ,two still existing and influential ,steamship ,companies were established this year4 ,the ,general ,steam ,navigation ,co41 of ,london1 and the ,belfast ,steam-,packet ,co41 afterwards merged into the ,belfast ,steamship ,co41 ,limited1 of ,belfast4 ,the competition between the ,steam-,packet ,companies engaged in the ,scotch and ,north of ,ireland passenger trade had become so keen1 that in the summer of #ahbe the steamers from ,belfast to ,glasgow lowered their fares to #bs4 for #ast cabin1 #f;d4 for #bnd cabin1 and carried deck passengers for nothing4 ,on the ,dublin and ,liverpool station competition was nearly as severe1 one steamer sailing in the autumn of #ahbe with upwards of #gjj passengers carried at #f;d4 each4 ,under these adverse circumstances1 the proprietors of the ,dublin and ,liverpool ,steam ,navigation ,co4 deemed it prudent to make terms with their more powerful competitor1 the ,city of ,dublin ,steam-,packet ,co4 ,the managers of the latter company1 early in the following year 7#ast ,february1 #ahbf71 purchased the ,navigation ,co4's steamers1 and increased the capital of their own company to #bej1jjj1 in shares of #ajj each4 ,the ,press communications exchanged between the owners of the rival steam-packets must have been extremely entertaining to the citizens of ,glasgow of that period4 ,the following extraordinary literary effusion1 from the owners of the steamboat ,,swift1 was published in the 8,glasgow ,herald10 of the #cjth ,june1 #ahbe3-- 8,the great superiority of the ,,swift over the ,cock ,boat that is puffed off as sailing direct from the ,bromielaw is now so well known at ,glasgow and ,belfast as scarcely to require to be noticed in this advertisement1 but for the sake of strangers coming from a distance it may be proper to state that her power and size are double1 and her speed so much greater1 that when the two vessels start together the ,,swift runs the other out of sight in five or six hours4 ,her hours of sailing are so adapted to the tide1 as to ensure the shortest possible passage1 by arriving at ,greenock and ,glasgow about high water1 and at ,belfast as soon as there is water up to the quay40 ,the following crushing reply of the owners of the steamer referred to as 8the ,cock ,boat10 appeared in the next issue of the same newspaper4 8,the fine new ,steam-,packet ,,george ,,canning continues to sail for ,belfast every ,tuesday and ,friday4 ,she is the only ,steam-,packet that sails direct from ,glasgow1 therefore1 her passengers are not subjected to the delay1 inconvenience and risk1 attending change of vessel and transhipment of luggage4 8,the ,,george ,,canning has crossed the ,channel upwards of #fj times1 and has in every instance accomplished her passage without putting into any intermediate ports4 8,if the writer of a contemptible article in the ,,swift',s advertisement of ,friday last1 means the ,,george ,,canning1 he has the merit of stating a gross falsehood1 knowing it to be such2 and1 therefore1 written for the express purpose of deceiving the public666 8,the author of the paragraph alluded to is challenged to produce a single instance of the ,,swift having ever accomplished her passage from ,belfast in so short a period as the ,,george ,,canning4 8,the public will be surprised to learn1 after reading the ,,swift',s advertisement1 particularly #8strangers coming from a distance1' that the ,,swift and the ,,canning have never yet sailed together either from ,belfast or ,glasgow2 therefore1 the author of the ,,swift',s advertisement is left to state when and where the ,,swift ran the vessel alluded to out of sight40 ,the rivalry between these two steamers terminated the following year1 when the ,,swift was sold to the ,london1 ,leith and ,edinburgh ,shipping ,company1 and sailed for ,leith1 via ,oban1 ,fort ,william and ,inverness1 on the #bgth ,june1 #ahbf4 ,the ,,george ,,canning was offered for sale by auction in ,june1 #ahca1 but was evidently withdrawn4 ,she appears to have been sold subsequently by private treaty1 and sailed1 after repairs1 for ,st4 ,malo1 ,brittany1 in ,june1 #ahcc4 ,the well-known firm1 ,g4 ,j4 ,burns1 of ,glasgow1 commenced business as steamship owners in #ahbe4 ,the style of the firm at that time was ,james and ,george ,burns1 and their offices were at #de1 ,miller ,street1 but in ,february1 #ahdb1 they changed the style of the firm to ,g4 ,j4 ,burns4 ,the first steamer employed by this firm was the new steampacket ,,ayr1 of #gf tons1 built by ,john ,wood ,co41 of ,port ,glasgow1 and having two engines of #cj h4p4 each1 by ,john ,nelson1 ,glasgow4 ,the ,,ayr was employed in the ,glasgow and ,ayrshire and ,galloway trade4 ,on the #bjth ,march following 7#ahbf7 ,messrs4 ,burns despatched their first steamer from ,glasgow to ,belfast4 ,she was a new steamboat named ,,fingal4 ,her length was #aaf feet1 her beam #ba feet #f inches1 and her depth #ab feet #d inches4 ,she had two engines of #ej h4p4 each4 ,she could accommodate thirty passengers with sleeping berths1 had several horse boxes on deck1 and carried #ahj tons of cargo4 ,the rates for passage were1 in the cabin1 #bjs41 and on deck1 #cs42 and the days of sailing from ,glasgow1 ,tuesdays and ,fridays4 ,three years later 7,march1 #ahbi7 ,messrs4 ,burns began their ,liverpool and ,glasgow service4 ,the pioneer steamer of this service was the ,,glasgow1 a small steamer1 #abj tons deadweight1 and fitted with two engines of #cj h4p4 each4 ,the ,messrs4 ,burns have ceased for many years to have any connection with the ,glasgow1 ,ayr and ,galloway trade1 but on the other two stations1 ,belfast and ,liverpool1 they have maintained continuous services for nearly eighty years4 ,they were also largely interested in the ,glasgow and ,west ,highland ,passenger ,services1 but sold their interests in #ahea to ,messrs4 ,david ,hutcheson ,co4 ,these services are now conducted by the fleet of splendid steamships owned by the ,messrs4 ,mac,brayne of ,glasgow4#ab ,on ,saturday1 the #cjth ,june1 #ahbe1 a steam-packet sailed from the ,thames for ,hamburg1 the first that had ever made that voyage4 ,the following month 7#afth ,august7 the first steamer sailed from ,england 7,falmouth7 to ,calcutta1 via the ,cape4 ,this was the wooden paddle-steamer ,,enterprize1 #dgj tons burthen1 #abj h4p4 ,further particulars of this vessel are given in ,chapter ,,ix4 7,steamship ,routes to ,india and the ,east74 ,some idea of the marvellously rapid growth of steam navigation may be gathered from the fact that in the year #ahbe1 just ten years after the arrival of the first steamers on the ,thames and ,mersey1 there were #dd steam vessels on the stocks at ,liverpool of from #bej to #ejj tons each2 while in ,london no less than #de companies had been formed to establish steam-packets in every quarter of the globe4 ,owners of sailing ships became alarmed for their future1 and at a meeting held in ,swansea1 on the #adth ,december1 #ahbf1 a resolution was passed to send a petition to the ,house of ,commons1 praying for the intervention of ,parliament to protect sailing vessels against the further increase of steamers4 ,amongst those steamers referred to as building at ,liverpool was the ,,erin1 the largest steamer 7up to date of launching7 ever built in ,liverpool4 ,her principal dimensions were1 length #afa feet1 breadth #dd feet4 ,her tonnage was #ejj tons gross1 and she was propelled by engines of #ahj h4p41 by ,fawcett and ,co4 ,she was launched from ,mr4 ,rathbone's yard in ,february1 #ahbf1 and was intended to trade regularly between ,london and ,belfast1 calling at ,southampton1 ,plymouth and ,falmouth4 ,her owners were the ,belfast ,steam ,navigation ,co41 and she cost #bj1jjj4 ,her 7late7 ,majesty's ,steam-,packets1 for the conveyance of mails and passengers between ,liverpool and ,kingstown1 commenced sailing on the #bith ,august1 #ahbf4 ,captain ,john ,emerson1 ,r4,n4 7late ,commander of the ,,st4 ,,george steam-packet71 was appointed ,captain of one of these ,royal ,mail ,steamers1 of which there were four1 all built at ,liverpool1 and each of #cjj tons burthen4 ,the ,city of ,dublin ,steam-,packet ,company commenced a regular steamship passenger service between ,england1 ,ireland and ,france in ,june1 #ahbg4 ,the route was from ,belfast to ,dublin1 thence to ,bordeaux4 ,passengers from the ,north of ,england were carried by the ,company's steamers between ,liverpool and ,dublin1 connecting at the latter port with the steamer to ,france4 ,the pioneer steamer of the service was the ,,leeds1 which sailed on her first voyage from ,belfast on ,sunday1 #agth ,june1 and from ,dublin on the following ,wednesday1 continuing to sail at fortnightly intervals during the season4 ,the venture was so successful that the ,directors of the ,company1 the following ,april1 added the steamers ,,sheffield and ,,nottingham to the service1 and increased the sailings to the #ast1 #ajth and #bjth of each month4 ,,footnotes3 #ab ,for a special account of this ,firm1 see ,part ,,ii4 of this ,volume4 ,chapter ,,ix4 ,steamship ,routes to ,india and the ,east4--,lieut4 ,johnston4--,,enterprize purchased by ,indian ,government4--,renders important service during ,burmese ,war4--,thomas ,waghorn4--,regular steamship service established between ,bombay and ,suez4--,peninsular ,steam ,navigation ,co4 7#ahcd74--;,altered to ,peninsular and ,oriental ,s4 ,n4 ,co4 7#ahcg74--;,first ,p4 and ,o4 steamer to ,india1 #ahdb4--,services extended to ,ceylon1 ,penang1 ,singapore1 and ,hong ,kong1 #ahdd4--;,and to ,australia1 #aheb4--,p4 and ,o4 steamships engaged as troopships during ,crimean ,war4--,s4,s4 ,,mooltan 7#ahfa7 and other later steamers fitted with compound engines4--,suez ,canal opened1 #ahfi4--,mails transferred to ,canal route1 #ahhh4--;,calcutta and ,burmah ,s4 ,n4 ,co4 7#ahee74--,steamers engaged as transports during ,indian ,mutiny4--,title changed to ,british ,india ,steam ,navigation ,co41 ,ltd4 7#ahfb74--;,bibby ,line4 ,soon after steam navigation began to attract attention in ,great ,britain1 a public meeting was held in ,london 7#ahbb71 for the purpose of forming a steamship company to trade between ,england and ,india4 ,it was the intention of the promoters of the meeting that the packets should proceed to ,india by way of the ,cape of ,good ,hope1 the route by which the bulk of the trade of ,europe with the ,east had been carried since the time of ,vasco da ,gama4 ,at this meeting it was decided that ,lieut4 7afterwards ,captain7 ,johnston should proceed to ,calcutta1 with a view to interesting the ,east ,india merchants in the proposed undertaking4 ,lieut4 ,johnston proceeded to ,india via ,egypt1 and although he was commissioned to advocate the ,cape route1 he was convinced on this journey of the greater advantages of the route by ,suez1 and afterwards became one of its most ardent supporters4 ,several meetings were held in ,calcutta after his arrival there1 at one of which1 held on the #agth ,december1 #ahbc1 it was announced that the ,governor1 ,lord ,amherst1 cordially approved of the proposal to establish steamship communication between ,england and ,india1 and that he was prepared to recommend his ,council to grant as a premium#ac 8a gift of #bj1jjj rupees to whoever1 whether individuals or a company1 being ,british subjects1 should permanently1 before the end of #ahbf1 establish a steam communication between ,england and ,india1 either by the ,cape of ,good ,hope or the ,red ,sea1 and make two voyages out and two voyages home1 occupying not more than seventy days on each passage40 ,illustration3 ,,colombo carrying ,xmas gifts to the troops in the ,crimea4 ,an additional #hj1jjj rupees were raised in ,india for this object1 of which amount the ,rajah of ,oude subscribed #ab1jjj4 ,on receipt of this gratifying news in ,london1 another meeting of those interested was held1 at which sufficient capital was underwritten to justify the promoters in ordering1 as an experiment1 the ,,enterprize1 the first steamer destined to double the ,cape of ,good ,hope4 ,johnston1 having accomplished his assigned task1 embarked on board the ,indiaman ,,eliza for ,england4 ,on his arrival in ,london he found the ,,enterprize two-thirds completed1 and on completion he was appointed captain4 ,illustration3 ,p4 ,o4 ,liner4 ,date about #ahej ,a4,d4 ,illustration3 ,p4 ,o4 ,liner4 ,date #aijj ,a4,d4 ,the ,,enterprize was a paddle-steamer1 built of wood1 by ,messrs4 ,gordon ,co41 ,deptford1 at a cost of #dc1jjj4 ,her length of keel was #abb feet1 beam #bg feet1 and she registered #dgi tons4 ,she had a copper boiler in one piece1 which weighed #cb tons1 and cost #g1jjj4 ,her engines were #abj horse power1 capable of propelling her in calm weather at the rate of #h knots per hour4 ,she sailed with #ag passengers from ,london for ,calcutta on the #afth ,august1 #ahbe1 and arrived at the latter port on the #gth ,december following4 ,she occupied #aac days on the passage1 partly under steam and partly under sail1 and inclusive of ten days stoppages for the purpose of obtaining fresh supplies of fuel4 ,she did not return to ,england1 but was purchased by the ,indian ,government for #dj1jjj1 the ,east ,india ,company being at that time engaged in the first ,burmese ,war4 ,she was employed carrying despatches between ,calcutta and ,rangoon1 and on the occasion of the ,treaty of ,malwa1 she saved the ,government six lacs of rupees by reaching ,calcutta in time to prevent the march of troops from the upper provinces4 ,when the ,,enterprize arrived at ,calcutta from ,england she was piloted by a young man1 a mate in the ,bengal ,pilot ,service1 named ,thomas ,waghorn4 ,mr4 ,waghorn was born at ,chatham in #ahjj1 and was1 consequently1 in his twenty-sixth year when he acted as pilot for the ,,enterprize4 ,he had served four years in the ,royal ,navy1 and was afterwards for twelve years in the service of the ,east ,india ,company as pilot1 subsequently rejoining the ,royal ,navy1 in which he remained until he obtained his commission as ,lieutenant4 ,he was selected in #ahbg1 by the ,indian ,government 7,calcutta ,steam ,committee71 for the purpose of establishing steam navigation between ,england and ,india4 ,he visited ,london1 ,liverpool1 and ,manchester1 but could not obtain sufficient financial support for a regular service of steamers via the ,cape of ,good ,hope4 ,hearing that it was the intention of the ,east ,india ,company to despatch the ,,enterprize to ,suez1 he offered his services as ,courier to the ,east to ,mr4 ,lock 7,chairman of the ,east ,india ,company71 and to ,lord ,ellenborough 7,president of the ,board of ,control74 ,his offer of service was accepted1 and he left ,london on the #bhth ,october1 #ahbi1 taking the overland route1 via ,trieste1 to ,alexandria1 where he arrived on the #bgth ,november4 ,his instructions were to proceed with his despatches for the ,governor of ,bombay 7,sir ,john ,malcolm71 by the steampacket ,,enterprize from ,suez1 but owing to a breakdown of her machinery1 the steampacket was not at ,suez to meet him4 ,there being no steamer to take him on to his destination1 ,mr4 ,waghorn embarked on an open native boat1 and sailed down the ,red ,sea1 being subsequently picked up by the ,east ,india ,company's sloop ,,thetis1 which had been sent to meet him1 and which brought him to ,bombay4 ,the day previous to the arrival of ,mr4 ,waghorn at ,bombay1 the ,east ,india ,company had despatched the steamer ,,hugh ,,lindsay to ,suez to take up the sailing of the disabled ,,enterprize4 ,the ,,hugh ,,lindsay continued to make one round voyage between ,bombay and ,suez annually until #ahcf1 during the north-east monsoons1 not being sufficiently powerful to make the passage during the south-west monsoons4 ,in #ahcf the ,court of ,directors of the ,east ,india ,company decided to place on the station two new and more powerful steamers4 ,these were the ,,atalanta1 of #faf tons burthen and #baj horse power1 built in #ahce at a cost of #cf1feb2 and the ,,berenice1 of #ffd tons and #bcj horse power1 built the same year at a cost of #dj1abd4 ,while a regular steamship service was thus being established between the ,isthmus of ,suez and ,bombay1 the ,british ,government had established a service of ,admiralty packets between ,falmouth and ,cadiz1 ,gibraltar1 ,malta1 and ,corfu4 ,from ,malta the mails were conveyed to ,alexandria by other of ,h4,m4 ships4 ,prior to #ahcj the ,admiralty packets were all sailing brigs1 but on the #eth ,february of that year the ,,meteor1 the first of the steampackets1 sailed from ,falmouth to the ,mediterranean4 ,she was followed by the steampackets ,,african1 ,,carron1 ,,columbia1 ,,confrance1 ,,echo1 ,,firebrand1 ,,hermes and ,,messenger4 ,about #ahcd ,messrs4 ,bourne1 of ,dublin1 the principal owners of the ,dublin and ,london ,steampacket ,company1 were induced by the ,spanish ,minister in ,london to start a line of steamers between ,london and the ,peninsula4 ,they placed the management of the steamers in the hands of ,messrs4 ,willcox and ,anderson1 a ,london firm with whom they had had some previous transactions4 ,messrs4 ,willcox and ,anderson were well acquainted with the trade to the ,peninsula1 having been engaged in it1 at first with sailing vessels1 and afterwards with chartered steamers4 ,the new line was called the ,peninsular ,steam ,navigation ,company1 and ,mr4 ,james ,allan1 then a clerk in the ,dublin ,office of the ,dublin and ,london ,steampacket ,company1 was sent to ,london to assist ,messrs4 ,willcox and ,anderson in the management4 ,the first steamer of the service was probably the ,,royal ,,tar1 belonging to the ,dublin and ,london ,steampacket ,company1 which had been chartered in #ahcd to ,don ,pedro1 and subsequently to the ,queen ,regent of ,spain1 ,messrs4 ,willcox and ,anderson being the chartering brokers4 ,the 8,graphic0 ,xmas ,number for #aija states the ,,wm4 ,,fawcett was the first ,p4 ,o4 steamer1 and the 8,p4 ,o4 ,pocket ,book0 7#aijj edition7 heads the list of the past and present fleet of the company with the name of the same vessel1 built in #ahbi4 ,it is only necessary to say here that neither the ,peninsular ,steam ,navigation ,company nor the ,p4 ,o4 ,steam ,navigation ,company were in existence at that date4 ,the ,,wm4 ,,fawcett was certainly built that year by ,caleb ,smith1 and engined by ,fawcett and ,preston1 both ,liverpool firms4 ,for some time she was engaged as a ferry boat on the ,mersey1 and in the early thirties she was employed as a regular trader between ,london and ,dublin4 ,she probably was chartered for a short time to the ,peninsular ,steam ,navigation ,company in #ahce or #ahcf1 as she does not appear in the company's advertised sailing list for #ahch4 ,in the latter year the fleet consisted of the following vessels1 from ,london to ,vigo1 ,lisbon1 ,cadiz and ,gibraltar3--,,tagus1 #hjj tons gross1 #cjj h4 p42 ,,royal ,,tar1 #fej tons gross1 #bfd h4 p42 ,,braganza1 #fej tons gross1 #bfd h4 p42 ,,iberia1 #fij tons gross1 #bjj h4 p42 ,,liverpool1#ad #ejj tons gross1 #afj h4 p42 ,,city ,,of ,,londonderry1#ad #ejj tons gross1 #afj h4 p4 ,branch steamers1 ,,peninsula1 ,,guadalquiver1 ,,estrella and ,,sol4 ,in #ahcg the ,government advertised for tenders from steamship owners for the conveyance of the mails between ,falmouth and the ,peninsula1 which up to that time were conveyed by sailing brigs which left ,falmouth for ,lisbon every week1 8wind and weather permitting40 ,in response to this advertisement two companies1 the ,british and ,foreign ,steam ,navigation ,company1 and the ,peninsular ,steam ,navigation ,company1 sent in tenders4 ,the former company having failed to show that it had adequate means for the efficient performance of the ,postal service1 the ,government concluded a contract1 on the #bith ,august1 #ahcg1 with the ,peninsular ,steam ,navigation ,company1 by which that company agreed to convey monthly the whole of the ,peninsular mails for an annual subsidy of #bi1fjj1 afterwards reduced to #bj1ejj4 ,the first steamer to be despatched under this contract was the ,,iberia1 in ,september1 #ahcg1 calling at ,vigo1 ,oporto1 ,lisbon and ,cadiz1 on its passage to and from ,gibraltar4 ,the ,british ,government in #ahci entered into an arrangement with the ,french ,government to send letters to and from ,india through ,france by way of ,marseilles4 ,the mails were conveyed between ,marseilles and ,malta by an ,admiralty packet1 and between ,malta and ,alexandria by another ,admiralty packet4 ,this arrangement did not work satisfactorily1 and the ,government advertised for tenders for a line of steamers1 to run direct from ,england to ,alexandria and vice versa1 touching only at ,gibraltar and ,malta4 ,the steamers were to be of sufficient power to perform the voyage in not more than three days beyond the time then occupied in the conveyance of the mails via ,france1 and the cost was not to exceed the amount required for the maintenance of the small and inefficient ,admiralty packets then employed4 ,four competitors tendered for the contract1 but that of the ,peninsular ,company was accepted1 it being the lowest 7#cd1bjj71 and containing also an offer to convey at a reduced rate all officers travelling on the public service1 and bona fide ,admiralty packages gratuitously4 ,at this time much pressure was brought to bear on the ,government to induce it to subsidize a proposed line of steamers between ,falmouth and ,calcutta via the ,cape of ,good ,hope4 ,these steamers1 according to the 8,times0 of the #aath ,november1 #ahch1 were to make the passage in thirty days4 ,the ,,great ,,liverpool1 of #a1edj tons and #dfd horse power1 built by ,sir ,john ,tobin1 of ,liverpool1 and intended for the ,liverpool and ,new ,york trade2 and the ,,oriental1 of #a1fjj tons and #dej horse power1 were the steamers offered by ,messrs4 ,willcox and ,anderson1 and approved by the ,admiralty1 to convey mails between ,england and ,alexandria1 calling at ,gibraltar1 and combining the two mail services of the ,peninsular and the ,oriental1 thus constituting the ,peninsular and ,oriental ,steam ,navigation ,company4 ,subsequently1 the company was requested to provide two steamers1 one to be not less than #bej horse power1 and the other to be #adj horse power1 for the ,malta and ,corfu branch of the mail service1 which was done at a cost to the country of #aj1gab per annum1 less than the cost of maintaining the ,admiralty packets previously employed4 ,in ,september1 #ahdb1 the ,p4 ,o4 ,company obtained a contract for carrying the mails between ,calcutta and ,suez4 ,the contract was granted very reluctantly by the ,east ,india ,company1 and only after much pressure had been brought to bear on it by the ,home ,government4 ,on the #bdth ,september1 #ahdb1 the ,p4 ,o4 ,company despatched its first steamer to ,india via the ,cape of ,good ,hope4 ,she was the paddle-steamer ,,hindostan1 of #b1jag tons gross and of #ebj horse power4 ,on her arrival at ,calcutta she was placed on the service between ,calcutta1 ,madras1 ,ceylon and ,suez4 ,other steamers were despatched speedily from ,england1 and in #ahdd the company was in a position to enter into another contract with the ,government for a monthly service from ,ceylon1 to ,penang1 ,singapore1 and ,hong ,kong4 ,for the premier service 7,suez-,calcutta7 the company received #aae1jjj per annum1 or at the rate of #bjs4 per mile1 and for the ,ceylon-,hongkong service #de1jjj1 or at the rate of about #abs4 per mile4 ,in connection with the ,eastern services1 coaling stations1 docks1 store establishments1 and in such places as ,suez and ,aden1 even fresh-water supplies had to be1 and were1 provided and organised4 ,at this period1 and until the completion of the ,railway from ,alexandria to ,suez1 the passengers and cargo carried by the ,p4 ,o4 steamers were conveyed across ,egypt in a somewhat primitive manner4 ,the ,mahmoudieh ,canal enabled the company to transport its passengers and cargo from ,alexandria to the ,nile1 whence they proceeded by steamer to ,cairo1 and thence through the desert on the backs of camels1 a distance of less than #ajj miles1 to ,suez4 ,as it was notorious that the mail service between ,suez and ,bombay was conducted by the ,east ,india ,company at a cost of upwards of #cjs4 per mile by steamers vastly inferior in speed and accommodation to the ,p4 ,o4 steamers1 which maintained the mail services to ,india and the principal ports of ,china at an average rate of about #ags4 per mile1 the public naturally demanded that the ,suez-,bombay service should be taken out of the control of the ,east ,india ,company1 and placed in the hands of those competent to work it more efficiently and with greater economy4 ,the demands of the public1 although confirmed by the ,parliamentary ,committee of #ahea1 were successfully resisted by the ,court of ,directors until #ahed1 and it is questionable if even then1 they would have given up the service if 7in consequence of the ,east ,india ,company having no steamer ready for them at ,suez7 the ,bombay mails had not been lost in a native sailing craft into which they had been transferred at ,aden4 ,the ,p4 ,o4 ,company were applied to by the ,government1 and undertook this service for the sum of #bd1gjj per annum1 or at the rate of #fs4 #b;d4 per mile1 resulting in a decreased expenditure of about #hj1jjj per annum1 as compared with the expense incurred by the far less efficient ,east ,indian ,navy4 ,in #aheb1 the ,p4 ,o4 ,company extended its operations to ,australia1 by means of a branch line of steamers from ,singapore4 ,the following year saw an addition of no less than eleven steamships to the company's fleet4 ,amongst these was the celebrated troopship ,,himalaya1 which continued in active service until near the end of the century4 ,at the time of her launch she was the largest steamship afloat1 and of extraordinary speed4 ,she cost #acb1jjj when fully equipped and ready for sea4 ,her length was #cdj feet1 beam #dd feet #f inches2 her gross tonnage was #c1dch tons1 and her engines indicated #b1jej horse power4 ,another famous steamer built for the ,p4 ,o4 in #ahec was the ,,colombo 7steamship71 which was engaged as a ,government transport during the ,crimean ,war4 ,even ,santa ,claus himself could not have been more eagerly welcomed than was the ,,colombo when she arrived off ,sebastopol on ,christmas ,eve1 #ahed1 with provisions for the wounded soldiers and sailors4 ,she was originally a vessel of #a1hfd tons gross1 but in #ahei she was lengthened amidships1 and her tonnage increased to #b1abg tons4 ,the ,,himalaya and the ,,colombo were two1 out of eleven1 ,p4 ,o4 steamships chartered to the ,government as transports during the ,crimean ,war1 and these vessels conveyed during the continuation of hostilities #a1hjj officers1 #fj1jjj men and #ae1jjj horses4 ,the first steamer of the ,p4 ,o4 ,company fitted with compound engines was the ,,mooltan 7steamship71 of #b1beg tons1 built in #ahfj-a4 ,several succeeding steamers were fitted with the same type of engines1 but although the consumption of fuel was decidedly less1 the engines themselves proved so unreliable that they were taken out of all the ships and replaced by the old style of engines4 8,it was not until #ahfi0 7says ,sir ,thomas ,sutherland1 in the 8,p4 ,o4 ,pocket ,book10 #aijj7 8that the company succeeded in building a steamer with high and low pressure machinery which could be considered thoroughly successful40 ,on the #agth ,november1 #ahfi1 the ,suez ,canal1 the greatest engineering work of the #aith century1 was formally opened by the ,empress ,eugenie1 in the presence of numerous distinguished men from all countries4 ,while the benefits conferred upon the world of commerce by the opening of this canal can hardly be over-estimated1 its influence upon the fortunes of the ,p4 ,o4 ,company was at first almost fatal4 ,the whole of the company's business had to be re-organised1 and as speedily as possible a new fleet obtained adapted to the changed requirements of the company's services4 ,this transitory state continued for a period of five years1 from #ahgj to #ahge1 by which date the company's re-organization was sufficiently accomplished to enable them to transfer their services from the ,overland to the ,suez ,canal route4 ,the accelerated mails sent via ,brindisi were still carried by the ,egyptian ,railway between ,alexandria and ,suez1 and continued to be so carried until #ahhh1 when they also were transferred to the ,canal route4 ,it is interesting to compare the earlier vessels of the company's fleet with the later4 ,the ,,india1 built in #ahci1 was a vessel of #hga tons1 and with engines of #cjj horse power4 ,her namesake1 built in #ahif1 is a steamer of #g1iaa tons1 with engines of #aa1jjj horse power4 ,the ,,persia1 built in #aijj1 has a slightly larger register 7#h1jjj tons71 with engines of the same power4 ,in #aija four twin-screw steamers were added to the fleet1 the ,,syria1 ,,soudan1 ,,somali and ,,sicilia1 each of #f1fjj tons gross1 with engines of #d1ejj horse power1 while #aijc-d witnesses the addition to the ,company's list of the ,,marmora and ,,macedonia1 #aj1ejj tons and #ae1jjj horse power1 and the ,,moldavia and ,,mongolia1 #aj1jjj tons and #ad1jjj horse power1 as well as several cargo steamers of immense tonnage4 ,during the war in the ,transvaal1 as at the time of the ,crimean ,war1 many of the steamers of the ,p4 ,o4 ,company were engaged by the ,government as transports4 ,the following figures indicate the extensive operations of the company3--,in #ahii the mileage traversed by the steamers of the fleet during the year was about #c1jjj1jjj miles4 ,the consumption of coal during that period was #fbe1jjj tons4 ,the dues paid to the ,suez ,canal ,company exceeded #bgb1jjj1 while the sum expended in wages to officers and crews amounted to #cfb1jjj4 ,in #ahee the ,directors of the ,east ,india ,company advertised for steamers to carry the mails between ,calcutta and ,burmah1 a service inaugurated by the ,,enterprize 7see ante7 in #ahbf1 and afterwards conducted by various vessels of the ,east ,indian ,navy4 ,messrs4 ,mc,kinnon ,co41 of ,glasgow1 tendered in response to this advertisement1 and their tender having been accepted1 they despatched the two steamers ,,baltic and ,,cape ,,of ,,good ,,hope to fulfil their contract4 ,these vessels were small and unsuitable for the intended service1 and the result would have been a serious financial loss to their owners1 had they not1 soon after their arrival in ,india1 been engaged for transports on the outbreak of the ,indian ,mutiny4 ,the new company traded under the title of the ,calcutta and ,burmah ,steam ,navigation ,co41 its first operations being confined to the ports of ,calcutta1 ,akyab1 ,rangoon and ,moulmein4 ,one of the two pioneer steamers1 the ,,cape ,,of ,,good ,,hope1 collided with a ,p4 and ,o4 steamer and sunk in the ,hooghly4 ,another1 the ,,calcutta1 of #ijj tons1 was totally lost off the coast of ,wicklow1 when on her first voyage from the ,clyde to ,calcutta4 ,a fresh contract was entered into in #ahfb with the ,indian ,government1 and in the same year the title of the ,company was changed to the ,british ,india ,steam ,navigation ,co41 ,limited4 ,the terms of the new contract included the transport of troops and stores at a mileage rate2 a mail service every fortnight between ,calcutta1 ,akyab1 ,rangoon and ,moulmein2 also a monthly service via the two latter ports to ,singapore2 a similar service to ,chittagong1 and one to the ,andaman ,islands2 as well as one between ,madras and ,rangoon2 a fortnightly service between ,bombay and ,karachi2 and a service1 once every six weeks1 to various ports in the ,persian ,gulf4 ,new vessels were built and despatched for these various services1 and the traffic of the ,company developed with great rapidity4 ,the career of the ,company was1 however1 not an unchequered one4 ,in addition to the two steamers referred to as lost during the first year of the ,company's existence1 must be added the wreck of the ,,burmah on the ,madras coast1 the loss of the ,,bussorah on her voyage to ,india1 and the foundering of the ,,persia on her voyage from ,rangoon to ,calcutta1 during one of those fearful cyclones which periodically sweep the ,indian ,ocean4 ,the opening of the ,suez ,canal in #ahfi1 which for a time adversely affected the fortunes of the ,p4 and ,o4 ,co41 proved beneficial to the ,british ,india ,steam ,navigation ,co4 ,the directors of the latter ,company at once took advantage of the facilities which it offered1 and their steamer ,,india1 requiring new boilers1 was despatched to ,england1 and was the first steamer to arrive in ,london with a cargo of ,indian produce via the ,suez ,canal4 ,since that date the ,company has added steamer to steamer until at the present date 7#aijc7 its fleet 7inclusive of the ,british ,india ,association steamers7 numbers upwards of #abj vessels4 ,in ,july1 #ahia1 ,messrs4 ,bibby ,brothers1 of ,liverpool 7a firm which was founded in #ahjg71 established a direct service of first-class and swift steamers between the ,united ,kingdom and ,burmese ports4 ,for half a century prior to #aija ,messrs4 ,bibby had maintained steamship communication between ,liverpool and all the principal ports of the ,mediterranean4 ,prior to the construction of the ,suez ,canal1 cargo from the ,east was carried by the ,p4 and ,o4 to ,suez1 thence by rail to ,alexandria1 where it was transhipped to the ,bibby steamers1 which loaded in ,alexandria for ,liverpool4#ae ,illustration3 ,early ,bibby ,liner ,,sicilian 7#ahei71 the first steamer built by ,messrs4 ,,harland ,,wolff4 ,,footnotes3 #ac ,lindsay's ,history of ,commerce1 page #cci4 #ad ,chartered ,steamers belonging to the ,city of ,dublin ,co4 #ae ,a sketch of the history of this important ,firm will be found in ,part ,,ii4 of this ,volume4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,steamers on the ,pacific4--,the ,,telica 7#ahbe74--,p4 ,s4 ,n4 ,co41 #ahdj4--;,compound ,engines adopted1 #ahef4--,service extended from ,west ,coast1 ,south ,america1 to the ,river ,plate 7#ahfe71 and to ,liverpool1 #ahfh4--,the ,p4 ,s4 ,n4 ,co4 and ,messrs4 ,anderson ,anderson ,co41 #ahgh4--;,gulf ,line of ,steamers between ,great ,britain and ,west ,coast1 ,south ,america4 ,the first steamer to trade along the ,pacific ,coast of ,south ,america was a small steamer1 named the ,,telica1 in #ahbe4 ,she was owned and commanded by a ,spaniard bearing a ,russian name1 ,mitrovitch4 ,the venture proved a failure1 chiefly owing to the scarcity of fuel1 and the unfortunate man1 in a fit of despair1 fired his pistol into a barrel of gunpowder1 and blew up his vessel in the harbour of ,guayaquil1 destroying himself and all on board1 except one man4 ,the next person to attempt to establish steamship communication along the ,pacific ,coast was an ,american citizen1 ,mr4 ,william ,wheelwright1 born in ,newburyport1 ,mass41 ,u4,s4,a41 in #agih1 and appointed ,united ,states ,consul at ,guayaquil in #ahbd4 ,mr4 ,wheelwright1 notwithstanding the tragic fate of the ,,telica and her owner1 was convinced of the importance of steam communication to the development of the rich resources of the western side of the ,south ,american ,continent1 spent six years in arranging plans for steam communication between the different ,republics1 and at last obtained from the ,peruvian1 ,bolivian1 and ,chilian ,governments the privilege of establishing and maintaining a steamship service along their respective coasts for a period of ten years4 ,in pursuance of this object he came to ,england1 and secured the co-operation of several wealthy merchants1 and on the #agth ,february1 #ahdj1 a charter was obtained for the establishment of the undertaking known as the ,pacific ,steam ,navigation ,company1 together with a small subsidy for the conveyance of the mails4 ,it was not the intention of the founders of the company to trade elsewhere than along the ,pacific ,coast1 and for this purpose a capital of a quarter of a million pounds was thought to be sufficient4 ,the capital consisted of #e1jjj shares1 #ej each4 ,only the amount required to build two small steamers was called up4 ,these steamers were the ,,chili and ,,peru1 each of about #gjj tons gross register1 with engines of about #aej horse-power nominal4 ,they were brig-rigged paddle steamers1 built of wood1 by ,charles ,young and ,co41 ,limehouse1 ,london1 and engined by ,miller ,ravenhall4 ,illustration3 ,,peru4 ,pacific ,steam ,navigation ,co41 ,ltd4 ,owing in great measure to the scarcity of fuel on the coast1 the company1 during the first five years of its existence1 sustained a loss of four-fifths of its paid-up capital1 but the shareholders courageously resolved to persevere with their undertaking4 ,the seat of management of the company was1 however1 transferred from ,london to ,liverpool 7#ahdf71 and the late ,mr4 ,william ,just appointed ,managing ,director4 ,the following year 7#ahdg71 the ,directors were for the first time able to declare a dividend1 a modest two-and-a-half per cent4 ,in #ahej1 having obtained an extension of the ,government ,postal contract1 the ,directors ordered four steamers1 at a total cost of #adj1jjj4 ,these steamers were named the ,,lima1 ,,santiago1 ,,quito and ,,bogota1 and were each of about #a1jjj tons gross and #cjj horse-power nominal4 ,in #ahef the company's service was re-organised by ,mr4 ,just1 who visited the ,west ,coast specially for that purpose4 ,during the same year the compound type of engines was adopted in the company's steamers1 the ,pacific ,steam ,navigation ,company being thus one of the earliest ocean steamship companies to use this type of engine4 ,a supplemental charter was obtained in #ahfe1 extending the operations of the company1 and authorising steamship communication between the ,west ,coast of ,south ,america1 and the ,river ,plate on the ,east ,coast4 ,as the profits of the company had been steadily increasing for a number of years prior to #ahfg1 it was resolved at a meeting of shareholders1 held in ,december of that year1 to establish a monthly line of steamers from ,liverpool to the ,west ,coast of ,south ,america1 via the ,straits of ,magellan1 and to increase the capital of the company to #b1jjj1jjj4 ,the first new steamer of the new service was the ,,pacific1 #a1fcj tons gross register1 #a1agd tons net1 with engines of #dej horse-power4 ,her principal dimensions were1 length #bfg feet1 beam #dj feet1 depth #ag feet4 ,she was built on the ,clyde in #ahfd1 by ,randolph ,elder ,co41 and cost #fa1hee4 ,after trading for about three years on the ,pacific ,coast1 she sailed from ,valparaiso for ,liverpool in ,may1 #ahfh1 as the pioneer steamer of the new mail service4 ,during this year five steamers of about #c1jjj tons each1 specially built for the maintenance of this service1 were added to the company's fleet4 ,these were the ,,john ,,elder1 ,,magellan1 ,,patagonia1 ,,araucania and ,,cordillera4 ,so profitable was the ,liverpool trade to the ,west ,coast1 the ,directors determined in #ahgj to make the sailings fortnightly1 and in that year they added the steamers ,,chimborazo1 ,,cuzco1 ,,garonne1 ,,lusitania and ,,aconcagua to the fleet4 ,in ,december1 #ahga they recommended a further increase of the company's capital to #c1jjj1jjj1 with a view of making the service from ,liverpool a weekly one4 ,during the year they had greatly increased the number of the company's ocean steamers1 having built in #ahga seven steamers1 each of about #d1jjj tons gross1 viz41 the ,,sorata1 ,,illimani1 ,,cotopaxi1 ,,galicia1 ,,corcovado1 ,,puno and ,,potosi4 ,in ,july1 #ahgb1 the capital of the company was raised to #d1jjj1jjj1 and the steamers ,,valparaiso and ,,britannia were added to its fleet1 and in the following year the ,,iberia and ,,liguria4 ,illustration3 ,,orellana4 ,pacific ,steam ,navigation ,co41 ,ltd4 ,in addition to the above steamers1 which were all built for the ,liverpool to ,west ,coast service1 the ,pacific ,steam ,navigation ,company built during the years #ahfi to #ahgc inclusive1 eighteen steamers for its ,pacific ,coast service4 ,the ,,iberia and ,,liguria were the last of the barque-rigged1 clipper-bow type of steamer built for the ,pacific ,steam ,navigation ,company4 ,the succeeding vessels of the fleet have as a rule four pole masts and a straight stem4 ,although the trade between ,liverpool and the ,west ,coast of ,south ,america had increased with marvellous rapidity1 the increase in the company's tonnage had more than kept pace with it4 ,it was found that the combined passenger and cargo trade would not support a sailing each week1 and the sailings were reduced to two each month4 ,as a consequence of the reduced number of sailings1 as many as nine of the company's steamers were at one time laid up for want of employment4 ,in #ahgh the ,directors were fortunately able to charter four of their vessels1 the ,,chimborazo1 ,,lusitania1 ,,cuzco and ,,garonne1 to ,messrs4 ,anderson1 ,anderson ,co41 who in that year founded the ,orient ,line of steamers from ,london to ,australia4 ,in #ahhb1 when the latter company decided to double its sailings1 the ,pacific ,steam ,navigation ,company made arrangements to employ several additional steamers in the ,australian service4 ,although the ,pacific ,company was the first to establish steamship communication between ,great ,britain and the ,west ,coast of ,south ,america1 it has had to share the traffic in later years with the ,gulf ,line of steamers belonging to the ,greenock ,shipping ,company1 and with the steamers belonging to ,messrs4 ,lamport ,holt4 ,illustration3 ,ships in harbor ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,french-,algerian ,expedition1 #ahcj4--;,civil ,war in ,portugal4--,loss of the steamer ,,rival4--,mutiny on a ,transport4--,loss of the ,,lord ,,blaney4--,the ,,margaret1 first screw passenger steamer trading from ,hull4 ,early in the year #ahcj1 the ,french ,government1 fitted out an expedition against the ,dey of ,algiers1 and an agent of the former was instructed to contract with the ,city of ,dublin and the ,st4 ,george ,steam-,packet ,companies for the employment of some of their first-class boats as transports in the expedition4 ,the vessels chartered were ordered to proceed immediately to ,toulon to embark ,french troops for service in ,north ,africa4 ,this was the first instance of steam vessels being extensively engaged in warlike expeditions4 ,at this date1 ,portugal was engaged in a prolonged and sanguinary civil war1 in the course of which vessels belonging to both of the famous ,liverpool steamship companies were again employed4 ,don ,miguel 7surnamed the ,usurper7 had about the year #ahbf assumed the government of ,portugal4 ,it is calculated that in the short space of five years he imprisoned #bf1bgj of his beloved subjects2 #af1jjj were transported to various places2 #ac1jjj were forced to fly from his paternal government2 #ac1gjj perished on the scaffold2 and #e1jjj were either in concealment or wandering about the kingdom to avoid a similar fate4 ,finally1 ,dom ,pedro1 ,emperor of ,brazil1 on behalf of his daughter ,donna ,maria of ,portugal1 took active measures to recover the throne4 ,a number of ,british steamers were engaged as transports or privateers in the civil war that ensued4 ,amongst other vessels was the 8ill-fated steamer0#af ,,rival1 which sailed from ,greenock on the #bbnd ,december1 #ahcb1 bound for ,oporto1 with about #djj volunteers for ,dom ,pedro1 and foundered in ,galway ,bay1 with the loss of nearly #ejj lives4 ,some spars1 bedding1 and ship's papers were washed ashore1 but as not one of the passengers or crew escaped1 no particulars can ever be known of the circumstances attending the fatal disaster4 ,the ,,lord ,,blaney was one of several of the ,st4 ,george ,steam-,packet ,company's vessels chartered for the same service4 ,it appears from a record of magisterial proceedings 7,august1 #ahca7 before ,mr4 ,h4 ,leach1 of ,milford1 that the agents employed by ,dom ,pedro hired #bjj seamen at ,liverpool1 and induced them to ship on board the ,,lord ,,blaney1 under a pretext that they were merely wanted to navigate ,british transports across the ,atlantic1 to convey some regiments of ,portuguese from ,rio de ,janeiro to ,europe2 but no sooner had the ,,lord ,,blaney got fairly into the ,irish ,channel than the officers threw off the mask1 and acknowledged their destination to be ,belle ,isle1 for the purpose of manning ,dom ,pedro's fleet4 ,finding themselves thus entrapped1 the seamen exhibited signs of mutiny1 and a violent gale of wind having forced the steamer into ,milford ,haven for shelter1 the whole body of tars went ashore with bed and baggage1 declaring their intention not to fight under any flag but that of ,england4 ,after completing her engagement with ,dom ,pedro1 the ,,lord ,,blaney was placed on the ,liverpool and ,newry service1 and on the #ahth ,december1 #ahcc1 she was lost with all hands 7#de7 whilst on a voyage from ,newry to ,liverpool4 ,a subscription list was opened for the benefit of the families and relatives of the crew and passengers4 ,the ,city of ,dublin ,steam-,packet ,co41 although in active opposition to the ,st4 ,george ,steam-,packet ,co41 headed the list with the handsome donation of #ajj4 ,two1 at least1 of the ,city of ,dublin ,steam-,packet ,co4's vessels took part in the ,portuguese war1 the ,,leeds and the ,,birmingham4 ,the latter steamer1 under the command of ,captain ,beazley1 arrived at ,falmouth about the #aeth ,july1 #ahcc4 ,she brought despatches from ,lagos which contained intelligence of the most important and decisive nature1 nothing less than the complete defeat and capture of the fleet of the ,usurper4 ,the news was received with the utmost satisfaction in ,england as well as ,portugal4 ,the ,,margaret steamship sailed from ,hamburg to ,hull on ,friday1 #aith ,october1 #ahde1 with a number of passengers and a full general cargo4 ,shortly after leaving the ,elbe she encountered a north-west gale1 and after beating against it for two days1 she was driven on to a dangerous bank called the ,memmett1 near ,juist1 at the entrance to the river ,memm4 ,the moment she took the shoal1 the sea1 which was running very high1 swept several overboard4 ,the long boat was launched and an attempt made to reach the shore1 but owing to it being crowded it capsized1 and every soul in it perished4 ,from advices received1 it appears that altogether sixteen of the passengers and three of the crew were lost4 ,those who remained on board the vessel1 after severe privations1 were rescued4 ,the ,,margaret was owned by ,mr4 ,pimm1 of ,hull2 was several years old2 was about #bej tons burthen1 and was rigged as a three-masted schooner4 ,she was worked by a screw propeller1 and was the first vessel of that description engaged in the passenger trade from the port of ,hull4 ,illustration3 ,steamship ,illustration3 ,arrival of ,,sirius ,p4 ,s4 at ,new ,york1 #bcrd ,april1 #ahch4 ,,footnotes3 #af ,there is some doubt as to whether this vessel was a steamer or a sailing brig4 8,the ,liverpool ,mercury0 speaks of her as the 8ill-fated steamer1 ,,rival02 but the 8,glasgow ,herald0 only refers to her as the 8brig ,,rival40 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,pioneers of ,transatlantic steam navigation4--,valentia ,transatlantic ,s4 ,n4 ,co4 incorporated1 #ahbh4--;,dr4 ,lardner's famous speech on ,steam ,navigation4--,the ,,royal ,,william1 first steamer from ,canada to ,england1 #ahcc2 sold to ,spanish ,government and re-named ,,ysabel ,,segunda4--,the ,british ,queen ,s4 ,n4 ,co4--,launch of the ,,british ,,queen1 #ahch4--,,sirius1 first passenger steamer from ,europe to ,america1 #ahch4--;,,great ,,western1 #ahch4--;,arrival of both steamers at ,new ,york on same day4--,the ,,royal ,,william1 first ,atlantic liner from ,liverpool to ,new ,york1 #ahch4--,the ,,liverpool4--,the ,,president launched1 #ahci2 lost1 #ahda4 ,a ,quarter of a century had elapsed since the launch of ,bell's ,,comet on the ,clyde4 ,in the interval1 all the chief ports of ,great ,britain and ,ireland1 and several of the continental ports1 had been connected by steampacket services4 ,so early as #ahbh it had been proposed to establish steam communication between the ,west of ,ireland and ,america1 and an ,act of ,parliament for incorporating the ,valentia ,transatlantic ,steam ,navigation ,company was obtained4 ,the proposed capital was #bd1jjj1 in shares of #ej each4 ,the first steamer was estimated to cost #ba1jjj4 ,she was to be a vessel of about #hjj tons burthen1 driven by engines of #bjj h4p41 and was expected to make six round voyages per annum4 ,she was to accommodate #ej cabin and #ej steerage passengers1 and to carry #bjj tons cargo1 exclusive of bunkers4 ,it appears from the following extract from the 8,liverpool ,albion0 of the #adth ,december1 #ahce1 that although the projectors of the ,valentia ,company advertised in #ahbh that the company was 8to commence immediate operations10 its first sailing had not taken place seven years later4 ,the scheme fell through for want of support1 but in #ahce it was started afresh in conjunction with the railway from ,london1 the ,post ,office ,packets1 and the ,valentia ,railway4 ,the extract is valuable also as containing ,dr4 ,lardner's famous dictum concerning the possibility of direct steam navigation between ,liverpool and ,new ,york3-- 8,steam ,communication with ,america4 8,dr4 ,lardner then proceeded to observe that one of the grandest projects which had ever occupied the human mind was at present in the process of actual accomplishment4 ,he meant that of constructing a great highway for steam intercourse between ,new ,york and ,london--between the capital of the ,new ,world and that of the ,old4 ,part of the highway was in process of formation4 ,it consisted of several stages--that of the railroad from ,london to ,birmingham2 that from ,birmingham to ,liverpool1 and the steam intercourse with ,dublin2 but there was another stage--that from ,dublin to ,valentia1 which had as yet hardly been thought of4 ,ireland was a country which1 with all her political disadvantages1 was blest by nature with a vast number of physical advantages1 and amongst the rest he might reckon a vast number of excellent harbours4 ,no country in the world could boast of so many fine and spacious ports1 bays and roadsteads4 ,she had many harbours on her west coast which would serve admirably as stations for steam conveyance across the ,atlantic2 but ,valentia had been selected as the extreme westerly point suitable for that purpose4 ,it was a fine anchoring ground by an island of that name on the coast of ,munster4 ,the distance from ,dublin to this point was under #bjj miles1 which might be traversed in about #h hours4 ,the nearest point on the continent of ,north ,america to this point of ,ireland was ,st4 ,john's in ,newfoundland4 ,the distance between the two was about #a1ijj miles2 thence to ,halifax1 in ,nova ,scotia1 there would be another run of #eej miles1 and from that to ,new ,york would not exceed the admissible range2 but touching at ,halifax would be desirable for the sake of passengers4 ,the only difficulty would be as to the run from ,valentia to ,st4 ,john's2 and the voyage from ,dublin to ,bordeaux and back1 a distance of between #a1fjj and #a1gjj miles1 with the same stock of coals1 came very near this distance4 ,it must be observed that westerly gales blew almost all the year round across the ,atlantic4 ,they were produced by the trade winds being the compensating cause that restored the balance which these served to destroy1 according to that beautiful principle in nature which always provides a remedy for any derangement in the deranging cause itself4 ,as a last resource1 however1 should the distance between ,valentia and ,st4 ,john's prove too great1 they might make the ,azores a stage between1 so that there remained no doubt of the practicability of establishing a steam intercourse with the ,united ,states4 ,as to the project1 however1 which was announced in the newspapers1 of making the voyage directly from ,new ,york to ,liverpool1 it was1 he had no hesitation in saying1 perfectly chimerical1 and they might as well talk of making a voyage from ,new ,york or ,liverpool to the moon4 ,the vessels which would ultimately be found the best adapted for the voyage between this country and the ,united ,states would be those of #hjj tons1 which would carry machines of #bjj horse-power1 and would be able to stow #djj tons of coal4 ,to supply a #aj horse-power daily required an expenditure of a ton of coals1 and1 consequently1 #bjj horse-power would require #bj tons of coal daily2 but if the vessel carried #djj tons of coal only1 it would not be practicable to undertake a voyage which would require the whole of the quantity4 ,they must make an allowance of #ajj tons for contingencies4 ,thus1 in reckoning the average length of the voyage which might be undertaken by such a vessel1 we might safely calculate upon #cjj tons of coal1 which would be sufficient for #ae days1 and it might fairly be concluded that any project which calculated upon making longer voyages than #ae days without taking in a fresh supply of coals1 in the present state of the steamboat1 must be considered chimerical4 ,now1 the average rate of speed of the ,mediterranean packets was #agj miles per day1 and the utmost limit of a steam voyage might be taken at #b1eej miles2 but even that could not be reckoned upon40 ,in justice to the memory of ,dr4 ,lardner1 it is only fair to state that1 in the eighth edition of his 8,steam ,engine1 c410 #ahea1 pp4 #bid-cji1 he denies that he ever stated that 8a steam voyage across the ,atlantic was a physical impossibility40 ,during the winter of #ahcb-c1 the ,quebec and ,halifax ,steam ,navigation ,co4 built at ,quebec a steamer1 which they named the ,,royal ,,william4 ,she was a vessel of #a1cgj tons ,b4,m42 length over all1 #agf feet2 breadth1 outside paddle-boxes1 #dc feet #aj inches2 inside1 #bg feet2 depth of hold1 #ag feet #i inches2 draught laden1 #ac feet4 ,her engines of #ahj h4p41 constructed in ,birmingham by ,boulton ,watt1 were forwarded to ,canada1 and fitted on board the ,,royal ,,william at ,montreal1 whither she had been towed by the steamboat ,,british ,,america4 ,after trading for several months between ,quebec and ,pictou1 ,nova ,scotia1 the station for which her owners had built her1 she was advertised to sail for ,london4 ,in accordance with this announcement she was despatched from ,quebec on the #eth ,august1 #ahcc1 and after calling at ,pictou1 ,n4,s41 where she took on board a further supply of coal at #aes4 per chaldron1 she proceeded direct to ,cowes1 ,isle of ,wight1 accomplishing the voyage of about #b1ejj miles in seventeen days4 ,this voyage is remarkable as being the first instance of a vessel crossing the ,atlantic from ,america by the use of steam only4 ,after the completion of her trans-,atlantic voyage1 the ,,royal ,,william was sold to the ,spanish ,government1 who changed her name to the ,,ysabel ,,secunda1 and fitted her up as a man-of-war carrying six guns4 ,she took part in the first ,carlist war and1 finally1 was totally wrecked on the rocks off the harbour of ,santander1 ,spain4 ,after strenuous and prolonged efforts1 ,dr4 ,julius ,smith succeeded in organising 7#ahcf7 a ,transatlantic ,steamship ,company1 bearing the title of the ,british ,queen ,steam ,navigation ,co4 ,the capital of the ,company was fixed at #a1jjj1jjj sterling1 and its secretary was the celebrated ,mr4 ,mac,gregor ,laird4 ,the shares were promptly subscribed for1 and the ,directors placed a contract with ,messrs4 ,curling and ,young1 ,blackwall1 ,london1 to build their pioneer steamship1 the ,,british ,,queen4 ,the order for the engines was placed with a ,glasgow firm1 ,messrs4 ,claude ,girdwood ,co4 ,this firm1 however1 before they had finished the work entrusted to them1 became bankrupt1 and a new contract was made with ,mr4 ,robert ,napier1 the famous ,clyde engineer1 to supply the engines4 ,it was at first the intention of the ,directors 7as stated in their prospectus7 to build a vessel of #a1hfb tons burthen1 but before the completion of the ship they decided to increase her size to #b1djj tons4 ,although contracted for in the summer of #ahcf1 it was not until #bdth ,may1 #ahch1 that the ,,british ,,queen was launched4 ,this unfortunate delay1 caused by the bankruptcy of ,messrs4 ,girdwood ,co41 enabled a rival company at ,bristol to build and equip their steamer1 the ,,great ,,western1 before the ,,british ,,queen could be got ready for her service4 ,in order to save the prestige of their ,company the ,directors of the ,,british ,,queen chartered from the ,st4 ,george ,steam-,packet ,co4 the steamer ,,sirius1 and advertised that she 8would leave ,london for ,new ,york on ,wednesday1 the #bhth of ,march1 #ahch1 calling at ,cork ,harbour2 and would start from thence on the #bnd ,april1 returning from ,new ,york on the #ast of ,may40#ag ,the sailing from ,cork ,harbour was1 however1 delayed1 waiting the arrival of the steampacket ,,ocean from ,liverpool with the mails and passengers1 until the morning of the #dth of ,april4 ,she started on this memorable voyage at #i o'clock on the morning of the date named1 having on board #id cabin passengers4 ,three days later 7#gth ,april1 #ahch7ah she was followed across the ,atlantic by the ,,great ,,western1 from ,bristol for ,new ,york1 with goods and passengers4 ,as the dates of the intended sailings of both steamers had been conveyed to ,new ,york1 their arrival at that port was eagerly looked for4 ,they both arrived on the same day1 the ,,sirius early in the morning of ,monday1 the #bcrd ,april1 and the ,,great ,,western in the afternoon4 ,the excitement which prevailed on the arrival of these steamers was described as follows by the ,new ,york ,press3 -- 8,at #c o'clock p4m4 on ,sunday1 the #bbnd of ,april1 the ,,sirius first descried the land1 and early on ,monday morning1 the #bcrd1 anchored in the ,north ,river immediately off the ,battery4 ,nothing could exceed the excitement4 ,the river was covered during the whole day with row-boats1 skiffs1 and yawls1 carrying the wondering people out to get a close view of this extraordinary vessel4 ,while people were yet wondering how the ,,sirius so successfully made out to cross the rude ,atlantic1 it was announced about #aa a4m4 on ,monday1 from the telegraph1 that a huge steamship was in the offing4 #8,the ,,great ,,western6--the ,,great ,,western6' was on everybody's tongue4 ,about #b o'clock p4m4 the first curl of her ascending smoke fell on the eyes of the thousands of anxious spectators1 and a shout of enthusiasm rose on the air4444 ,thus the grand experiment has been fairly and fully tested1 and has been completely successful4 ,the only question now in the case is that of expense4 ,can steampackets be made to pay80 ,illustration3 ,,british ,,african ,s4 ,n4 ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,,british ,,irish ,,steampacket ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,,british ,,india ,s4 ,n4 ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,t4 ,j4 ,,brocklebank4 ,illustration3 ,g4 ,j4 ,,burns4 ,illustration3 ,r4 ,,burton ,,son4 ,illustration3 ,,canadian ,,pacific ,,railway4 ,illustration3 ,,cayzer1 ,,irvine ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,,city ,,of ,,dublin ,,steampacket ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,,cork ,,steamship ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,,cunard ,,line4 ,illustration3 ,,donald ,,currie ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,,elder1 ,,dempster ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,j4 ,r4 ,,ellerman4 ,illustration3 ,,fletcher1 ,,woodhill ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,,greenock ,,shipping ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,t4 ,j4 ,,harrison4 ,illustration3 ,,alfred ,,holt4 ,illustration3 ,,samuel ,,hough4 ,illustration3 ,,houlder ,,bros4 ,during the early part of her voyage westwards1 the ,,sirius experienced strong head winds1 during which she only steamed #d to #e knots per hour4 ,during the latter portion1 the weather was favourable1 and she made good progress1 averaging #i knots4 ,she sailed from ,new ,york as advertised on the #ast of ,may1 and reached ,england on the #ahth idem after a voyage of sixteen days4 ,the ,,great ,,western left ,new ,york on the #gth of ,may and arrived at ,bristol on the #bbnd1 being fourteen days on the passage4 ,there was a remarkable difference in her consumption of coal on the two voyages1 accounted for1 probably1 first by the stormy weather referred to as experienced by the ,,sirius on her outward voyage1 and secondly by the prevailing westerly winds on the homeward run4 ,on the voyage ,bristol to ,new ,york1 the ,,great ,,western averaged per day #bjh knots1 or #hb knots per hour1 with a total consumption of #fee tons of coal4 ,on her homeward voyage she averaged #bac knots per day1 or nearly #i knots per hour1 with a total consumption of only #cib tons of coal4 ,fuller details of the ,,sirius will be found in the ,history of the ,cork ,steamship ,co4 in ,part ,,ii4 of this work4 ,it is but fair to state that she was only half the size1 and had only half the power of her famous rival4 ,the principal dimensions of the two vessels were as follows3-- ,gross ,length4 ,breadth4 ,depth4 ,tonnage4 ,engines4 ,,great ,,western #bcf ft4 #ced ft4 #bcc ft4 #acdj #gej h4p4 ,,sirius #agh ft4 #bef ft4 #ah ft4 #gjc #cbj h4p4 ,they were both paddle-steamers1 built of wood1 the former designed by ,brunel1 and engined by ,maudsley1 ,sons ,field1 and the latter built by ,menzies1 of ,leith1 and engined by ,wingate ,co41 of ,glasgow4 ,for upwards of eight years the ,,great ,,western continued to sail regularly between ,bristol and ,new ,york1 on which station she was very popular with passengers4 ,she was sold in #ahdg to the ,royal ,mail ,steampacket ,co41 in which service she was also a favourite for several years4 ,in #aheg it was the opinion of the ,directors that she could not compete profitably with modern boats1 and she was therefore broken up at ,vauxhall4 ,about the date of the despatch of the ,,sirius from ,cork1 the ,directors of the ,city of ,dublin ,steam ,packet ,co4 had under consideration the formation of a ,transatlantic ,steam-,packet ,co41 with sailings to and from ,liverpool4 ,the steamers of this ,company were amongst the largest and most famous afloat4 ,a meeting of ,directors was held in the ,committee ,room1 ,water ,street1 ,liverpool1 at which it was decided to open up the new service by the despatch of the ,p4,s4 ,,royal ,,william as soon as she could be got ready for the voyage4 ,the ,,royal ,,william was practically a new steamer1 having been built in #ahcf1 being one of four steamers built to compete with the ,admiralty steamers for the mail service between ,liverpool and ,kingstown4 ,she proved herself to be faster than any of the ,government mail steamers1 and when placed on the ,dublin and ,london station1 made a passage from ,falmouth to ,kingstown1 #bfj miles1 in #bc hours4 ,she was built by ,wilson1 of ,liverpool1 and engined by ,fawcett ,preston1 of the same city4 ,her length was #age feet 7being #c feet less than the ,,sirius71 beam #bg feet1 depth of hold #ag feet #f inches4 ,her capacity was #hag tons burden1 and she was propelled by engines of #bgf h4p4 ,her coal consumption was about #ag tons per #bd hours1 and in fairly smooth water her speed was #aa knots per hour4 ,she had cabin accommodation for eighty passengers4 ,she sailed from the ,prince's ,pier on ,thursday evening1 #eth ,july1 #ahch1 having on board thirty-two passengers4 ,sixty-four years afterwards the present author had several interviews with ,mr4 ,brownrigg1 the ,city of ,dublin ,co4's ,customs ,clerk1 who took out the ,customs clearance for the ,,royal ,,william1 and who in spite of his great age remembered clearly the appearance of the vessel as she steamed down the ,river ,mersey on that midsummer evening so long ago4 ,although she carried no cargo on that voyage1 she was so deeply laden with coal for fuel--coal that filled her bunkers1 her holds1 and even her well-deck--that her paddles were buried six feet1 her sponsons were submerged1 and it was possible by leaning over the bulwarks to wash one's hands in the water that surged at the vessel's sides4 ,naturally it was an event in which the townspeople of ,liverpool and the residents on the ,cheshire side of the river took the deepest interest4 ,as she began to move she was greeted with enthusiastic cheers from thousands of spectators who crowded the piers and lined the river side1 whilst cannon were fired from ,woodside1 ,monks ,ferry1 ,rock ,ferry1 and from the steamboats on the river4 ,the ,,royal ,,william completed the passage from ,liverpool to ,new ,york in nineteen days1 and the homeward passage in fourteen and a half days4 ,illustration3 ,,royal ,,william ,p4 ,s4 in ,mid-,atlantic1 #abth ,july1 #ahch4 ,amongst those who were present at the meeting held in the ,water ,street ,committee ,room was ,sir ,john ,tobin1 who had a large steamer nearing completion on the stocks4 ,it was agreed that this vessel should sail alternately with the ,,royal ,,william between ,liverpool and ,new ,york4 ,at her launch1 ,sir ,john ,tobin's steamer was named the ,,liverpool4 ,she was a vessel of #a1aej tons1 with engines of #djd h4p4 ,she started on her first voyage on the #bjth ,october1 #ahch1 but experienced such bad weather that she put back to ,cork on the #bfth1 after having accomplished about one-third of her voyage4 ,she remained at ,cork for ten days1 and again proceeded to sea on the #fth ,november1 arriving at ,new ,york on the #bcrd1 after a passage of sixteen and a half days4 ,it was on board this steamer that ,mr4 ,samuel ,cunard crossed the ,atlantic1 for the purpose of inducing ,british capitalists to take up his scheme of mail steamers between ,liverpool1 ,halifax and ,boston4 ,after making a few voyages to and from ,liverpool and ,new ,york1 the ,,liverpool was lengthened1 her capacity being increased by #cic tons1 and at the same time her name was changed to the ,,great ,,liverpool4 ,her new owners1 the ,p4 and ,o4 ,co41 employed her in their mail service between ,southampton and ,alexandria4 ,her career as a ,royal ,mail steamer was a short one1 as she was lost off ,cape ,finisterre on the #dth ,february1 #ahdf4 ,the first great disaster in the ,transatlantic steamship trade occurred in the spring of #ahda4 ,on the #abth ,march of that year1 the steamship ,,president sailed from ,new ,york1 bound for ,liverpool1 with a full list of passengers4 ,she was a new steamer1 having been launched fifteen months previously 7#gth ,december1 #ahci7 by ,messrs4 ,curling ,young for account of the ,british and ,american ,steam ,navigation ,co41 of ,bristol4 ,the ,,president was one of the largest and most powerful steamships of her day1 her register tonnage being #b1cff tons1 and her engines indicated #edj horse-power4 ,on her first voyage1 she sailed from ,liverpool for ,new ,york at #b p4m4 on the #ast ,august1 #ahdj1 arrived at ,new ,york #b p4m4 on the #agth idem2 sailed from ,new ,york #b p4m4 on the #ast ,september1 and arrived at ,liverpool #b p4m4 on the #agth of the same month1 being exactly sixteen days on both her westward and her eastward passage4 ,she apparently lay up for the winter1 and resumed her sailings in the spring of the following year4 ,she left ,new ,york for ,liverpool on her third homeward voyage on the #abth ,march1 #ahda1 having on board #acf passengers4 ,after leaving ,new ,york she disappeared1 with all her living freight1 from human ken4 ,as day after day passed1 the utmost anxiety arose1 both in the mercantile world and amongst the relatives of the passengers and seamen1 as to the cause of her detention4 ,other steamers and ships reported very heavy weather in the ,atlantic1 and the presence of unusual quantities of ice in very low latitudes4 ,the newspapers of the period were filled with references to the ill-fated vessel1 with suggestions that her engines had broken down1 and that she had drifted out of the track of homeward bound steamers4 ,multitudinous and conflicting rumours passed into circulation of her wreck having been seen in various places1 and a thousand speculations as to the cause and certainty of a catastrophe1 and the subsequent fate of those on board1 kept alive the agony of those interested in her4 ,her fate remains one of the sad mysteries of the ocean1 as no trace of her wreck was ever discovered1 nor a single survivor from the tragedy4 ,illustration3 ,new ,brighton ,lighthouse ,river ,mersey ,,footnotes3 #ag ,the 8,annals of ,liverpool0 section in 8,gore's ,directory0 erroneously states3 8#ahch4 ,the steamship ,,sirius sailed from ,london to ,cork1 #bgth ,march1 and from ,cork to ,new ,york1 #bnd ,april40 #ah ,this date is incorrectly quoted in 8,gore's ,liverpool ,directory0 as the #hth ,april4 ,chapter ,,xiii4 ,mr4 ,cunard's tender for the carriage of the ,british and ,north ,american ,mails accepted1 #ahci4--;,,great ,,britain launched1 #ahdc4--,sails from ,bristol for ,london1 #bcrd ,january1 #ahde4--,visited by ,h4,m4 ,queen ,victoria4--,sails for ,liverpool1 ,june1 #ahde4--;,for ,new ,york1 ,july1 #ahde4--,stranded ,dundrum ,bay1 ,september1 #ahdf4--;,floated off1 ,august1 #ahdg4--,sails to ,new ,york1 #aheb4 ,in ,october1 #ahch1 the ,british ,government1 being convinced of the superiority of steamships over sailing brigs1 advertised for tenders for the conveyance of the ,north ,american ,mails by steamers4 ,amongst the tenders sent in1 that of ,mr4 ,samuel ,cunard1 of ,halifax1 was accepted as being the lowest1 and in many other respects the most favourable for the public4 ,with a view of carrying out his scheme for establishing a mail steamship service between ,england and ,north ,america1 ,mr4 ,cunard came to ,london and called upon ,mr4 ,melville1 ,secretary to the ,east ,india ,company1 to whom he was personally known4 ,from ,mr4 ,melville he received a letter of introduction to ,mr4 ,robert ,napier1 the celebrated ,clyde engineer and shipbuilder1 by whom he was introduced to ,mr4 ,george ,burns1 of ,glasgow1 and ,mr4 ,david ,mac,iver1 of ,liverpool4 ,both these gentlemen favourably regarded the proposals of ,mr4 ,cunard1 and interested themselves so energetically in the matter that in a very short time the whole of the requisite capital for the formation of the ,trans-,atlantic ,mail ,steamship ,company was subscribed4 ,a sketch of the history of this famous ,company 7afterwards known as the ,cunard ,company7 will be found in the second part of this volume4 ,although the ,,british ,,queen had proved an entire success1 and was a great favourite with transatlantic travellers1 her owners resolved to build a second ship1 which would not only exceed her in size1 but which should also include all the latest improvements the art of naval construction could then command4 ,this was the famous ,,great ,,britain4 ,she was the first ,western ,ocean steamship constructed of iron1 and the first and only one for several years that was propelled by a screw propeller instead of paddle-wheels4 ,she was considered a colossal steamer in her time1 and excited quite as much public interest as did the ,,great ,,eastern at a later period4 ,her principal dimensions were1 length of keel #bhi feet1 between perpendiculars #bif feet1 over all #cbb feet1 her breadth was #ea feet1 depth of hold #cb feet #f inches1 her measurement #b1ihd tons1 and her engines #a1jjj h4p4 ,she originally carried six masts1 two of which were forward and four aft of the funnel4 ,she was built at ,bristol1 from plans furnished by ,mr4 ,patterson of that ,city1 who also had designed the ,,great ,,western4 ,her engines and boilers were constructed in1 and fitted on board the vessel at1 the ,company's own works1 as no outside engineers would undertake the contract4 ,but1 owing to an extraordinary oversight on the part of the consulting ,engineer1 it was then found that she was imprisoned in the dock1 being so deeply immersed by the weight of her machinery as to be unable to pass out4 ,although she was launched on the #aith ,july1 #ahdc1 owing to the above unfortunate mistake1 she was not ready for sea until ,december of the following year4 ,on her passage from ,bristol to ,london she encountered a severe storm which thoroughly tested her seagoing qualities1 and through which she passed triumphantly4 ,her arrival in the ,thames was awaited with great interest by the public1 whose curiosity had been excited by the numerous references to the vessel published in the daily and illustrated papers4 ,a long and interesting account of this trial voyage1 from which the following particulars are taken1 was published in the 8,illustrated ,london ,news10 under date of the #ast ,february1 #ahde4 ,from this article it appears that the ,,great ,,britain left ,bristol for ,london at #g p4m4 on ,thursday1 #bcrd ,january1 #ahde4 ,at the time the ship got under weigh1 it was blowing a fresh breeze from the ,s4,s4,w41 which at #c a4m4 on ,friday had veered to the ,n4,w4 and increased to a gale1 and there was a counter swell from the ,irish ,channel1 causing a disagreeable and heavy cross sea4 ,the gale continued to increase1 and was for a considerable time on her starboard bow2 yet1 notwithstanding this1 in the face of the gale1 and a heavy head sea with a strong ebb tide1 she made five and a half knots per hour4 ,at twenty minutes past twelve1 when about fifteen miles to the westward of ,lundy1 she was struck on the starboard bow by a tremendous sea1 which must have contained two or three thousand tons of water4 ,the shock for a moment seemed to paralyse the vessel and to bring her to a standstill2 this1 however1 was but for one moment2 the vessel recovered the shock instanter1 and continued to brave the gale as though nothing had happened to check her progress4 ,some idea of the force of the concussion may be formed from the damage done to the vessel4 ,three of her starboard bulls eyes were stove in1 together with their frames1 the diagonal bends of her forecastle deck were bent1 the woodwork started two inches upwards1 a portion of the carved figurehead carried away1 also the wooden fittings of her bulkhead1 the iron sheathing of both bows split above deck in two places4 ,the gale continued until #e-cj p4m41 when it became more moderate4 ,at #h-de p4m4 the ,,great ,,britain rounded the ,land's ,end1 and at #aj-dj was off the ,lizard proceeding up the ,channel at the rate of #aj knots per hour4 ,the ,captain 7,lieut4 ,hoskin1 ,r4,n471 was of opinion that neither the ,,great ,,western1 nor any other ,royal ,mail 7,paddle7 ,steamer1 could have made such headway under the same circumstances by at least from one to one and a half knots per hour4 ,illustration3 ,,great ,,britain ,s4,s4 7#ahde71 from an old ,engraving4 ,on ,saturday1 #beth ,january1 at #ab-aj a4m41 she was abreast of ,falmouth1 and proceeded up channel1 with light winds from the ,s4,w4 at an average speed of #ab knots per hour4 ,at #ab-de p4m4 she entered the ,needles passage1 and when off ,cowes1 at #b-ae1 the engines were stopped to land despatches4 ,at #b-ah again proceeded on her course4 ,upon arriving at ,spithead1 ,captain ,hoskin took his vessel under the stern of ,h4,m4,s4 ,,apollo1 fired a gun1 and gave her three cheers1 which were returned by the crew and troops on board4 ,at #a-dj a4m4 on ,sunday 7#bfth71 the ,,great ,,britain came to an anchor in the ,downs1 having ran from the time she rounded the ,land's ,end1 three hundred and fifty miles at an average speed of twelve knots per hour4 ,at #g-de a4m4 the vessel was got under weigh again from the ,downs1 and upon rounding the ,north ,foreland1 and steering through the ,queen's ,channel1 encountered a stiff gale from the ,w4,n4,w4 ,the ,,great ,,britain1 however1 met it in gallant style1 and made nine and a half knots against it4 ,as she steamed up the river1 the crews of every vessel she passed ran on deck to obtain a view of her1 her great length1 and her singular appearance with six masts1 rendering her an object of considerable attraction4 ,she arrived at ,woolwich at #c-cj p4m41 and at ,blackwall a few minutes later4 ,at both these places there was an immense concourse of people assembled to witness her arrival4 ,she remained at her anchorage at ,blackwall nearly five months1 during which period she was inspected by many thousands of the public4 ,on the #bbnd ,april ,h4,m4 ,queen ,victoria1 accompanied by ,prince ,albert and suite1 paid her a visit4 ,the ,,great ,,britain left ,blackwall on ,thursday afternoon1 #abth ,june1 #ahde4 ,on passing ,woolwich it seemed as if the whole population had turned out to behold her4 ,the ,dockyard was lined with the ,naval and ,military officers connected with that dept1 whose cheers were loud and continued4 ,she had on board about eighty passengers1 who had embarked for a trip round the coast4 ,after calling at several ports she arrived in the ,mersey about #i o'clock on the evening of ,thursday1 #crd ,july1 on which occasion she was anxiously looked for by thousands1 the pierheads and every available point on the river being densely crowded4 ,the ,,great ,,britain sailed on her first voyage from ,liverpool to ,new ,york on ,saturday1 #bfth ,july1 at #c o'clock in the afternoon1 taking forty-five passengers1 and arrived out on the #ajth ,august1 at noon4 ,on her return voyage she left ,new ,york on the #cjth ,august1 having on board fifty-seven passengers and #fjj tons general cargo1 and arrived at ,liverpool on the #aeth ,september1 at #h a4m4 ,she continued to trade regularly between the two ports1 her passenger list steadily increasing1 until the #bbnd ,september1 #ahdf1 when she stranded in ,dundrum ,bay1 ,ireland4 ,she was1 at the time of the stranding1 on a voyage from ,liverpool to ,new ,york with #ahe passengers4 ,fortunately the mishap was accompanied by no loss of life4 ,the cause of the disaster is explained by the following resolution passed by the ,directors of the ,company3--8,with respect to the occurrences which preceded the stranding of the unfortunate ship1 as explained now by ,captain ,hoskin1 and by the ,report of ,captain ,claxton to the ,secretary1 the ,directors are of opinion that the ship was stranded in consequence of an error in judgment1 into which it appears the ,captain was betrayed through the omission of a notice of ,st4 ,john's light in the chart of this year1 by which he was navigating1 and of the want of knowledge on his part of such a light having been established1 it being to the ,directors obvious that had the light been laid1 ,captain ,hoskin would have known that the judgment which led him at #h o'clock to put his ship in the proper course for the ,north ,channel1 ought to have been persevered in40 ,the ,,great ,,britain remained stranded for over eleven months1 but on the #beth ,august1 #ahdg1 she was floated off and towed to ,liverpool for repairs4 ,after the completion of the repairs she lay in the ,liverpool ,dock for about five years1 and then made one trip to ,new ,york1 sailing from ,liverpool on the #ast ,may1 #aheb4 ,she sailed from ,new ,york on the #eth ,june1 and after a rapid passage of #aj days #bc hours arrived in ,liverpool on the #afth of that month4 ,from that date she ceased to be connected with the ,transatlantic ,trade1 and her subsequent history is sketched in the chapter devoted to the account of steam communication with ,australia4 ,illustration3 ,sailboat near land ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,steam communication with the ,west ,indies4--,royal ,mail ,steampacket ,co4 incorporated #ahda4--;,commences with a fleet of fourteen steamers4--,heavy loss of first year's working4--,generous concession from ,government4--,rapid increase of trade4--,the 8,,trent affair40--,first screw steamers for ,company1 the ,,tagus and ,,mozelle4--,the ,,tasmanian4--,gross tonnage of present fleet4--,the ,imperial ,direct ,west ,india ,mail ,service1 ,ltd41 established #aija4 ,nine months after the despatch of the first ,cunarder from ,liverpool to ,halifax1 the ,admiralty accepted a contract from a newly-formed steampacket company1 to convey the mails between ,england1 the ,west ,indies1 and the ,gulf of ,mexico4 ,this company1 which bore the title of ,the ,royal ,mail ,steam ,packet ,co41 had an authorised capital of #a1ejj1jjj1 in fifteen thousand shares of #ajj each4 ,it commenced operations on an exceptionally large scale1 no less than fourteen large and powerful steamers being at once ordered to be built for the service4 ,the steamers were to be each of #djj horse-power1 and to be capable of carrying guns of the largest calibre then in use on ,h4,m4 war steamers4 ,like all other ocean steamers of the period1 they were constructed of wood1 and were propelled by paddle-wheels4 ,upon the complete delivery of these vessels to the ,company1 the contract required one of them to sail twice in each calendar month from ,england via ,corunna and ,madeira to the various islands in the ,west ,indies1 specified in the contract1 and back 8to such port in the ,british ,channel as the said ,commissioners of the ,admiralty shall direct40 ,the scheme also embraced other places in the ,west ,indies1 the ,spanish ,main1 and the ,united ,states1 for which mails were to be carried4 ,for the performance of these services1 the ,company was to receive a subsidy at the rate of #bdj1jjj per annum in quarterly payments1 the contract to commence on the #ast ,december1 #ahda1 or if possible earlier1 and to continue in force for ten years1 subject to twelve months' notice from either party for its termination4 ,notwithstanding this large subsidy1 the operations of the ,company during the first year resulted in a heavy loss1 the ,directors' balance-sheet1 presented at the first meeting of the shareholders1 showing a deficit of #gi1gij #afs4 #h;d4 ,before this meeting was held1 one-half of the capital had been paid up1 and another call of #aj per share was sanctioned at the meeting2 but as it was found that even this was insufficient for the requirements of the ,company1 the ,directors appealed to ,government for further assistance4 ,in response to this appeal the ,government generously consented to reduce the annual mileage to be traversed by the ,company's ships1 which by the original contract was #fhd1haf miles1 to #cib1igf miles1 without any reduction of the annual subsidy of #bdj1jjj4 ,this liberal concession was estimated by the ,directors to effect a saving to the ,company of #abe1jjj per annum4 ,unfortunately during the second year of its existence1 the ,company lost two valuable steamers1 which more than counterbalanced the bonus it had obtained from ,government4 ,trade1 however1 increased so rapidly and profitably1 that in the following year 7#ahdc7 the ,company had recouped its losses1 and had a surplus of receipts over expenditure amounting to #id1baj1 and in #ahdd to #adg1gdi4 ,in #ahej the ,government made a fresh contract with the ,royal ,mail ,steam ,packet ,co4 for a further term of ten years from the #ast ,january1 #aheb1 the subsidy being raised to #bgj1jjj per annum1 but the ,company were required to undertake the additional expense of a monthly service to the ,brazils1 which increased the mileage to be performed annually from #chi1ddh to #edg1bif miles1 and at the same time reduced the mileage from #abs4 #c;d4 to #is4 #aj;d4 per mile4 ,the ,company was also required to increase the speed of its steamers on the ,west ,indian line from #h knots to #aj knots per hour1 and to add five new steamers to its fleet1 each of #b1bej tons burden and #hjj horse power4 ,this second contract was altered in #aheg1 and its period of currency extended two years1 one condition introduced being of an extraordinary nature4 ,it had reference to an amalgamation with the ,european and ,australian ,mail ,company1 for the conveyance of the mails via ,egypt1 to and from ,australia4 ,this arrangement proved a great failure1 owing to the complete collapse of the latter ,company4 ,a second condition required the acceleration of the mails between ,england and ,rio de ,janeiro4 ,the ,company was also required to provide three new steamers of #c1jjj tons burden and #hjj horse-power for the ,atlantic ,west ,india service1 and a fourth of smaller dimensions to ply between ,rio and the ,river ,plate4 ,illustration3 ,,clyde4 ,royal ,mail ,steampacket ,co4 ,in #ahfd the second contract expired1 and fresh arrangements were made1 reducing the annual subsidy to #agb1iad4 ,at the same time it was stipulated that the speed of the steamers in the ,west ,india ,transatlantic service should be increased to #aj knots per hour4 ,the postal contract was again renewed in #ahgd2 but in consequence of adverse articles and letters which had appeared in the public press1 and because several members of ,parliament had insisted that the service should be thrown open to public competition1 the ,directors of the ,royal ,mail ,steam-,packet ,co4 found themselves compelled either to abandon the service altogether1 or to accept a much smaller subsidy than they had hitherto received for carrying the mails4 ,they adopted the latter alternative1 and undertook the conveyance of the ,west ,india mails for an annual payment of #hd1gej--;being about one-third of the amount of the first subsidy4 ,the company in addition received the sum of #b1jjj per annum to cover the cost of the steamers calling at ,plymouth to land the mails instead of carrying them on to ,southampton1 the final port of destination4 ,illustration3 ,,nile4 ,royal ,mail ,steampacket ,co4 ,on and from the #ast of ,january1 #ahge1 the mails were carried on an entirely fresh basis4 ,the contract with the ,government was for a service twice a month from ,southampton3 payment to be according to the weight of postal matter conveyed by the steamers1 and the contract was terminable by six months' notice given by either party to the contract4 ,although on the ,north ,atlantic screw steamers had been employed in rapidly increasing numbers since #ahej1 it was not until twenty years later that the ,directors of the ,royal ,mail ,steam ,packet ,co4 substituted screw steamers for paddle-wheel steam packets in their service4 ,the first fleet of the ,company consisted of vessels built of wood1 but so indeed were the pioneer steamers of the ,cunard1 ,p4 ,o41 and other historical steamship companies4 ,the course taken by the ,company's vessels was free from the dangers from ice and fogs1 such as are encountered by steamers engaged in the ,north ,atlantic trades1 yet during the first eight years of the ,company's operations it lost no fewer than six of its steamers4 ,the ,,isis struck on a reef off the coast of ,bermuda and sank on the #hth ,october1 #ahdb4 ,the ,,solway was lost #bj miles west of ,corunna on the #aeth ,april1 #ahdc4 ,the ,,medina was wrecked on a coral reef near ,turk's ,island on the #abth ,may1 #ahdd4 ,the ,,tweed was totally lost on the #abth ,february1 #ahdg2 and in #ahdi1 the ,,forth was wrecked on the same reefs that had caused the destruction of the ,,tweed4 ,the ,,act,,on was lost in #ahej on a shoal near ,carthagena2 and in #aheb there was lost by fire the ,,amazon4 ,illustration3 ,r4,m4,s4 ,,port ,,antonio leaving ,avonmouth for ,kingston1 ,jamaica4 ,an event occurred on the #hth ,november1 #ahfa1 which occasioned considerable public excitement1 both in ,great ,britain and in the ,u4,s4,a4 ,it was during the struggle between the ,northern and ,southern ,states1 and two of the ,commissioners of the ,confederate ,states were forcibly removed from the ,royal ,mail steamer ,,trent1 while on their way to ,europe1 by the officers and crew of the ,federal man-of-war ,,san ,,jacinto4 ,this high-handed action1 which was not repudiated by the ,federal ,government1 was inexcusable1 and the tone adopted by a great portion of the press of the ,northern ,states was ludicrous1 and unworthy of a great people4 ,in #ahga there was launched from the yard of ,messrs4 ,john ,elder ,co4 two splendid screw steamers to the order of the ,royal ,mail ,co4 ,these steamers were the ,,tagus and the ,,mozelle1 both steamers being #c1beb tons gross register and #fjj nominal horse-power4 ,on her official trial trip the ,,tagus attained an average mean speed of #adhgh knots per hour1 a result which was slightly surpassed by her sister ship the ,,mozelle1 the average mean speed of the latter on her trial trip being #adibi knots per hour4 ,at the same time ,messrs4 ,elder ,co4 effected an extraordinary improvement in the ,,tasmanian1 an iron screw steamer the ,royal ,mail ,co4 had purchased from the unfortunate ,european and ,australian ,steam ,navigation ,co4 ,this vessel was fitted with compound engines1 and on her first voyage afterwards from ,southampton to ,st4 ,thomas1 occupying #ad days #b hours1 she consumed #dff tons of coal1 against her former consumption of #a1jhh tons on a voyage occupying #ad days #ac hours4 ,since that date all the additions to the ,company's fleet have been screw steamers1 and it now 7#aijc7 consists of #bb ocean steamers1 with a gross tonnage of #hg1hee tons1 in addition to #i coast steamers employed as feeders to the mail services4 ,in the first year of the present century1 ,messrs4 ,elder1 ,dempster ,co4 established a service of mail steamers between ,bristol and ,jamaica4 ,a detailed account of this service1 which is known as the ,imperial ,direct ,west ,india ,mail ,service1 ,limited1 will be found in the second part of this volume4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,international rivalry in the ,transatlantic4--,the ,collins ,line and the ,cunard ,co4 ,for upwards of nine years ,great ,britain had held a monopoly of the transatlantic steamship business4 ,america could and did build sailing vessels that were unsurpassed by those belonging to any other nation2 her ,baltimore clippers1 ,boston packets1 and ,new ,york liners were all of them vessels of the highest class and reputation4 ,but apparently ,americans could neither build1 nor own ocean steamers that were capable of successfully competing with ,british owned steamships4 ,at least1 it is a matter of history that from #ahch to #ahdg all the steamships that crossed the ,north ,atlantic sailed under the ,british flag1 with one exception4 ,on the #aeth ,september1 #ahde1 ,messrs4 ,forbes ,co4 despatched from ,new ,york their auxiliary steamship ,,massachusetts4 ,she was practically a full-rigged ship1 #gea tons ,o4,m41 fitted with an engine of #agj horse-power4 ,this engine had two cylinders each #c feet stroke and #bf inches diameter4 ,steam was generated in two 8waggon boilers10 each #ad feet long1 #g feet wide and #i feet high4 ,her propeller was made of composition metal1 and could be raised out of the water when not required4 ,her engine room1 boilers1 bunkers1 c41 were situated in the lower after hold1 and occupied a space equal to one-tenth of the cubic capacity of the ship4 ,her engines were capable of driving her in smooth water at the rate of about #h knots per hour1 on a consumption of #i tons anthracite coal per #bd hours4 ,the length of the ,,massachusetts was #afa feet1 her beam #ca feet #i inches1 and her depth of hold #bj feet4 ,she had a full poop1 extending to the mainmast 7and consequently forward of the funnel71 in which there was accommodation for #ce first-class passengers4 ,her entire cost with machinery complete in all respects was #af1jjj4 ,she made two round voyages between ,new ,york and ,liverpool1 and in ,june1 #ahdf1 was chartered to the ,u4,s4 ,government to carry troops to the ,gulf of ,mexico4 ,the ,government were so well pleased with her that they afterwards purchased her1 and she took part in the siege of ,vera ,cruz4 ,subsequently her name was changed to the ,,farralones1 and she continued in the ,u4,s4 ,navy until about #ahgj1 when she was again sold4 ,her new owners removed her machinery and renamed her the ,,alaska4 ,obviously the ,,massachusetts was not intended to compete against full-powered ocean steamships1 and it was not until #ahdg that the first ,american line of steamers to ,europe was established4 ,this was a line of steamships to run between ,new ,york and ,bremen1 calling at ,southampton4 ,the pioneer steamer of the line1 the ,,washington1 sailed on her first voyage from ,new ,york for ,southampton on the same day 7,june1 #ahdg7 that the ,,britannia1 belonging to the ,cunard ,company1 sailed for ,liverpool4 ,this was the first ocean race between ,american and ,british steamships4 ,theoretically the ,american steamer was incomparably superior to the other4 ,she was much larger and had double the power2 she was new1 while her rival had been buffeted by the ,atlantic billows for seven years4 ,quoth the editor of the 8,new ,york ,herald03 8,we have to say that if the ,,britannia beats the ,,washington over 7and they both1 we understand1 start the same day71 she will have to run by the deep mines1 and put in more coal40 ,the ,,britannia did not 8run by the deep mines and put in more coal10 but she won the race by two full days4 ,great pressure was subsequently brought to bear on ,congress in order to obtain a subsidy for an ,american mail service to ,great ,britain4 ,those in favour of the subsidy argued that it was humiliating to their pride as a great maritime people1 that foreigners and commercial rivals should wrest from them the virtual monopoly of ocean steam conveyance1 especially between the ,united ,states and ,europe1 and they complained that the ocean mails along their southern coasts had been placed in the hands of foreign carriers1 sustained and protected by the ,british ,government under the forms of contract to carry the ,british mails2 while the ,cunard ,line1 between ,liverpool and ,boston1 via ,halifax1 constituted the only medium of regular steam navigation between the ,united ,states and ,europe4 ,illustration3 ,,britannia4 ,cunard ,steamship ,co4 ,it may be appropriate to state here1 that in addition to carrying the ,british mails from ,liverpool to ,north ,america1 the ,cunard ,company1 early in #ahej1 obtained a contract from the ,british ,government for the conveyance of the mails between ,halifax1 ,new ,york and ,bermuda4 ,the steam packets employed in this service were the ,,alpha1 ,,beta and ,,delta1 small vessels each of #cej tons and #hj horse-power1 and fitted with a proper space for mounting an #ah-pounder pivot gun4 ,the arrangements for carrying on the service were as follows3--,twenty-four hours after the arrival of the packet from ,liverpool1 one of these vessels left ,halifax for ,bermuda2 at the same time another left for ,st4 ,john's1 while the third conveyed the mails monthly between ,bermuda and ,new ,york4 ,the payment for these services amounted to #aj1fjj per annum1 equal to #cs4 per mile1 while on the main line it was #aas4 #d;d4 per mile4 ,the following year the ,british ,government made another contract with the ,cunard ,company for a monthly conveyance each way of the mails between ,bermuda and ,st4 ,thomas1 upon such days as might be fixed by the ,admiralty1 the one vessel engaged in it being in all respects similar to those engaged in the ,halifax and ,bermuda service4 ,the amount of subsidy was #d1ajj per annum1 or equal to #ds4 per mile4 ,this service connected the ,west ,indies with the ,united ,states and the ,north ,american provinces4 ,following the example of the ,british ,government1 the ,united ,states ,congress resolved to subsidise a line of ,american steamships between ,new ,york and ,liverpool4 ,the steamers were to be of the highest class1 possessing great speed and superior passenger accommodation1 and capable1 besides1 of being converted at a small expense into war steamers4 ,the responsible task of establishing the line was undertaken by ,mr4 ,e4 ,k4 ,collins1 of ,new ,york1 after whom the line was named4 ,mr4 ,collins had had considerable experience as a shipowner1 being well-known as the head of the ,collins ,line of sailing packets between ,liverpool and ,new ,york4 ,associated with ,mr4 ,collins in his later enterprise were many influential ,american citizens1 and their proposals were favourably received by the ,american ,government1 and ultimately an agreement was entered into1 by which ,mr4 ,collins and his colleagues undertook to provide five first-class steam vessels and to maintain a weekly mail service between ,new ,york and ,liverpool1 each vessel performing twenty voyages annually1 for which service they were to receive #ai1bej per voyage4 ,it is evident that the ,united ,states ,government were prepared to pay most liberally for the performance of the ocean mail service4 ,at par the subsidy represented #d1jaj #hs4 #d;d4 per voyage4 ,assured of this substantial income1 ,mr4 ,collins sought the assistance of the most competent shipbuilders and engineers of the ,united ,states1 and on the completion of the contract1 arrangements were entered into for the construction of four vessels1 to be named the ,,arctic1 ,,baltic1 ,,atlantic and ,,pacific1 each to be about #c1jjj tons register and of #hjj horse-power4 ,the principal dimensions of these celebrated steamers were--,length on main deck1 #bhb feet2 depth from the main deck1 #bd feet2 depth under the spar deck1 #cb feet2 breadth of beam1 #de feet4 ,they had rounded sterns1 three masts with suitable spars2 four decks1 viz41 lower1 main1 spar1 and orlop deck1 extending from the engine room forward and aft4 ,they were built chiefly of live oak1 planked with pitchpine1 and were equal1 if not superior1 in strength to any wooden steamers afloat4 ,the timbers1 which were solid and bolted to each other1 were further strengthened by a lattice work of iron bands4 ,all the four steamers were beautiful models1 and the ,,arctic1 which was esteemed the finest of the fleet1 was familiarly known as the 8clipper of the seas40 ,she was built by ,mr4 ,w4 ,h4 ,brown1 of ,new ,york1 under the superintendence of ,mr4 ,george ,steers1 who modelled the famous yacht ,america4 ,her equipment was complete1 and of the highest order1 while her cabin accommodation surpassed in comfort and elegance any merchant steamer ,great ,britain then possessed4 ,the engines of the ,,arctic and her sister ships were of the 8side-lever0 type1 the cylinder having a diameter of #ie inches1 with a #i feet stroke4 ,the boilers of the ,,arctic and ,,baltic were peculiar to the ,collins ,line1 and were designed by ,messrs4 ,sewell and ,faron1 chief engineers of the ,united ,states ,navy4 ,the latter of these two gentlemen acted as chief engineer of the ,company4 ,the boilers were arranged with double furnaces1 and lower water spaces connected by a row of vertical tubes1 around which the heated gases circulated1 with a hanging bridge or plate1 which checked their otherwise rapid flow to the funnel1 and rendered the combustion more perfect4 ,the average consumption per #bd hours by the ,,arctic was #hc tons anthracite coal1 attaining an average speed of #cafd knots per day4 ,her maximum consumption was #hg tons1 with a speed of #cbj knots in #bd hours4 ,these vessels were constructed so utterly regardless of expense that to complete them it was found the cost would be very greatly in excess of the estimates4 ,the ,government was therefore appealed to for assistance4 ,the appeal was generously responded to4 ,the ,united ,states ,government not only made an advance to the ,company while the ships were being built1 but also released it from its obligation to build a fifth vessel as originally contemplated1 and increased the subsidy from #ai1bej to #cc1jjj per voyage4 ,but for these benefits increased speed was demanded4 8,we must have speed10 declared ,mr4 ,bayard1 during the debate in ,congress1 8extraordinary speed--a speed with which they 7the ,collins steamships7 can overtake any vessel which they pursue1 and escape from any vessel they wish to avoid2 they must be fit for the purpose of a cruiser1 with armaments to attack your enemy 7if that enemy were ,great ,britain7 in her most vital part1 her commerce40 ,happily the contest was a commercial and not a national one1 and the ,collins steamers were never required for the purposes of ,mr4 ,bayard's hypothesis4 ,they did1 however1 engage 7and for a time with apparent success7 in a great contest with the ,cunard ,company for the commercial maritime supremacy of the ,atlantic4 ,the ,,atlantic1 the first of the ,collins ,line of steamers to cross the ocean1 arrived at ,liverpool on the #ajth ,may1 #ahej4 ,the breadth of beam of this vessel and her sister ships was so great that they were unable to enter any existing docks at ,liverpool1 and a dock at the north end of the port was constructed specially for their accommodation4 ,the arrival of the ,,atlantic excited very great interest1 which was increased rather than lessened by the presence at ,liverpool of the ,,asia ,r4,m4,s41 just built for the ,cunard ,line1 and which left for ,new ,york on the following ,saturday week4 ,illustration3 ,,asia4 ,cunard ,steamship ,co4 ,the following description#ai of the interior decorations of the ,,atlantic may be taken as a general description of the whole of the ,collins steamers1 and will be read with interest3-- ,her saloon is #fg feet long by #bj feet wide4 ,her interior fittings are truly elegant1 the woodwork being of white holly1 satinwood1 rosewood1 c41 so combined and diversified as to present an exceedingly rich and costly appearance4 ,in the drawing room the ornaments consist of costly mirrors1 bronze-work1 stained glass1 paintings1 c4 ,between the panels connecting the staterooms are the arms of the different states of the confederacy painted in the highest style of art1 and framed with bronze-work4 ,the pillars between are inlaid with mirrors1 framed with rosewood1 and at the top and bottom are bronzed sea-shells of costly workmanship4 ,in the centre of each are allegorical figures representing the ocean mythology of the ancients1 in bronze and burnished gold4 ,the ceiling is elaborately wrought1 carved and gilded4 ,the cabin windows in the stern are of painted glass1 having representations of ,new ,york1 ,boston and ,philadelphia painted on each4 ,there is in addition another apartment equally beautifully arranged and ornamented1 for the exclusive use of ladies4 ,both apartments are heated by steam1 an improvement now for the first time introduced in steamships4 ,the dining room 7#fj feet long7 is furnished in an equally elegant style with the drawing room4 ,the staterooms1 which are light and airy1 are beautifully furnished and ornamented1 and combine every convenience that practical science and experience could suggest4 ,it would occupy more space than can be spared to detail the magnificence of the furniture of the ,,atlantic2 the carpets are of the richest description2 the table-slabs are of ,brocatelli marble4 ,each stateroom has an elegant sofa2 the berths are of satinwood1 and the curtains of rich damask4 ,the ,,atlantic left ,new ,york on the #bgth ,april1 #ahej1 with nearly a hundred passengers1 and a valuable cargo1 under the command of ,captain ,west4 ,shortly after leaving ,sandy ,hook she got entangled amongst some drift ice1 which did considerable damage to her floats4 ,this mishap was a serious drawback to her1 inasmuch as the engines had to be worked at a reduced rate to prevent the floats from being torn from the wheels altogether1 and the weather was too boisterous to admit of them being repaired4 ,during the five succeeding days1 the noble vessel continued to prosecute her voyage to the satisfaction of her captain and all on board4 ,on the #crd ,may1 however1 an accident of a more formidable nature occurred1 one of her condensers giving way4 ,after a fruitless attempt to adjust the machinery1 the vessel having been hove to forty hours1 ,captain ,west decided to pursue his course1 the steam being kept at a low point in consequence1 which considerably retarded the vessel's progress during the remainder of her passage4 ,the ,american steamers were swifter than their ,british rivals1 and for a few years were the favourites with the travelling public4 ,according to a return published in the 8,new ,york ,herald0 on the #ast ,january1 #ahec1 the number of passengers carried during the eleven months ,january to ,november 7inclusive71 #aheb1 were3-- ,by ,collins ,line1 ,new ,york to ,liverpool #b1dbj 0 ,cunard ,line do4 do4 #a1ghc 0 ,collins ,line1 ,liverpool to ,new ,york #a1hhf 0 ,cunard ,line do4 do4 #a1ahf ,it will be noticed that the majority of passengers carried were from ,new ,york to ,liverpool1 the explanation of this unusual circumstance being that it was at the time of the great rush to the ,australian goldfields1 when it was no uncommon thing for a ,melbourne packet to sail from the ,mersey with from five to six hundred passengers4 ,nor were the receipts from passage money the only source of revenue available for the ,collins steamers4 ,they were loyally supported by ,american shippers and importers1 and the receipts from freight were large1 although the rate on fine goods had been lowered from #g #ajs4 to #d per ton4 ,notwithstanding the large income derived from these sources1 the service was only maintained for a period of about ten years4 ,the heavy disbursements and the numerous casualties which befell the steamers1 especially the loss of the ,,arctic 7as narrated in the following chapter7 and of the ,,pacific1 with all on board1 led to the collapse of the company4 ,illustration3 ,r4,m4,s4 8,umbria0 in ,mid-,atlantic ,,footnotes3 #ai 8,illustrated ,london ,news10 #ahth ,may1 #ahej4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,the ,loss of the ,collins ,liner ,,arctic4 ,on ,wednesday1 #bgth ,september1 #ahed1 about noon--,cape ,race bearing ,s4,w4 by ,w41 #fe miles distant--the steamship ,,arctic1 on her passage from ,liverpool to ,new ,york1 while running through a very thick fog1 was struck on the starboard bow about #fj feet abaft the cutwater by an iron steamer4 ,the force of the impact made three large holes in the ,,arctic--two below the watermark1 one of which was about #e feet in length and about #a feet broad4 ,the fog was so dense that neither vessel saw the other a minute before they collided4 ,the passengers on the ,,arctic were at lunch when their vessel was struck1 and they immediately rushed on deck4 ,through the dense fog could be seen very indistinctly on the starboard bow a screw steamer1 which was afterwards found to be the ,french merchant steamer ,,vesta4 ,no apprehension of danger was felt by those on board the ,,arctic1 and a boat in charge of the chief officer was sent off to the rescue of the passengers and crew of the other steamer4 ,on board of the ,,vesta no hope was entertained of her ultimate safety1 the crew and passengers relying upon being taken off by the crew of the ,,arctic4 ,when the collision occurred there were several men on the bow of the ,,vesta1 presumably on the lookout1 one of whom was killed and the others severely wounded4 ,as it was feared that the steamer was sinking1 a rush was made for the boats1 and two were launched4 ,the first boat was swamped1 but the second boat floated1 and was at once boarded by several of the passengers and two of the crew1 who1 ignoring the captain's orders to return on board1 cut themselves adrift1 and abandoned their shipmates4 ,while these occurrences were taking place on the deck of the ,,vesta the ,,arctic had disappeared in the fog1 those on the ,,vesta still hoping1 however1 that she had not deserted them4 ,meantime1 the officers on board the ,,arctic had discovered that there was little hope of saving their vessel4 ,mrs4 ,collins1 the wife of the managing owner1 with their daughter and son1 were passengers1 and the captain's first thought was for their safety4 ,they and several ladies were placed in a lifeboat1 but while it was being lowered one of its tackles gave way1 and all1 with the exception of one lady who clung to a sailor holding fast to the boat1 were cast into the sea and drowned4 ,a second boat was lowered successfully1 and stored with provisions4 ,it was soon filled with passengers--ladies and gentlemen--but by a strange oversight on the part of the officer in charge none of the crew accompanied them4 ,the difficulty and danger of lowering the boats was greatly increased in consequence of the impossibility of stopping the ship for that purpose1 the pumps having been attached to the main engines in the attempt to keep the vessel clear of water1 which was pouring into her through the breaches in her side4 ,cape ,race being within about four hours steaming distance1 she was headed in that direction1 but after running about fifteen miles the water had risen so high in the stoke-hole as to extinguish the fires1 and1 in consequence1 the engines ceased to work4 ,almost immediately after the ship stopped1 the remaining lifeboats left the ship4 ,there was one large boat on deck1 which was capable of carrying fifty persons1 but there were not sufficient seamen left on board to launch her1 and it is supposed that she was filled with passengers in the hope that she might float off when the steamer sank4 ,in the ,annual ,register for #ahed1 it is stated that ,captain ,luce and most of his officers exerted themselves with firmness and energy while a hope remained1 and the former probably owed his life to his remaining at his post4 ,when his steamer sank he clung first to some floating wood1 and afterwards got on a floating paddlebox1 on which eleven others had taken refuge1 of whom nine were swept away by the sea1 the three survivors being rescued by the ,,cambria1 of ,glasgow4 ,the captain's son was killed in his father's arms by a piece of wreck4 ,the conduct of ,captain ,duchesne1 of the ,,vesta1 was most praiseworthy4 ,finding that the ,,arctic had disappeared in the fog1 and that his own vessel had not sunk under him1 he1 with the utmost promptitude1 took measures for saving his ship and passengers4 ,he noticed that1 although the steamer's bows were completely shattered1 the forecastle bulkhead had not given way1 and this afforded some hope of safety4 ,he at once gave orders to lighten the vessel by the head1 by throwing overboard all the fish1 cargo1 passengers' luggage1 c41 which was in the forepart of the ship1 all of which orders were promptly obeyed1 and by means of which the vessel's bows were raised considerably4 ,her head was raised still more by cutting away the foremast1 which had been damaged by the collision4 ,the captain next ordered about #aej mattresses1 palliasses and other effects belonging to the crew and passengers to be placed abaft the forecastle bulkhead1 over which were thrown sails1 backed by boards and planks1 the whole being secured by cables firmly wrapped round all4 ,these operations occupied two days1 after which ,captain ,duchesne proceeded under easy steam for the nearest port 7,st4 ,john's71 which was entered on the #cjth ,september4 ,most providentially1 considering the disabled condition of the ,,vesta1 she entered the harbour of ,st4 ,john's before the rising of a severe gale1 which sprang up on the same day4 ,the energy1 unwavering perseverance1 and superior seamanship exhibited by ,captain ,duchesne in bringing his vessel into port1 elicited the admiration and praise of all who visited the ship4 ,the ,american ,consul at ,st4 ,john's made every exertion to procure vessels to go at once in search of the ,,arctic or her boats4 ,he succeeded in obtaining the brigantine ,,ann ,,eliza1 whose owners 7,messrs4 ,warren ,bros47 generously gave her without charge4 ,she sailed from ,st4 ,john's on the #bnd ,october1 with instructions to cruise in the vicinity of the catastrophe for three days4 ,the ,right ,rev4 ,dr4 ,field also promptly placed at the disposal of the ,american ,consul his yacht1 the ,,hawk1 for the same purpose4 ,the last moments of the ,,arctic are thus graphically described#bj by ,mr4 ,baahlam1 the second officer of the steamer3-- 8,in about thirty minutes all the lower fires were out1 and1 at the least1 there were six feet of water in the ship fore and aft4 ,by this time the confusion amongst the passengers was very great1 but they used all efforts to assist the crew to keep the pumps going1 and in lightening the ship forward for the purpose of getting at the leak from the inside1 which we found to be useless1 and numbers of them got into the boats1 which were still hanging to the davits4 ,in forty-five minutes after the collision ,i came up from the forehold1 and informed the captain that the water was on a level with the lower deck beams1 and that it was impossible to get at the leak4 ,i then asked him what he thought would be the probable fate of the ship1 when he stated his belief to me that there was no hope of saving her4 ,he then told me to see to my boats4 ,on going to those on the port side ,i found them completely filled with men and women1 and no possibility of getting near them4 ,i immediately went to the starboard side and ordered two of the crew to lower the guard boat1 and asked the captain what his intentions were1 who replied that the ship's fate would be his4 ,i then asked him if he would not allow his son to go with me1 as ,i intended to take a boat1 but he returned me the answer that he should share his fate4 ,i then jumped into the boat1 and was ordered by the captain to cut away the tackle falls1 and drop under the stern4 ,i did so2 at which time about twenty persons1 as ,i suppose1 jumped overboard1 of whom seventeen or eighteen were picked up4 ,i fell in with another boat which had been lowered from the other side1 and lightened her of part of her complement1 leaving nineteen in her1 and twenty-six in my own boat4 ,the last sight we had of the ship her guards were level with the water1 and the surface of the sea strewed with human beings1 who had jumped or fallen overboard--to whom1 however1 it was impossible for us to render any assistance2 and we soon lost sight of all1 as the fog continued very dense4 ,i then asked the boat's crew whether they were willing to be governed by me1 which was unanimously approved1 and ,i was put in complete command of both boats4 8,we were then about sixty miles ,s4,e4 of ,cape ,race4 ,deeming it my duty1 for the safety of all1 ,i took the nearest course for the land1 and1 after pulling forty-two hours1 with nothing to guide us but the run of the sea1 which ,i took to be heaving from the southward1 and in a thick fog which lasted all the time1 we reached ,broad ,cove1 some twelve miles ,north of ,cape ,race40 ,the ,,arctic1 when she sailed from ,liverpool on this ill-fated voyage1 had #cfe souls on board1 of whom only #hg were saved4 ,the hull1 machinery1 and equipment of this steamship were insured for #aae1jjj1 as follows3--,underwritten in the ,united ,states1 #ee1jjj2 in ,london1 #dj1jjj2 and in ,glasgow1 #bj1jjj4 ,the ,,vesta1 which sailed from ,st4 ,peter's the day previous to the collision1 had #aig persons on board1 viz41 a crew of #ej men and #adg passengers2 of these #ac were reported missing when she arrived at ,st4 ,john's4 ,illustration3 ,setting ,sun ,,footnotes3 #bj 8,illustrated ,london ,news10 #bast ,october1 #ahed4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,steamship ,companies of the past4--,inman ,line4--,national ,line4--,guion ,line4--,royal ,atlantic ,steam ,navigation ,co4 ,in the early spring of #ahej ,messrs4 ,tod and ,mac,gregor1 iron shipbuilders and engineers1 ,glasgow1 launched the iron screw steamer ,,city ,,of ,,glasgow1 a vessel of #a1fjj tons and #cej horse-power4 ,during the spring and summer of that year she made several voyages between ,glasgow and ,new ,york1 but in the latter part of the year she was purchased by the ,liverpool1 ,new ,york and ,philadelphia ,steamship ,company1 and sailed from ,liverpool to ,philadelphia on the #agth ,december1 #ahej4 ,this vessel was the pioneer of what is better known as the 8,inman0 ,line4 ,this ill-fated vessel left port on #ast ,march1 #ahed1 with four hundred and eighty persons on board1 and was never again heard of4 ,in #ahea the ,inman ,company purchased the steamship ,,city ,,of ,,manchester1 built also by ,tod ,mac,gregor4 ,her registered tonnage was #b1abe tons2 her length #bgd feet1 and her breadth #ch feet4 ,she had a clipper bow and bowsprit1 four masts square rigged on the fore and main masts1 with her funnel between the main and mizzen masts4 ,other iron screw steamers1 all having the beautiful clipper bow for which this line was noted1 were quickly added to the fleet1 comprising the ,,kangaroo1 ,,city ,,of ,,baltimore1 ,,city ,,of ,,washington1 ,,city ,,of ,,boston1 ,,city ,,of ,,bristol1 ,,city ,,of ,,limerick1 ,,city ,,of ,,lincoln1 ,,city ,,of ,,london1 ,,city ,,of ,,durham1 ,,city ,,of ,,new ,,york1 ,,city ,,of ,,paris1 ,,city ,,of ,,antwerp1 ,,city ,,of ,,brooklyn1 ,,city ,,of ,,brussels1 ,,city ,,of ,,montreal1 ,,city ,,of ,,chester1 ,,city ,,of ,,chicago1 ,,city ,,of ,,richmond and ,,city ,,of ,,berlin4 ,during the first five years of its existence1 the ,inman ,company maintained a fortnightly service between ,liverpool and ,philadelphia1 but in #aheg it enlarged the area of its operations by making ,new ,york one of its ports of arrival and by establishing a fortnightly line thither4 ,on the collapse of the ,collins ,line1 ,mr4 ,inman at once assumed their dates of sailing1 and increased the service to once a week1 and was appointed to carry the ,united ,states mails between ,england and ,america4 ,nor were the ,inman steamers1 though screws1 less swift than their predecessors4 ,their later steamers far surpassed the swiftest steamers of the ,collins ,line1 and one of these1 the ,,city ,,of ,,paris1 in #ahfi conveyed ,h4,r4,h4 ,prince ,arthur to ,america in six days twenty-one hours1 the quickest passage 7up to that date7 ever made to any port of the ,new ,world from ,cork4 ,mr4 ,inman specially directed his attention to the conveyance of emigrant passengers across the ,atlantic1 and he and ,mrs4 ,inman1 greatly to their credit1 made a voyage in one of their earliest emigrant steamers1 expressly for the purpose of ameliorating the discomforts and evils hitherto but too common in emigrant ships4 ,the following table shows how successful he was in catering for the emigrant passenger trade3-- ,,passengers ,,landed ,,at ,,new ,,york ,,from ,,the ,,united ,,kingdom ,,in #ahgj3-- ,cabin ,line4 ,trips4 ,passengers4 ,steerage4 ,total4 ,inman #fh #c1fce #dj1dfe #dd1ajj ,national #ef #b1ddb #cc1did #ce1gcf ,guion #ee #a1aae #bg1jed #bh1efi ,anchor #gd #a1fcg #bc1djd #be1jda ,cunard #gj #g1fch #af1hga #bd1eji ,of the vessels named in the preceding page the ,,city ,,of ,,washington and ,,city ,,of ,,boston met with the sad fate that overtook the ,,president and the ,,pacific4 ,they sailed1 but never reached the desired haven1 and in course of time were posted 8missing40 ,two of them1 the ,,city ,,of ,,london and the ,,city ,,of ,,limerick1 were sold to ,messrs4 ,w4 ,h4 ,ross ,co41 and sailed for some time between ,london and ,new ,york4 ,the ,,city ,,of ,,antwerp was purchased by ,messrs4 ,william ,johnston and ,co41 who changed her name to ,,thanemore and employed her for several years in their ,liverpool and ,baltimore trade4 ,by a strange fatality1 each of the three steamers last named1 sailed from its respective port and was never afterwards heard of4 ,the first two disappeared in #ahha1 and the third in #ahij4 ,the ,,city ,,of ,,richmond was sold to a firm who were the first to employ ocean liners for ocean pleasure cruising1 and for two or three summers she sailed from ,newcastle to the ,norwegian fjords4 ,upon the death of ,mr4 ,william ,inman1 which occurred in #ahha1 the management of the line was taken over by ,messrs4 ,richardson1 ,spence ,co4 ,since then it has undergone several changes4 ,its title of ,inman ,line was discontinued1 and that of 8,american0 ,line adopted1 and its ,british headquarters transferred from ,liverpool to ,southampton4 ,it is now 7#aijc7 one of the group of ,atlantic steamship companies included in the 8,morgan0 combine4 ,in #ahfc1 a number of ,liverpool merchants and shipowners1 anticipating a large trade would arise between this country and the ,confederate ,states of ,north ,america on the termination of the civil war then raging1 formed themselves into a company under the title of the ,national ,steam ,navigation ,co41 with a capital of #gjj1jjj4 ,it was the intention of the promoters of the company to establish a regular service of first-class steamships between ,liverpool and the ,southern ,states4 ,the requisite capital was quickly subscribed1 and three steamships were promptly acquired2 but1 alas6 the hoped-for peace did not arrive as soon as the promoters anticipated4 ,under these circumstances the ,directors decided to enter into competition with the ,cunard and ,inman ,companies for a share of the passenger and goods trade to and from the ,northern ,states4 ,the pioneer vessel of the new company was the ,,louisiana1 which vessel sailed on her maiden voyage from ,liverpool to ,new ,york in the year #ahfc4 ,she was followed by the ,,virginia and the ,,pennsylvania1 each of these vessels being between #c1jjj and #c1ejj gross tonnage1 and consequently they were the largest cargo carriers afloat at that time4 ,during the following year 7#ahfd7 three new steamers of still larger tonnage were added to the fleet4 ,these were named respectively ,,the ,,queen1 ,,erin and ,,helvetia4 ,so successful were these vessels that twelve months later 7#ahfe7 two more steamers were built for the ,company1 viz41 the ,,england and ,,denmark1 both of #c1gbc tons gross1 and these were followed in #ahff by the ,,france1 a vessel of about the same tonnage4 ,a great advance in the size of the ,company's steamers was made in #ahfh1 when the ,,italy1 a steamer of #d1cjj tons1 was placed on the line4 ,not only was the ,,italy the largest transatlantic liner at that date1 but she was also the first in which compound engines were fitted4 ,a somewhat smaller steamship1 the ,,holland1 of #c1hdg tons gross1 was built in #ahfi4 ,the following year two very large and powerful vessels were added to the fleet4 ,these were the ,,egypt1 of #d1ffi tons gross1 and the ,,spain1 of #d1eab tons2 both steamers were built on the ,mersey1 the former by the ,liverpool ,shipbuilding ,co41 and the latter by ,messrs4 ,laird1 of ,birkenhead4 ,the ,company now possessed a sufficiently large fleet to maintain a regular weekly service between ,liverpool and ,new ,york1 sailing from ,liverpool every ,wednesday1 and from ,new ,york every ,saturday2 and a fortnightly service from ,london to ,new ,york1 via ,havre4 ,the steamships of this line were good1 roomy1 comfortable boats1 with lofty 'tween decks4 ,they carried immense cargoes of cotton1 grain1 provisions1 and other ,american produce from the ,united ,states to ,great ,britain1 and though they could not compare with the ,cunard or ,inman liners in the elegance of the accommodation provided for saloon passengers1 yet they were well adapted for the conveyance of emigrants1 of whom they carried large numbers4 ,as they did not specially cater for saloon passengers1 and carried no mails1 they were not driven at the high rate of speed maintained by the premier transatlantic steamship companies4 ,it is true that for a time the ,national ,line held the 8,blue ,ribbon0 of the ,atlantic1 but this honourable position was held for a very short time only1 and the vessel by which it was gained was sold to the ,italian ,government4 ,the steamer referred to was the ,,america1 built and engined by ,messrs4 ,j4 ,g4 ,thomson1 ,glasgow1 in #ahhc4 ,her gross tonnage was #e1ebh tons1 with compound engines of #a1jfd horse-power nominal4 ,her length was #dda feet #h inches2 breadth1 #ea feet #b inches2 and her depth #cf feet4 ,in less than twelve months from the date of her launch1 she was purchased by the ,italian ,government1 by whom she was equipped as an armed cruiser1 and renamed ,,italia4 ,prior to the construction of the ,,america1 the ,company had increased its fleet by the addition of the steamers ,,greece and ,,canada4 ,on the #cast ,december1 #ahhi1 the ,,erin sailed with seventy-two persons on board1 and disappeared without leaving a trace4 ,after trading successfully for a number of years1 the ,national ,steamship ,company got into financial difficulties4 ,its vessels were dispersed2 the ,liverpool service to ,new ,york was abandoned1 and only that from ,london retained4 ,when the nineteenth century closed the only steamers sailing under its flag were the ,,america1 ,,europe and ,,manhattan4 ,these three steamers are built of steel1 and each carries four masts4 ,they are all driven by triple-expansion engines1 and the last-named vessel is a twin-screw steamer4 ,the respective measurements are as follows3-- ,,america1 #e1aeh tons gross1 built and engined by ,gourlay ,brothers ,co41 ,dundee1 in #ahia1 is #dce feet long1 #df feet #c inches broad1 and #be feet #b inches deep1 with engines of #eaf nominal horse-power4 ,,europe1 #e1cjb tons gross1 built and engined by ,palmers1 ,limited1 ,newcastle1 in #ahia1 is #dce feet long1 #df feet #d inches broad1 and #be feet #b inches deep1 with engines of #ede nominal horse-power4 ,,manhattan1 #h1jjd tons gross1 built and engined by ,harland and ,wolff1 ,belfast1 in #ahih1 is #dij feet #e inches long1 #ef feet #c inches broad1 and #be feet deep1 with engines of #dgh nominal horse-power4 ,the ,national ,line1 like the ,inman ,line1 has now been absorbed by the ,american combine4 ,for several years prior to #ahfc1 ,mr4 ,stephen ,b4 ,guion1 of ,new ,york1 had established a line of clipper ships between that port and ,liverpool4 ,finding it impossible to contend against screw steamers in the ocean trade1 he entered 7in the year named7 into an arrangement to supply1 through his old connections and agents in ,america1 the ,cunard and ,national ,companies with steerage passengers and cargo for their steamers4 ,this arrangement held good until #ahff1 when ,mr4 ,guion1 in co-partnery with others1 formed a steamship company whose official title was 8,the ,liverpool and ,great ,western ,steamship ,co410 but which was popularly known as the ,guion ,line4 ,the first steamer of the new line was the iron screw steamer ,,manhattan1 which sailed from ,liverpool to ,new ,york in ,august1 #ahff4 ,this steamer was still afloat in #aijc1 being then the property of ,messrs4 ,w4 ,h4 ,ross ,co41 by whom she was renamed the ,,city ,,of ,,lincoln4 ,the fleet of the ,guion ,line was speedily sufficiently numerous to maintain a regular weekly service from ,liverpool to ,new ,york1 and within six years of the formation of the ,company it possessed eight first-class iron screw steamships1 each of about #c1jjj tons burthen4 ,they were named after the ,western ,states of ,america1 viz41 ,,manhattan1 ,,nebraska1 ,,minnesota1 ,,colorado1 ,,idaho1 ,,nevada1 ,,wisconsin1 and ,,wyoming4 ,in #ahgd the ,,montana1 of #c1ejj tons1 was added to the fleet1 which was further increased in #ahge by the addition of the ,,dakota4 ,none of the vessels named had distinguished themselves by their extraordinary speed2 but in #ahgi there was built for the ,guion ,line1 by the ,fairfield ,shipbuilding ,company1 the steamer ,,arizona4 ,she was an entirely new type of vessel4 ,the older ships1 though differing in their models1 might be described generally as brig rigged screw steamers carrying a single funnel amidships1 and having their saloons aft4 ,the ,,arizona carried four masts1 of which the fore and main were square rigged1 and two funnels between the main and mizzen masts4 ,the saloon was situated amidships1 and was superbly furnished4 ,the length of the ,,arizona was #dej feet1 her breadth #de feet1 and her depth #ce feet4 ,she sailed on her first voyage from ,liverpool to ,new ,york on the #cast ,may1 #ahgi1 and is at the present date 7#aijc7 employed as a troopship by the ,u4,s4 ,government1 her name having been changed to the ,,hancock4 ,a sister vessel to the ,,arizona was built by the same builders in #ahha4 ,she was larger and more powerful than the ,,arizona1 and increased the reputation for speed which that steamer had created4 ,the ,,alaska left ,liverpool on her maiden voyage on the #bith ,october1 #ahha4 ,on the #abth ,september1 #ahhb1 she sailed from ,new ,york1 and completed her voyage to ,queenstown in #f days #ah hours and #ch minutes4 ,this rapid passage was1 however1 excelled by the same ,company's steamer ,,oregon1 which sailed from ,liverpool to ,new ,york on the #fth ,october1 #ahhc1 and made the passage from ,queenstown to ,sandy ,hook in #f days #aj hours and #i minutes4 ,the ,,oregon was also built and engined by the ,fairfield ,shipbuilding ,co4 ,she was #eja feet long1 #ed feet #b inches broad1 and #ch feet deep4 ,her gross tonnage was #g1cge tons2 and her engines developed #ac1ejj horse-power1 giving a speed of #ah knots per hour4 ,her career was a brief but brilliant one4 ,built in #ahhc1 she sank after a collision with an ,american schooner on the #aath ,march1 in #ahhf4 ,these three celebrated steamers1 the ,,alaska1 ,,arizona and ,,oregon were popularly known as the 8,greyhounds of the ,atlantic40 ,as has been stated1 the ,,oregon was lost after collision1 the ,,arizona is still afloat1 and the ,,alaska was sold in #aijb for the purpose of breaking up4 ,after the decease of ,mr4 ,s4 ,b4 ,guion1 which occurred on the #aith ,december1 #ahhe1 the steamers of the fleet were gradually disposed of to various purchasers4 ,the firm1 however1 of ,guion ,co4 is still in existence1 as passenger agents1 the business being carried on by ,mr4 ,frank ,ramsden and ,mr4 ,i4 ,o4 ,roberts4 ,the ,royal ,atlantic ,steam ,navigation ,company1 better known as the 8,galway ,line10 was established by a number of ,english and ,irish gentlemen1 who in ,january1 #ahei1 proposed to the ,british ,government to carry ,h4,m4 mails from ,galway to ,portland1 ,boston1 or ,new ,york1 via ,st4 ,john's1 ,newfoundland1 or otherwise1 for the sum of #c1jjj on the round voyage4 ,they further offered 8to convey telegraphic messages from the ,united ,kingdom to ,british ,north ,america and the ,united ,states in six days1 casualties excepted40 ,as the ,atlantic cable was not then in existence1 the ,government was favourably disposed to the scheme1 and on the #bast ,april1 #ahei1 a contract was entered into with the said company1 based on the terms of the proposals made to the ,government4 ,on the #ajth ,june following1 the ,royal ,atlantic ,steam ,navigation ,company contracted with ,messrs4 ,palmer1 of ,newcastle1 for the construction of two steamships1 the cost of each to be #ie1jjj2 and five days later 7#aeth ,june7 they concluded a similar contract with ,messrs4 ,samuelson1 of ,hull1 for two steamships1 to cost #ig1jjj each4 ,as the date of the commencement of the postal service1 according to the ,government contract1 was fixed for ,june1 #ahfj1 the contract with the builders stipulated for delivery of the vessels within eleven months from the date of the agreement4 ,it was also a condition of the contracts1 that the ships were to be built according to lines1 plans1 and specifications approved by the ,admiralty4 ,the four steamships referred to were almost uniform in model1 measurement and equipment4 ,each measured about #b1hjj tons1 with engines of about #hej nominal horse-power4 ,their principal dimensions were--,length #cfj feet1 beam #dj feet1 and depth of hold #cb feet4 ,those built by ,messrs4 ,palmer were named ,,connaught and ,,hibernia1 and those by ,messrs4 ,samuelson1 ,,columbia and ,,anglia4 ,a clause in the ,company's contract with the builders specified 8that each of the said vessels when completed was1 on a fair and proper trial thereof1 to accomplish a speed at the rate of #bj statute miles per hour in smooth water1 and to consume not more than #h1hjj pounds of fuel per hour40 ,in the case of the ,,connaught this condition was not complied with1 for on her trial trip the ,government ,inspector reported that the speed of this 8vessel was about thirteen knots40 ,from its commencement the ,company was in difficulties4 ,the second steamer1 the ,,hibernia1 on being surveyed by the ,government ,inspectors1 was found to be leaky4 ,none of the vessels were delivered within the time agreed upon1 and in order to keep faith with the ,government the ,company was compelled to charter a steamer to inaugurate the service4 ,they accordingly hired from the ,messrs4 ,malcomsons1 of ,waterford1 one of their ,liverpool and ,river ,plate steamers1 the ,,parana1 which sailed from ,galway on the #bgth ,june1 #ahfj1 and arrived at ,st4 ,john's in seven days thirteen and a half hours1 or one day thirteen and a half hours beyond the stipulated time for delivering the telegraph messages at ,st4 ,john's4 ,the second steamer to sail from ,galway was the ,,connaught1 which sailed for ,boston direct on the #aath ,july1 and was twenty-two and a half hours over contract time in arriving at that port4 ,this steamer was totally lost on her second voyage in ,october of the same year4 ,the third steamer of the ,company sailed from ,galway on the #ith ,april1 #ahfa1 and returned in ,may following in a disabled condition1 having met with ice on the passage4 ,she made the slowest passage outwards of any of the fleet1 having taken ten days seven and a half hours to reach ,st4 ,john's1 and seventeen days twenty and three quarter hours to reach ,boston4 ,as two of their own steamers were unavailable1 the one being lost and the other disabled1 the ,directors found it necessary to take up outside steamers4 ,they therefore chartered the ,,prince ,,albert1 and purchased the ,,adriatic1 one of the latest and most famous of the ,collins ,line4 ,she appears to have been the only vessel belonging to the ,company capable of carrying out the terms of the ,government ,contract4 ,she completed the run from ,galway to ,st4 ,john's in the specified time1 six days1 and to ,new ,york in one day fifteen hours and fifteen minutes less than contract time4 ,on her return she made the passage from ,st4 ,john's to ,galway in five days nineteen hours and three quarters1 the shortest passage on record from port to port across the ,atlantic4 ,it is impossible to state what would have been the result had the steamers built for the ,company been equal to the ,,adriatic1 but she was secured too late to retrieve the fortunes of the ,company4 ,unable under such adverse circumstances to raise fresh capital1 the managers of the ,company had no course left but to abandon their undertaking1 and they terminated their contract in ,may1 #ahfa4 ,this unfortunate enterprise entailed a loss to the ,government of about #ae1jjj1 while it is probable that the loss incurred by the shareholders of the ,company was not less than #aej1jjj during the short period of its existence4 ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,the ,,orion wrecked off ,portpatrick1 #ahej4--,the steamer ,,neptune4--,a second 8,grace ,darling10 #aheb4 ,one of the most convincing proofs of the splendid management of the several steamship companies which trade between ,liverpool and ,glasgow1 of the skill and honest workmanship put into the vessels1 and of the great care exercised by the officers who navigate these ships1 is the fact that for upwards of eighty years there has been but one disaster accompanied by loss of life on this station4 ,the disaster referred to was described at the time as 8a disaster occasioned by the most culpable carelessness40 ,it was1 unfortunately1 attended with frightful loss of life4 ,the ,,orion1 a splendidly fitted and powerful steamer1 sailed from ,liverpool for ,glasgow1 on ,monday afternoon1 #ahth ,june1 #ahej1 with about #agj passengers in addition to a crew of #dj all told4 ,it was an ideal summer trip2 the night was fine and clear1 and the sea perfectly smooth4 ,all went well with the steamer and those on board until1 about a quarter past one on the ,tuesday morning1 the sleeping passengers were rudely awakened by the concussion1 as the ship struck violently on the rocks1 close to the ,lighthouse at the entrance to ,portpatrick ,harbour4 ,the vessel1 which was steaming at full speed at the time1 filled instantly1 and sank in a few minutes4 ,the night was so tranquil that many of the passengers had slept on deck1 but the majority were asleep in the cabins below when the catastrophe occurred4 ,the scene of horror and dismay which followed can be but faintly conceived4 ,a wild rush of crew and passengers was made to the boats4 ,the first boat lowered to the water was so crowded instantly with panic-stricken passengers1 that she capsized1 and all who were in her were drowned4 ,a second boat was launched1 in which some ladies were placed1 and these reached the harbour safely4 ,one redeeming feature in this tragic narrative is the splendid heroism displayed by many of the gentlemen passengers4 ,the second boat when launched was in the first instance filled by men1 but when the officers of the ship suggested to them that their first duty was to save the women and children1 most of the men instantly left the boat1 and assisted females to occupy the places they had surrendered1 who were thus happily preserved4 ,shortly after this boat got away the ill-fated ,,orion sank1 and all on board either went down with her1 or were left floating on the surface of the water1 or clinging to floating portions of the wreck4 ,the ,ardrossan and ,fleetwood steamship ,,fenella passed the scene immediately after the disaster occurred1 and the ,captain at once stopped his ship1 lowered his boats1 and rendered valuable assistance in saving lives4 ,the ,lighthouse keepers and ,coastguards had also observed the vessel coming too close in shore1 and1 anticipating a catastrophe1 had awakened the local boatmen4 ,owing to this1 numerous boats had instantly put off1 and these picked up a large number of those floating4 ,by the continued efforts of the ,,fenella's crew1 and the ,portpatrick boatmen1 about #aej persons were rescued4 ,this dreadful catastrophe carried mourning into many of the most respectable families in ,liverpool and ,glasgow4 ,amongst those who perished were ,captain ,mc,neil 7brother of the ,lord ,advocate71 his wife and two daughters2 ,dr4 ,burns1 one of the most popular men in ,glasgow1 professor of ,surgery at the ,university1 and brother to the ,managing owners in ,glasgow2 ,miss ,morris1 his niece2 and ,master ,martin1 a son of one of the ,liverpool owners4 ,the trial of the ,captain1 and first and second mates of the ,,orion1 for the 8culpable bereavement of the lives of the passengers0 who were lost by the wreck of that steamer1 as before narrated1 took place at ,edinburgh1 before the ,high ,court of ,justice1 on the #bith ,august1 #ahej4 ,it was proved that during the second mate's watch1 the vessel approached closer to the shore more than was usual by upwards of a mile1 and that this course was maintained notwithstanding the warning exclamations of the experienced seamen who were on the look out4 ,it was further proved that the ,captain had come on deck several times during the second mate's watch1 and each time had observed both the compass1 and the ship's proximity to the shore1 which could be clearly seen1 and yet did not countermand the second mate's instructions4 ,the charge against the first mate was withdrawn1 but at the end of the trial1 which lasted two days1 the ,court sentenced the ,captain to be imprisoned for eighteen months1 and the second mate to be transported for seven years4 ,it is a relief to turn from this sad story to an incident connected with the steamer ,,neptune1#ba of which the heroine was a young ,norwegian girl1 who has been appropriately termed 8,a second ,grace ,darling40 ,during the #beth1 #bfth and #bgth ,november1 #aheb1 a strong gale prevailed in the ,north ,sea4 ,about midnight on the last date the ,,neptune arrived off the ,lighthouse at the entrance to ,flekke ,fjord1 ,norway4 ,she was bound from ,london to ,st4 ,petersburg1 and had the pilot flag flying at her masthead4 ,just at daybreak the steamer was observed by a young girl1 who immediately called up two of the boatmen1 who1 however1 were not apparently inclined to respond to the call4 ,the girl1 however1 realizing the urgency of the appeal for a pilot1 reproached the men with being afraid of the weather1 and under the pressure of her taunts they got their boat out to go to the assistance of the ,,neptune1 the girl accompanying them4 ,when they got near the ship they found that1 owing to the heavy surge1 it was impossible to get close to the ship's side4 ,a rope was thrown to them1 and caught by the girl1 who twisted it round her waist and arm1 then jumped into the sea and was hauled on board the steamer2 the two men thereupon followed her example4 ,this help was most welcome1 and the ,captain was the more pleased to receive it owing to his cargo having shifted4 ,with the assistance of the ,norwegians the rest of the voyage was safely accomplished4 ,there were eight lady passengers on board the ,,neptune1 who made much of the ,norse 8,grace ,darling10 provided her with dry clothing1 and gave her a handsome donation in cash4 ,the seamen and firemen also contributed three pounds 7#c7 for the same purpose1 and on the return voyage she was put ashore at the place where she embarked1 most fortunately with a considerable amount of cash in her possession1 as her master refused to permit her to return to his service4 ,illustration3 ,steamship ,,footnotes3 #ba ,for further particulars respecting this steamer1 see the ,history of the ,waterford ,steamship ,co4 in ,part ,,ii4 ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,the ,eastern ,steam ,navigation ,co41 ,ltd41 and the ,,great ,,eastern1 steamship4 ,in the year #ahea a steamship company was promoted in ,london1 under the title of the ,eastern ,steam ,navigation ,company1 ,limited1 for the purpose of establishing a direct line of leviathan steamers between ,england and ,india1 via the ,cape of ,good ,hope4 ,the services of the most distinguished engineers of the period were secured1 ,mr4 ,i4 ,k4 ,brunel being appointed the consulting engineer of the company4 ,an order was placed with ,messrs4 ,scott ,russell ,co4 for the pioneer steamer1 which it was at first the intention of the company to call the ,,leviathan1 but that name was subsequently abandoned in favour of ,,great ,,eastern4 ,she was to be propelled by paddle wheels and a propeller4 ,mr4 ,scott ,russell designed the lines1 and constructed the hull of the vessel1 as well as the engines of #a1jjj h4 p4 nom4 to drive the paddle wheels4 ,messrs4 ,james ,watt ,co41 of ,soho1 designed and constructed the engines1 of #a1ejj h4 p4 nom41 to drive the screw propeller4 ,as a matter of course1 some considerable time was occupied in preparing the plans for so gigantic a ship--one which was not only the largest ever built up to that date1 but which remained the largest steamer built to the end of the #aith century4 ,the necessary plans1 specifications and yard preparations were completed during the spring of #ahed1 and on the #ast of ,may of that year1 the construction of the ,,great ,,eastern was commenced by ,mr4 ,scott ,russell in his shipbuilding yard at ,millwall1 on the north side of the ,thames4 ,she was built with a double hull from the keel to the water line1 the inner and the outer skin being of equal thickness of iron1 with a space between of #cd inches4 ,if required for ballasting purposes1 this space could be filled with #b1ejj tons of water4 ,the length of the ,,great ,,eastern was #fge feet1 her breadth #hc feet1 and her depth #fj feet4 ,she was divided into #fj watertight compartments1 each #fj feet long4 ,she carried six masts--the mizzen mast of wood1 and the remaining five of hollow wrought iron4 ,three of these masts carried square sails1 the other three were fore and aft rigged4 ,she had five funnels1 two of which were placed forward of the paddle boxes and three aft4 ,her hull was constructed of #cj1jjj plates of iron1 weighing #aj1jjj tons1 and joined together by #c1jjj1jjj rivets4 8,her cylinders1 the four largest in the world 444 7each7 #ah feet long1 #f feet in diameter1 and #bh tons weight1 were successfully cast at the ,engineering ,works of ,messrs4 ,scott ,russell ,co41 ,millwall40#bb ,illustration3 ,,great ,,eastern ,s4,s4 ,copied by permission of ,messrs ,c4 ,w4 ,kellock ,co4 ,in her equipment were included twenty large lifeboats1 and it was intended that she should carry in addition two small steamers1 each #ajj feet long1 to be used for landing and embarking passengers or luggage4 ,she was designed to carry #aj1jjj troops or #d1jjj passengers1 viz41 #hjj first-class1 #b1jjj second-class1 and #hjj third-class1 in addition to a crew of about #djj1 and she was capable of stowing #ab1jjj tons of coal4 ,although1 nominally1 the engines which drove the paddle wheels were of #a1jjj h4 p41 they were capable of working up to #e1jjj h4 p41 while the screw engines worked up to #f1jjj h4 p41 or with combined paddle and screw her engines could develop #aa1jjj h4 p41 which it was estimated would enable her to maintain at sea a speed of #bj knots per hour1 and to accomplish the voyage between ,england and ,australia in #cj days4 8,it is a question of much interest to determine what amount of speed this power will impart to the vessel4 ,messrs4 ,james ,watt ,co4's anticipation is that the speed of the vessel will be about seventeen miles per hour1 and from that to eighteen miles seems to be about the limit engineers have hitherto predicted4 ,but we believe that these anticipations fall very short of what the real speed will be1 and which we do not hesitate to predict1 will turn out to be between twenty-four and twenty-five miles per hour40 78,illustrated ,london ,news10 #bcrd ,may1 #aheg74 ,on ,tuesday1 #crd ,november1 #aheg1 the first attempt was made to launch the ,,great ,,eastern4 ,the hour named for commencing the launching operations was #aa o'clock1 and was kept fairly punctually4 ,the chief machinery for moving the hull was boxed off1 and nearly altogether out of sight4 ,the vessel's name1 ,,leviathan1 was given by ,miss ,hope 7who afterwards became the ,duchess of ,newcastle71 the daughter of the ,chairman of the ,great ,eastern ,steam ,navigation ,company1 and the name displayed upon a board2 the change of name from ,,great ,,eastern to ,,leviathan occasioning a good deal of surprise4 ,after the customary bottle of wine was smashed against the vessel's bow1 a 8fortissimo obligate0 of sledge hammers resounded above and around--then ceased4 ,the great ship moved for a few feet1 then stopped4 ,the congregated thousands waited in suspense1 when suddenly a terrific report was heard4 ,one of the powerful drums used in the launch had cracked4 ,an order had been misunderstood2 the after-winch handles were turned the wrong way2 the heavy iron handles revolved wildly1 striking down the men1 fracturing their arms and legs1 and with a fatal result in one instance4 ,a second attempt was made to launch the ,,leviathan on ,thursday1 #aith ,november1 #aheg1 but the efforts were even less successful than on the first occasion1 for despite all the mechanical power brought to bear on her she would not move an inch4 ,on ,monday1 #aath ,january1 #aheh1 launching operations were resumed at ,millwall1 and the monster ship was moved riverwards to the extent of #bj feet4 ,on ,tuesday a further advance was made until a little after #c o'clock in the afternoon1 when1 having moved #af feet #aj inches aft1 and #ae feet #a inch forward1 it was thought desirable to suspend operations4 ,at high water on the latter day the ship was water borne to the height of #g feet1 which had the effect of diminishing the resistance to the extent of #d1jjj tons4 ,the yard and river banks were crowded with spectators on the following day 7,wednesday71 in the expectation that the ship would float1 but she was only moved another #b inches4 ,on ,thursday the ,,leviathan was pushed down the full extent of the ways1 and there left for the next spring tides4 ,the completion of the launch of this stupendous and beautiful vessel took place on ,sunday1 #cast ,january1 #aheh1 under the most favourable circumstances1 and unattended with a single accident1 the high tide lifting the vessel clear off the ways4 ,it is incomprehensible how so eminent an engineer as ,brunel should have made such a mistake as to attempt to force so huge a fabric broadside on into the river4 ,the costly experiment added #abj1jjj to the cost of the ship1 and practically ruined the company4 ,from the commencement of the company's operations1 the directors were hampered by the failure of many of the shareholders to meet the calls upon their shares when due4 ,to add to these difficulties1 ,messrs4 ,scott ,russell ,co4 7the builders of the ship71 in #ahee1 found themselves unable to meet their obligations1 and to complete the construction of the ,,great ,,eastern4 ,at the half-yearly meeting of the company1 held on the #aeth ,february1 #ahef1 the chairman reported that the failure of ,mr4 ,scott ,russell would be a cause of some delay1 and of some increased cost in the completion of their vessel1 which would be undertaken by the company's engineer1 ,mr4 ,i4 ,k4 ,brunel4 ,twelve months later it was announced that calls to date amounted to #fjf1jjj1 of which nearly #bjj1jjj remained unpaid1 owing to a number of other shareholders1 in addition to ,mr4 ,scott ,russell1 having become insolvent4 ,the opening months of #aheh saw the ,,great ,,eastern successfully launched1 but the ,great ,eastern ,steam ,navigation ,company had not the funds necessary for her equipment4 ,during the year the company was wound up by the sale and transfer of the ship to a new company for the sum of #afj1jjj-- 8,all the capital had been expended1 the public refused to advance any more money1 and if the directors wished their ship to be anything but a helpless1 unfinished carcase on the waters #cjj1jjj more must be found to make her ready for sea4 ,to the exertions of ,mr4 ,campbell 7the present chairman of the ,board71 and to ,mr4 ,william ,jackson 7the eminent and well-known contractor of ,birkenhead71 we believe is greatly owing the pleasant result of our being at length able to announce that the ,,great ,,eastern is ready for sea4 ,but one still more remarkable aid was forthcoming1 and which we could hardly believe1 only that we have it on the best authority--it was a subscription of no less than #ej1jjj of the supplementary capital1 in sums of #a to #e1 by persons in the humblest ranks of life 7domestic servants1 costermongers1 greengrocers and labourers7--who tendered their money avowedly without any expectation of profit1 but solely that they might hear of the great ship1 which they looked upon as the pride of ,england1 being fairly afloat on the deep waters4 ,such a fact at once took the vessel out of the category of mere commercial undertakings1 and more than anything else stimulated the brave men who were her projectors to renewed exertions for her ultimate completion40 78,illustrated ,london ,news10 #acth ,august1 #ahei74 ,the sum of #cjj1jjj having been subscribed for the new undertaking1 the directors had1 after paying for the vessel1 a surplus of #adj1jjj to complete her equipment and make her ready for sea4 ,her new owners took possession of her early in #ahei1 but it was not until ,september of that year that she was sufficiently complete to make her first trial trip4 ,while on this trip1 and when off ,hastings1 a shocking accident occurred1 through the explosion of one of the funnel casings1 causing the death of six men1 injuring several others1 and virtually wrecking the grand saloon4 ,as no further damage was done to the hull or machinery1 she proceeded to ,portland1 and the necessary repairs having been completed at an outlay of #e1jjj1 she resumed her voyage to ,holyhead on the #hth ,october4 ,she started on her return trial trip from ,holyhead to ,southampton on the #bnd ,november1 #ahei1 where she remained until the #agth ,june1 #ahfj4 ,the ,,great ,,eastern was advertised to leave ,southampton on her first voyage to ,new ,york on ,saturday1 #afth ,june1 #ahfj1 but1 in consequence of bad weather on that date1 the sailing was postponed until the following morning4 ,she carried only #cf passengers1 including several ladies1 on this trip4 ,the voyage across the ,atlantic occupied eleven days4 ,the greatest speed attained was #ad knots per hour1 and the greatest distance run by her in any one day was #ccc miles4 ,immense crowds assembled to witness her arrival in ,new ,york ,harbour1 and she was welcomed with great enthusiasm4 ,she passed the battery at #d-cj p4m4 on the #bhth ,june1 #ahfj4 ,the promoters of the ,great ,eastern ,steam ,navigation ,company were very sanguine that the ,government would frequently employ their vessel for the conveyance of troops1 of which they estimated she could carry ten thousand4 ,the ,government very wisely never risked so great a body of men in one vessel4 ,the only occasion on which the ,,great ,,eastern was made use of as a troopship was during the threatened rupture between ,england and the ,federal ,government of ,america1 in connection with the 8,trent ,affair40 ,she made her first entry into the port of ,liverpool on the #dth ,june1 having made the passage from ,new ,york in #i days #aa hours4 ,she had on board #bab passengers and a large cargo4 ,on ,thursday1 #bgth ,june1 #ahfa1 she sailed out of the ,mersey on a voyage to ,quebec1 with troops to reinforce the ,canadian garrisons4 ,the day was cloudless1 there was brilliant sunshine1 and the piers and dock walls for five miles1 as well as the landing-stages1 were lined with spectators1 who1 as the great ship passed them1 responded most heartily to the cheers raised by the soldiers who thronged the upper deck and the lower portions of the rigging4 ,as she passed the landing-stages she fired salutes1 and also on passing the ,rock ,battery4 ,there were on board the ,,great ,,eastern1 not #aj1jjj troops as her promoters anticipated1 but #b1abe men of all ranks1 accompanied by #aei wives and #bdd children of the soldiers4 ,there were also about #dj civilian passengers in the saloon4 ,she left ,quebec on her return voyage on the #fth ,august1 arriving in ,liverpool on the #aeth idem1 and resumed her sailings to ,new ,york4 ,she sailed from ,liverpool for ,new ,york on the #ajth ,september1 under the command of ,captain ,walker1 having on board #age cabin and #aic steerage passengers4 ,on the following ,thursday she encountered a heavy gale1 during which1 when about #bhj miles westward of ,cape ,clear1 her steering apparatus became deranged and broken1 and five of her lifeboats were carried away4 ,for two days and nights she lay helpless1 exposed to a terrific sea4 ,her internal fittings were in consequence seriously damaged1 and her passengers greatly alarmed for their safety4 ,the ,captain decided to abandon the voyage and put back to ,queenstown1 arriving in the harbour on the ,tuesday following4 ,the passengers1 when once more on terra firma1 relieved their feelings by publishing some very angry letters in the ,press1 in which they reflected very severely on the managers of the company1 but gave unqualified praise to ,captain ,walker for the manner in which he had handled the great ship in her disabled state4 ,the laying of submarine cables1 commenced in #ahfe1 offered employment for which the ,,great ,,eastern was specially suitable1 and in which she was constantly engaged for a period of ten years4 ,shortly after noon on the #cjth ,june1 #ahff1 the ,,great ,,eastern left the ,medway1 having on board the second ,atlantic cable4 ,she was convoyed by ,h4,m4,s4 ,,adder as far as the ,nore4 ,as she steamed past ,garrison ,point she was loudly cheered by a vast concourse of people who had gathered there4 ,she proceeded direct to ,berehaven1 in the extreme ,south-,west of ,ireland1 which was to be her starting point for laying the submarine cable4 ,four weeks later1 or to be exact1 about #e o'clock 7,english time7 on the #bgth ,july1 this great task was successfully accomplished4 ,one of the earliest messages transmitted by the cable was the following from ,h4,m4 ,queen ,victoria to the ,president of the ,united ,states of ,america3-- 8,the ,queen congratulates the ,president on the successful completion of an undertaking which she hopes may serve as an additional bond of union between the ,united ,states and ,england40 ,president ,johnson suitably acknowledged the ,royal despatch1 and reciprocated the good wishes contained in it4 ,a most interesting diary of the ,atlantic ,telegraph ,expedition is published in the ,annual ,register for #ahff4 ,in #ahfg her cable-laying services were interrupted by a charter to a ,french company1 who employed her between ,brest and ,new ,york1 carrying passengers to and from the great ,french ,exhibition4 ,for this service she was fitted with new boilers for the screw engines1 and her saloons were altered and redecorated4 ,after the completion of her charter with the ,french company1 she was taken up by the ,telegraphic ,construction and ,maintenance ,company1 in whose service she remained for seven years4 ,during this period she succeeded in laying the cable between ,brest and ,duckburgh1 near ,boston1 ,mass41 in #ahfh2 between ,aden and ,bombay in #ahgj2 between ,valentia and ,heart's ,content1 in #ahgc and #ahgd2 completing her charter to the ,telegraphic ,construction ,company in ,july1 #ahge4 ,the amount received for charter was at the rate of #bj1jjj per annum1 nett form4 ,the last years of this noble vessel were ignominious4 ,she was chartered in #ahhf by 8,lewis's10 who used her for a couple of years as a huge floating advertisement on the ,mersey4 ,she afterwards went to several ,ports as a 8show0 ship1 and finally returned to the ,mersey to be broken up on the #bjth ,november1 #ahhh4 ,her owners at this time were probably the only persons who ever realized a handsome profit out of her during her varied career4 ,the following is a list of the prices obtained at the sale of the various parts of the hull and equipment3-- ,eleven-ton ,trotman's anchor1 #cc guineas1 in addition to a number of other anchors1 which realized #c to #g #aes4 per ton2 oak lifeboat1 #b guineas2 cutter1 #cjs42 iron masts1 #i to #ag #ajs4 each2 copper steam piping1 #b1ifj2 gun metal1 #f1djj2 scrap yellow brass1 #a1gfj2 sheet lead1 #cfg #ajs42 lead piping1 #cfg #ajs42 iron plates forming the hull1 #ab1fjj2 iron beams1 #b #acs4 per ton2 scrap rivets1 #b #fs4 per ton2 boiler tubes1 #di #gs4 #f;d4#bc ,so ended the career of the most celebrated ship of the #aith century4 ,illustration3 ,steamship and sailboats ,,footnotes3 #bb 8,illustrated ,london ,news40 #bc ,the above figures are obtained from 8,donaldson's ,engineers' ,annual10 #aijj1 by permission4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,steam to ,australia4--,,sophia ,,jane1 first steamer from ,great ,britain to ,australia1 #ahca4--,the steamship ,,great ,,britain sails for ,melbourne1 #aheb4--,sketch of her after career4--,the ,,golden ,,age4--,the auxiliary screw steamer ,,royal ,,charter4--,sails on her maiden voyage1 #ahef4--,totally lost1 #ahei4 ,the first voyage by a steamer ever made between ,great ,britain and ,australia was in #ahca by the ,,sophia ,,jane1 a small vessel of #bef tons burthen and #ej h4p4 7see reference to this vessel in the ,history of the ,cork ,steamship ,co41 ,limited74 ,twenty-one years later the owners of the ,,great ,,britain1 the ,liverpool and ,australian ,steam ,navigation ,co4 7,messrs4 ,gibbs1 ,bright ,co41 ,managers71 induced by the great rush of emigrants to the newly discovered ,australian goldfields1 decided to supplement their 8,eagle0 ,line of ,packets by the addition of screw steamers and issued an advertisement as follows3-- 8,steam from ,liverpool to ,australia1 forming part of the #8,eagle' ,line of ,packets4 ,the ,,great ,,britain1 ,s4,s41 #c1ejj tons and #ejj h4p41 ,b4 ,r4 ,matthews1 ,e4,n41 ,commander1 will be despatched for ,melbourne and ,sydney1 ,n4,s4,w41 calling at the ,cape of ,good ,hope for coals1 water and fresh provisions1 on ,saturday1 #bast ,august1 #aheb1 at #a p4m4 ,this magnificent ship1 fitted up with every possible convenience1 has just performed her trial voyage to ,new ,york in the most satisfactory manner4 8,fares3--,after ,saloon1 to ,melbourne1 #gj guineas and upwards4 ,five guineas extra to ,sydney1 ,n4,s4,w4 8,to ,cape of ,good ,hope1 #ej guineas4 8,loading ,berth1 ,wellington ,dock4 8,apply to ,gibbs1 ,bright ,co41 ,liverpool40 ,the result must have been exceedingly gratifying to the owners1 as the ,,great ,,britain sailed on this her first voyage to the ,antipodes with upwards of #fjj passengers4 ,ten days later the ship ,,albatross arrived with the first importation into ,liverpool of gold from ,australia1 being #bj1jjj ozs4 consigned to ,messrs4 ,gibbs1 ,bright ,co4 ,on the #bcrd ,november following1 her sister ship1 the ,,eagle1 arrived in the ,thames with #aej1jjj ounces of gold valued at #fjj1jjj4 ,the ship ,,dido was expected to arrive in a few days1 having on board ten and a half tons of the precious metal1 of the enormous value of #a1abj1jjj4 ,the ,,great ,,britain arrived at ,melbourne on the #ajth ,november1 #aheb1 after a splendid run from the ,cape of ,good ,hope of #bd days1 her average speed having been #bhd miles per day4 ,her engines behaved splendidly1 and there was no occasion to stop them during the whole of the time4 ,one death occurred on board1 that of a ,chinaman who embarked at ,st4 ,helena4 ,owing to the difficulty of obtaining labour to discharge and load the ship at ,melbourne1 she was detained at that port for three months1 and sailed on her return voyage about the end of ,january1 #ahec4 ,on her arrival at ,cape ,town she re-filled her bunkers from the ,,rebecca1 a ship which had been sent from ,liverpool with a cargo of coal for that purpose1 and resumed her voyage northwards on the #bjth ,february4 ,she continued to trade with varying success between ,liverpool and ,australia as an auxiliary steamer for #dj years1 and in #ahhb was sold to ,messrs4 ,anthony ,gibbs1 ,sons ,co41 who took out her engines and converted her into a sailing ship4 ,originally she carried six masts1 two of which had been taken out of her when she was placed on the ,anglo-,australian station1 and when ,messrs4 ,anthony ,gibbs1 ,sons ,co4 purchased her they took out a third mast and rigged her as a full-rigged sailing ship4 ,in order to strengthen her hull1 they also1 at a very great expense1 completely sheathed her frame with wood1 in ,october1 #ahhb4 ,she sailed on her last voyage from ,liverpool in #ahhf1 and put into the ,falkland ,islands so battered with her battle with wind and waves that she was abandoned to the ,underwriters as a constructive total loss4 ,she was sold by the latter to the ,falkland ,islands ,co41 who used her as a coal hulk4 ,one of her earliest competitors was an ,american steamer named the ,,golden ,,age4 ,she was the property of the ,new ,york and ,australian ,steam ,navigation ,co41 and was intended to ply between ,australia and ,panama1 and eventually to extend the service to ,san ,francisco4 ,this splendid vessel excited great interest in ,liverpool1 at which port she lay for about two months prior to sailing for ,melbourne4 ,she was very similar in outward appearance to the ,collins steamships1 being barque rigged with a straight stem1 and having her paddle boxes situated very far aft4 ,her dimensions were as follows3 length #bhe feet1 beam #dc feet #f inches1 and depth #cb feet2 #bhfd tons register4 ,she had a beam engine of somewhat peculiar construction1 with a cylinder of #he inches diameter1 and #ab feet stroke4 ,the boilers constituted the chief peculiarity2 they were each #dj feet long1 and fitted with furnaces at each end1 the smoke funnel ascending from the centre4 ,by this arrangement it was claimed that economy both in space and fuel was gained4 ,the hull of the ship was built by ,mr4 ,w4 ,h4 ,brown1 ,new ,york4 ,the lower frames were of live oak1 and the top frames of locust and cedar4 ,the entire hull was double diagonally braced with iron bars1 five inches wide1 by three quarters of an inch thick and four feet apart4 ,the ,,golden ,,age had accommodation for #abjj passengers of all classes1 the steerage being fitted up for #fjj4 ,there were three saloons1 one above the other1 two of which were panelled in rose1 satin1 and zebra woods2 with crimson and gold plush and rich hangings1 and adorned with mirrors4 ,in the upper saloon the same general arrangement prevailed1 except that instead of satinwood panelling1 the sides were finished in white and gold4 ,in this saloon were two 8family rooms10 one finished in gold1 the other in blue4 ,a brief reference to this steamer is made in the 8,annals of ,liverpool0 7,gore's ,directory71 in which it is stated3 8,the ,,golden ,,age7s47 sailed from ,liverpool1 #eth ,december1 #ahec1 and arrived at ,melbourne in #dg days steaming time40 ,on the #cast ,july1 #ahee1 there was launched at ,sandycroft1 on the ,river ,dee1 a large clipper ship fitted with auxiliary steam power4 ,she was built to the order of the ,liverpool and ,australian ,steam ,navigation ,co41 the owners of the celebrated ,,great ,,britain4 ,her owners were of opinion that steamers relying entirely upon their engines1 could not be worked so economically as vessels with auxiliary steam power1 and sailing vessels trusting only to their sails could not be relied upon to make their passages with regularity and despatch1 consequently they determined to combine the two motive powers and give their vessel the benefit of both4 ,the ,,royal ,,charter1 the name given to the new ship1 was designed and built by ,mr4 ,paterson1 the builder of the ,,great ,,britain4 ,she was #bce feet in length over all1 #da feet #f inches beam1 and #bf feet #f inches depth of hold2 #bgbj tons burden2 could spread #ae1jjj square feet of canvas2 and had a pair of direct acting trunk engines of #bjj h4p4 nominal1 constructed by ,messrs4 ,penn1 of ,greenwich1 for working an auxiliary screw1 so arranged that when not wanted it could be completely lifted out of the water1 and even 7if necessary7 placed on deck4 ,she had excellent accommodation for passengers4 ,her chief saloon was #ajj feet long and beautifully fitted up2 and the ladies' cabin1 with its large poop windows1 and elegant furniture1 was admirably adapted for its purpose4 ,there were two large bath rooms for the use of the after saloon passengers1 and one three times as large as either of these two for the use of the 'tween deck passengers4 ,she had seven watertight compartments and tanks capable of holding #fd1jjj gallons of water4 ,the ,,royal ,,charter1 independently of her steam power1 was a full-rigged ship1 and was the first ,english vessel to adopt the ,american plan of double topsails on each mast4 ,on her trial trips she averaged a speed of nine knots per hour with her propeller2 and under canvas only1 with a light ,n4,n4,e4 wind1 made fourteen knots per hour4 ,she was well armed1 carrying eight guns--four #ah pounders and four #bd pounders2 besides a large swivel gun on the forecastle1 and a good number of ,mini rifles for the saloon4 ,she left ,liverpool on her maiden voyage to ,melbourne on the #afth ,april1 #ahef1 and accomplished the passage in #ei days4 ,she had but a short career1 for on the #bfth ,october1 #ahei1 this noble ship was totally wrecked on the coast of ,anglesea4 ,she had almost reached her home port1 inward bound from ,australia under the command of ,captain ,taylor1 and having on board about #ejj persons including passengers and crew1 and a valuable cargo1 including gold to the amount of #djj1jjj4 ,she had called at ,queenstown1 where thirteen of her passengers disembarked4 ,on her passage up channel she was caught in a terrific northerly gale1 which1 driving the current in the large bay between the ,ormes ,head and ,point ,lynas1 swept the vessel from her course and drove her upon the rock-bound coast off ,moelfra ,head1 ,red ,wharf ,bay4 ,she struck during the night when no assistance from the shore could be obtained4 ,from #cj to #ce persons only were saved out of the #ejj on board1 and these mainly through the heroic efforts of ,joseph ,rodgers1 who swam ashore with a line round his body4 ,in recognition of his devoted courage1 this intrepid seaman was presented with a gold medal and #e by the ,royal ,national ,lifeboat ,institution at a meeting held at the ,sailors' ,home1 ,liverpool1 on the #afth ,november1 #ahei1 on which occasion the ,board of ,trade also presented him with a silver medal and #aj4 ,illustration3 ,rowboat near shore ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,china and ,steam ,navigation4--,opening of the ,treaty ,ports1 #ahfj4--;,auxiliary ,steamers first employed4--,the ,,scotland4--,the ,,robert ,,lowe4--,the ,holt ,line4 ,the treaty ports of the ,yang-tse were for the first time opened to the ships of the 8barbarian nations of the ,west0 in ,february1 #ahfj4 ,the first foreign merchant vessel to load a cargo at ,shanghai for ,hankow was the auxiliary screw steamer ,,scotland1 belonging to the late ,w4 ,s4 ,lindsay1 the well-known author of the 8,history of ,merchant ,shipping40 ,she was a vessel of about #a1ajj tons gross register1 and was commanded by ,captain ,a4 ,d4 ,dundas1 ,r4,n4 ,she sailed from ,shanghai with a full cargo in ,june1 #ahfj1 her draft being #ag feet4 ,she was subsequently sold to the ,prince of ,satsuma1 the same purchaser having previously1 in #ahfa1 purchased her sister ship1 the ,,england1 from ,messrs4 ,w4 ,s4 ,lindsay ,co4 ,it was not until #ahfc that any ,english steamer loaded a cargo direct from ,hankow for ,great ,britain4 ,the third vessel to sail was the auxiliary screw steamship ,,robert ,,lowe1 also belonging to ,messrs4 ,lindsay4 ,she was a vessel of #a1bej tons gross1 with engines of only #hj nominal horse power4 ,her average speed between ,shanghai and ,hankow1 a distance of #fjh miles1 was #fj miles per day1 but one day was lost in changing her propeller1 and she anchored every night4 ,she sailed from ,shanghai on the #hth ,may1 #ahfc1 and came to an anchor off ,hankow on the #ahth idem4 ,on the #ajth ,june her cargo arrived alongside1 and on the #bcrd ,june she sailed for ,shanghai and ,london4 ,she traversed the distance between ,hankow and ,shanghai in #eg hours1 the current being with her4 ,her cargo for ,london consisted of #i1efh chests1 #bcd half-chests1 and #b1jfd boxes of tea2 #ece bales of cotton and #aib packages of sundries4 ,her freight amounted to the respectable sum of #aj1cae1 in addition to which she earned #dhj passage money4 ,in #ahff ,mr4 ,alfred ,holt1 of ,liverpool1 started a line of steamers to trade between ,england and ,china1 via the ,cape of ,good ,hope4 ,mr4 ,holt was a practical engineer4 ,having served his apprenticeship1 he was appointed inspecting engineer to several steamship companies1 and about #ahej commenced as steamship owner with a small coasting steamer1 the ,,alpha4 ,this steamer was succeeded by the ,,cleator and ,,dumbarton ,,youth1 sailing between ,liverpool1 ,cumberland ,ports1 and the ,bristol ,channel4 ,upon the outbreak of the ,crimean ,war1 ,mr4 ,holt secured several remunerative charters from the ,government1 and in #ahee he inaugurated the first line of steamers between ,liverpool and the ,west ,indies4 ,his first steamer in this trade was only #ece tons burden1 but she was so well supported that in a short time a monthly line of steamers of larger capacity and greater power was established4 ,in #ahfc ,messrs4 ,leech1 ,harrison and ,forwood1 and ,messrs4 ,imrie and ,tomlinson1 entered into the same trade1 and it was considered desirable to form a public company to amalgamate these three undertakings4 ,a company1 under the title of the ,west ,india and ,pacific ,steam ,navigation ,company1 ,limited1 was consequently formed for this purpose1 with a capital of #a1bej1jjj1 which was at once subscribed4 ,mr4 ,holt now directed his energies to the ,far ,east1 and in #ahfe despatched his first vessels in the ,china service1 the ,,agamemnon1 ,,ajax and ,,achilles4 ,these were the first steamers to apply the principle of compound engines to long over-sea voyages4 ,these engines were in use in the ships of the ,pacific ,steam ,navigation ,company prior to this1 but only in those steamers employed on the ,pacific coast4 ,the performances of the ,holt steamers had been hitherto considered impossible1 and even now in the twentieth century would be considered remarkable with boats of a similar size4 ,starting from ,liverpool1 they steamed down the ,south ,atlantic1 rounded the ,cape of ,good ,hope1 and so on to ,mauritius1 a distance of #h1ejj miles without stopping4 ,from thence they proceeded to ,penang1 ,singapore1 ,hong ,kong and ,shanghai4 ,these three pioneers of the ,anglo-,china trade were each of #b1bgj tons gross and #a1eej tons net register1 with engines of #cjj nominal horse power1 and their principal dimensions were--length1 #cji feet2 beam1 #ch feet2 depth of hold to spar deck1 #bh feet4 ,on ,july #afth1 #ahfi1 one of them 7the ,,achilles7 sailed from ,foochow for ,london via the ,cape of ,good ,hope1 and arrived on the #afth ,september1 having been under steam #eh days #i hours1 during which time she travelled #ac1eeb miles1 maintaining an average speed of nearly #i knots throughout the whole voyage4 ,this was one of the last voyages made by the ,holt steamers round the ,cape1 as two months after the arrival of the ,,achilles at ,london the ,suez ,canal was formally opened for the merchant steamers of all countries1 and from that date all the steamers of this company have passed through that waterway on their voyages to and from ,china4 ,the earlier steamers of the fleet were square-rigged on the fore and main masts1 a good rig when it was desired to take advantage of the favourable trade winds and monsoons1 which can always be depended upon for a voyage round the ,cape1 but found to be unsuitable when the route was altered to the ,suez ,canal4 ,the square sails of the three steamers named were1 therefore1 removed1 and the subsequent steamers have been constructed with pole masts only4 ,although the fleet is styled the ,ocean ,steamship ,company1 it is popularly known as the ,holt1 or 8,blue ,funnel0 ,line1 and has only recently been formed into a limited company4 ,the ,holt ,line steamers do not carry passengers between ,great ,britain and ,china1 but they are great favourites with the ,moslem pilgrims1 of whom they carry large numbers on their journeys to and from ,mecca4 ,about #ahia the ,ocean ,steamship ,company established a monthly service of mail and passenger steamers between ,singapore and ,west ,australian ,ports1 and in #aija a direct service of steamers from ,glasgow to ,australian ,ports was opened by the despatch of the steamer ,,orestes4 ,a controlling interest in the ,china ,mutual ,steam ,navigation ,company1 ,limited1 was purchased by1 and the fleet of that company transferred to1 the ,holt ,company on the #ast ,july1 #aijb1 with which addition to the 8,blue ,funnel0 fleet extended operations were undertaken4 ,illustration3 ,r4 ,p4 ,,houston ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,,isle of ,,man ,,steampacket ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,w4 ,s4 ,,kennaugh ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,,lamport ,,holt4 ,illustration3 ,,james ,,little ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,,richard ,,hughes ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,,wm4 ,,johnston ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,,alex4 ,a4 ,,laird ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,m4 ,,langlands ,,sons4 ,illustration3 ,,liverpool ,,north ,,wales ,,steampacket ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,,david ,,macbrayne4 ,illustration3 ,,david ,,maciver ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,h4 ,w4 ,,nelson4 ,illustration3 ,,pacific ,s4 ,n4 ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,f4 ,h4 ,,powell ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,c4 ,,maciver ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,,james ,,moss ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,j4 ,j4 ,,mack ,,sons4 ,illustration3 ,p4 ,o4 ,s4 ,n4 ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,r4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,rea4 ,,chapter ,,xxii4 ,,remarkable ,,history ,,of ,a ,,glasgow ,,steamer4 ,illustration3 ,the ,,ferret s4s4 chartered by ,henderson ,co4--,sails for the ,mediterranean and disappears4--,,benton s4s4 sails with a cargo of coffee from ,santos1 and also disappears4--,seizure of ,,india s4s4 at ,melbourne4--,proved to be missing steamer ,,ferret1 alias ,,benton4 ,decidedly the most dramatic incident ever recorded in the annals of steam navigation was the theft of the steamer ,,ferret and the piratical seizure and sale of her cargo of coffee4 ,the ,,ferret was a screw steamer measuring #agj feet #i inches in length1 #bc feet #b inches beam1 and #ab feet #g inches depth2 builders' measurement #dci tons1 with a probable carrying capacity of #djj tons deadweight cargo1 in addition to coal in bunkers4 ,she had compound engines of #ij h4p4 nominal1 and her reputed speed was #ab knots per hour4 ,she was built on the ,clyde in #ahga1 by the well-known firm of ,j4 ,g4 ,thomson1 for ,messrs4 ,g4 ,j4 ,burns1 of ,glasgow1 from whom the ,highland ,railway ,co4 purchased her for their mail and passenger service1 and she held a ,board of ,trade certificate for #bjj passengers4 ,the conspirators who succeeded in stealing this vessel1 laid their plans with great care and attention to details1 and carried them out with marvellous audacity4 ,one of them took an office in ,gracechurch ,street1 ,london1 and obtained a supply of printed stationery1 describing himself as 8,henderson ,co41 ,ship ,brokers1 c40 ,he also opened an account with the 444 ,bank1 in the name of 8,smith10 taking care until his plans were perfected to keep a respectable balance to his credit4 ,early in ,october1 #ahhj1 the plot had ripened1 and one of the gang1 representing himself to be 8,mr4 ,walker1 purser of the ,,ferret ,s4,s410 called at the office of ,douglas ,co41 ,union ,street1 a leading ship-chandler's firm in ,glasgow1 and ordered a large quantity of expensive ship-stores4 ,the stores were for the account of ,mr4 ,smith1 who was referred to as a relative of ,mr4 ,w4 ,h4 ,smith1 late ,first ,lord of the ,admiralty4 ,naturally references were required and were freely given4 ,mr4 ,smith had chartered from the ,highland ,railway ,co4 the steamer ,,ferret for a six months' cruise in the ,mediterranean1 his wife having been ordered by her doctor to take a long sea voyage4 ,the ,,ferret was then in ,j4 ,g4 ,thomson's yard1 being overhauled preparatory to the cruise4 ,both of these firms could be referred to1 as well as ,mr4 ,smith's bankers1 and ,messrs4 ,henderson ,co41 ,ship ,brokers1 ,gracechurch ,street1 ,london4 ,the bankers were written to1 and replied that ,mr4 ,smith had an account with their bank4 ,henderson ,co4 were also applied to1 and of course gave a very favourable account of ,smith4 ,the merchants being satisfied with the result of their enquiries1 supplied the stores1 which included an excellent selection of first-class wines specially brought from ,london4 ,the account1 which amounted to #a1dij1 was presented to ,walker1 who gave a bill at three months endorsed by ,smith4 ,it is to be presumed that the first-half month's charter was paid as customary in cash in advance1 because the conspirators having got possession of the ,,ferret were in no violent hurry to get her out of ,british waters4 ,about the #bjth ,october1 ,william ,griffin joined the steamer at ,greenock as chief engineer4 ,although ,griffin was not placed on trial1 yet it is to be noted that he had a prior acquaintance with ,walker1 who had introduced him to ,smith4 ,it is also undeniable that without the assistance of ,griffin and the ship's carpenter1 the alterations which were made in the steamer could not have been effected4 ,from ,greenock1 the ,,ferret sailed in charge of a crew of 8runners0 to ,cardiff1 ,robert ,wright1 alias ,carlyon 7a confederate7 being master1 and ,walker1 alias ,wallace1 acting as purser4 ,the steamer arrived at ,cardiff on the #bbnd ,october and remained there for three days1 taking in a cargo of coals for ship's use4 ,the coals1 of course1 being paid for by valueless bills on ,london4 ,at ,cardiff the 8runners0 were discharged and a fresh crew1 strangers to the ,,ferret1 were shipped4 ,smith 7otherwise ,henderson7 also embarked at ,cardiff1 accompanied by 8,mrs4 ,smith40 ,the ,,ferret sailed from ,cardiff on the #beth ,october and put into ,milford ,haven1 probably from stress of weather1 where she remained for about a week4 ,she left ,milford on the #ast ,november1 ostensibly for ,marseilles4 ,in pursuance of this report1 she passed through the ,straits of ,gibraltar on the morning of the #aath of the same month1 and showing her number1 requested to be reported4 ,having steamed out of sight of the signalling station1 the crew were set to work to change the colour of the funnel from white to black1 and of the boats 7with the exception of two7 from blue to white1 and at night1 with her lights screened1 the ,,ferret returned westwards through the straits4 ,while passing through1 the two boats that had not been altered1 some empty casks1 several life-belts1 and other articles1 all having the steamer's name painted on them1 were thrown overboard1 for the purpose of making it appear that the vessel had foundered4 ,so evident did this seem that as a matter of fact the underwriters paid the ,highland ,railway ,co4 their claim for the total loss of the steamer4 ,that same night all the crew were sent aft to the saloon1 where ,smith made a speech to them1 in which he stated that he was a political refugee from the ,united ,states2 that he had purchased the ,,ferret to use partly as a yacht1 and partly for trading2 that after he had traded for some time he would sell the boat1 and make it worth their while to keep his secret2 but on the other hand1 if any of them disclosed anything they saw or heard on board1 he would blow their brains out4 ,the crew1 when arrested1 alleged that it was the fear of this threat which prevented them giving information1 when in port1 of what they knew to be suspicious actions4 ,illustration3 ,,ferret ,s4,s4 ,avoiding the ,canary ,islands1 presumably as being too much frequented by ,british shipping1 the conspirators kept away to the southward until they reached ,st4 ,vincent1 ,c4,v4 ,entering the harbour1 they anchored there for several days1 during which they took in fresh water1 and a supply of pigs1 poultry1 fruit and vegetables1 paying for them in their usual manner by means of worthless bills4 ,the 8,times0 7#bcrd ,june1 #ahha7 ,sydney correspondent states that after leaving ,st4 ,vincent the vessel's name was altered to the ,,benton4 ,but this seems most improbable1 as it would be apparent that the ,,ferret did not founder in the ,mediterranean1 and further it would have left a clue by which she could easily have been traced4 ,the truth probably is1 that the alteration was made immediately she got clear of the ,straits of ,gibraltar4 ,be this as it may1 the ,,benton arrived at ,santos on the #bfth ,december4 ,at ,santos1 ,smith went on shore and lost no time in opening negotiations with the local shipping agents1 to whom he stated that the ,,benton was from ,cape ,town in ballast1 bound for ,england4 ,the negotiations resulted in the shipment of #c1iib bags of coffee1 consigned to various consignees at ,marseilles4 ,having obtained this cargo1 the ,,benton sailed from ,santos on the #aath ,january1 #ahha1 but instead of proceeding to ,marseilles she steamed direct to ,cape ,town4 ,while the ,,benton was steaming across the ,south ,atlantic1 the ,glasgow holders of the bill for #a1dij received some information which made them uneasy1 and on presentation of the bill when due1 it was dishonoured4 ,the account was closed1 the balance had been withdrawn1 and the acceptor's whereabouts were unknown4 ,the holders then applied to ,henderson and ,co41 but the letter was returned--addressees 8gone1 no address40 ,they then wrote to the ,highland ,railway ,co41 and received a reply from the ,secretary to the effect that the ,highland ,railway ,co4 had already done all in their power to trace the ,,ferret1 in their own interests1 having received no charter money from the charterers since the vessel sailed from the ,clyde4 ,they had been in communication with ,lloyd's and the ,board of ,trade1 and through ,british ,consuls and ,lloyd's agents1 enquiries had been made all over the world4 ,about ten days before the receipt of the merchants' letter the ,highland ,railway ,co4 had heard that the ,,ferret had arrived at ,malta1 but on cabling there had received a reply denying the report4 ,they had cabled a second time1 ordering the vessel to be seized at ,malta in the event of her putting in there4 ,meanwhile the ,,benton was nearing ,cape ,town1 laden with coffee shipped at ,santos4 ,during the voyage further changes had been effected in the appearance of the vessel1 and the name ,,india was substituted for ,,benton4 ,the original name 7,,ferret7 had previously been filed off the ship's bell1 and now1 as a further precaution the ship's number on the main hatch combings was altered to #gg1idb4 ,the ,,india put into ,cape ,town on the #bith ,january1 and at once began to discharge her cargo4 ,the conspirators had provided themselves with a printing press1 and had all necessaries on board1 as well as ,revenue ,stamps of various nations1 by which they were able to manufacture the vouchers and documents necessary to the success of their frauds4 ,at ,cape ,town1 ,smith produced an invoice with a printed heading1 purporting to be an invoice for #c1iib bags coffee sold by coffee planters at ,la ,guayra 7a small port in ,venezuela7 to ,c4 ,s4 ,henderson ,co41 and with it a receipt for the amount duly stamped4 ,he succeeded in selling the cargo1 and realised by the sale of it about #aa1jjj4 ,he had to accept in part payment bills to the extent of #h1jjj1 drawn on the ,standard ,bank1 ,clement's ,lane1 ,london1 payable nine months after date4 ,it is satisfactory to know that the frauds were discovered before the bills matured1 and payment of them was stopped4 ,after the discharge of the cargo1 ,smith tried to sell the steamer1 but not succeeding in his attempt1 he shipped a quantity of coal1 and sailed on the #adth ,february for the ,mauritius4 ,the conspirators arrived at ,mauritius on the #ast ,march1 but did not succeed in getting any plunder there1 and so they 8cleared out for ,guam40 ,the next port they entered was ,port ,albany in ,western ,australia1 from whence they steamed direct to ,melbourne4 ,here ,wright and ,walker offered the steamer for sale1 but received no offers4 ,while in ,melbourne1 several circumstances made the ,customs officers and the ,harbour ,police suspect that there was something wrong about the vessel4 ,it was observed that the fires were always banked so that steam could be got up at the shortest notice4 ,captain ,wright never left the steamer1 and none of the crew 7except ,walker1 the purser7 were ever allowed 8shore leave40 ,the ,customs authorities instructed one of their officers to make a special investigation of the matter1 and he reported that there was no steamer of the tonnage given registered at ,lloyd's in the name of ,,india1 but that the particulars of tonnage and dimensions corresponded with the register of the missing steamer ,,ferret4 ,illustration3 ,the ,arrest4 ,noting all these suspicious circumstances the ,customs authorities determined on prompt action4 ,requisitioning two crews of the ,water ,police1 as it was feared there might be violent opposition on the part of the steamer's crew1 the ,commissioner of ,customs1 on the #bgth ,april1 seized the vessel4 ,fortunately their anticipations as to resistance were not realised1 the crew surrendering without opposition4 ,although the authorities had been extremely cautious in their enquiries1 it is evident that the conspirators became aware of what was being done1 for when the steamer was seized1 ,smith1 8,mrs4 ,smith10 and ,captain ,wright had fled4 ,the previous day ,smith and ,mrs4 ,smith removed from their cabin a number of articles1 and amongst them two heavy iron-bound boxes which were never traced4 ,smith succeeded in getting away from ,melbourne to a distant township1 but was arrested4 ,mrs4 ,smith1 who had disappeared for a time1 when she heard of his arrest reappeared and visited him in prison4 ,the object of her visit may be surmised from the fact that shortly after her visit ,smith tried to escape by filing through one of the bars of his prison window4 ,captain ,wright had found a retreat in a ,melbourne sailors' lodging-house1 but having got drunk and quarrelled with his landlady1 he was thrown out1 and arrested for being drunk and disorderly4 ,when the charge was being booked at the police station1 he was recognised as the missing master of the steamer1 for whom the police were searching4 ,confirmation of the suspicions which induced the ,commissioner of ,customs to seize the steamer was speedily obtained4 ,traces of fraud were quickly discovered on the ship's hull and appointments1 and in the ship's books and papers--some of the latter being found in very unusual places of deposit4 ,between the leaves of the log-book a seaman's 8advance note0 was found with the name of the ,,ferret on it4 ,there was also found a ,,mss4 cypher code1 by means of which communication might be made between those in the vessel and others on shore4 ,it also serves to show the unscrupulous character of the criminals and the extreme length to which they were prepared to go4 ,one or two quotations will illustrate the truth of this assertion3-- 8,accept charter referred to and lose vessel before you arrive in port4 ,don't fail40 8,get out of port the best way you can1 but sink the ship1 before you allow them to stop her40 8,destroy all papers1 c41 and sink ship if possible1 or burn her1 and get away4 ,make best of your way over here40 8,things going wrong4 ,mate not to be trusted2 shall get rid of him40 8,things going wrong with some of the crew2 must get rid of them40 8,things going wrong with the whole of the crew2 must get rid of them40 8,lost vessel2 landed here to day2 all hands forward lost40 8,game is all up2 all discovered2 destroy or hide everything1 and make yourself scarce2 communicate with me through the arranged channel40 ,among the papers seized was a card of a ,dr4 ,bonefin4 ,now a swindler of this name--not a common one--shortly before the arrival of the ,,ferret1 was convicted for obtaining goods under false pretences from a number of ,melbourne jewellers1 and was sentenced to a term of imprisonment in ,pentridge ,gaol4 ,in the cypher code referred to ,melbourne figures as #ea1 so that it is extremely probable that ,bonefin was one of the conspirators on shore4 ,a ,cabinet ,meeting of the ,victorian ,government was held on the #ith ,may1 and on the following morning the opinion of the ,attorney-,general was published as follows3-- 8,the ,government of ,victoria seized the ,,ferret1 which entered this port 7,melbourne7 as the ,,india1 in the interests of the rightful owners1 domiciled apparently in ,great ,britain4 ,at the present time no one in ,victoria is in a position to show this ,government such a title to the ,,ferret as would clear the ,government from possible liability4 ,it appears to me that the ,hon4 the ,commissioner of ,trade and ,customs should hold the ,,ferret till proper papers are produced in ,melbourne by a legally authorised agent of the actual owners1 whose title should be clearly proved by the needful papers from ,england4 ,this being done1 and delivery charges paid1 the ship should be delivered4 ,if it is deemed desirable to expedite delivery of the ship1 this ,government is entitled to require that the ,board of ,trade of ,london should give a certificate as to the owners4 ,such certificate1 along with an indemnity to pay all costs1 and an indemnity by the owners1 should be deposited with the ,agent-,general for ,victoria1 ,london1 who should telegraph any instructions the owners may wish to give as to the way they desire the ship to be dealt with1 and this ,government should then act accordingly4 ,at the same time it would be well to learn whether the ,imperial ,government wished to take proceedings against any of the offenders1 and if so1 what course it intended to take4 ,all necessary documents and evidence should be transmitted without delay4 ,the master1 also the person who represents himself as the owner1 and another person are charged here with forging the register of the ship1 that offence having been committed with a view to a fraudulent sale40 ,eventually the three criminals arrested1 viz43--,smith 7alias ,henderson1 alias ,benard71 ,wright 7alias ,carlyon7 and ,walker 7alias ,wallace71 were indicted on three counts3-- #ast4 ,conspiracy to defraud the owners of the ,,ferret1 the ,highland ,railway ,co4 #bnd4 ,conspiracy to defraud intending purchasers of the ,,ferret in ,melbourne2 and #crd4 ,conspiracy to deceive the ,commissioner of ,trade and ,customs1 by entering the vessel in a false name1 and to obtain a certificate of sale under which the vessel could have been sold in that port4 ,they were all acquitted on the first count1 but convicted on the second and third4 ,smith and ,walker were each sentenced to seven years' penal servitude1 and ,wright to three and a half years4 ,this result is most remarkable4 ,no mention is made of the frauds perpetrated at ,glasgow1 ,cardiff and ,st4 ,vincent1 ,c4,v42 nor of the steps taken 7if any7 to secure the confederates on shore4 ,as for the unfortunate crew1 who had received no wages1 they obtained a temporary refuge in the ,melbourne ,sailors' ,home4 ,the after history of the ,,ferret is briefly told4 ,she was purchased in #ahhe by the ,adelaide ,steamship ,company1 ,currie ,street1 ,adelaide1 ,south ,australia1 and is at the present date employed by that company in the ,australian coasting service4 ,,chapter ,,xxiii4 ,anglo-,canadian ,steamship ,companies4--,allan ,line4--,canadian ,pacific ,railway ,co4--,dominion ,line4 ,following the example of the ,imperial ,government the ,government of ,canada advertised in ,june1 #aheb1 for tenders for the conveyance of mails between the ,united ,kingdom and ,quebec and ,montreal in summer1 and between the ,united ,kingdom and ,portland1 ,maine1 in winter4 ,the contract was secured by ,messrs4 ,mc,kean1 ,mc,larty and ,lamont1 of ,liverpool1 who formed a company1 and despatched their first steamer1 the ,,genova1 a small vessel of #ejj tons register1 in the spring of #ahec4 ,the sailings were continued1 but with no great regularity1 for about eighteen months4 ,in addition to the steamer named1 the ,,cleopatra1 of #adfg tons1 the ,,ottawa1 and two chartered steamers1 one the ,,charity1 built for the ,african ,steamship ,co41 and the other the ,,canadian1 chartered from ,messrs4 ,allan ,brothers1 were engaged in the service4 ,on the outbreak of the ,crimean ,war the ,,ottawa and ,,charity were taken off the ,canadian service for the conveyance of troops to the ,crimea1 and in #ahee the ,,cleopatra was despatched from ,london to ,melbourne4 ,the ,anglo-,canadian ,mail ,service proving unprofitable--a natural result from the way in which it was conducted--it was transferred to the ,messrs4 ,allan1 who undertook to build a fleet specially for this trade1 and to maintain a fortnightly service to ,quebec in summer1 and a monthly service to ,portland1 ,maine1 in winter1 for the annual subsidy of #bd1jjj4 ,the ,allan mail service to ,canada commenced in ,april1 #ahef4 ,a weekly service was instituted in #ahei1 and has been continued until the present day4 ,the first four steamers of the line were built by ,messrs4 ,denny1 ,dumbarton1 and one of them1 the ,,anglo-,,saxon1 made a passage in nine days five hours--which was considered a record in those days4 ,the ,,hibernian1 built in #ahfa1 was the first steamer in the ,atlantic trade to have a spar deck1 covering the main deck from stem to stern1 affording shelter for the passengers in heavy weather1 and found to be so advantageous that it has been adopted by all the other first-class ,atlantic companies4 ,illustration3 ,r4,m4,s4 ,,tunisian4 ,allan ,line4 ,the time on passage was further reduced by the ,,polynesian in #ahgb4 ,on her first voyage this steamer made the passage between ,quebec and ,londonderry in seven days eighteen hours and fifty-five minutes4 ,in #ahgg the ,,buenos ,,ayrean made her appearance4 ,this vessel is remarkable as being the first ,atlantic liner constructed of steel1 the material of which all ocean-going steamers are now built4 ,in #ahha the ,,parisian was launched1 a steamer which has always been a favourite on the route4 ,she has accommodation for #bjj first1 #ajj second1 and #ejj third-class passengers1 and is popularly known as the 8ladies' ship10 a title bestowed upon her because she is credited with having carried a larger proportion of lady passengers than any other line4 ,the three crack boats of the present fleet are the twin-screw steamers ,,bavarian1 ,,tunisian1 and ,,ionian4 ,the first of these sailed on her maiden voyage to ,canada in ,august1 #ahii1 and she was followed by the ,,tunisian in ,april1 #aijj4 ,the ,,ionian1 the latest addition to the passenger fleet1 is a twin-screw steamer of #i1jjj tons4 ,so far as outward appearance and internal arrangements go these are sister ships1 though the ,,tunisian is #aj1egf tons1 against the #i1jjj tons of the ,,ionian4 ,the dimensions of these magnificent steamships are as follows3--length #ebj feet1 beam #fj feet1 and depth #dc feet4 ,all the passenger vessels of the ,allan fleet are lighted by electricity1 and they are being fitted with the ,marconi system of wireless telegraphy4 ,the new ship 7to be named the ,,victorian71 now being built for the line in ,belfast is to be supplied with ,turbine ,engines4 ,she will be the first transatlantic liner to be fitted with marine engines of this type4 ,by its recent purchase 7#aijc7 from ,messrs4 ,elder1 ,dempster and ,co41 of fifteen large and full-powered ocean steamships1 the ,canadian ,pacific ,railway ,co4 has placed itself in the front rank of steamship owners4 ,prior to this deal1 it owned the steamers ,,alberta1 ,,athabaska1 ,,manitoba1 ,,michigan1 and ,,ontario1 all of which plied on the great inland lakes of ,canada as adjuncts to its train services4 ,these steamers ranged from #dih tons net register to #b1gfh tons4 ,in #ahia1 the ,naval ,construction and ,armaments ,co41 at ,barrow1 built three magnificent mail and passenger steamers for the ,canadian ,pacific ,railway4 ,these steamers1 the ,,empress ,,of ,,china1 ,,empress ,,of ,,india1 and ,,empress ,,of ,,japan1 are almost identical in measurement1 capacity and speed4 ,they are each #dee feet #f inches in length2 #ea feet #b inches beam2 and #cc feet #a inch depth of hold4 ,they are propelled by twin screws driven by a pair of triple expansion engines of #a1afg horse power4 ,these three steamers have maintained since #ahia1 a regular mail service between ,vancouver1 ,b4,c41 the ,pacific terminus of the ,canadian ,pacific ,railway1 and ,japan and ,china4 ,the steamers ,,tartar and ,,athenian1 two smaller and less powerful boats are despatched1 as intermediate steamers1 at regular intervals4 ,from ,liverpool to ,hong ,kong--over sea and over land--the ,canadian ,pacific ,railway ,co4 stretches a long unbroken line nearly #ab1jjj miles in length4 ,in #ahgj ,messrs4 ,flinn1 ,main ,montgomery despatched the ,,st4 ,,louis from ,liverpool to ,new ,orleans4 ,she was the pioneer steamer of a ,company promoted by the firm named for the purpose of trading between ,liverpool and ,new ,orleans1 and called the ,liverpool and ,mississippi ,steamship ,co4 ,the views of the promoters becoming enlarged1 they changed the name of the ,company in #ahgb to the ,mississippi and ,dominion ,steamship ,co41 and entered into the ,canadian trade4 ,for many years the steamers of the ,line sailed only between ,liverpool and ,quebec and ,montreal1 but about #ahia a second service was established1 with sailings to and from ,bristol and the ports on the ,st4 ,lawrence4 ,in #ahid ,messrs4 ,flinn1 ,main ,montgomery retired1 and the two sections of the business were taken over--the ,liverpool service by ,messrs4 ,richards1 ,mills ,co41 and the ,bristol service by ,messrs4 ,elder1 ,dempster ,co42 the former continued to be known as the 8,dominion ,line10 but the latter service was merged into the ,beaver ,line1 and as such formed part of the fleet purchased by the ,canadian ,pacific ,railway ,co41 referred to in a preceding paragraph4 ,in #aijb the ,dominion ,line was acquired by the ,american ,shipping ,combine1 and in ,october1 #aijc1 a further change was made by the transference of the latest and best steamers of the fleet to the ,white ,star flag4 ,,chapter ,,xxiv4 ,railway ,companies as ,steamship ,owners4--,south ,eastern and ,chatham4--,london1 ,brighton and ,south ,coast4--,london and ,south ,western4--,great ,western4--,london and ,north ,western4--,lancashire and ,yorkshire4--,stranraer and ,larne4--,caledonian4--,glasgow and ,south ,western4--,north ,british4--,great ,central4--,great ,eastern4 ,there are in ,great ,britain1 as well as in the ,united ,states of ,america1 many steamship lines which are either owned or controlled by railway corporations4 ,on the south coast of ,england1 from ,harwich to ,falmouth inclusive1 almost the whole of the ,anglo-continental passenger traffic is held by the great railway companies1 who have made the various ports along that stretch of coast their termini4 ,in the ,north ,country1 both on the east and west coasts1 with a few important exceptions1 the cross-channel and over-sea traffic is operated by steamship companies1 which1 while running in connection with the railway systems of their respective ports1 are entirely separate and independent undertakings4 ,the ,south ,eastern and ,chatham ,railway ,co4 has now running between ,dover and ,calais1 the new turbine steamer ,,the ,,queen1 and the fast and large paddle steamers ,,empress1 ,,victoria1 ,,dover1 ,,calais1 ,,lord ,,warden1 ,,le ,,nord1 and ,,le ,,pas ,,de ,,calais4 ,in connection with the same ,company's service via ,folkestone and ,boulogne1 the fast and powerful steamers ,,mabel ,,grace1 ,,princess ,,of ,,wales1 and ,,duchess ,,of ,,york are employed4 ,the ,london1 ,brighton and ,south ,coast ,railway ,co4 has also added this year 7#aijc7 a turbine steamer to its fleet of fast steamers plying between ,newhaven and ,dieppe4 ,in addition to the turbine steamer referred to1 the fleet at present includes the following powerful #ba-knot vessels3--,,arundel1 ,,calvados1 ,,paris1 ,,rouen1 and ,,trouville4 ,illustration3 ,,royal ,,mail ,s4 ,s4 ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,t4 ,b4 ,,royden4 ,illustration3 ,,alfred ,,rowlands ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,j4 ,s4 ,,sellers4 ,illustration3 ,,sligo ,s4 ,n4 ,,co41 ,,ltd4 ,illustration3 ,,henry ,,tyrer ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,,waterford ,s4 ,s4 ,,co41 ,,ltd4 ,illustration3 ,,white ,,star ,,line4 ,illustration3 ,,thos4 ,,wilson1 ,,sons ,,co41 ,,ltd4 ,illustration3 ,,yeoward ,,bros4 ,illustration3 ,,stott ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,j4 ,p4 ,,hutchinson4 ,illustration3 ,,leyland ,,line4 ,illustration3 ,,orient-,,pacific ,,line4 ,illustration3 ,,palgrave1 ,,murphy ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,p4 ,,henderson ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,n4 ,b4 ,,ry4 ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,,turbine ,,steamers ,,ltd4 ,illustration3 ,,warren ,,co4 ,illustration3 ,j4 ,h4 ,,welsford ,,co4 ,the ,london and ,south ,western ,railway ,co4 has a large fleet of about twenty powerful steamers1 with which it maintains daily services between ,southampton and ,havre and tri-weekly services between ,southampton and ,cherbourg1 and ,southampton and the ,channel ,islands4 ,the ,great ,western ,railway ,co4 from its southern terminus1 ,weymouth1 runs the ,mail ,steamers ,,antelope1 ,,gazelle1 ,,ibex1 ,,lynx1 ,,reindeer1 and ,,roebuck1 to the ,channel ,islands and ,brittany2 and from its western terminus1 ,milford1 the ,mail ,steamers ,,great ,,western1 ,,limerick1 and ,,waterford1 to ,waterford4 ,illustration3 ,,arundel4 ,london1 ,brighton and ,south ,coast ,ry4 ,co4 ,from ,holyhead the ,london and ,north ,western ,railway ,co4 maintain passenger services to ,dublin and ,greenore4 ,it is also interested with the ,lancashire and ,yorkshire ,railway ,co4 in the ,mail ,steamers sailing nightly between ,fleetwood and ,belfast4 ,in #aijb the ,lancashire and ,yorkshire ,railway ,co4 purchased from the ,drogheda ,steampacket ,company1 for the sum of #hj1jjj1 the entire fleet of the latter ,company1 consisting of five paddle steamers engaged in the ,liverpool and ,drogheda ,service4 ,the ,drogheda ,steampacket ,company was one of the oldest ,irish steampacket companies1 having maintained a steampacket service between ,liverpool and ,drogheda for upwards of sixty years4 ,the ,lancashire and ,yorkshire ,railway ,co4 is also a partner in the ,fleetwood and ,belfast ,mail ,service1 and has recently extended the sailings of the ,fleetwood steamers to ,londonderry4 ,a ,joint ,committee representing several railway companies operate a ,mail ,service between ,stranraer and ,larne4 ,the paddle steamer ,,princess ,,victoria or ,,princess ,,may sails twice daily during the summer months1 and once daily during the winter months to and from ,stranraer and ,larne1 making the passage each way in about two hours4 ,illustration3 ,,glen ,,sannox4 ,glasgow and ,south-,western ,ry4 ,co4 ,on the ,firth of ,clyde the ,caledonian ,railway ,co4 are interested in the handsome steamers of the ,caledonian ,steam ,packet ,co4 ,these vessels carry a cream coloured funnel1 and sail from ,ardrossan to ,gourock and ,wemyss ,bay4 ,all the watering places on the ,firth are served by the respective fleets of the various railway companies4 ,the ,glasgow and ,south ,western ,railway ,company owns1 and works from ,prince's ,pier1 ,gourock1 a fleet of swift steamers distinguished by their slate coloured hulls1 with red funnels and black tops4 ,the fleet includes the ,,glen ,,rosa1 ,,glen ,,sannox1 ,,juno1 ,,jupiter1 ,,mars1 ,,mercury1 ,,minerva1 ,,neptune1 and others4 ,the ,north ,british ,railway ,company is the premier ,railway ,company of ,scotland2 its mileage amounts to #a1cjc miles4 ,in conjunction with the ,great ,northern and ,north ,eastern ,railway ,companies it forms the 8,east ,coast ,route0 from ,england to ,scotland1 and the fastest booked 8,railway run0 in the ,kingdom is on this route4 ,as an important adjunct to its railway system1 the ,north ,british ,railway ,co4 employ on the ,firth of ,clyde 7making ,craigendoran the headquarters71 the well-known paddle passenger steamers ,,lady ,,clare1 ,,lady ,,rowena1 ,,lucy ,,ashton1 ,,red ,,gauntlet1 ,,talisman1 ,,waverley1 and others2 and between ,silloth and ,liverpool the screw cargo steamers ,,albatross and ,,kittiwake4 ,illustration3 ,,lucy ,,ashton4 ,north ,british ,ry4 ,co4 ,no ,railway-owned steamers ply on the east coast of ,scotland1 but from ,grimsby the ,great ,central ,railway ,co4 have a large fleet of passenger and cargo steamers sailing regularly to various continental ports4 ,in ,july1 #ahfe1 this ,company 7then known as the ,manchester1 ,sheffield and ,lincolnshire ,railway ,co47 purchased the ,anglo-,french ,steamship ,co4's fleet of boats1 and started running steamers from ,grimsby to ,hamburg4 ,the following ,april the ,railway ,company commenced a service of steamers between ,grimsby and ,rotterdam1 and in ,august1 #ahfg1 the service was extended to ,antwerp4 ,at the present time the ,great ,central ,railway ,co4 possesses a fleet of fourteen powerful steamers trading regularly between ,grimsby and the continental ports named4 ,the railway company remaining to be mentioned as a steamship owning company is the ,great ,eastern ,railway ,company--the ,royal ,british ,mail ,route to ,holland4 ,the steamers of this ,company have been especially built for the ,continental service4 ,the ,royal ,mail steamers ,,amsterdam1 ,,berlin1 ,,chelmsford1 ,,dresden1 and the ,,vienna1 run on the ,harwich-,hook of ,holland route4 ,they are powerful twin-screw ocean-going ships of #e1jjj indicated horse-power1 capable of steaming #ah knots an hour1 each with two distinct sets of engines1 so that in case of accident to one set the vessel can proceed with the other4 ,the passenger accommodation is similar to that on the latest ,atlantic ,liners1 a special feature being the large number of private cabins for two passengers4 ,the ships are fitted with electric light1 and all latest passenger comforts1 including dining1 smoking1 and ladies' saloons1 and separate sleeping berths4 ,the vessels running on the ,harwich-,antwerp route are similar to those on the ,hook of ,holland service4 ,in common with all ,railway ,companies' steamers1 the ,company's vessels sail under the ,british flag1 and are subject to the ,british ,board of ,trade stringent regulations as to safety and life-saving appliances4 ,illustration3 ,steamship ,,chapter ,,xxv4 ,turbine ,steamers4--,,turbinia4--,,king ,,edward4--,,queen ,,alexandra4--,the ,,queen4--,the ,,emerald4 ,,the latest development of the marine engine is the ,marine ,steam ,turbine1 the invention of the ,hon4 ,c4 ,a4 ,parsons1 ,f4,r4,s41 brother of the present ,earl of ,rosse1 and a son of the builder of the famous 8,birr0 telescope1 the largest reflecting telescope ever built4 ,the first vessel ever fitted with the new type of engine was appropriately named the ,,turbinia4 ,this vessel is only #ajj feet long by #i feet beam and of a total displacement of #dd tons1 but she is some ten knots faster than any boat afloat of the same dimensions4 ,although the weight of her main engines is only about #d tons1 and the total weight of machinery1 screws1 and shafting1 tanks1 etc41 is only #bb tons1 she develops the enormous power of #b1ajj ,i4,h4,t41 being almost #ajj ,h4,p4 per ton of machinery4 ,prof4 ,ewing1 in ,april1 #ahie1 made some trials of the ,,turbinia on the ,tyne1 the highest speed then recorded being #cbge knots1 but in ,june of the same year a speed of #cd knots was obtained at ,cowes4 ,three turbines are used for driving the vessel--high pressure1 intermediate and low pressure4 ,each turbine driving direct on to a separate propeller shaft4 ,reversing is obtained by means of one or more separate turbines connected to the same shafts as the propelling turbines and working in a vacuum when the boat is going ahead4 ,several torpedo destroyers and three yachts have been fitted with ,parsons' turbine engines4 ,the first mercantile vessel to be so fitted was the ,,king ,,edward1 built by ,messrs4 ,denny ,brothers1 ,dumbarton1 in #aija4 ,on her trial trip she attained a speed of #bj knots1 and during her first season on the ,firth of ,clyde 7#aija7 she sailed #ab1aaf knots in #gi days on a coal consumption of #a1dbi tons1 at an average speed of #ah knots per hour4 ,so satisfied were her owners with her1 that they gave an order to the same builders and engineers for a somewhat larger vessel for the following season4 ,the new 7#aijb7 turbine steamer is the ,,queen ,,alexandra1 a three-deck passenger steamer intended also for the ,firth of ,clyde passenger service4 ,she is #bgj feet long1 by #cb feet beam1 and depth #aa feet #f inches4 ,she has two funnels1 but only one pole mast4 ,her main deck is completely covered in from the bow to aft of the engine room1 and above the spar deck she carries a shade deck #ajj feet in length1 to which passengers have access1 and under which shelter is provided in wet weather4 ,like her sister vessel1 the ,,king ,,edward1 the main engines of the ,,queen ,,alexandra consist of three separate turbines1 each driving its own shaft1 the centre turbine being high-pressure1 and the two side turbines low-pressure4 ,the velocity of the centre shaft is about #gjj1 and of each of the side shafts #a1jjj revolutions per minute4 ,on account of the high velocity at which the shafts revolve it is necessary to increase the number of propellers driven1 and the turbine steamers1 therefore1 have five small propellers each1 one on the centre shaft1 and two each on the outside shafts4 ,on the builders' trials the ,,queen ,,alexandra exceeded the speed of the ,,king ,,edward by a knot and a quarter4 ,her actual speed was #bafc knots1 equal to about #be miles per hour4 ,two ,channel steamers designed to carry passengers and mails1 and to be fitted with ,parsons' marine steam turbine engines1 are now 7#aijc7 being built on the ,clyde by ,messrs4 ,wm4 ,denny and ,brothers4 ,of these1 one1 the ,,queen1 is to the order of the ,south ,eastern and ,chatham ,railway ,co4 ,she will be #caj feet long and #dj feet broad2 and she is to maintain a speed of at least #ba knots4 ,the average time occupied at present on the passage between ,dover and ,calais is #fe minutes1 but the new vessel is expected to reduce the time to #ej or even #de minutes4 ,the mode of propulsion is practically the same as that on the ,,queen ,,alexandra1 namely1 three shafts carrying five propellers4 ,the other ,channel steamer referred to as being built is intended for the ,london1 ,brighton and ,south ,coast ,railway ,co4's service between ,newhaven and ,dieppe4 ,her dimensions are1 length #bhj feet1 beam #cd feet1 draft #bb feet2 with a gross tonnage of #a1ajj tons4 ,the ,,emerald1 one of the three yachts referred to at the beginning of this chapter1 is the first vessel fitted with turbine machinery that ever crossed the ,atlantic4 ,she arrived at ,new ,york1 after encountering tempestuous weather on the passage1 on the #fth ,may1 #aijc4 ,her qualities as a sea-boat were severely tested during the voyage1 with entirely satisfactory results4 ,she was built for ,sir ,christopher ,furness1 ,m4,p41 by ,messrs4 ,alex4 ,stephen ,sons1 ,limited1 of ,linthouse1 and fitted with machinery by the ,parsons ,marine ,steam ,turbine ,co41 ,limited1 of ,wallsend-on-,tyne1 and it was found that when the yacht was steaming at the rate of #ae knots per hour1 the machinery ran with an absence of vibration and noise4 ,the ,,emerald is a vessel of #gef tons1 yacht measurement1 and was chartered by ,mr4 ,geo4 ,gould1 of ,new ,york1 for six months from the #aeth ,april1 #aijc4 ,mr4 ,gould sent over to this country ,captain ,tod to navigate her across the ,atlantic1 with instructions to further experiment on her steaming capabilities at sea1 and to carefully observe her behaviour compared with the other large steam yachts of which he has had charge4 ,on the termination of the voyage1 ,captain ,tod reported that the yacht behaved splendidly2 that there was no racing of propellers1 and no vibration2 and that the coal consumption was moderate1 considering the weather4 ,there have been several rumours to the effect that the new steamers for the ,cunard ,mail ,service are to be fitted with turbine engines1 but these rumours have not been officially confirmed4 ,in any case these steamers could not be completed in time to take from the ,allan ,line the distinction of being the first ,company to own a ,transatlantic ,mail ,turbine ,steamship4 ,illustration3 ,sir ,,alfred ,l4 ,,jones1 ,k4,c4,m4,g4 and ,w4 ,j4 ,,davey1 ,esq4 ,,the ,history of ,steam ,navigation4 ,part ,,ii4 ,,historical ,,steamship ,,companies4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,messrs4 ,,elder1 ,,dempster ,,co4 ,the firm of ,elder1 ,dempster ,co4 was founded in the year #ahfh by ,messrs4 ,alexander ,elder and ,john ,dempster1 two gentlemen intimately acquainted with the working of the ,african ,steamship trade4 ,for #aa years they were the sole partners1 but in #ahgi they admitted ,mr4 7now ,sir ,alfred7 ,jones into the firm1 and ,mr4 ,w4 ,j4 ,davey was also taken into partnership4 ,the original partners1 ,messrs4 ,elder and ,dempster1 retired from the firm in #ahhd4 ,mr4 ,alexander ,sinclair1 who became a partner in #ahia1 having retired in #aija1 the sole partners at the present date are ,sir ,alfred ,l4 ,jones1 ,k4,c4,m4,g41 and ,mr4 ,w4 ,j4 ,davey4 ,the firm is one of the largest commercial houses in the world1 and in all the various branches of commerce in which it is interested it takes a foremost position4 ,as steamship owners it controls the largest fleet of steamers in ,great ,britain4 ,the business of the firm extends so rapidly1 and new steamers to meet the necessities of the several trades are so frequently being added to the fleet1 that it is impossible to give a list of the vessels owned1 or under the management of the firm1 which will not in a short time be obsolete1 but according to the official sailing list issued #bhth ,march1 #aijc1 the following steamers were sailing under the triple flags of ,messrs4 ,elder1 ,dempster ,co43-- ,,abeokuta4 ,,accra4 ,,adansi4 ,,akaba4 ,,akassa4 ,,albertville4 ,,ancobra4 ,,andoni4 ,,anversville4 ,,angola4 ,,asaba4 ,,ashanti4 ,,axim4 ,,bakana4 ,,banana4 ,,bathurst4 ,,batanga4 ,,benguela4 ,,benin4 ,,biafra4 ,,bida4 ,,boma4 ,,bonny4 ,,bornu4 ,,boulama4 ,,burutu4 ,,cabenda4 ,,cameroon4 ,,coomassie4 ,,congo4 ,,dahomey4 ,,degama4 ,,delta4 ,,dodo4 ,,egga4 ,,egwanga4 ,,eko4 ,,ekuro4 ,,elmina4 ,,ethiopia4 ,,etolia4 ,,fantee4 ,,forcados4 ,,haussa4 ,,iddo4 ,,ilaro4 ,,ilorin4 ,,jebba4 ,,kano4 ,,kwarra4 ,,lagoon4 ,,lake ,,champlain4 ,,lake ,,erie4 ,,lake ,,manitoba4 ,,lake ,,megantic4 ,,lake ,,michigan4 ,,lake ,,ontario4 ,,lake ,,simcoe4 ,,leon-,y-,,castillio4 ,,loanda4 ,,loango4 ,,lycia4 ,,llandulas4 ,,madeira4 ,,mandingo4 ,,mayumba4 ,,melville4 ,,memnon4 ,,milwaukee4 ,,monmouth4 ,,monrovia4 ,,montauk4 ,,monteagle4 ,,montezuma4 ,,montreal4 ,,montrose4 ,,monarch4 ,,montcalm4 ,,montenegro4 ,,monterey4 ,,montfort4 ,,mount ,,royal4 ,,mount ,,temple4 ,,nigeria4 ,,nyanga4 ,,olenda4 ,,oron4 ,,perez ,,galdos4 ,,phillipeville4 ,,port ,,antonio4 ,,port ,,maria4 ,,port ,,morant4 ,,port ,,royal4 ,,prah4 ,,roquelle4 ,,sangara4 ,,sansu4 ,,sekondi4 ,,sherbro4 ,,sobo4 ,,tarquah4 ,,teneriffe4 ,,viera-,y-,,clavijo4 ,,volta4 ,,warri4 ,,yola4 ,,yoruba4 ,as proving the difficulty of stating the number of steamships under the control of this firm1 and at the same time illustrating the gigantic nature of its commercial operations1 it may be stated that while this volume was in preparation for the ,press1 it sold to the ,canadian ,pacific ,railway ,co4 an entire fleet1 consisting of fifteen large ocean liners4 ,the despatch of the last ,elder-,dempster liner under the ,beaver flag1 on ,wednesday1 ,march #cast1 #aijc1 was quite an historic event4 ,she carried with her the first portion of the ,rev4 ,j4 ,m4 ,barr's colony1 numbering about #b1jjj souls4 ,thousands of spectators lined the stage1 and as the liner sheered away cheer after cheer rent the air4 ,sir ,alfred ,jones1 ,mr4 ,w4 ,j4 ,davey1 ,mr4 ,david ,jones1 the ,revs4 ,canon ,russell 7,manchester71 ,r4 ,o4 ,greep1 ,dr4 ,lightwood1 ,s4 ,gasking and ,h4 ,m4 ,braithwaite1 as well as many well-known personages in shipping and commerce1 were present4 ,the band of the #ast ,liverpool ,volunteers played inspiring music1 including tunes reminiscent of home and friendly associations1 first on the stage and afterwards on the ship4 ,sir ,alfred ,jones expressed his regret1 as he witnessed the multitude on board the ,lake ,manitoba1 that he had consented to sell his ,canadian fleet to the ,canadian ,pacific ,railway4 ,he said his firm had worked hard to develop ,canadian colonisation1 and the full fruit of their efforts was only becoming visible now when they had left the business4 ,he commended the object of the expedition1 and hoped for its success4 ,a completely equipped colony of #b1jjj1 with thousands more to follow in due course1 was1 he considered1 a novelty4 ,reference has been made to the three flags borne by the ,elder-,dempster steamers4 ,the ,beaver flag no longer exists4 ,the other two are 7#a7 the white swallow-tail flag with a red ,st4 ,george's cross 7gold crown in centre7 of the ,african ,steamship ,co42 and the blue swallow-tail flag1 with a white ,st4 ,george's cross1 of the ,british and ,african ,steam ,navigation ,co4 ,a brief sketch of the history of both of these important companies1 as well as of the ,imperial ,direct ,west ,india ,mail ,service ,limited1 will be found in the succeeding pages of this volume4 ,the management of any one of these fleets would be considered ample employment for most mercantile firms1 but they are only units in the business conducted at that large hive of commerce1 ,african ,house1 ,water ,street1 ,liverpool1 which is1 by the way1 shortly to be transferred to ,colonial ,chambers1 now in course of being erected4 ,in addition to the services mentioned1 ,messrs4 ,elder1 ,dempster ,co4 maintain a service of ,mail ,steamers between ,antwerp and the ,river ,congo1 under the title of the ,compagnie ,belge ,maritime du ,congo1 an inter-insular ,mail ,service at the ,canary ,islands1 and a ,coastal ,service at ,jamaica4 ,they do also a large ,ocean ,tramp business1 being prepared to carry cargo1 when sufficient inducement offers1 to and from any port in the world4 ,it is the existence of such splendidly managed mercantile fleets1 such as the ,elder-,dempster ,line1 that enabled ,great ,britain to astonish the world by the rapid and safe transport of troops and munitions of war during the progress of the late ,war in ,south ,africa4 ,many years of experience in the management of steamships have enabled the company to design and construct a magnificent fleet of fast cargo liners1 having lofty 'tween decks1 and fitted with anti-rolling keels1 electric light and every modern improvement4 ,several of these were chartered at an early stage of the war by the ,british ,admiralty1 and retained for voyage after voyage as transports4 ,nine steamers1 of an aggregate gross tonnage of #eb1jjj tons1 were requisitioned in this way4 ,in addition to these1 the firm's steamers carried with remarkable success some #bf1jjj horses and #ba1jjj mules from ,new ,orleans to the ,cape1 and some #e1jjj horses and #c1jjj mules from ,canada1 ,hungary1 the ,river ,plate1 c4 ,it may also be mentioned in this connection that the ,elder-,dempster ,liner ,,monterey conveyed 8,strathcona's ,horse10 the ,,milwaukee the 8,royal ,canadians10 and the ,,montfort the ,canadian contingent of ,baden-,powell's ,police from ,halifax1 ,n4,s41 to the ,cape4 ,the ,,milwaukee was the transport selected to convey ,general ,cronje1 his family1 and over #ejj ,boer prisoners to ,st4 ,helena4 ,the ,elder-,dempster transports had the good fortune on several occasions to be able to render material assistance to other transports which had met with mishaps4 ,thus they came to the assistance of the ,,carinthia a few days after she stranded at ,aux ,cayes1 and1 taking off her cargo of mules1 carried them on to their destination4 ,the ,,montrose turned up just in the nick of time to save the crew when the ill-fated ,,mexican foundered off the ,cape1 and when the ,,suffolk stranded it was again an ,elder-,dempster liner1 the ,,lake ,,erie1 that came to her assistance1 and did all that was possible to rescue the crew4 ,in the summer of #aijb ,messrs4 ,elder1 ,dempster ,co4 commenced running the luxuriously appointed ocean liner ,,lake ,,simcoe on pleasure cruises to the ,norwegian ,fjords4 ,those persons who have had the pleasure of travelling by this vessel are most enthusiastic in their praise of the ship1 her officers and her equipment1 and of all who are responsible for the comfort and enjoyment of the passengers4 ,the ,,lake ,,simcoe is probably one of the largest pleasure steamers trading to the ,norwegian ,coast1 but her rates of passage money are by no means commensurate with her size4 ,it is an opportunity of visiting the ,land of the ,midnight ,sun in comfort and even luxury which ought not to be missed4 ,the fact that a large proportion of the commanders1 officers1 engineers1 seamen and firemen serving under the firm are ,royal ,naval ,reservists renders the ,elder-,dempster fleet additionally valuable to the nation4 ,illustration3 ,steamship ,illustration3 ,r4,m4,s4 ,,jebba4 ,african ,steamship ,co4 ,limited4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,the ,,african ,,steamship ,,company4 ,two years 7#aheb7 prior to the outbreak of the ,crimean ,war1 the ,african ,steamship ,company was incorporated by ,royal ,charter with limited liability4 ,the initial capital was #bej1jjj in #ab1ejj shares of #bj each4 ,the first directors of the ,company were--,sir ,john ,campbell1 ,k4,c4,h4 7,chairman71 ,james ,hartley1 ,esq4 7,director of the ,p4 and ,o4 ,co471 ,john ,black1 ,esq41 ,henry ,william ,schneider1 ,esq41 ,macgregor ,laird1 ,esq41 ,henry ,william ,currie1 ,esq41 ,william ,law ,ogilby1 ,esq41 and ,charles ,william ,gregory1 ,esq4 ,bankers1 ,messrs4 ,currie ,co41 ,cornhill4 ,the prospectus of the company1 as published in the 8,times10 #acth ,july1 #aheb1 was as follows3-- 8,this ,company is formed to carry out a contract with ,h4,m4 ,government for the monthly conveyance of the mails to ,madeira1 ,teneriffe1 and the principal ports and places on the ,west ,coast of ,africa1 viz41 ,goree1 ,bathurst1 ,sierra ,leone1 ,liberia1 ,cape ,coast ,castle1 ,accra1 ,whydah1 ,badagny1 ,lagos1 ,bonny1 ,old ,calabar1 ,cameroons and ,fernando ,po2 and to establish a line of steam communication between ,sierra ,leone and the ,british ,west ,indies as soon as satisfactory arrangements are made with the ,government4 8,the contract for the mails was taken by ,mr4 ,macgregor ,laird in ,december last1 and is for a term of ten years from the #ast ,september next4 ,the annual payment by the ,government commences at #bc1bej1 and diminishes at the rate of #ejj yearly during the continuance of the contract1 making an average payment of #ba1ejj per annum4 8,five iron screw steamships for this service are in the course of construction by ,mr4 ,john ,laird1 of ,birkenhead1 with engines by ,messrs4 ,george ,forrester ,co41 and ,fawcett1 ,preston ,co41 of ,liverpool4 8,the first of these vessels is to be launched on the #crd ,july1 and will be ready to commence the mail service in accordance with the terms of the contract on the #ast ,september4 ,two of them have capacity for #gjj1 two of them for #a1jjj1 and one for #bej tons cargo1 with excellent accommodation for first-class passengers4 ,the company are also to have ,mr4 ,laird's services as ,managing ,director4 ,a negotiation is going on with the ,portuguese ,government for an extension of the line from ,fernando1 the valuable ,african possession4 8,plymouth will be the first port of arrival1 and the last port of departure for the company's vessels1 but the voyage will terminate at and commence from ,london40 ,the steamers referred to were the ,,forerunner1 ,,faith1 ,,hope1 ,,charity1 and ,,northern ,,lights4 ,the trading operations between ,london and ,africa not being profitable1 the ,board of ,directors 7about #ahfj7 proposed to wind up the company4 ,on the solicitations of ,messrs4 ,fletcher ,parr1 of ,liverpool1 they were induced to try the trade from ,liverpool to the ,west ,coast of ,africa4 ,the result of the trial was extremely satisfactory1 and ,liverpool became the home-port of the fleet4 ,the business of the company increased rapidly1 and the shareholders received their dividends for some time with gratifying regularity1 but unfortunately about ten years after the change from ,london to ,liverpool1 the relations between the ,board of ,directors at the former port and the managing agents at ,liverpool became somewhat strained4 ,in spite of a great financial loss1 caused by the defalcations of the ,secretary2 of a small and inefficient fleet2 and a policy on the part of the ,directors which was decidedly peculiar1 the company maintained a struggling existence until #ahia1 when it passed into the management of the firm of 8,elder1 ,dempster and ,co40 ,under the vigorous and successful management of this firm1 the ,african ,steamship ,company started on a new and prosperous career4 ,instead of1 as in #ahge1 possessing a fleet of seven ocean steamers and two coast vessels1 the company now owns thirty-three modern1 large and powerful ocean steamers1 ranging from #a1jjj to #e1bjj tons each1 and six branch steamers1 four of which are #a1jjj tons each4 ,an ,express ,service to the ,coast has been established by means of a fleet of fast steamers of the ,,jebba type1 which reach ,sekondi1 the centre of the new gold mining industry1 in #ae days4 ,they have been specially constructed for the trade in which they are engaged1 and no skill has been wanting nor expense spared to make them the most perfect of their kind4 ,the passenger accommodation has received special attention4 ,the saloons are spacious1 the staterooms lofty and well ventilated1 while extensive promenade and bridge decks enable passengers to enjoy the invigorating sea breezes secure alike from sun and rain4 ,the company grants special facilities for visiting the beautiful islands of ,madeira1 ,teneriffe and ,grand ,canary1 issuing special holiday tickets1 which include first-class passage out and home1 and a fortnight's board and accommodation at the ,hotel ,metropole1 ,las ,palmas1 for #ae4 ,passengers have also the option of returning via ,barcelona or ,genoa1 by the steamers of 8,la ,veloce ,navigazione ,italiana a ,vapore0 7,the ,italian ,express ,steam ,navigation ,co474 ,the ,royal ,mail ,steamers of the ,african ,steamship ,co41 conjointly with the steamers of the ,british and ,african ,steam ,navigation ,co41 sail from ,liverpool thrice a week for the ,canary ,islands and the ,west ,coast1 from ,hamburg and ,amsterdam weekly1 and from ,antwerp 7,cie ,belge ,maritime du ,congo7 for ,teneriffe1 ,sierra ,leone and ,congo ,ports every third week4 ,illustration3 ,sailboat near rocky shore ,illustration3 ,r4,m4,s4 ,,tarquah4 ,british ,african ,steam ,navigation ,co41 ,ltd4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,the ,,british ,,african ,,steam ,,navigation ,,company1 ,,limited 7#aijj74 ,this ,company was projected in #ahfh by a number of gentlemen practically acquainted with the trade of the ,west ,coast of ,africa4 ,amongst these were ,mr4 ,alexander ,elder and ,mr4 ,john ,dempster who in that year founded the firm of ,elder1 ,dempster ,co41 a firm whose ramifications during these later years1 under the guidance of ,sir ,alfred ,l4 ,jones1 ,k4,c4,m4,g41 and ,mr4 ,davey1 may be said to extend throughout the civilized world4 ,three steamers of about #a1cjj tons gross each1 were specially built to the order of the new company1 by ,messrs4 ,randolph ,elder ,co41 of ,glasgow1 for the ,west ,african trade1 and were named the ,,bonny1 ,,roquelle1 and ,,congo4 ,the ,pioneer steamer1 the ,,bonny1 sailed from ,liverpool in ,january1 #ahfi1 and thereafter a monthly service was maintained between ,glasgow1 ,liverpool and the ,west ,coast of ,africa4 ,after several years' employment in this trade1 the ,,roquelle was sold to ,messrs4 ,p4 ,m4 ,tintore ,co41 ,barcelona1 and is still sailing from the ,mersey under the ,spanish flag4 ,so successful were these steamers that in #ahfi it was decided to add three more to the fleet4 ,the new steamers were the ,,liberia1 ,,loanda and ,,volta1 also specially built for the trade by the late ,mr4 ,john ,elder1 the distinguished brother of ,mr4 ,alexander ,elder1 whose early death towards the end of #ahfi was so much deplored by the ship-building and engineering world4 ,the gross tonnage of these three vessels was increased to about #a1ejj tons each4 ,it was considered desirable during the same year to register the ,company as an ,incorporated ,company4 ,the ,registered ,office of the ,company was in ,glasgow1 but ,mr4 ,alexander ,elder and ,mr4 ,john ,dempster conducted its operations in ,liverpool4 ,with the six steamers the ,company now possessed the sailings were increased to fortnightly4 ,in #ahgd the sailings from ,glasgow were abandoned1 cargo to and from that port being transhipped at ,liverpool4 ,as the trade expanded1 additions were regularly made to the fleet1 and in #ahgi sailings between ,hamburg and the ,west ,coast of ,africa were commenced4 ,in #ahhc the ,company was registered as a limited company1 at which time its fleet had increased to #bj steamers and #b hulks with a gross registered tonnage of #cj1gec tons4 ,the following year 7#ahhd7 ,mr4 ,elder and ,mr4 ,dempster retired from the firm of ,elder1 ,dempster ,co41 which since #ahgi had consisted of these gentlemen and ,mr4 7now ,sir ,a4 ,l47 ,jones1 and ,mr4 ,w4 ,j4 ,davey4 ,messrs4 ,elder and ,dempster1 however1 remained ,managing ,directors of the ,company until #aijj1 ,mr4 ,elder having for some years previous to this date occupied the position of ,chairman4 ,in #aijj ,messrs4 ,elder1 ,dempster ,co41 purchased the entire business and assets of the ,british and ,african ,steam ,navigation ,co41 ,limited1 and with the addition of #i large steamers1 suitable for outside trades1 formed a new company with a share capital of #a1jjj1jjj1 and ,debenture ,stock of #hjj1jjj4 ,the new company has a fleet of #ce steamers with a total gross registered tonnage of #ajg1jjj tons4 ,while the bulk of its operations continue to be in connection with the ,west ,coast of ,africa1 several of its steamers are employed in the ,north ,atlantic and other trades4 ,the contrast between the first steamer1 the ,,bonny1 and the latest1 the ,,burutu1 built in #aijb1 will be seen by the following comparison of their respective dimensions3-- ,,bonny1 length #bfaj feet1 beam #cjb feet1 depth #bc feet4 ,gross #a1cbf tons4 ,,burutu1 length #cfjj feet1 beam #ddb feet1 depth #bf feet4 ,gross #e1bjj tons4 ,in the later steamers of the fleet1 the vessels of the ,,burutu type1 traders and other travellers reach ,sekondi1 the centre of the new gold mining industry1 in about #ac days from ,liverpool4 ,no skill has been wanting nor expense spared to make these vessels the most perfect of their kind1 and exactly suitable for tropical trade4 ,a special feature of the steamers is the system of overhead trunk ventilation1 by which an imperceptible current of fresh air is kept continually circulating through the lofty and well lighted state rooms1 making them cool and agreeable in the hottest weather4 ,passengers by the ,royal ,mail ,steamers belonging to the ,british and ,african ,company1 are granted special facilities for visiting the beautiful islands of ,madeira1 ,teneriffe and ,grand ,canary4 ,the ,company issues a special holiday ticket for #ae1 which includes ,saloon passage out and home1 and a fortnight's board and accommodation at the ,hotel ,metropole1 ,las ,palmas4 ,passengers by these steamers who may wish to visit the ,mediterranean1 have also the option of returning from the islands via ,barcelona or ,genoa1 by the steamers of the ,italian ,express ,steam ,navigation ,co4 ,the ,royal ,mail ,steamers of the ,british and ,african ,steam ,navigation ,co41 conjointly with the steamers of the ,african ,steam ,ship ,co41 sail from ,liverpool three times a week for the ,canary ,islands and the ,west ,coast of ,africa1 and from ,hamburg and ,rotterdam weekly4 ,illustration3 ,sailboat in harbor ,illustration3 ,r4,m4,s4 ,,port ,,royal4 ,imperial ,direct ,west ,india ,mail ,service1 ,ltd4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,imperial ,,direct ,,west ,,india ,,mail ,,service1 ,,limited4 ,for years the ,island of ,jamaica1 the ,pearl of the ,antilles1 had been decadent1 its planters cast down and despairing because it was impossible1 owing to the heavily subsidized continental beet sugar1 to grow cane sugar at a profit4 ,and1 although physicians in the ,united ,states were sending their patients to seek renewed health and energy 8from the balmy breezes laden with health giving ozone which blow over the island10 ,british ,life ,insurance offices placed a black mark against ,jamaica1 and demanded an additional premium from their policy holders for permission to visit its shores4 ,but the dark commercial cloud is passing1 and the island has entered upon an era of prosperity which bids fair to be greater and more permanent than even the golden days of the sugar planter4 ,it is an open secret that for this the ,jamaicans are indebted in great measure to the enterprise of ,messrs4 ,elder1 ,dempster and ,co41 who have practically created the demand in ,great ,britain for ,jamaica grown fruits1 and who have established a service of swift steamers1 specially built for the trade4 ,this ,line of steamers1 which is known as the ,imperial ,direct ,west ,india ,mail ,service although only established in the first year of the present century1 has already achieved a remarkable success4 ,in addition to bringing to ,england over #ej1jjj bunches of bananas per month1 as well as other ,west ,indian fruits1 tobacco1 coffee1 sugar1 rum1 and other varieties of tropical produce1 the steamers carry a large and increasing number of passengers each voyage between ,great ,britain and the colony4 ,the home port of the steamers is ,avonmouth1 near ,bristol1 from which a fortnightly sailing is maintained throughout the year to ,kingston 7,jamaica71 but it is probable that the service will soon be increased to a weekly one4 ,in recognition of the invaluable services rendered by these steamers both to the ,empire and to the colony1 their ,royal ,highnesses the ,prince and ,princess of ,wales paid a visit of inspection to the ,r4,m4,s4 ,,port ,,royal1 at ,avonmouth1 on the #eth ,march1 #aijb4 ,the vessels at present engaged in the direct ,mail ,service were all built in #aija1 and are named1 the ,,port ,,royal1 ,,port ,,antonio1 ,,port ,,morant1 and ,,port ,,maria4 ,the first two steamers named are sister ships and are identical in measurement1 viz41 length #chb feet1 beam #df feet #f inches1 and depth #cb feet4 ,each is propelled by twin screws1 and fitted with triple expansion engines capable of maintaining a speed of #ad knots per hour1 and carries about #e1jjj tons cargo4 ,they can each accommodate #ajj first-class passengers and #ej second-class passengers4 ,the saloons and staterooms are handsomely decorated1 and are fitted so as to secure a maximum of comfort for the passengers4 ,the cuisine and the appointments generally being those appertaining to a first-class mail and passenger steamer4 ,a new mail steamer of considerably larger dimensions than any of the preceding steamers of the fleet1 is now in course of construction and is expected to make her first voyage early in #aijd4 ,it is proposed to call her the ,,port ,,kingston4 ,these steamers sail from ,avonmouth ,dock1 ,bristol1 every alternate ,saturday1 and make the voyage as a rule in from #ab to #ad days4 ,the rates for passengers are3--,saloon 7single7 #ah to #be pounds2 7return7 #cb to #dj1 according to the position of the stateroom1 and number of persons occupying same4 ,in the second saloon the charge is #ad for the single passage1 and #be for the return4 ,the ,,delta1 belonging to the same ,company1 makes a trip round ,jamaica every week2 she has first-class accommodation for passengers1 and affords a splendid opportunity of seeing the coast and towns around the ,island4 ,the charge for first-class passengers is #c for the round trip4 ,arrangements have been made with the ,hamburg-,american ,line1 running between ,kingston 7,jamaica7 and ,central ,american ,ports1 to carry passengers booked by ,imperial ,direct ,west ,india ,line of ,steamers to the following ,central ,american ,ports1 viz41 ,savanilla1 ,cartagena1 ,port ,limon1 and ,greytown1 at an inclusive first-class fare between ,kingston and any of the above ,ports of #f #cs4 per adult4 ,passengers travelling on these tickets will be accommodated on special terms at the ,myrtle ,bank ,hotel 7,kingston71 during the time between the arrival of the ,mail ,steamers and the departure of the ,steamer of the ,hamburg-,american ,line4 ,there is also a good service from ,kingston to ,cuba4 ,the ,cuba steamer leaves ,kingston the day after the arrival of the mail steamer from ,england4 ,passengers can also be booked through1 via the ,colon and ,panama ,railway1 to the principal ports on the ,chilian ,coast4 ,the steamers of the ,pacific ,mail ,co4 and ,campania ,sud-,americana ,co4 leave ,panama weekly for the ,south1 reaching ,callao in about nine days and arriving at ,valparaiso in about #ba days4 ,seeing that for years past the climate of ,jamaica has been libelled as unhealthy1 it cannot be too strongly affirmed1 that from a medical point of view1 the wonderful air of the hilly districts is unrivalled2 it being in every way equal to that of the better known ,european winter resorts1 to which it bids fair to become a serious rival4 ,illustration3 ,sailboats in harbor ,illustration3 ,r4,m4,s4 ,,ulster4 ,city of ,dublin ,steampacket ,co4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,the ,,city ,,of ,,dublin ,,steampacket ,,company4 ,in the summer of the year #ahbb ,mr4 ,c4 ,w4 ,williams1 of ,dublin1 crossed over to ,liverpool with the object of inducing the merchants to take shares in a line of steampackets he proposed building for the ,liverpool and ,dublin trade4 ,except to the most sanguine1 the time did not appear to be favourable for such a scheme4 ,a large fleet of sailing smacks maintained daily communication 7subject to the weather7 between the two ports1 carrying all kinds of goods1 and even cattle4 ,the steampackets ,,waterloo and ,,belfast sailed with passengers only every alternate day from each side4 ,both these vessels had already won for themselves a reputation1 the former being the first steampacket to ply regularly between ,england and ,ireland1 and the latter having made a passage in the then remarkably short time of #ab hours4 ,besides this1 8,the ,original ,steampacket ,company10 a new company 7with powerful ,government influence71 including amongst its shareholders ,lord ,blaney1 ,major-,general ,preeth1 ,sir ,john ,tobin1 c41 and trading under the title of the ,st4 ,george ,steampacket ,company1 had in ,april preceding launched two of the largest and most powerful steampackets that had yet been built1 viz41 the ,,st4 ,,patrick and the ,,st4 ,,george4 ,this latter vessel on the #acth ,september made a passage from ,dublin in #aa hours1 thus making a record which she herself broke on the #bcrd ,april1 #ahbd1 by making a passage from ,liverpool to ,dublin in #aj hours #dj minutes4 ,in addition to the already established steam and sailing lines1 a third local steampacket company1 supported by the traders1 the 8,dublin and ,liverpool ,steam ,navigation ,company10 was in course of formation4 ,it is not1 therefore1 surprising under these circumstances that ,mr4 ,williams1 a stranger in ,liverpool1 failed to obtain the financial support to his scheme which he desired4 ,it is the more to his credit that1 though disappointed in ,liverpool1 he persevered with his project in ,dublin with so much success that he was enabled to return to ,liverpool in ,february of the following year 7#ahbc7 and place an order with 8,frigate0 ,wilson for the pioneer steamer of the future famous ,city of ,dublin ,steampacket ,company1 the ,,city ,,of ,,dublin1 a vessel of #acj h4p4 ,it was an express stipulation with the builder that this steamer should be constructed of such materials and in such a manner as to withstand the severity of the winter navigation4 ,the ,,city ,,of ,,dublin differed from her competitors in two respects--7#a7 in carrying general cargo in addition to live stock and passengers1 and 7#b7 in maintaining the service uninterruptedly throughout the twelve months4 ,a month later ,mr4 ,wilson was again applied to to build a second vessel for the company1 but in consequence of his having that very morning 7#eth ,march7 contracted to build the ,,hy4 ,,bell for the ,glasgow trade1 it was not till some days later the contract was made for the building of the ,,town ,,of ,,liverpool1 to be commenced as soon as the ,,hy4 ,,bell was launched4 ,the ,,city ,,of ,,dublin made her maiden voyage on ,saturday1 the #bjth ,march1 #ahbd1 and ,mr4 ,samuel ,perry1 of #af1 ,water ,street1 was appointed agent to the company4 ,she anticipated by about six months the operations of the traders' company 7the ,dublin and ,liverpool ,steam ,navigation71 whose first steamer1 the ,,liffey1 #cje tons burden1 and #aaj h4p41 did not sail until the #acth ,september following4 ,from the outset the managers of the ,city of ,dublin ,company seemingly did not regard the ,original ,steampacket ,company as formidable opponents1 but they determined either to vanquish or acquire the other two companies1 the greater of which was the ,st4 ,george ,steampacket ,company4 ,the second company was well supported by the ,liverpool merchants1 and kept its sailings 7with goods and passengers7 throughout the year4 ,in ,december of the same year 7#ahbd7 the ,,mersey joined the ,,liffey1 and in the ,july following the ,,commerce1 one of the largest steampackets 7up to that date7 built in this port1 was added to the fleet4 ,this company's packets proceeded direct to ,dublin1 and discharged at ,custom ,house ,quay4 ,on ,saturday1 #eth ,february1 #ahbe1 the third vessel belonging to the ,city of ,dublin ,steampacket ,company was launched from the yard of ,dawson and ,pearson1 ,south ,shore1 and on the #bbnd ,april succeeding the managers issued the following public notice3-- 8,the ,city of ,dublin ,steampacket ,company announce to the public that in consequence of the many complaints hitherto made of want of storage room in ,dublin for goods going and coming by their steam vessels1 they have taken the lot of ground immediately opposite the ,packet ,station on the ,north ,wall1 and are about to erect a convenient and commodious store on the same for the accommodation of the merchants and traders of ,dublin4 ,the ,company have increased their capital to #ajj1jjj1 and are proceeding with every possible expedition in completing their number of vessels1 by which means they will shortly be able to despatch one daily from ,dublin and another from ,liverpool4 ,the trustees have reserved the remainder of the shares now unappropriated exclusively for the accommodation of shippers and importers4 ,their vessels1 the ,,city ,,of ,,dublin and ,,town ,,of ,,liverpool1 continue to ply as usual4 ,their third and fourth vessels1 the ,,hibernia and ,,britannia1 are nearly complete1 and the fifth and sixth will be ready by the end of the year40 ,during the summer of #ahbe the ,city of ,dublin ,company despatched their new steamer ,,hibernia on the same day and at the same hour as the ,,st4 ,,george4 ,they were careful to inform those interested that this was done 8not with a view of opposition1 but for the purpose of establishing her 7the ,,hibernia's7 character for speed and seaworthiness40 ,they were equally careful to point out that 8the ,,hibernia has already made six voyages in company with the ,,st4 ,,george1 and has on all occasions proved herself an extremely safe and fleet vessel1 and not inferior to that well-known steampacket40 ,they also mentioned the inconvenience1 delay and expense of landing by boats at ,kingstown1 all of which might be avoided by taking their magnificent steampackets direct to ,north ,wall4 ,the ,st4 ,george ,company replied to this courteous announcement by also informing the public that the companionship of the ,,hibernia was unsought for and undesired by them4 ,it was not to be expected that the ,liverpool companies would permit a strange company to take a lion's share of the trade1 and not make a practical protest4 ,consequently1 in the autumn of #ahbe1 the fares from ,liverpool to ,dublin were reduced to #es4 cabin and #f;d4 steerage1 and on ,monday1 ,september #eth1 one of the steamers sailed with upwards of #gjj passengers at #f;d4 each4 ,early the following year 7#ast ,february1 #ahbf7 the managers of the ,city of ,dublin ,steampacket ,company purchased the ,dublin and ,liverpool ,steam ,navigation ,company1 and increased the capital of the company to #bej1jjj1 in shares of #ajj each4 ,shareholders1 in addition to their share of the profits of the undertaking1 were offered the following advantages3-- 7#a7 ,free passage by all the company's vessels4 7#b7 ,free storage for a limited time in the company's stores4 7#c7 ,special accommodation in the payment of freights and charges4 ,the company having grown with a rapidity probably without a parallel1 decided to extend its sailings to ,belfast and ,waterford1 and1 if desirable1 to other ports4 ,it had now a fleet 7afloat or building7 of fourteen new and powerful steamers1 viz41 ,,city ,,of ,,dublin1 ,,town ,,of ,,liverpool1 ,,hibernia1 ,,britannia1 ,,liffey1 ,,mersey1 ,,commerce1 ,,mona1 ,,leeds1 ,,gipsey1 ,,manchester1 ,,birmingham1 ,,sheffield and ,,nottingham4 ,on the #bith ,august1 #ahbf1 the ,government established a mail service between ,liverpool and ,kingstown1 with most injurious results to the existing steampacket companies4 ,the managers of the ,city of ,dublin ,company interviewed the ,secretary to the ,general ,post ,office in order to obtain some modification of the opposition1 but without being able to do so4 ,they thereupon published the result of their negotiations1 and appealed to the public for support against the unjustifiable action shown by the ,government4 8,the ,post ,office having now established packets on the station1 have1 with a view of covering the heavy expenses incident to the same1 endeavoured to engross the trade in passengers1 carriages1 horses1 c41 to the great injury of this and other companies2 while at the same time they are exempt from the payment of port dues and other charges 444 which are already a tax on this company to the amount of #aj1jjj per annum4 ,under terms so unequal and disadvantageous1 it is evident this opposition has none of the ingredients of fair opposition1 were such even justifiable1 where ,government on the one hand1 and private shipowners on the other1 are the competitors40 ,at this period 7#ahbg7 there was considerable friction between the ,mersey ,dock ,board and the company1 the managers of the latter considering greater facilities ought to be given for the working of their traffic in view of the fact that they annually spent in ,liverpool #ajj1jjj in outfits and repairs4 ,to meet the ,government opposition the company purchased the sailing brig ,,tyne1 which they loaded fortnightly with rough goods1 and towed to sea by their own tug ,,mars4 ,in #ahbh1 in addition to their daily service to ,dublin1 the company had a twice-weekly service to ,belfast1 and once a week to ,drogheda4 ,a fortnightly service between ,dublin and ,bordeaux was commenced on the #bjth ,june1 #ahbg4 ,the ,,ballinasloe1 built in #ahbi1 was furnished with a powerful blast cylinder to ventilate the holds1 being the first steamer to be so fitted4 ,the same year the ,,manchester and the ,,britannia were both wrecked1 but fortunately without loss of life4 ,the steampacket ,,city ,,of ,,londonderry1 built in #ahbg for a local company1 was sold by auction on the #hth ,october1 #ahbi1 and purchased by the ,city of ,dublin ,company4 ,her new owners took up the station vacated by the ,derry ,company1 and maintained a weekly service between ,liverpool and ,londonderry for a number of years4 ,the ,clarence ,dock having been opened in ,september1 #ahcj1 the ,city of ,dublin ,company were allotted loading and discharging berths in it on the #beth ,march1 #ahca1 which berths they have used continuously to the present date 7#aijc71 a period of over seventy years1 when they were transferred to the ,nelson ,dock4 ,it will be remembered that in the early history of the company their most powerful trade competitors were the ,st4 ,george ,steampacket ,company4 ,one of the steamers of the latter company 7the ,,lord ,,blaney71 while on a voyage from ,liverpool to ,newry1 was lost with all hands4 ,with a chivalry unusual in commerce 7ignoring the fact that the vessel belonged to a rival company7 the ,city of ,dublin ,company headed a list for the benefit of the relatives of the drowned seamen and others with a subscription of one hundred pounds4 ,civil war had been raging in ,portugal for a number of years1 the leaders being ,don ,miguel 7the usurper7 and ,dom ,pedro1 on behalf of his daughter1 ,donna ,maria 7,legitimist74 ,two at least of the company's steamers1 the ,,leeds and ,,birmingham1 were chartered as transports to ,dom ,pedro2 and it was the latter vessel1 under the command of ,captain ,beazley1 which1 on the #afth ,july1 #ahcc1 brought to ,england the news of the complete defeat and capture of the fleet of ,don ,miguel4 ,on the #fth ,november1 #ahcd1 the ,,leeds struck on ,furlong ,rock4 ,no lives were lost1 the crew and passengers being taken off by the company's steamer ,,commerce4 ,the ,,leeds having got off the rock1 sank inside the jetty at ,holyhead1 but was subsequently raised4 ,in #ahcf the company built four steamers to compete against the ,government mail steamers4 ,they were the ,,queen ,,victoria1 ,,duchess ,,of ,,kent1 ,,royal ,,adelaide1 and the famous ,,royal ,,william4 ,in ,june of this year 7#ahcf7 a bill in ,parliament for increasing the capital of the company was read three times and passed4 ,about this time the directors of the company had under consideration the establishing of steam communication between ,liverpool and ,new ,york4 ,a meeting was held in the company's office in ,water ,street1 there being present1 amongst others1 ,sir ,john ,tobin4 ,sir ,john had on the stocks a large steamer1 and it was decided that the ,transatlantic service should be established1 the pioneer vessel to be the ,,royal ,,william1 to be followed by the ,,liverpool 7,sir ,john ,tobin's new steamer7 as soon as she was ready for the service4 ,in accordance with these arrangements1 the ,,royal ,,william sailed from the ,george's ,pierhead on ,july #eth1 #ahch1 for ,new ,york1 and the ,,liverpool followed her on ,september #bjth4 ,these steamers have the honour of being the first passenger liners between ,liverpool and ,new ,york4 ,the ,,royal ,,william proved to be too small for the ,transatlantic trade1 and in #ahci she resumed her sailings on the ,liverpool and ,kingstown station4 ,illustration3 ,,royal ,,william ,p4 ,s4 7#ahcf7 ,city of ,dublin ,steampacket ,co4 ,on and from the #bjth ,june1 #ahci1 the ,government determined that a mail steamer should be despatched every morning and evening from ,liverpool to ,dublin1 via ,kingstown1 on the arrival of the respective mail trains from ,london4 ,the ,government steam packets were appointed to sail with the morning mails1 and the ,city of ,dublin steam packets with the evening mails4 ,the directors of the ,city of ,dublin ,company were determined that their steamers should surpass the ,government boats1 and in ,december1 #ahdj1 they contracted for two new steamers for the mail service to be superior to any seagoing steamers afloat1 and to do the passage from ,liverpool to ,kingstown in nine hours4 ,three years later 7#aeth ,april1 #ahdc7 the company commenced their ,liverpool and ,north ,wales service with the new iron steamer ,,erin-,,go-,,bragh4 ,the steamer ,,ayrshire ,,lassie was placed on the station the next season 7,may1 #ahdd71 followed in #ahde by the ,,prince ,,of ,,wales1 and later by the ,,prince ,,arthur1 which two steamers maintained a daily service throughout the summer season for many years1 and until the station was transferred to the present ,north ,wales ,steampacket ,company4 ,in conjunction with the ,north ,lancashire ,railways1 the ,city of ,dublin ,company instituted1 in #ahdd1 a steamship service between ,dublin and ,fleetwood1 the first steamer employed being the ,,hibernia4 ,the ,company's trade between ,england and ,ireland had increased so rapidly that in #ahde the directors placed orders to build eight vessels1 viz41 five paddle steamers and three auxiliary screw schooners4 ,illustration3 ,holyhead and ,kingstown ,royal ,mail ,steamships--,,ulster1 ,,munster1 ,,leinster1 and ,,connaught4 ,the long contest between the ,admiralty and the company for the carriage of the ,english and ,irish mails came to an end in #ahej1 when the ,lords of the ,admiralty determined to withdraw their steamers from the ,irish mail service4 ,the ,city of ,dublin ,co4 had now a new competitor in the ,chester and ,holyhead ,railway ,company1 who had steamers in connection with their railway service4 ,the former company1 who recognised the great importance of placing vessels on the ,holyhead station1 put in a tender in response to the ,admiralty's invitation1 which tender was actually accepted4 ,no tender was put in by the ,chester and ,holyhead ,railway ,company1 who1 it was believed1 did not suppose anyone would compete with them and that they could obtain their own terms4 ,before the ,admiralty's acceptance of the ,city of ,dublin ,company's tender was confirmed by the ,government the railway company got notice of what was being arranged1 and pressure was brought to bear upon the ,government to prevent the ,city of ,dublin ,company's contract from being ratified4 ,the move was successful1 with the result that tenders were again asked for4 ,the ,city of ,dublin ,company were most unfairly treated1 for the figure at which they had tendered was made public1 and consequently the railway company were able to under-cut it4 ,in anticipation of this course being adopted the managing director of the ,city of ,dublin ,company recommended a tender to be put in at a very diminished figure1 the great importance of securing a footing on the ,holyhead station being fully perceived by him4 ,the ,city of ,dublin tendered at #be1jjj per annum1 which was #e1jjj a year less than the ,chester and ,holyhead ,railway ,company's offer1 and the result was that the ,city of ,dublin ,company obtained the contract4 ,they purchased from the ,admiralty two of the mail boats1 the ,,st4 ,,columba and the ,,llewellyn1 and in ,may1 #ahej1 took over the mail service1 running the steamers at the same hours as they were run by the ,admiralty4 ,a strong effort was made by the opponents of the company to deprive them of their contract1 and a select ,parliamentary ,committee was appointed1 which reported in favour of what had been arranged4 ,this report made it clear that the company's first offer was a reasonable one1 and subsequent events proved the wisdom of the company's directors determining to hold the contract at all hazards4 ,the contest1 it will be seen1 was between the ,city of ,dublin ,company and the ,chester and ,holyhead ,railway ,company rather than with the ,lords of the ,admiralty--indeed1 so strong was the feeling some time afterwards that the railway company refused to book passengers by the mail steamers1 or advertise their sailings in the railway time tables1 which only showed the sailings of the railway company's steamers4 ,but if the ,city of ,dublin ,company was thus happily relieved from rivalry on the ,holyhead mail station1 it speedily found itself involved in the most serious struggle which probably ever occurred in the steamship coasting trade4 ,yielding to the solicitations of the ,waterford and ,kilkenny ,railway ,company1 the directors of the ,city of ,dublin ,company agreed to place a steamer on the ,liverpool and ,waterford station4 ,the ,waterford ,company and the ,cork ,company immediately began a daily service to and from ,liverpool and ,dublin1 and despatched a steamer twice a week to ,belfast4 ,entering into an alliance with the ,british and ,irish ,steampacket ,co41 the ,city of ,dublin ,company and its ally responded by opposing the ,cork ,company on the ,liverpool and ,cork station1 sailing the ,,duchess ,,of ,,kent1 ,,emerald1 ,,rose1 c41 every ,tuesday and ,friday from ,liverpool and from ,cork4 ,after a keen contest1 lasting over twelve months1 a conference took place between ,mr4 ,malcomson1 representing the ,waterford and ,cork ,steamship ,companies1 and one of the directors of the ,city of ,dublin ,company4 ,no reference was made at this conference as to the cause of the contest1 nor to the conduct of any of the parties during its continuance1 the sole object being to suggest the most speedy mode of restoring peace1 and the following arrangement was finally decided upon3--,the ,city of ,dublin ,steampacket ,company agreed to sell their claims on the ,london line to the ,british and ,irish ,steampacket ,company1 this line to be worked by the vessels of the latter company and of ,messrs4 ,malcomson2 the ,city of ,dublin to transfer their ,liverpool and ,belfast service to the ,cork ,steamship ,company2 the entire sea traffic between ,holyhead and ,dublin to be assigned to the ,city of ,dublin ,company4 ,this agreement has been honourably adhered to by all the companies concerned1 amongst whom a most friendly feeling exists1 but time has wrought its changes on the various lines4 ,malcomson's steamers have long since ceased to run between ,dublin and ,london1 the ,cork ,company's steamers were withdrawn in #ahed from the ,liverpool and ,belfast service1 and the ,london and ,north ,western ,railway ,company have a large fleet of passenger and cargo steamers plying daily between ,dublin and ,holyhead4 ,at the close of the year #ahed a better feeling prevailed1 and the ,chester and ,holyhead ,railway ,company1 together with the ,london and ,north ,western ,railway ,company1 entered into negotiations with the ,city of ,dublin ,company1 and1 with the approval of the ,government1 an ,act of ,parliament was obtained in order to bring about an improved passenger and mail service between ,london and ,dublin1 via ,holyhead and ,kingstown4 ,considerable delay took place in the subsequent negotiations4 ,however1 at the end of #aheh matters were settled1 and in ,january of the following year the ,postmaster-,general entered into a contract with the two railway companies and the ,city of ,dublin ,steampacket ,company1 who jointly undertook the sea service1 and with the two railway companies1 who undertook the land transit4 ,by private agreement1 however1 with the railway companies1 the ,city of ,dublin ,company became solely responsible for the sea service1 and provided the four steamers4 ,this service gave the greatest satisfaction to the travelling public2 the contract was for fourteen years certain1 and then from year to year1 terminable by twelve months' notice1 the subsidy being #he1ijj per annum for the sea service1 and #ej1jjj per annum for the land4 ,twelve years after this service had been commenced1 the ,london and ,north ,western ,railway ,company1 who had by that time absorbed the ,chester and ,holyhead ,railway1 commenced a rail connection between the harbour of ,dublin and three of the principal ,irish railway companies1 which connection was completed in #ahgf1 and the ,london and ,north ,western ,company began to run a service of steamers in direct opposition to the mail route4 ,under the terms of their agreement with the ,city of ,dublin ,company1 the railway company had the power of fixing the fares by the mail route1 which it exercised by maintaining the high fares by the mail and charging low fares by the railway steamers4 ,the competition increased in intensity every year1 with the result of largely diverting the passenger traffic from the mail route1 the ultimate object of the railway being to bring about the abandonment of the ,kingstown service1 and to secure all the traffic for the railway boats to ,dublin4 ,in #ahha the ,city of ,dublin ,company brought the ,london and ,north ,western ,railway ,company before the ,railway ,commissioners1 who ordered a reduction of the mail fares4 ,immediately after this order was made1 the ,post ,office authorities intimated their intention of terminating the existing mail contract1 and of asking for fresh tenders for the service between ,holyhead and ,kingstown4 ,in #ahhb the ,city of ,dublin ,company put in a tender4 ,months were allowed to pass1 and in ,january1 #ahhc1 it was announced that the ,government had accepted a tender of the ,london and ,north ,western ,railway ,company4 ,it then transpired that the railway company1 as well as the ,city of ,dublin ,company1 had tendered for the ,holyhead and ,kingstown service1 and that the latter company's tender was the lower of the two1 but the ,government1 instead of accepting it1 had negotiated a contract for the throughout service with the railway company1 which would have enabled them to convey the mails and passengers in the railway steamers to ,dublin instead of to ,kingstown4 ,illustration3 ,,william ,,watson1 ,esq4 7late ,chairman ,city of ,dublin ,steampacket ,co474 ,it can well be understood that the public1 who were well pleased to have the two lines of steamers1 had no intention of being deprived of the ,kingstown route1 and a storm of indignation arose over the country4 ,the ,government professed that in making the new arrangement they were acting with economy1 but this was shown to be a mere subterfuge1 for they had agreed to pay the railway company #ajf1jjj a year--only a trifling amount less than they would have paid if the steampacket company's offer had been accepted and the railway payment continued as before4 ,to quote the words of a prominent member of ,parliament3 8,the ,government were giving an opulent railway company not only a monopoly of the passenger traffic1 but a large subsidy besides1 for merely carrying the mail bags on their established line of passenger steamers40 ,so powerful was the agitation that arose1 that the ,government discovered they would not be able to get the contract confirmed by the ,house of ,commons1 the ,irish members to a man being determined to vote against it4 ,the result was the contract was not brought forward for confirmation1 and new tenders were asked for the ,holyhead and ,kingstown sea service1 special provision being made for the passenger traffic1 which the ,government had ignored on the previous occasion4 ,greater speed being desired1 the ,city of ,dublin ,company tendered for improved steamers2 but the railway company1 who had no intention of going to ,kingstown1 did not compete1 and the ,city of ,dublin ,company were successful in obtaining a contract for twelve years certain1 the subsidy being #hd1jjj per annum4 ,the four mail packets--the ,,ulster1 ,,leinster1 ,,munster1 and ,,connaught--were provided with new boilers and improved machinery1 and their passenger accommodation was remodelled and greatly enlarged4 ,the new service began on the #ast ,october1 #ahhe1 with this most remarkable result1 that vessels after twenty-five years' service had their speed increased by an average of #b knots per hour4 ,a new steamer was added to the fleet--the ,,ireland1 a vessel capable of steaming #bj knots an hour1 being the fastest paddle steamer ever built for cross-,channel service4 ,the new service gave much satisfaction to the public1 and the passenger receipts steadily increased4 ,in #ahic the company decided to build a new type of passenger and cargo vessel1 and in the following year the ,,louth1 a screw steamer of large tonnage and great power1 was put on the station2 she was found so satisfactory1 her performance being so regular1 and her sea-worthy qualities so good1 that she dispelled the great prejudice which up to that time had existed against screw steamers for cross-,channel trade 7especially the cattle trade71 and the company decided to replace their fleet with steamers of this class4 ,while this re-construction was going on an attempt was made to deprive the company of their position on the ,holyhead station4 ,owing largely to the efforts of the company1 ,kingstown had been put in direct communication with all the ,irish railway companies1 and the one blot on the ,kingstown service removed4 ,it was stated1 however1 that the boats were not fast enough1 and the ,government were urged to terminate the mail contract and seek for new tenders4 ,most extravagant ideas seemed to prevail as to what could be done2 accelerations were suggested by land and sea which could not have been accomplished except at very great expense4 ,however1 the ,city of ,dublin ,company were not behindhand1 and they put in a variety of tenders1 and offered to build boats of the very largest class4 ,no other company tendered in accordance with the advertisement4 ,the ,post ,office1 however1 did not accept any of the tenders1 and subsequently entered into negotiations with the company1 and settled the existing contract4 ,the company undertook to build four twin-screw steamers1 which1 although not so large as those originally proposed1 are superior to anything up to the present time attempted for cross-,channel purposes1 and being twin-screws1 their accommodation is far greater than had they been paddle steamers of the same size4 ,they all realised a speed of #bd knots on their trial trips1 which up to the present time has not been surpassed by any passenger steamer4 ,the new service commenced on the #ast ,april1 #ahig1 and passengers are conveyed between all parts of ,england and ,ireland at a very high rate of speed1 and perform the journey with a degree of comfort that would have been thought incredible a few years since4 ,the fleet of the company now consists of the following high-class powerful screw steamers1 replete with everything necessary for the comfort of passengers1 as well as being equipped with the most modern appliances for the safe carriage of cattle and the rapid handling of cargo3--,the ,,ulster1 ,,munster1 ,,leinster1 and ,,connaught1 sailing twice each day from ,holyhead and from ,kingstown with the mails and passengers4 ,the ,,carlow1 ,,kerry1 ,,wicklow1 ,,louth1 and ,,cork1 sailing every evening to and from ,liverpool and ,dublin1 with goods and passengers1 as well as a morning service from both ports1 with passengers and fast traffic4 ,in the present year 7#aijc7 the ,company has placed the ,,kilkenny on the station1 a vessel of an entirely new design1 one of the finest passenger and cargo steamers which has ever been built for the ,irish cross-,channel trade4 ,a service is also maintained three times a week between ,dublin and ,belfast by the company's steamers4 ,for upwards of three-quarters of a century this grand old company has faithfully served the public1 with an immunity from loss of life as remarkable as it is gratifying to those chiefly concerned4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,the ,,british ,,and ,,irish ,,steam ,,packet ,,company1 ,,limited4 ,the oldest deep-sea steamship passenger trade in ,europe is that between ,dublin and ,london4 ,the distinction of having been the first persons 7other than the crew7 to cross the ,irish ,sea by steam vessel is shared by ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,c4 ,r4 ,weld4 ,mr4 ,weld1 who was the ,secretary--or brother to the ,secretary--of the ,royal ,society of ,dublin1 embarked with his wife on board the steampacket ,,thames1 ,captain ,dodd1 which vessel sailed from ,dublin at noon on the #bhth ,may1 #ahae1 bound for ,london4 ,the sailing of this1 the first1 steamer between ,dublin and ,london1 was an event of the greatest interest to the citizens of the former city1 who assembled in thousands to witness her departure4 ,it was not intended that the ,,thames should ply between the two ports1 and1 as a matter of fact1 it was not until after an interval of eleven years 7#ahbf7 that a regular steampacket service was established between the ,metropolis of ,england and that of ,ireland4 ,in the latter year1 two of the ,city of ,dublin ,steam ,packet ,co4's steamers1 the ,,thames 7not the ,,thames of #ahae7 and the ,,shannon commenced to trade regularly between ,dublin and ,london4 ,amongst other famous steamers1 employed on this station1 may be mentioned the ,,william ,,fawcett1 which traded between ,london and ,dublin during the summer of #ahbi4 ,this steamer afterwards became the property of the ,peninsular ,steam ,navigation ,co41 and is stated in ,whitaker's ,almanac 7and elsewhere7 to have been the pioneer steamer of the 8,p4 ,o4 ,co40 ,in ,august1 #ahcj1 the steampacket ,,city ,,of ,,londonderry1 built in #ahbg for the ,liverpool and ,londonderry trade1 and purchased in ,october1 #ahbi1 by the ,city of ,dublin ,co41 was placed by her new owners on the ,london station4 ,these three steamers1 the ,,thames1 ,,shannon and ,,city ,,of ,,londonderry1 were described in the ,company's advertisement of the period as being amongst the largest steamers afloat1 and all of the same capacity and power1 viz41 #eac tons burthen1 and #afj h4p4 each4 ,these steamers maintained a regular weekly service 7one of them sailing from ,london every ,sunday1 calling at ,plymouth71 and were due at ,dublin in ordinary weather1 in #hj hours after leaving ,london4 ,illustration3 ,,lady ,,roberts4 #adfd ,tons4 ,speed #ac ,knots4 ,travelling at that period was expensive1 as shown by the rates charged by these small wooden steamers1 compared with those now charged by the magnificent modern steamships of the ,b4 and ,i4 ,co4 of #a1djj to #a1ejj tons each4 ,cabin4 ,steerage4 ,,thames1 ,,shannon1 c4 #b #af #j #a #ad #j ,,lady ,,roberts1 ,,lady ,,wolseley1 c4 #a #e #j #j #aa #j ,the present ,british and ,irish ,steampacket ,company was established in #ahcf4 ,the list of the earliest ,directors contained the names of several of the best known citizens of ,dublin1 the following being the names of the ,directors for the year #ahch1 viz43--,messrs4 ,james ,ferrier1 ,john ,mac,donnell1 ,william ,williams1 ,francis ,carleton1 ,joseph ,boyce1 ,john ,jameson1 and ,john ,ennis4 ,the ,company's first fleet consisted of three wooden paddle steamers1 named respectively1 ,,city ,,of ,,limerick1 ,,devonshire1 and ,,shannon4 ,a very ingenious robbery from the ,company took place at the ,st4 ,katherine's ,docks4 ,two boxes of gold dust1 of a gross value of #e1bde1 were landed at ,falmouth1 ex ,h4,m4 ,packet ,,seagull1 from the ,brazils4 ,from ,falmouth they were shipped per ,b4 and ,i4 steamer ,,city ,,of ,,limerick to the ,company's ,wharf1 ,london1 consigned to the ,brazilian ,mining ,co4 ,at noon on ,monday1 #bith ,april1 #ahci1 a person claimed the two boxes1 and presented an order for them1 apparently in the same handwriting as the letter of advice received with the two boxes from ,falmouth4 ,the advice stated that the boxes were only to be delivered to a gentleman who would call on ,monday with a letter in the same handwriting4 ,the 8gentleman0 accurately described the marks1 and took away the boxes2 but two hours afterwards1 another person1 connected with the ,brazilian ,mining ,co41 came for the boxes1 and the fraud was then discovered1 for the genuine documents and letter addressed to the ,company by the ,falmouth ,agent were produced4 ,two months later1 the whole of the criminals concerned were in custody1 and charged with their offence at the ,central ,criminal ,court4 ,two of them1 ,moss and ,solomons1 turned ,queen's evidence4 ,lewin ,caspar 7who had been for eighteen months in the service of the ,b4 and ,i4 ,co4 as ,general ,superintendent71 was detained in custody until sentence was pronounced1 #crd ,february1 #ahdj1 and was then acquitted1 owing to a flaw in the indictment4 ,his father1 ,ellis ,caspar1 and ,emmanuel ,moses1 were each sentenced to be transported for #ad years1 and sailed for ,sydney on the #bjth ,october1 #ahdj1 on the convict transport1 ,,lord ,,lynedoch4 ,alice ,abrahams 7daughter of ,emmanuel ,moses7 was also convicted of being an accomplice1 and was sentenced to four months' imprisonment4 ,mr4 ,james ,hartley 7founder of the firm of ,james ,hartley ,co41 ,london7 rendered very valuable service to the proprietors by his energy and skill in tracing and successfully prosecuting the thieves4 ,mr4 ,james ,hartley was elected a ,director in #ahch1 and for his services in connection with the prosecution of the gold dust thieves1 he was presented with a valuable piece of plate4 ,in #ahdb1 the steamship ,,duke ,,of ,,cornwall was built1 and added to the fleet in order to meet the increased demands of the trade4 ,like her sister ships1 she was a wooden paddle steamer1 and the last of this type of craft employed in the service4 ,the ,british and ,irish ,steam ,packet ,co4 were amongst the first steamship owners to recognise the advantage 7now universally admitted7 of the screw propeller over the paddle wheel as a means for propelling steamships1 and in #ahde they introduced into the ,london and ,dublin trade two schooner-rigged auxiliary screw steamers1 one of which was called the ,,rose1 and the other the ,,shamrock4 ,three years later the ,b4 and ,i4 ,co4 had to encounter a fierce and powerful opposition1 engineered by the ,messrs4 ,malcomson1 of ,waterford1 but which involved nearly all the leading ,steamship ,companies on the ,east ,coast of ,ireland2 the ,b4 and ,i42 ,belfast 7,langtry's72 ,city of ,dublin2 ,cork2 and ,waterford ,steamship ,companies all taking part in the contest4 ,the ,waterford ,steamship ,company placed steamers on the ,london and ,dublin station1 and the ,directors of the ,british and ,irish ,steam ,packet ,company retaliated by placing steamers on the ,waterford and ,london1 ,waterford and ,liverpool1 and ,london and ,st4 ,petersburg lines4 ,the opposition lasted until ,april1 #ahea1 when an arrangement was come to1 whereby the ,dublin and ,london traffic was divided between ,messrs4 ,malcomson 7,waterford ,co47 and the ,b4 and ,i41 and at the same time the ,city of ,dublin ,co4 withdrew from their official connection with the latter ,company4 ,in the meantime1 several steamers had been built of iron 7notably the ,,great ,,britain71 and had proved by the severest tests the great merits of that metal as a material for shipbuilding4 ,so convinced were the ,directors of the ,b4 and ,i4 of the advantages to be gained by the substitution of iron for wood1 that they purchased in #ahej the first iron paddle steamer of the fleet4 ,this steamer was named the ,,foyle1 and was one of the finest vessels afloat in her time4 ,the following year witnessed an extension of the ,company's operations1 a regular service being established between ,liverpool1 ,south of ,england ports1 and ,london2 and also between ,limerick and ,london4 ,the latter was maintained by the auxiliary screw steamer ,,rose1 and when this vessel was sold in #aheb1 the service was discontinued4 ,to meet the increased requirements of the trade1 two large screw steamers1 the ,,lady ,,eglinton and the ,,nile1 were added to the fleet in #aheb4 ,on the outbreak of the ,crimean ,war in #ahed1 two of the ,b4 and ,i4 steamers1 one of which was the new steamer ,,lady ,,eglinton1 and the other the ,,foyle1 were chartered by the ,government for the conveyance of troops and stores4 ,in consequence of the withdrawal of these two steamers from the ,company's service1 and of the loss of the ,,nile off the ,cornish ,coast1 the ,liverpool to ,london sailings were abandoned4 ,in addition to her ,government service in the ,black ,sea1 the ,,lady ,,eglinton1 in #aheh1 was employed for a short time as a ,trans-,atlantic liner1 making1 in this capacity1 two trips from ,galway to ,quebec and ,montreal4 ,in #ahfe1 this famous steamer was placed in the hands of ,messrs4 ,walpole1 ,webb ,bewley1 shipbuilders1 ,dublin1 by whom she was lengthened thirty feet4 ,prior to the declaration of ,war between the ,northern and ,southern ,states of ,america1 in #ahfa1 the ,b4 and ,i4 ,co4 had maintained a regular service between ,dublin and ,wexford4 ,the vessel employed in this service was a small paddle steamer named the ,,mars4 ,in #ahfc the ,,mars was sold1 crossed the ,atlantic1 and began the exciting career of a blockade runner4 ,two years later 7#ahfe7 the ,,lady ,,wodehouse was built in ,dublin1 for the ,company1 by ,messrs4 ,walpole1 ,webb and ,bewley1 and in #ahfi the same builders launched another ,b4 and ,i4 liner1 the ,,countess ,,of ,,dublin4 ,the year #ahgj saw an important and advantageous change in the fortunes of the ,company1 who purchased the interest and steamers of ,messrs4 ,malcomson's ,london-,dublin line1 since which time the sea trade between ,dublin and ,london has been entirely in the hands of the ,british and ,irish ,company4 ,the vessels purchased from ,messrs4 ,malcomson were the ,,avoca and ,,cymba4 ,in #ahgi1 the ,b4 and ,i4 ,company was registered as a ,limited ,company1 and a new steamer1 the ,,lady ,,olive1 #a1jif tons1 was added to the fleet4 ,the ,,lady ,,olive was the last iron vessel built for the ,company1 and the last of the compound engine type of steamer4 ,all her successors--the present vessels of the fleet--are built of steel1 and fitted with triple-expansion engines4 ,the first ship of the new type was the ,,lady ,,martin1 of #a1cef tons gross register1 built in #ahhg by ,messrs4 ,workman ,clark1 of ,belfast4 ,her carrying capacity is much greater than that of any of her predecessors1 and further increase of tonnage has marked all the vessels added to the fleet since4 ,her principal dimensions are--,length #bfi feet #f inches1 beam #cd feet #b inches1 and depth of hold #af feet #d inches4 ,illustration3 ,s4,s4 ,,lady ,,wolseley leaving ,falmouth4 ,she was followed in quick succession by the ,,lady ,,hudson-,,kinahan1 built by the ,ailsa ,shipbuilding ,company1 ,troon1 in #ahia2 the ,,lady ,,wolseley1 built by the ,naval ,construction and ,armaments ,company1 ,barrow1 in #ahid2 and the ,,lady ,,roberts1 built by the ,ailsa ,shipbuilding ,company1 ,troon1 in #ahig4 ,the last-named four steamers now carry on the trade between the two capitals1 the ,,lady ,,olive acting as stand-by ship4 ,in their main features1 all the vessels are very similar1 and vary only slightly in size and power1 from the ,,lady ,,martin1 of #a1cfe tons1 to the ,,lady ,,roberts1 of #a1dfb tons4 ,it will be seen from the particulars given1 that the steamers of the ,b4 and ,i4 ,co4 are amongst the largest coasting vessels in the ,united ,kingdom4 ,the average berthing accommodation of each vessel is--#abj saloon and #ej second cabin1 in addition to steerage passengers4 ,each vessel is fitted up on the most approved plan1 and electrically lighted throughout4 ,deck cabins and state rooms can be secured at a small extra charge4 ,smoking rooms are also provided1 as well as bathrooms4 ,in the summer season pianos are put on board1 and a full complement of stewards and stewardesses is carried4 ,under ordinary circumstances the vessels average #ac knots per hour1 which is quite fast enough for the requirements of the trade2 and it may be mentioned that they are well able to hold their own with the majority of channel steamers4 ,any person travelling by these steamers will find that very few vessels will pass them1 and those which do are probably some crack mail packets running short passages4 ,the ships of the ,british and ,irish ,steam ,packet ,company are as well-known at ,falmouth1 ,plymouth1 ,southampton1 and ,portsmouth as they are at the terminal ports of ,london and ,dublin4 ,being so well-found1 roomy1 comfortable1 and up-to-date1 and calling in at all the principal southern ports1 it is but natural that they should be favourites with the holiday-making and touring public4 ,so favourably are they held in this respect that during the 8fine weather0 months they seldom leave port without having a full complement of passengers1 of whom 7as has been stated7 they are designed to carry a large number4 ,illustration3 ,steamship ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,the ,,bibby ,,line4 ,reference has been made1 in a previous chapter of this work1 to this old-established firm4 ,it was engaged in shipping in #ahjg1 five years before the first ,british steamboat was launched4 ,at that early date the fleet consisted of small sailing vessels1 but in #ahba a regular line of ships to the ,east ,indies was established4 ,of the old ,liverpool shipowning firms which had their flag signal posts on ,bidston ,hill1 only three now remain1 viz41 ,messrs4 ,bibby1 ,brocklebank1 and ,sandbach ,tinne4 ,in #ahea the firm1 then under the guidance of the late ,mr4 ,james ,j4 ,bibby1 went into the steam trade1 their first boats1 the ,,tiber and ,,arno1 being built on the ,clyde by ,john ,reid and ,co4 ,mr4 ,bibby1 in #ahei1 commenced entrusting the building of the steamers of the line to ,messrs4 ,harland and ,wolff1 and from that date every succeeding vessel has been constructed by the same firm4 ,it may be interesting to recall that the late ,sir ,edward ,harland1 who was the son of a personal friend of ,mr4 ,bibby1 commenced operations at ,belfast with the order for the ,,sicilian1 ,,venetian and ,,syrian4 ,mr4 ,bibby adopted the system of building his boats on commission1 a system which ensures the greatest co-operation between builder and owner1 and by which he secured the greatest advantage wherever his interests were concerned4 ,the three boats last named were followed by the ,,egyptian in #ahfa4 ,all of these vessels carried clipper bows with figure heads and bowsprits1 but the succeeding ships were built with straight stems1 an innovation1 the credit of which 7and of many other improvements now generally adopted7 is due to ,mr4 ,bibby4 ,the ,,iberian1 ,,illyrian and ,,istrian1 all built in #ahfg1 were the first of the fleet to carry the new type of bow1 and they were followed by a long succession of well-known names1 leading up to the present steamers on the ,colombo and ,rangoon and ,southern ,indian route4 ,illustration3 ,modern ,bibby ,liner4 ,this service1 which was established in #ahia1 quickly became prominent among the fast passenger services1 and1 as such1 was early recognised by the ,government and placed on the list of the special lines available for officers1 etc41 returning at the expiration of their leave4 ,the pioneer vessel of the new service was the ,,yorkshire1 and her sister ship the ,,lancashire 7though both somewhat smaller than the later boats71 still holds the blue ribbon of the route1 having steamed from ,liverpool to ,rangoon in the fastest time yet on record4 ,the ,,cheshire and ,,shropshire1 which were the next steamers added to the fleet were each about #a1ejj tons larger than their immediate predecessors4 ,they were provided with two entirely distinct and separate sets of engines and propellers1 a fact which at once arrested attention in the ,east1 and greatly added to the popularity which their other arrangements justified4 ,intending passengers will be interested to know that with only one propeller in use1 they are capable of making as good progress as an ordinary trading steamer4 ,after an interval of two years 7#ahic7 the twin-screw steamer ,,staffordshire was built1 and in her was embodied every improvement which experience and money could provide4 ,she was at once generally acknowledged to be the most comfortable and the best ventilated type of steamer placed on the ,eastern route4 ,in ,october1 #ahig1 the twin-screw steamer ,,derbyshire was added to the fleet4 ,she is designed on the same lines as the ,,staffordshire but being #g feet longer and #c feet broader1 her staterooms are somewhat larger4 ,an important addition was made to the fleet in #aijb1 when the twin-screw steamer ,,warwickshire was built4 ,her advent on the line was looked forward to with much interest1 and she has amply fulfilled all anticipations1 and has secured a preference over any other steamer for first-class passengers between ,ceylon and ,europe4 ,her large size admits of #bjj berths being fitted1 and the ,main ,saloon1 ,drawing room1 ,smoke room1 ,bath room1 etc41 are all increased in their proportions4 ,by an ingenious arrangement 7which is quite novel7 every stateroom has a port opening to the outside of the ship1 and all the rooms are equally light and airy1 while many of the rooms provided are fitted up for the accommodation of one or two passengers only4 ,the ,,warwickshire has marked a new era in the equipment of large passenger steamers1 and the above mentioned ,bibby ,patent ,stateroom is now being adopted by the principal ,mail ,lines in the construction of new boats4 ,a twin-screw steamer1 to be named the ,,worcestershire1 is now under construction at ,belfast4 ,she is designed closely on the lines of the ,,warwickshire1 and is expected to be completed in good time to enable her to take her place in the ,autumn sailings of #aijd4 ,the steamers of the ,bibby ,line sail on alternate ,thursdays from ,liverpool1 calling at ,marseilles to embark the overland passengers on the following ,thursday4 ,circular tickets in connection with these sailings are issued for #ae1 which are available for a passage both ways by any steamer of the fleet1 or if passengers prefer it1 they will receive1 free of additional cost1 a first-class ,railway ticket1 via ,paris1 for the journey one way overland to or from ,london4 ,travellers to and from ,egypt1 ,palestine1 etc41 whether journeying round ,spain or using the ,marseilles route will find these steamers a convenient and luxurious means of conveyance4 ,the public will be glad to know that passages can be secured for #c #cs4 for the fortnightly runs round from ,london to ,liverpool4 ,the steamers usually leave ,tilbury on ,friday1 and arrive in ,liverpool on the following ,monday morning1 thus affording a very pleasant week end trip4 ,the present fleet consists of the following modern fast ,mail ,steamships3-- ,,lancashire #dbdd ,tons4 ,,yorkshire #dbfa 0 ,,cheshire #egge 0 ,,shropshire #eghe 0 ,,staffordshire #fjje ,tons4 ,,derbyshire #ffcf 0 ,,warwickshire #giff 0 ,,worcestershire 7,building7 #giff 0 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,the ,,cork ,,steamship ,,company1 ,,limited4 ,the ,cork ,steamship ,company1 as successors to the ,st4 ,george ,steam ,packet ,co41 may justly be considered to be one of the oldest existing steamship companies in the world4 ,the original company 7the ,st4 ,george71 was formed in the ,autumn of the year #ahba1 its headquarters being in ,liverpool4 ,an announcement concerning it appeared in the ,liverpool 8,mercury10 of the #abth ,october1 #ahba1 stating3-- 8,a company has been formed here 7,liverpool7 for establishing steam packets4444 ,two vessels of large dimensions are already contracted for1 and are now building by two experienced ship-builders in this town1 the machinery for both to be fitted by an engineer of eminence2 and the proprietors1 we learn1 are determined to spare no expense in the equipment of the vessels to contribute to the safety and comfort of the passengers40 ,in accordance with this announcement the pioneer steam packet of the ,company1 the ,,st4 ,,patrick1 was launched from the yard of ,mr4 ,thomas ,wilson1 ,liverpool1 at #aj-cj a4m4 on the #bast ,april following4 ,this event created quite a sensation in the town1 as she was1 if not the first steamer ever built in the port1 certainly the finest specimen of ship-building craft up to that date constructed there4 ,so great was the interest displayed that every wall and pier from which a view of the launch could be obtained was crowded with spectators4 ,this steamer ran for about two years between various ports in ,england and ,ireland1 and having in that time established a reputation for speed and seaworthiness1 she was purchased by a ,london ,company to trade between ,london and ,lisbon4 ,she was replaced by a second ,,st4 ,,patrick1 a vessel of #cjj tons burthen and #abj h4p41 built by ,clarke and ,nickson1 ,liverpool1 and launched from their yard on the #aith ,august1 #ahbe4 ,in the interim between the dates of the launch of the first and second ,,st4 ,,patrick1 the ,company had built or purchased quite a number of steamers4 ,they had also established themselves in ,cork1 and had built the premises situated on ,penrose ,quay1 where to-day is carried on the business of the ,city of ,cork ,steam ,packet ,co41 ,limited4 ,the first three steamers employed by the ,st4 ,george ,co4 in trading to and from ,cork1 were the ,,lee and ,,severn1 both built in ,liverpool in #ahbe 7the former for the ,liverpool trade and the latter for the ,bristol trade71 and the ,,superb1 built by ,mr4 ,william ,evans1 ,london4 ,the ,st4 ,george ,co4 extended its operations with marvellous rapidity1 until its steamers were to be found in almost every port in the ,united ,kingdom1 and in the chief ports of ,holland1 ,denmark1 and ,russia4 ,it owned several famous steamers1 one of which1 on the authority of ,jeffry in 8,a ,century of our ,sea ,story10 made the first steam voyage between ,great ,britain and ,australia4 ,this was the ,,sophia ,,jane1 a vessel of #bef tons and #ej h4p41 built by ,william ,evans1 ,london1 and first employed between ,london ,bridge and ,gravesend4 ,when first placed on this station1 her owners were involved in an action at law to prove their right to navigate the river4 ,they won their action from the ,watermen's ,company1 and soon the first ,gravesend ,steam ,ferry was started4 ,the ,,sophia ,,jane plied on the ,thames until #ahbh1 when she began to make longer voyages1 running for some months between ,portsmouth and ,plymouth1 afterwards under the ,st4 ,george flag1 between ,liverpool and ,douglas 7,isle of ,man71 later between ,london and ,calais1 and finally made her great voyage from ,england to ,australia4 ,she arrived at ,port ,jackson ,heads in ,may1 #ahca1 three months after leaving the ,thames1 thus making the first steam voyage between ,great ,britain and ,australia1 and the longest voyage under steam down almost to the fifties4 ,unfortunately the management of the ,st4 ,george ,co4 was not all that could be desired1 and the late ,mr4 ,ebenezer ,pike1 of ,bessborough1 ,blackrock1 ,county ,cork1 convened a meeting of the shareholders which was held at ,cork on the #agth ,february1 #ahdc4 ,prior to the meeting1 ,mr4 ,pike had forwarded to each shareholder a copy of a circular in which he proposed 7a7 to form a ,company with a capital of #ej1jjj in #a1jjj shares of #ej each2 and 7b7 to build a new steamer of #ejj to #fjj tons burthen and #cjj h4p4 ,the circular was discussed at the meeting1 but no definite decision was arrived at4 ,mr4 ,pike1 however1 did not allow the matter to rest4 ,in ,october following1 so far as ,cork was concerned1 the title 8,st4 ,george0 was dropped1 and the title 8,city of ,cork ,steamship ,co40 7afterwards shortened to 8,cork ,steamship ,co407 was adopted in its stead4 ,mr4 ,william ,wilson1 the founder of the firm of ,wilson1 ,son ,co41 was the first general manager at ,cork1 and ,mr4 ,mc,tear the ,liverpool agent4 ,nor did ,mr4 ,pike abandon the idea of the new steamer1 for on the #bfth ,september1 #ahdc1 ,messrs4 ,thomas ,vernon ,son built to his order the steamship ,,nimrod4 ,the following year the ,company was virtually re-constructed1 and the ,cork ,steamship ,co4 was formed with a capital of #agj1jjj1 in #a1gjj shares of #ajj each4 ,the first ,directors were1 ,messrs4 ,ebenezer ,pike1 ,john ,gould1 ,james ,connell1 ,joseph ,hayes1 and ,william ,lane1 all merchants belonging to ,cork4 ,at the date of the re-construction of the ,company1 the ,st4 ,george ,steam ,packet ,co4 owned about #bj steamers4 ,most of them were disposed of to various buyers1 the new management retaining seven1 viz41 the ,,lee1 ,,severn1 ,,tiger1 ,,jupiter1 ,,victory1 ,,ocean1 and ,,sirius4 ,the ,,lee and ,,severn have already been referred to4 ,the ,,tiger was a steamer of #chi tons1 built at ,hull in #ahch4 ,she was #aef feet long1 by #bf feet beam1 and #ah feet deep4 ,she was rigged as a two-masted schooner and had a tiger figurehead4 ,originally she was intended for the ,st4 ,george ,hull and ,hamburg service2 was taken over by the ,cork ,steamship ,co4 in #ahdd1 and sold by them in #ahea to ,london buyers4 ,the ,,jupiter was a vessel of #cfj tons1 built at ,greenock in #ahce4 ,transferred to the ,cork ,steamship ,co4 in #ahdd1 and sold by them to ,london buyers in #ahdg4 ,the ,,victory was a ,liverpool built steamer of #bef tons1 built in #ahcb4 ,the ,cork ,steamship ,co4 did not retain possession of her long1 but sold her in #ahdf to the ,malcomsons of ,waterford1 who employed her in their ,limerick and ,london service4 ,illustration3 ,mr4 ,,ebenezer ,,pike1 ,j4,p4 7late ,chairman ,cork ,steamship ,co474 ,the ,,ocean was a steamer of #cjj tons1 her principal dimensions being #aed by #bb by #ae4 ,she was built on the ,mersey in #ahcf1 and in #ahch made a record passage from ,liverpool to ,cork in #bc hours4 ,she was intended for the general ,coasting ,service of the ,st4 ,george ,co41 and had the honour of acting as tender to her more famous sister-ship the ,,sirius1 on the occasion of the latter's historic voyage to ,new ,york4 ,six years later when she had become the property of the ,cork ,steamship ,co41 she rendered valuable service to the ,steampacket ,,vanguard1 belonging to the ,dublin and ,glasgow ,steam ,packet ,co4 ,during a gale on the #adth ,december1 #ahdd1 the ,,vanguard1 inward bound with a valuable cargo and a number of passengers1 was forced on to the rocks about a quarter of a mile inside of ,roche's ,point ,lighthouse4 ,this occurred about #d a4m41 and soon afterwards the ,,ocean1 inwards from ,bristol to ,cork1 passed the spot4 ,the ,,vanguard's signals of distress were noticed1 and the ,captain of the ,,ocean 7,caldbeck71 in spite of the heavy sea that was running1 at once launched his boats1 and succeeded in rescuing the ,,vanguard's passengers4 ,the steamer was afterwards towed off the rocks and taken to ,passage for repairs4 ,the ,,ocean continued in the service of the ,cork ,steamship ,co4 until #ahec1 when she was purchased by the ,chester and ,holyhead ,railway ,co4 ,the remaining steamer transferred from the ,st4 ,george ,co41 was the famous ,,sirius4 ,the ,,sirius was built in #ahcg by ,menzies ,co41 ,perth1 and engined by ,j4 ,wingate ,co41 ,glasgow2 and cost #bg1jjj4 ,her length was #bjh feet1 her breadth #be feet1 and her depth #ah feet4 ,she had two masts and one funnel1 and a dog figure-head1 holding between the fore-paws a star1 representing the dog-star ,sirius1 after which the vessel was named4 ,on the occasion of her memorable voyage to ,new ,york1 she sailed from ,london on the #bhth ,march1 #ahch1 under the command of ,lieut4 ,richard ,roberts1 ,r4,n41 and called at ,cork ,harbour to coal and to embark the mails and passengers4 ,the ,,ocean arrived from ,liverpool on the #crd ,april with mails and passengers to be transferred to the ,,sirius4 ,next morning at #aj o'clock the ,,sirius got under way1 being accompanied as far as the entrance to the harbour by the ,,ocean4 ,there1 a brief stoppage was made while the ,,ocean went alongside the ,,sirius to bring off a number of ladies and gentlemen who had been permitted to accompany their friends thus far1 the steamers exchanged salutes1 and then the ,,sirius continued her course1 being watched with keen interest until she disappeared beneath the horizon4 ,she arrived at ,new ,york at #aj p4m4 on the #bbnd ,april1 and thus brought to a successful termination the first voyage ever made by a passenger steamer from ,europe to ,america4 ,she made two ,trans-,atlantic voyages1 and afterwards returned to the ,home and ,continental ,services4 ,when she became the property of the ,cork ,steamship ,co4 she was employed in the ,glasgow1 ,dublin and ,cork ,service1 in which she continued until #ahdg4 ,on the evening of the #aeth ,june of that year1 she sailed from ,dublin to ,cork with a general cargo1 and forty passengers4 ,all went well until #d a4m4 on the #afth1 when she encountered a dense fog1 and went on the rocks in ,ballycotton ,bay4 ,twelve passengers and two seamen were unfortunately drowned by the capsizing of a boat which had been launched1 but the rest of the passengers and crew were saved by means of a rope which was passed from the ship to the shore4 ,the vessel itself went to pieces on the #bbnd ,june4 ,illustration3 ,,sirius ,p4 ,s4 ,cork ,steamship ,co4 ,nearly all the steamers retained by the new management were sold to various owners within a few years from the reconstruction of the ,company1 and new and more powerful vessels substituted for them4 ,the first of these1 the ,,nimrod1 was the first iron steamship owned in ,cork4 ,she was built by ,thomas ,vernon ,son1 ,liverpool1 to ,mr4 ,pike's order in #ahdc1 and was #agg feet long1 #be feet beam1 and #af feet deep4 ,her tonnage was #ehc tons1 and she had two masts1 a clipper bow1 and a huntsman 7,nimrod7 figurehead4 ,the ,,ajax1 a vessel of about #fjj tons1 was added in #ahde1 and the ,,preussischer ,,adler1 of #efc tons1 also built in #ahde1 was purchased by the ,company4 ,the latter steamer was designed as an armed yacht for the late ,king of ,prussia4 ,she was built at ,liverpool1 and cost #cb1jjj4 ,she was a broad-beamed paddle-boat1 having a beam of #bh feet1 her length being #ahe feet1 and her depth #ag feet4 ,she was rigged as a two masted schooner1 with a cutwater1 an eagle figurehead4 ,the ,company1 after purchase1 added to her length1 and for this purpose placed her in the ,rushbrook ,dry ,dock1 ,cork1 belonging to the ,channel ,dry ,docks and ,engineering ,co42 the ,,preussischer ,,adler being the first steamer to enter this dock4 ,as originally designed her paddle-boxes were so constructed as to be capable of being turned down over her sides1 in order that two large swivel guns which she carried on deck1 might have a free range all round4 ,she remained in the service of the ,company until #ahhd1 when she was broken up in ,london4 ,in #ahdf ,messrs4 ,r4 and ,j4 ,lecky1 of ,cork1 built a small screw steamer to the order of the ,cork ,steamship ,co4 ,she was named the ,,blarney1 and was only #aah feet long1 #ai feet broad1 and #aa feet deep4 ,notwithstanding her diminutive size1 she ran for a number of years between ,liverpool and ,havre1 and was eventually sold to a ,liverpool firm in #ahed4 ,it is noteworthy that the ,,blarney was the first cross-channel steamer built in ,cork by ,r4 ,j4 ,lecky1 and was the first screw steamer built for the ,cork ,steamship ,co4 ,the year #ahej saw the ,cork ,steamship ,co4 involved in the most serious struggle which probably ever occurred in the coasting steamship trade4 ,it began by the ,city of ,dublin ,co41 at the solicitation of the ,waterford and ,kilkenny ,railway ,co41 running opposition steamers to ,waterford4 ,the ,city of ,dublin ,co41 in addition to their ,liverpool and ,dublin ,service1 had maintained for many years a regular service of steamers between ,liverpool and ,belfast4 ,mr4 ,joseph ,malcomson 7,waterford ,steamship ,co47 was a ,director of the ,cork ,steamship ,co41 and his firm had a large financial interest in that ,company4 ,it was1 therefore1 to be expected that these two ,companies would form staunch allies in any struggle1 the more so1 when the ,city of ,dublin ,co41 in conjunction with the ,british and ,irish ,steampacket ,co41 extended the opposition to ,cork4 ,the ,cork and ,waterford ,steamship ,companies carried the war into their opponents' territory4 ,they put a steamer on the station between ,london and the ,south and ,east of ,ireland once a week1 between ,liverpool and ,belfast twice a week1 and between ,liverpool and ,dublin1 daily4 ,the ,city of ,dublin ,co4 offered to make contracts with merchants in ,cork and ,waterford1 undertaking to carry their traffic freight free for three months1 in response to which the ,waterford ,co4 threatened to place two steamers on the ,holyhead and ,dublin station in conjunction with the ,chester and ,holyhead ,railway ,co4 ,the struggle between the various companies was fiercely maintained for over twelve months1 until in ,april1 #ahea1 upon the suggestion of ,mr4 ,malcomson1 an interview took place between a ,director of the ,city of ,dublin ,steam ,packet ,co4 and himself 7as representing the ,cork and ,waterford ,companies71 at which meeting the companies concerned arrived at an amicable basis of settlement4 ,in this settlement the ,city of ,dublin ,co4 agreed to transfer their ,liverpool and ,belfast service to the ,cork ,steamship ,co4 ,this arrangement held good until #ahed4 ,on the #adth ,january of the year named a deputation from the ,cork and ,belfast ,companies met in ,dublin4 ,there were present1 ,mr4 ,pike 7,managing ,director7 and ,mr4 ,glover 7,secretary71 of the ,cork ,steamship ,co42 ,mr4 ,w4 ,r4 ,s4 ,lepper 7,chairman7 and ,mr4 ,valentine1 of the ,belfast ,co4 ,the meeting was conducted in a most friendly manner1 and it was arranged that the ,,telegraph 7,belfast ,co4's steamer7 should be at once withdrawn from the ,liverpool and ,cork service1 and the ,,minerva 7,cork ,co4's steamer7 from the ,liverpool and ,belfast service4 ,the year #ahed witnessed a great stream of emigrants from ,cork4 ,according to a paragraph in the 8,cork ,constitution0 of that date3-- 8,on ,saturday1 #ast ,april1 the ,,minerva left with #dfg adult emigrants1 #gi children1 and #h infants1 besides other passengers4 ,the vessel was so crowded she had to leave #bjj passengers behind4 ,the ,,nimrod leaves every ,wednesday1 and is freighted with emigrants to a similar extent4 ,this continual stream of emigrants has been going on for a considerable time40 ,while the war cloud was gathering over ,europe1 which in bursting produced the ,crimean ,war1 the ,cork ,steamship ,co4 had on the stocks a steamer1 afterwards named the ,,cormorant4 ,in the equipment of this steamer a novel feature had been introduced1 viz41 iron masts4 ,these masts1 of which she carried three1 were exceptionally tall and graceful1 and so well buckled that not a joint was visible4 ,the whole appearance of the vessel was so smart that she excited general admiration1 and was selected by the ,government as a transport4 ,while she was lying at ,portsmouth1 after the embarkation of the #acth ,lancers for the seat of war1 ,her 7late7 ,majesty ,queen ,victoria1 accompanied by the ,prince ,consort1 came on board to inspect her before sailing4 ,after inspecting the troopers' quarters1 and admiring some of their horses1 ,her ,majesty discovered that the ship's masts were not wood but iron4 ,she was so impressed with their graceful appearance that she gave instructions for full particulars of them to be taken by the ,dockyard officials4 ,two other steamers of the ,company--the ,,dodo 7nicknamed the rolling ,dodo7 and the ,,albatross--were also engaged by the ,government as transports4 ,at the ,crimea1 as well as at home1 the ,,cormorant's masts excited great interest4 ,one day a ,turkish ,admiral came on board1 and a quartermaster was told off to show the distinguished visitor round the ship4 ,the ,admiral came to the mainmast1 examined it1 tapped it1 and turning to his attendant1 said3-- 8,i-ron80 8,yes1 your ,excellency40 8,s-lid80 8,no1 you blithering fool2 it's hollow10 was the reply1 except that the adjective used was more forcible than the one we have given4 ,amongst the vessels which were at the ,crimea at this time was an ,american schooner1 the captain of which was very proud of his craft1 and was continually boasting of her beauty and of the lofty masts she carried4 ,he 8challenged creation to find her ditto40 ,one day when he was boasting in his usual strain1 ,captain ,byrne1 who was present1 said quietly1 8,what might the height of your masts be1 captain80 8,every inch of #ij feet1 ,i guess10 replied the ,american4 8,well10 said ,captain ,byrne1 8,i can show you a ship with taller masts than that40 8,where80 8,in this harbour1 on my ship40 ,to settle the dispute the two captains proceeded to the ,,cormorant4 ,now it must be confessed that the ,,cormorant's masts had not been scraped for some time1 and were so streaked with paint and grease that they might easily be mistaken for pine4 ,the ,american captain came to the foot of the mainmast and looked up4 8,great ,csar6 ,what height do you call that80 8#abj feet10 replied ,captain ,byrne4 8,is it all one piece80 asked the other4 8,there's not a splice in it from heel to truck10 was the reply4 8,i calculate that timber was raised in ,oregon10 said the ,american4 8,no1 it was not40 8,well1 do tell1 where did it grow80 8,that1 sir10 quoth ,captain ,byrne1 8was raised in ,cork40 ,a collision occurred on the #ajth ,july1 #ahff1 resulting in the total loss of ,h4,m4,s4 ,,amazon and the ,cork steamship ,,osprey1 with a number of passengers1 chiefly ladies4 ,the ,,osprey was outward bound from ,liverpool to ,antwerp1 with a general cargo4 ,she was under the command of the late ,captain ,bertridge1 and carried a crew of #ad hands4 ,when off ,portland1 at #a o'clock in the morning1 the look-out reported a steamer approaching1 which proved to be ,h4,m4,s4 ,,amazon4 ,by a fatal error of judgment 7for which he was dismissed the service7 on the part of the officer in command1 the ,,amazon crashed into the ,,osprey4 ,while the vessels were locked together the crew of the ,cork steamer scrambled over the bows of the man-of-war1 leaving to ,captain ,bertridge the task of saving his family 7who were on board7 and passengers4 ,these he placed in one of the boats belonging to the ,,osprey1 cut the lashings1 and had barely done so when his steamer sank1 dragging the boat into the whirlpool as it sank1 and drowning all in it1 except the captain and one passenger4 ,the captain's wife had previously jumped into the sea from the boat1 and was rescued and taken on board the ,,amazon4 ,the latter vessel was so injured by the collision that she also sank about four hours later1 but all on board took to the boats and were landed at ,torquay4 ,about this period the question of the ,company's house-flag began to be agitated4 ,the ,,cormorant1 under ,captain ,croft1 was lying at ,penrose ,quay1 with her house-flag floating from the masthead4 ,a section of the ,channel ,fleet happened to be in port at the time1 and ,captain ,croft was surprised to receive a message from the ,admiral commanding1 asking why the ,,cormorant was flying his 7the ,admiral's7 flag4 ,captain ,croft replied that the flag he carried had been his ,company's house-flag for the last twenty years1 and of his ,company's predecessor for over twenty years before that4 ,to this the ,admiral very courteously replied that he personally would not interfere with the use of the flag1 but that as the ,government had adopted it as an ,admiral's flag1 it was possible that some difficulties might arise later4 ,illustration3 ,,rissa ,s4,s4 ,cork ,steamship ,company4 ,the question of the flag was next raised at ,bussorah1 in the ,persian ,gulf1 on the #gth ,november1 #ahhb4 ,the ,,dotterel had finished loading1 and was getting ready for sea1 when a message came from ,h4,m4,s4 ,,dryad1 which was in the roadstead1 asking why the ,,dotterel dared to carry the ,admiral's flag1 and stating it must be pulled down at once4 8,tell your commander10 said ,captain ,dobson1 8that that flag is my ,company's house-flag1 and that ,i will not lower it without instructions from my owners40 ,the boat went back with this message1 and ,captain ,dobson immediately sent a man aloft to grease the backstays and the masthead1 having first nailed the flag to it4 ,in a short time the boat returned with a petty officer1 whose instructions were1 if the master of the ,,dotterel did not lower the flag1 he was to send one of his men aloft to do so4 8,all right10 said ,captain ,dobson4 8,i shan't pull my flag down2 you can do what you please40 ,the officer turned to his men and gave his orders4 ,one tar after another tried to shin up the mast without success1 and after several attempts the officer had to return and report the failure of his mission1 and the ,,dotterel proceeded to sea4#bd ,the commander of the man-of-war having reported to the ,admiralty1 a correspondence ensued between that ,department of the ,government and the ,cork ,steamship ,co41 resulting in the ,company placing a blue star in the centre of the ,st4 ,george's ,cross on a white ensign1 which now constitutes the distinguishing house-flag of that ,company4 ,in #ahga the business of the ,cork ,steamship ,co4 had increased to such an extent1 it was considered desirable to separate the coasting from the foreign services1 and to form two distinct companies4 ,this was accordingly done1 the former being registered under the title of the ,city of ,cork ,steam ,packet ,co41 ,ltd41 and the latter under the style of the ,cork ,steamship ,co41 ,ltd4 ,mr4 ,ebenezer ,pike died in the year #ahhc1 and was succeeded by his son1 ,mr4 ,joseph ,pike1 of ,dunsland1 co4 ,cork1 as ,chairman and ,managing ,director of the ,company4 ,when the ,manchester ,ship ,canal was opened in #ahid1 one of the first foreign trading steamers to pass through the canal was the ,,ibis1 belonging to the ,cork ,steamship ,co4 ,the ,cork ,steamship ,co4's steamer ,,lestris was the first steamer to enter ,flushing ,docks on the #hth ,september1 #ahgc1 being locked in with the ,king of ,holland's yacht4 ,illustration3 ,mr4 ,,joseph ,,pike1 ,j4,p41 ,d4,l41 ,chairman ,cork ,steamship ,co4 ,the later years of the ,company have been unproductive of historical incidents1 perhaps not altogether to the regret of the shareholders4 ,the older steamers have been disposed of from time to time1 and replaced by modern steamers of larger tonnage and greater power4 ,instead of steamers of #ejj to #fjj tons1 the fleet at the present time 7#aijc7 consists of #af powerful vessels1 varying from #a1jjj to #b1djj tons4 ,,footnotes3 #bd ,another account which bears the stamp of authority states that ,captain ,dobson did not carry off his flag in the manner stated4 ,he lowered it under protest1 and it was carried on board the man-of-war1 but afterwards returned to the ,company1 and is now retained at the ,head ,office1 ,cork4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,the ,,cunard ,,steamship ,,company1 ,,limited4 ,it seems incredible that less than three-quarters of a century ago steamers were unknown on the ,atlantic4 ,the mail-boats of that date were wretched old ,government #aj-;gun 8coffin brigs10 slow and uncertain in their passages4 ,but there were men1 even in those days1 who dreamed of a time to come when steamers should cross the ocean with the regularity1 though not with the speed1 of railway trains4 ,amongst these enthusiasts was ,mr4 ,samuel ,cunard1 a shipowner of ,halifax1 ,nova ,scotia4 ,for years he had striven to realise his idea1 but not having sufficient capital of his own1 and not being able to induce his friends to invest in his enterprise1 he had to wait his opportunity4 ,at last the long-waited-for opportunity came1 and he seized it4 ,the ,british ,admiralty issued a circular stating that the mails would be transferred to a steam packet service1 if a satisfactory tender were sent in4 ,when this circular came into the hands of ,mr4 ,cunard he again appealed to the merchants of ,halifax and others for assistance2 and being unsuccessful in his application he came to ,britain and fortunately became acquainted with ,mr4 ,r4 ,napier4 ,mr4 ,napier introduced him to ,mr4 ,george ,burns who1 in his turn1 introduced him to ,mr4 ,david ,mac,iver1 of ,liverpool4 ,in the course of a few days1 chiefly through the influence of ,mr4 ,burns1 the requisite capital1 #bgj1jjj1 was obtained1 and soon afterwards a contract for seven years between the ,government and ,samuel ,cunard1 ,george ,burns and ,david ,mac,iver was signed1 and the ,cunard ,steamship ,co4 was launched4 ,before their arrangements were finally adjusted1 the ,admiralty re-modelled the agreement1 requiring that the service should be performed by four suitable steamers 7instead of three1 as originally stated71 and that fixed dates of sailing should be adhered to1 but in consideration of the increased services the subsidy was raised from #fj1jjj to #ha1jjj4 ,illustration3 ,r4,m4,s4 ,,campania 7,cunard ,steamship ,company7 at ,liverpool ,landing ,stage4 ,the official title of the ,company was 8,the ,british and ,north ,american ,royal ,mail ,steam ,packet ,co410 but this unwieldy title soon gave place to one of world-wide reputation1 8,the ,cunard ,line40 ,the first steamer despatched by the co-partnery was one of ,messrs4 ,burns' ,liverpool and ,glasgow steamers1 the ,,unicorn4 ,she sailed from ,liverpool for ,halifax and ,boston1 under the command of ,captain ,douglas1 on ,saturday morning1 #afth ,may1 #ahdj4 ,she carried the mails and a limited number of saloon passengers1 the passage rates being--to ,halifax #cj1 to ,boston #cc each4 ,the ,,britannia1 the pioneer steamer of the ,british and ,north ,american ,steam ,packet ,co41 was despatched on the #dth ,july1 #ahdj1 being the first of four wooden paddle-wheel steamships1 the others being the ,,acadia1 ,,caledonia and ,,columbia4 ,these vessels were uniform in size and power1 being #bjg feet long1 #cd feet #d inches broad1 and #bb feet #f inches deep4 ,their gross tonnage was #a1aed tons1 and their engines of #gdj ,i4,h4,p4 drove them at an average speed of #h knots per hour4 ,the reception given to the ,,britannia on the termination of her maiden voyage by the citizens of ,boston was most enthusiastic4 ,nor was the goodwill of the merchants confined to banquets and complimentary speeches for1 when the ,,britannia was ice-bound in ,boston ,harbour1 in ,february1 #ahdd1 they liberated her by cutting a canal through the ice1 seven miles long and #ajj feet wide4 ,illustration3 ,,europa and ,,america4 ,cunard ,steamship ,co4 ,in #ahdc the ,company added to their fleet the ,,hibernia1 and in #ahde the ,,cambria1 each of #a1jdj ,i4,h4,p4 and of #a1dbb tons gross1 with an average speed of #i knots4 ,on the expiration of the ,postal ,contract the ,government stipulated that the existing mail service should be doubled1 that the steamers of the ,company should be capable of carrying guns of the largest calibre1 and that a steamer should leave ,liverpool every ,saturday 7calling at ,holyhead if required7 for ,new ,york and ,boston alternately2 the ,boston steamer to call at ,halifax1 and the ,new ,york steamer to do so also1 if required by the ,lords ,commissioners of the ,admiralty4 ,in consideration of these augmented services the annual subsidy was increased to #agc1cdj1 at which figure it remained for twenty years 7#ahdg to #ahfg74 ,to meet the new requirements1 the ,,america1 ,,niagara1 ,,canada and ,,europa1 of #a1hbe tons1 and #b1jjj ,i4,h4,p41 with an average speed of ten and a quarter knots1 were built and added to the fleet4 ,a few years later the ,collins ,line1 heavily subsidised1 was started with the avowed object of 8sweeping the ,cunarders off the ,atlantic40 ,this opposition lasted until #aheh1 when1 having lost two ships1 and being refused any further subsidy by the ,united ,states ,government1 the ,collins ,company collapsed1 and the remaining ships were withdrawn4 ,during the continuance of this opposition the ,cunard ,company added steadily to their fleet larger and more powerful steamers4 ,the ,,asia and ,,africa were built in #ahej1 and were each #bff feet by #dj feet by #bgb feet1 of #b1bbf tons gross1 with engines of #b1djj ,i4,h4,p41 and of an average speed of #abe knots4 ,these were followed in #aheb by the ,,arabia1 the last of the wooden paddle steamers4 ,she was #bhe feet long1 #dj feet #h inches broad1 and #bi feet deep4 ,her engines indicated #c1bej ,h4,p41 and her average speed was #ac knots per hour4 ,three years later1 #ahee1 the first iron mail steamship was built for the ,cunard ,company4 ,she was named the ,,persia1 and was nearly one hundred feet longer than the largest of her predecessors4 ,her principal dimensions were--,length #cgf feet1 breadth #de feet #c inches1 depth #ca feet #f inches4 ,her gross tonnage was #d1jjj tons1 and her engines indicated #d1jjj ,h4,p41 giving a speed of #ach knots per hour4 ,in #ahec the ,company established 7primarily as auxiliaries to their ,atlantic service7 branch lines between ,liverpool and ,havre1 and ,liverpool and the principal ports in the ,mediterranean1 ,adriatic1 ,levant1 ,bosphorus1 and ,black ,sea4 ,for these branch lines the screw steamers ,,sydney1 ,,australian1 ,,andes and ,,alps were built in #aheb1 followed by the ,,jura in #ahed and the ,,etna in #ahee4 ,war having been declared against ,russia the four last-named steamers1 in addition to the ,,cambria1 ,,niagara1 ,,europa and ,,arabia1 were engaged by the ,government as troopships4 ,the ,cunard ,company had in #ahed purchased the steamer ,,emeu1 and she was immediately chartered to the ,government4 ,the ,,emeu was the first troopship to arrive out at the commencement of the ,crimean ,war1 and in the seventeen months following she conveyed upwards of #ag1jjj troops to the ,crimea4 ,a few years later 7#ahfb7 the famous ,,scotia 7the last of the paddle-wheel steamers7 was built4 ,in #ahgh she was sold to the ,telegraph ,construction ,company1 who converted her into a screw steamer4 ,the same year 7#ahfb7 the ,cunard ,company ordered their first screw steamer for the ,atlantic trade4 ,this was the ,,china ,s4,s41 now converted into a four-masted barque and named the ,,theodor4 ,she was followed in #ahfd by the ,,cuba1 in #ahfe by the ,,java1 and in #ahfg by the ,,russia1 of #b1ifj tons gross and #c1ajj ,i4,h4,p4 ,after sailing for many years under the ,cunard ,flag1 the ,,russia was sold to the 8,american ,line40 ,her new owners lengthened her1 gave her a fourth mast1 and altered her name to the ,,waesland4 ,she finally sank off ,holyhead1 after colliding with the ,s4,s4 ,,harmonides1 on the #eth ,march1 #aijb4 ,illustration3 ,,scotia4 ,cunard ,steamship ,co4 ,the ,company's ,postal ,contract having expired on the #cast ,december1 #ahfg1 a new contract was entered into with the ,postmaster-,general for one year1 whereby the ,cunard ,company undertook to despatch a steamer from ,liverpool to ,new ,york1 calling at ,queenstown1 returning from ,new ,york every ,wednesday1 also calling at ,queenstown4 ,the payment for this service was #hj1jjj1 which sum was further reduced the following year to #gj1jjj per annum for several years4 ,under the last contract1 which was for the period named1 the ,company guaranteed to sail a steamer from ,liverpool 7calling at ,queenstown7 to ,boston every ,tuesday1 in addition to the mail service from ,liverpool to ,new ,york every ,saturday4 ,the last-mentioned contract expired on the #cast ,december1 #ahgf1 on which date a new system of postal remuneration came into operation based on the amount of correspondence carried per voyage1 under which system the ,cunard ,company has carried the mails to the present time4 ,it will thus be seen that the continuity of their mail service has continued unbroken for upwards of sixty years4 ,the invention of compound engines was the latest evolution of marine engineering engaging attention in #ahfi-gj4 ,the ,directors of the ,cunard ,company quickly realised that the saving effected by the use of compound engines was so considerable1 without reduction of speed1 that their adoption was an imperative necessity4 ,this decision was arrived at too late to furnish with the new style of engines the ,,abyssinia and ,,algeria1 each of about #c1cjj tons and #b1dhj ,i4,h4,p41 just completed by ,messrs4 ,j4 ,g4 ,thomson1 and placed on the ,new ,york station2 but the ,,batavia1 then on the stocks to the order of another company1 was purchased and supplied with machinery on the new principle2 and an order was given to the same builders 7,messrs4 ,denny1 ,dumbarton7 for a similar vessel of rather larger tonnage to be named the ,,parthia4 ,a further extension of the ,company's business took place in #ahgb1 by the establishment of a direct line of steamers between the ,clyde and the ,west ,indies4 ,the ,,trinidad and the ,,demerara1 two sister ships of about #b1jjj tons each1 were built that year1 and placed on the station1 but after about twelve months' trading they were withdrawn1 and sent to supplement the ,company's service in the ,mediterranean4 ,during the succeeding six years the fleet was increased by the addition of seven large steamers1 all fitted with compound engines1 the last and largest of which was the ,,gallia1 of #d1hji tons and #e1cjj ,i4,h4,p4 ,illustration3 ,,russia4 ,cunard ,steamship ,co4 ,in #ahgh it was considered expedient to consolidate the interests of the partners by registering the ,company under the ,limited ,liability ,acts1 and a ,joint ,stock ,company was formed with a capital of #b1jjj1jjj1 of which #a1bjj1jjj was issued and taken up by the families of ,cunard1 ,burns and ,mac,iver4 ,no shares were offered to the public until #ahhj1 when a prospectus was issued intimating that 8it was now proposed to issue the balance of the capital40 ,the available shares were rapidly subscribed for1 the representatives of the three founders retaining a large financial interest in the ,company4 ,about this period steel was engaging the attention of shipbuilders as a substitute for iron4 ,the ,cunard ,directors were so convinced of the superiority of the former1 especially where speed was a desideratum1 that they ordered a steel steamship from ,messrs4 ,j4 ,g4 ,thomson1 to be larger and more powerful than any steamer previously built1 the ,,great ,,eastern alone excepted4 ,this monster vessel1 which was named the ,,servia1 was completed in #ahha4 ,her dimensions were--,length #eae feet1 breadth #eb-a_/aj feet1 depth #cg feet4 ,her gross tonnage was #g1cib4 ,her engines were compound--with seven steel boilers--and developed #aj1jjj ,i4,h4,p41 producing a speed of #ag knots per hour4 ,she was fitted in the most substantial and beautiful manner for the accommodation of #dhj cabin and #gej steerage passengers1 and embodied all the most modern appliances conducive to comfort and safety4 ,she was the first of the ,cunard ,fleet to be equipped with incandescent electric lamps4 ,the same year1 the ,,catalonia1 #d1hda tons and #c1bjj ,i4,h4,p41 was built for the ,boston service1 and two more for the same service in the following year4 ,these were the ,,pavonia1 of #e1ehg tons and #d1jjj ,i4,h4,p41 built by ,messrs4 ,j4 ,g4 ,thomson2 and the ,,cephalonia1 #e1eag tons and #d1jjj ,i4,h4,p41 by ,messrs4 ,laird ,brothers1 ,birkenhead4 ,a second steel steamship was built in #ahhc for the ,new ,york ,mail ,service4 ,this was the ,,aurania1 built by ,messrs4 ,j4 ,g4 ,thomson1 and her dimensions are #dgj feet by #eg-b_/aj feet by #cg-b_/aj feet4 ,her tonnage is #g1bfi1 and she is fitted with compound engines of #i1ejj ,i4,h4,p41 and attaining a speed of #ag knots per hour4 ,she was taken up by the ,government as a transport in ,october1 #ahii1 and so valuable did she prove for this service that she was retained until the early part of #aijc4 ,in #ahhd the ,directors purchased the celebrated iron steamship ,,oregon1 built by ,messrs4 ,john ,elder ,co4 ,she was #eja feet by #ed-b_/aj feet by #ch feet1 and of #g1cge tons and #ac1ejj ,i4,h4,p42 speed #ah knots per hour4 ,on her first and second voyage she did not distinguish herself1 but on her third voyage she made the passage from ,queenstown to ,new ,york in #f days #aj hours #i minutes1 thereby excelling all previous records1 and earning for herself the title of 8,the ,greyhound of the ,atlantic40 ,towards the close of #ahhd the ,,umbria--the first of two steel steamships ordered from ,messrs4 ,elder--was delivered1 and she was followed early in #ahhe by her sister ship the ,,etruria4 ,the following description of the ,,etruria applies also to the ,,umbria3 ,length #eja-f_/aj feet by #eg-b_/aj feet by #ch-b_/aj feet2 gross tonnage #g1gah tons4 ,the promenade deck1 which extends over the full breadth of the ship for nearly #cjj feet amidships1 is reserved for the sole use of the first-class passengers4 ,the vessel easily accommodates #eej first-class passengers and #hjj third-class4 ,the state rooms are replete with all the fittings usual in first-class vessels of the most modern type1 and a number of them are arranged en suite for family use4 ,the hull is divided into ten watertight compartments1 and most of the bulkheads are carried to the upper deck1 while they are fitted with waterproof and fireproof doors1 which afford access to all parts of the ship4 ,the engines indicate #ad1ejj ,h4,p41 and are compound1 having three inverted cylinders--one high-pressure #ga in4 in diameter and two low-pressure1 each #aje in4 in diameter4 ,the average speed of both steamers may be set down at #ah knots per hour4 ,the fastest passage of the ,,etruria was when she established a new record by making the passage from ,queenstown to ,new ,york in #e days #bj hours #ee minutes1 the ,,umbria's best record being #e days #bb hours #g minutes4 ,the next important addition to the fleet was the ,,campania1 launched from the yard of the ,fairfield ,shipbuilding ,co41 ,govan1 on the #hth ,september1 #ahib4 ,five months later--,february1 #ahic--there was launched from the same yard her sister ship the ,,lucania4 ,from the official description of the ,,campania1 it appears that her length over all is #fbj feet1 extreme breadth #fe feet #c inches1 depth from upper deck #dc feet1 gross tonnage #ab1iej tons4 ,the bulkheads are sixteen in number1 and they will enable the vessel to float with any two1 or in some cases three1 of the compartments open to the sea4 ,although fitted with twin screws1 there is an aperture in the stern frame similar to that in a single screw steamer4 ,this is provided that the propellers may work freely1 though they are fitted close to the centre line of the ship1 in order to prevent damage to or from the quay walls4 ,in the accommodation for passengers all the latest improvements are to be found1 and everything calculated to render ocean travelling more comfortable and enjoyable is introduced4 ,the grand saloon1 drawing room1 library and smoking rooms are noble in their proportions1 and suggest the stately chambers of a palace rather than accommodation within the steel walls of a ship4 ,it is worthy of special notice that comfort has been studied in every detail1 and perhaps nothing exemplifies this more than the fact that in all the principal rooms there are coal fire-grates1 the first that have ever been used on board ship4 ,there are four sets of generating plant1 capable of supplying throughout the ship #a1cej #af-;candle power incandescent electric light1 and in addition a powerful searchlight1 for facilitating the navigation into port1 c4 ,wire to the length of #dj miles runs through the ship4 ,the grand saloon is a magnificent hall in the modified ,italian style1 #ajj feet long by #fc feet broad1 with seats at table for #dcj passengers4 ,in the centre1 a great crystal dome rises through the two decks above to a height of #cc feet4 ,illustration3 ,r4,m4,s4 ,,etruria4 ,cunard ,steamship ,company4 ,three classes of passengers are carried by the ,,campania1 viz41 first1 second and third class2 and roughly speaking there is accommodation for about #a1djj passengers and #djj crew4 ,while the hulls of both vessels are almost unrivalled in size and in the accommodation they afford1 the machinery by which they are propelled is almost unique in magnitude and skill in construction4 ,the two sets of triple-expansion engines in each ship develop the enormous amount of #cj1jjj ,i4,h4,p4 ,the funnels of the ,,campania and ,,lucania from their lowest section are #abj feet high1 or about the height of the ,eddystone ,lighthouse1 and their diameter #bj feet4 ,the ,,campania has maintained an average speed for twelve months1 on her eastward runs1 of #bahh knots per hour1 while the ,,lucania for the same period shows an average speed of #bbja knots4 ,the ,mediterranean service has within the last few years been greatly improved by the addition of four new steel steamships1 each of about #c1jjj tons burthen4 ,these are the ,,pavia 7#ahig71 ,,tyria 7#ahig71 ,,cypria 7#ahih7 and ,,veria 7#ahii74 ,the ,boston service also comprises the following modern steel twin-screw steamships3--,,ivernia and ,,saxonia1 built in #aijj1 the ,,ultonia in #ahih1 and the ,,sylvania in #ahie4 ,the ,,ivernia and ,,saxonia are practically alike1 and call for some special notice4 ,they are the largest ships carrying passengers and cargo to ,boston4 ,the principal dimensions of the ships are--,length #fjj feet1 beam #fd feet #c inches and depth #da feet #f inches4 ,the gross tonnage is #ad1jbg tons1 measurement capacity #bj1jjj tons1 while the displacement is no less than #be1jjj tons4 ,in their ordinary work across the ,atlantic they carry #bjj first1 #bbj second1 and about #a1ijj third-class passengers4 ,if engaged in trooping1 each ship could carry #bjj officers and #c1ejj men1 together with #aj1jjj tons of stores4 ,the features of the ships1 next to their huge size1 are the spaciousness and comfort of their passenger accommodation and their steadiness1 which is most remarkable1 and which makes sea sickness almost impossible4 ,aerial telegraphy is in regular operation on board these two vessels4 ,the ,cunard was the first steamship company to systematically adopt this latest development of electrical science4 ,it was in the ,,lucania that ,mr4 ,marconi's system was first set up1 and so pleased were the ,directors with the results that they at once decided to adopt the invention in their other steamers1 the ,,campania1 ,,lucania1 ,,etruria1 ,,umbria1 ,,carpathia1 ,,aurania1 ,,ivernia and ,,saxonia all being now thus equipped4 ,illustration3 ,r4,m4,s4 ,,lucania4 ,cunard ,steamship ,co4 ,in ,october1 #aijc1 the ,,lucania was the medium selected by the inventor for further experiments in wireless telegraphy1 and on the voyage from ,new ,york to ,liverpool completed on ,october #ajth1 ,signor ,marconi successfully accomplished a wonderful feat1 and a newspaper with real news fresh from the ,marconi stations at ,cape ,breton1 ,nova ,scotia1 and ,poldhu1 ,cornwall1 was published every day4 ,messages were transmitted over a distance of #b1jjj miles as accurately as over the same number of feet or yards1 so that passengers on board the ,,lucania had their printed newspaper1 the 8,cunard ,bulletin10 every day of the voyage1 containing the most interesting events on both continents4 ,just before arrival in ,liverpool a larger edition of the 8,cunard ,bulletin10 a weekly issue1 was printed giving an epitome of the news recorded in the six daily publications during the voyage1 and marking a fresh era in oceanic journalism4 ,the ,,carpathia1 the latest addition to the ,cunard fleet1 represents a new departure in ,atlantic trade1 being designed exclusively for second and third-class passengers1 all of whom are accommodated in rooms containing two and four berths4 ,the dimensions of the ,,carpathia are--,length #efj feet1 breadth #fd feet #c inches1 depth #dj feet #f inches1 and the gross tonnage is #ac1eee tons4 ,she started on her maiden voyage ,may #eth1 #aijc1 and being built on similar lines to the ,,ivernia and ,,saxonia shares their reputation for remarkable steadiness at sea even in the stormiest weather4 ,a recent item of interest in connection with this famous company is the agreement made in ,august1 #aijc1 with the ,british ,government1 by which the ,cunard ,company are to build two new steamers of an average speed of not less than #bd knots1 which1 along with all other ,cunard ships1 are to be at the disposal of the ,admiralty for hire or purchase whenever they may be required4 ,to help them in this undertaking1 such fast ships being unprofitable for commercial purposes1 the ,government lend the ,company #b1fjj1jjj to build the ships1 and grant them a subsidy of #aej1jjj a year4 ,in ,october1 #aijc1 the ,cunard ,company started a new ,winter ,passenger ,service from ,new ,york to the ,mediterranean ports1 calling at ,gibraltar1 ,algiers1 ,naples1 ,palermo1 ,venice1 ,trieste and ,fiume4 ,the ,,aurania and ,,carpathia1 carrying only two classes of passengers1 were chosen for this new service1 which opens up a round of most interesting travel to the great travelling public of moderate means4 ,passengers by these steamers may land at any of the ports named and visit at leisure places of interest in ,spain1 ,france1 ,italy1 ,germany1 ,sicily1 ,austria or ,hungary1 continuing their journey overland to ,england to return to ,new ,york by ,cunard steamer from ,liverpool2 or1 if they prefer to do so1 they may remain in the ship all the time and return in her to ,new ,york2 or1 as a third course1 they may make a stay in any of the countries named and rejoin a subsequent ,cunard ,mediterranean ship at any of her calling ports4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,houston ,,line4 ,this well-known line of steamers was established about a quarter of a century ago by the present senior partner of the firm1 ,mr4 ,r4 ,p4 ,houston1 ,member of ,parliament for the ,toxteth ,division of ,liverpool4 ,like many other undertakings which have grown to gigantic dimensions from small beginnings1 this firm started in a modest manner with one small steamer4 ,this was the steamer ,,athlete1 followed in the year #ahha by a larger steamer1 the ,,hercules1 built by the ,whitehaven ,ship ,building ,co41 and engined by ,messrs4 ,j4 ,jones ,sons1 of ,liverpool4 ,she was a vessel of #gdb tons net register1 and #a1aee tons gross register1 her principal dimensions being1 length #bab feet1 beam #cd feet and depth #af feet #f inches4 ,her engines1 which were of #aej nominal horse-power1 were compound4 ,these two vessels were not engaged in any regular trade1 but ran wherever profitable freights could be obtained1 and chiefly to ,java and ,eastern ports4 ,becoming too small for ,messrs4 ,houston's requirements1 they were sold4 ,all the succeeding vessels of the fleet1 of which there have been a great many1 have been named after ,greek mythological deities or ,roman celebrities1 each name beginning with the letter 8,h40 ,although already very busily engaged with large contracts for the conveyance of material to the ,panama ,canal ,co41 and the ,west ,african ,co41 ,mr4 ,houston1 believing there was ample room for a new line of steamers to the ,river ,plate from ,liverpool1 decided to enter upon that trade in the year #ahhd4 ,new steamers were designed and built specially for this trade1 and so energetically and successfully was the trade worked that1 although severe opposition was encountered at first from the existing lines1 in a short time not only were ,messrs4 ,houston's steamers fully occupied1 but many steamers had to be chartered to meet the rapidly increasing traffic1 since which time the ,houston ,line has assumed very large proportions4 ,illustration3 ,,hydaspes ,s4,s4 ,houston ,line4 ,the first steamer engaged in this trade was the ,,hermes1 built on the ,clyde in #ahhb1 and engined by ,messrs4 ,j4 ,jones and ,son1 ,liverpool4 ,she was a much larger vessel than the ,,hercules1 her gross register being #b1age tons1 and her principal dimensions #bij feet in length by #dj feet beam and #bb feet depth4 ,after a short interval more steamers1 each of about #b1jjj tons gross1 were added to the fleet in #ahhd4 ,these were the ,,hellenes1 built by ,richardson1 ,duck ,co41 and engined by ,g4 ,clark1 of ,sunderland--length #bgj feet1 beam #dj feet1 and depth #ah feet #g inches2 and the ,,hesperides1 built by ,r4 ,j4 ,evans ,co41 and engined by ,george ,forrester ,co41 ,liverpool--length #bhf feet1 beam #ch feet1 and depth #bd feet4 ,the following year 7#ahhe7 a larger boat than any yet built for the firm was added to the fleet4 ,this was the ,,heliades1 built by ,richardson1 ,duck ,co41 ,stockton4 ,she was #cbj feet long1 and of proportionate beam and depth4 ,her gross register was about #c1jjj tons1 and she was fitted with triple-expansion engines by ,t4 ,richardson ,co41 of ,west ,hartlepool1 with which class of engines all the succeeding steamers have been fitted4 ,a sister ship1 but having more powerful engines1 the ,,heraclides was launched for the firm in ,july1 #ahhf4 ,she was followed in #ahhi by the ,,hippomenes1 built at ,belfast by ,workman1 ,clark ,co41 and the ,,hydarnes and the ,,hellopes1 built at ,port ,glasgow by ,j4 ,reid ,co4 ,these steamers1 like their immediate predecessors1 were each of about #c1jjj tons gross register1 and were all practically of the same dimensions4 ,the whole of these four steamers are fitted with refrigerators for the carriage of frozen meat from the ,river ,plate4 ,mr4 ,alfred ,s4 ,collard1 a gentleman with a large and varied experience in the ,river ,plate trade1 and one thoroughly conversant with the working and requirements of an important steamship line1 joined ,mr4 ,houston as partner in #ahic4 ,during the closing years of the last and beginning of the present century the quantity of railway rolling stock and plant for shipment to the ,river ,plate was so great that it was not an uncommon event for the ,brunswick ,station of the ,cheshire ,lines ,railway to be almost entirely blocked with wagons of railway material consigned for shipment by the ,houston ,line4 ,so large were some of these packages1 they could only be brought through from the manufacturers on ,sunday1 it being impossible to convey them on the railway while the ordinary traffic was being carried on4 ,in #ahih ,messrs4 ,russell ,co41 of ,port ,glasgow1 built two sister ships of over #c1ejj tons gross register for ,messrs4 ,houston4 ,these were the ,,herminius and the ,,horatius4 ,the year #ahii was an important one in the firm's history4 ,in that year the trade between ,new ,york and the ,river ,plate was entered1 and since that time a regular service has been maintained1 the pioneer steamer being the ,,hermes 7the second of that name74 ,she was a steel built steamer of #c1djj tons gross1 driven by triple expansion engines of about #b1ejj horse-power effective4 ,she was launched at ,sunderland in ,january1 #ahii1 and is of the following dimensions3--,length #cej feet #b inches1 beam #dg feet1 depth #ag feet4 ,she was the first of a fleet of seven similar vessels which were launched to the order of the firm during the course of that year1 the others being the ,,honorius1 ,,hortensius1 ,,hyades1 ,,hydaspes1 ,,hylas1 and the ,,hyanthes4 ,the following year1 the last of the #aith century1 saw one more steamer1 the ,,hostilius1 added to the ,line4 ,frequent as were the additions to the ,houston ,fleet1 they were not sufficient to keep pace with the expanding trade1 which increased so rapidly that many outside steamers had to be chartered4 ,when ex-,president ,kruger sent his fateful ultimatum to the ,british ,government1 which resulted in the ,south ,african ,war1 ,messrs4 ,houston ,co4 were amongst the first to offer their steamers to the ,admiralty for the conveyance of troops1 horses1 mules1 fodder1 c4 ,it was of the greatest importance that ships should be fitted up for the transit of troops and animals for transport purposes as quickly as possible1 and this was carried out by the ,houston ,line with eminent satisfaction to ,h4,m4 ,government4 ,the principals and the staff worked night and day1 and spared no efforts in despatching quickly the men1 horses and stores so urgently required at the seat of war4 ,large numbers of horses1 mules and stores were carried by the ,houston steamers from the ,united ,kingdom1 the ,continent and the ,united ,states to the various ,south ,african ports with a gratifying immunity from loss4 ,it may be stated here that the senior partner of the firm is an expert engineer1 and that all the steamers built for his firm1 and which have been so remarkably successful1 have been built from specifications and designs drawn up by him4 ,as has been stated1 many of the steamers are fitted with refrigerating machinery for the conveyance of frozen meat1 and are regularly employed in this trade4 ,these steamers are favourably known for the excellent condition in which they deliver their cargoes1 and in order that the live stock should be landed in the very best possible condition1 the steamers were fitted up with permanent cattle fittings1 and made in every way suitable for successfully carrying live stock4 ,the ,houston ,line ,river ,plate steamers take cargo from ,glasgow1 ,liverpool and ,new ,york for ,monte ,video1 ,buenos ,ayres1 ,rosario1 c41 without transhipment1 which is a very important matter in the opinion of shippers4 ,it is a matter of common knowledge that a very serious fight is being waged 7#aijc7 in the ,south ,african shipping trade1 owing to the entrance therein of the ,houston ,line4 ,in ,july1 #aijb1 sailings from ,glasgow1 ,middlesbrough1 ,bristol1 ,liverpool and ,london 7as well as from ,new ,york7 to ,cape ,town1 ,algoa ,bay1 ,east ,london1 ,durban and ,delagoa ,bay were announced by the ,messrs4 ,houston4 ,the ,steamship ,lines then engaged in the trade had formed a ,conference or 8ring40 ,the members of this 8ring0 are the ,union-,castle ,line1 the ,clan ,line1 the ,bucknall ,line1 the ,harrison-,ellerman ,line1 ,j4 ,t4 ,rennie ,co41 and ,bullard1 ,king ,co41 forming the strongest shipping ring ever known4 ,it is this shipping 8ring0 that the ,houston ,line is opposing4 ,great public interest in the struggle has been excited by the many angry and strongly worded letters from shippers which have been published from time to time in the current ,press regarding the modus operandi of the 8ring40 ,tactics of such a character have been adopted by the 8ring0 as will1 we understand1 form a subject of an action in the ,courts of ,law1 as they have already provoked discussion and protest in various ,chambers of ,commerce1 and have even been discussed in the ,house of ,commons4 ,from present appearances the ,houston ,line is growing steadily in favour of shippers to the ,cape ports1 and having now been in the trade for over twelve months it must have secured a firm foothold4 ,certainly shippers and merchants generally welcome and support this 8,line0 as having a beneficial influence upon the trade between this country and our ,south ,african ,colonies4 ,the latest built and largest steamers of the fleet are engaged in the ,cape service4 ,amongst them are ,,hyacinthus1 ,,halizones1 ,,hydaspes and ,,hypatia1 with an average dead weight carrying capacity of about #i1jjj tons each4 ,we understand several large carrying steamers are in course of construction for the firm4 ,as showing the great increase in the size of the firm's vessels1 it may be interesting to compare the dimensions of one of the earliest and of one of the latest built ships4 ,the ,,hercules was #bab feet long1 #cd feet broad and #af feet #f inches deep4 ,the ,,hypatia is #deb feet long1 #eb feet #b inches broad1 and #bh feet #c inches deep4 ,the gross registered tonnage of the former was #a1aee tons1 while that of the latter is over #e1fjj tons4 ,the growth of the ,houston ,line has been a remarkably rapid one1 and shows what ability and energy combined can do4 ,the fleet now consists of #be steamers of a gross registered tonnage of over #ij1jjj tons1 and with a dead weight carrying capacity of over #acj1jjj tons4 ,,houston ,,line ,,steamers4 ,,halizones4 ,,harmodius4 ,,harmonides4 ,,heliades4 ,,helios4 ,,hellenes4 ,,hellopes4 ,,heraclides4 ,,herminius4 ,,hermione4 ,,hesione4 ,,hesperides4 ,,hilarius4 ,,hippomenes4 ,,honorius4 ,,horatius4 ,,hortensius4 ,,hostilius4 ,,hyacinthus4 ,,hyades4 ,,hyanthes4 ,,hydaspes4 ,,hylas4 ,,hypatia4 ,,hyperia4 ,illustration3 ,lighthouse ,illustration3 ,,oswestry ,,grange4 ,houlder ,bros4 ,co4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,houlder ,,line4 ,the ,company was founded by the late ,mr4 ,edwin ,savory ,houlder in ,london in #ahdi1 and he was subsequently joined by his brothers ,messrs4 ,alfred and ,augustus ,houlder4 ,at first the business was confined to sailing-ships1 a fleet of ,clipper ,packets sailing under the firm's flag between the home ports and ,australia being established4 ,as the business increased1 the firm became in turn interested in the ,south ,african and ,south ,american ,trades1 the development of their steam fleet receiving a large amount of attention1 until1 at the present time1 it includes some of the largest and most successful frozen meat carriers afloat4 ,the principal services now maintained are between the ,united ,kingdom and ,south ,america1 between ,south ,america and the ,cape ports1 between ,australia and ,new ,zealand and the ,cape ports1 and from ,new ,york to ,australia and ,new ,zealand1 although many other trades of the world claim the ,company's attention and for these trades a large amount of tonnage is chartered annually4 ,the ,headquarters are in ,london1 with ,branches at ,liverpool1 ,glasgow1 ,sydney1 ,n4,s4,w41 ,cape ,town and ,buenos ,aires2 also sub-offices at ,rosario and ,la ,plata4 ,with one exception1 the steamers of the ,fleet are distinguished by the affix ,,grange4 ,the first were the ,,hornby ,,grange 7#c1gej tons burthen7 and ,,ovingdean ,,grange 7#c1ebj tons burthen71 launched in the opening months of #ahij1 both vessels being insulated throughout for carrying frozen meat1 as are all the other steamers of the ,line4 ,they were followed in #ahid by the ,,urmston ,,grange1 designed to carry #e1dbj tons4 ,in #ahif two important additions were made in the shape of the steamers ,,langton ,,grange and ,,denton ,,grange1 each having a deadweight capacity of #i1bjj tons1 and like the earlier steamers insulated in the most efficient manner for carrying frozen meat4 ,in the meantime two more steamers were acquired1 the ,,elstree ,,grange and the ,,southern ,,cross1 the latter being placed in the ,australian trade in company with the ,,langton ,,grange and ,,denton ,,grange1 whilst the former was taken into the ,river ,plate service which had grown to such an extent as to justify the addition of two further vessels1 larger and faster than any of the earlier ships in the trade4 ,these were the ,,royston ,,grange and ,,beacon ,,grange1 each #f1djj tons burthen1 and capable of making the passage between ,england and the ,river ,plate in twenty-two or twenty-three days4 ,illustration3 ,,beacon ,,grange4 ,houlder ,bros4 ,co4 ,for the ,australian trade the ,,rippingham ,,grange1 a sister ship to the ,,langton ,,grange1 was added in #ahih4 ,at this juncture1 the various steamers comprising the fleet were amalgamated into one ,company under the name of the ,houlder ,line1 ,limited1 this step being taken in order to consolidate the business generally1 and to ensure more systematic and economical working4 ,previous to this1 however1 the firm of ,houlder ,bros4 ,co4 was converted into a ,limited ,company1 the partners in the old firm becoming ,managing ,directors of the new ,company1 ,mr4 ,edwin ,savory ,houlder acting as ,chairman until his death in #aija4 ,to return to our description of the fleet4 ,to replace the ,,denton ,,grange 7unfortunately lost at ,las ,palmas7 the ,company contracted for the ,,drayton ,,grange1 a fine four-masted1 twin-screw steamer of #aj1jjj tons burthen1 launched in ,december1 #aija1 and also for a sister ship1 the ,,oswestry ,,grange1 launched a few months later4 ,both of these steamers1 and1 in fact1 the other large vessels of the fleet1 did excellent service during the ,south ,african ,war4 ,illustration3 ,,hornby ,,grange4 ,houlder ,bros4 ,co4 ,the fleet1 at the present time1 consists of fourteen steamers1 three boats having been added since the launch of the ,,oswestry ,,grange1 as the following list will show3-- ,,tons ,,burthen4 ,hornby ,grange #c1gej ,ovingdean ,grange #c1ebj ,urmston ,grange #e1dbj ,langton ,grange #i1bjj 99,drayton ,grange #aj1jjj ,elstree ,grange #f1jjj ,royston ,grange #f1djj ,beacon ,grange #f1djj ,rippingham ,grange #i1bjj 99,oswestry ,grange #aj1jjj ,thorpe ,grange #f1cej ,haversham ,grange #aa1bjj 99,everton ,grange #aa1jjj ,southern ,cross #g1cjj 99 ,twin screw4 giving a total of #aje1gdj tons4 ,it is interesting to compare the smallest vessel1 the ,,ovingdean ,,grange1 with the largest and most recent1 the ,,everton ,,grange1 the difference being not only in the increased size but also in the great improvements in the propelling machinery1 refrigerating machinery1 passenger accommodation1 appliances for handling cargo and other points too numerous to mention in detail3-- ,,length4 ,,beam4 ,,depth4 ,,tons4 ,,ovingdean ,,grange #cji ft4 #dj ft4 #ba ft4 #d in4 #c1ebj ,,everton ,,grange #dij ft4 #ef ft4 #ce ft4 #f in4 #aa1jjj ,special provision has been made for the ,company's passenger service1 the boats being provided with every requisite to make a long sea voyage as comfortable as possible4 ,illustration3 ,new ,brighton ,lighthouse ,river ,mersey ,illustration3 ,,rose ,s4,s4 #acfc ,tons4 ,messrs4 ,alex4 ,a4 ,laird ,co4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,laird ,,line4 ,,the ,,glasgow1 ,,dublin1 ,,and ,,londonderry ,,steam ,,packet ,,co41 ,,ltd4 ,this important company1 which claims 7on very strong evidence7 to be the oldest steamship company in the world1 was originated in #ahad--two years after the launch of ,bell's ,,comet--by ,mr4 ,lewis ,mac,lellan and others4 ,its history is a most varied one1 the several firms of ,alex4 ,a4 ,laird ,sons1 ,thos4 ,cameron ,co41 and ,mac,connell ,laird1 having become unified during its existence of nearly a century into the one large concern known throughout the kingdom as the 8,laird ,line40 ,it has been the great pioneer of the steamship trade of the ,clyde1 not merely by reason of its long standing1 but also because of the varied and extensive sphere of its operations4 ,the first steamer owned by the founder of the company was the ,,britannia1 a small paddle-wheel steampacket1 built1 like all the vessels of her time1 of wood4 ,the second steampacket was the ,,waterloo1 built in #ahaf4 ,a reference is made to both these steamers in the sixth chapter of the first part of this volume4 ,they plied between the ,bromielaw 7,glasgow7 and ,greenock1 ,gourock1 ,rothesay1 ,tarbert1 ,lochgilphead1 and ,inverary4 ,even in these early days of steam navigation1 it was the avowed policy of the manager of these steampackets to make all things subordinate to safety1 and1 in accordance with this policy1 the masters of the steamers were instructed 8not to contend with other boats so as to endanger the vessels1 or alarm the passengers10 ,this sound policy1 which has been continued by ,mr4 ,mac,lellan's successors to the present day1 has1 in large measure1 contributed to the popularity and success of the firm4 ,it is interesting to note that over eighty years ago passenger season tickets were in force on the steampackets of this company4 ,those who are desirous of verifying this statement can do so by referring to the 8,glasgow ,chronicle0 of the #bcrd ,may1 #ahaf1 in which they will find the following advertisement3-- 8,the steampackets1 ,,britannia and ,,waterloo1 sail regularly from the ,bromielaw to all the watering-places on both sides of the ,clyde4 ,families wishing to agree for the season will learn the terms by applying to the masters on board1 or to ,mr4 ,lewis ,mac,lellan1 ,gallowgate40 ,the ,,britannia1 in the year referred to1 opened up for the first time1 steam communication between ,glasgow and ,campbeltown1 and in the early summer of #ahbj1 she made her first trip from ,glasgow to the ,giant's ,causeway4 ,she was commanded on that voyage by ,captain ,wyse1 whose death in #ahea was the occasion of the following paragraph1 which appeared in the 8,glasgow ,chronicle03-- 8,captain ,wyse 7whose decease we announce7 was the first to carry his steamer1 the ,,britannia1 on a pleasure trip from the ,clyde to the ,giant's ,causeway1 with an illustrious and distinguished party4 ,the astonished inhabitants in thousands crowded the hills and promontories1 all along the shores of ,antrim1 to see a ship with a smoking funnel1 and a band of music on board1 sailing against wind and tide4 ,out of this pleasure trip sprung up the present lucrative trade between the ports of the ,clyde and the ,north of ,ireland1 from which great advantages have unquestionably arisen to the inhabitants of both kingdoms40 ,as time advanced1 the river traffic was discontinued by the ,company1 and the cross-channel trade developed4 ,after running excursions to the ,giant's ,causeway for two seasons1 the ,,britannia was placed on the ,glasgow and ,londonderry station1 sailing from each port once a week4 ,mr4 ,alex4 ,a4 ,laird 7after whom the line is named7 was a well-known shipbroker in ,greenock at the beginning of the last century1 and when the famous ,st4 ,george ,steam ,packet ,company commenced operations in #ahbb1 the first steamship service it established was between ,liverpool and ,greenock1 and ,mr4 ,laird was appointed agent for the ,company at the latter port4 ,the ,st4 ,george ,company did not continue for any length of time its direct service between the ,clyde and the ,mersey1 but in the following year 7#ahbc7 a new steam packet company was formed1 to trade only between ,liverpool1 ,greenock and ,glasgow1 calling at ,douglas 7,isle of ,man7 and ,portpatrick4 ,mr4 ,laird was the manager of the new company1 and opened a branch office at #be1 ,york ,street1 ,glasgow1 under the style of ,alex4 ,laird ,co4 ,the pioneer steamer of the new service was the ,,henry ,,bell1 built by ,mr4 ,thomas ,wilson1 a celebrated ,liverpool shipbuilder1 in #ahbc4 ,she was considered a very smart craft in those days1 was fitted with two engines of #cj horse power each1 and carried about #abj tons all told1 on a draft of about #h feet4 ,she continued on the ,glasgow and ,liverpool station until #ahca1 when she was purchased by ,messrs4 ,james ,little ,co41 for their ,glasgow and ,newry trade4 ,the original intention of the proprietors was that the ,,henry ,,bell should sail to and from ,glasgow1 but it was found there was not sufficient water in the ,clyde to enable this to be done with regularity1 and ,greenock was1 consequently1 made the port of arrival and departure4 ,the deck fare by this steamer was #fs4 per passenger1 the steerage fare by the mail packets 7,,majestic and ,,city ,,of ,,glasgow7 being #bas4 ,the late ,mr4 ,alex4 ,a4 ,laird commenced his apprenticeship under his father in #ahbd1 and the same year a second vessel1 the ,,james ,,watt1 was placed on the ,glasgow and ,liverpool station4 ,she was slightly larger1 and had engines of greater power than the ,,henry ,,bell4 ,the following year ,messrs4 ,laird established a fortnightly service between ,glasgow and ,inverness2 the steampacket employed was the ,,stirling1 which made her first voyage on the #aath ,may1 #ahbe1 and continued to sail thereafter on alternate ,wednesdays from ,glasgow and ,inverness4 ,fortnightly sailings proving insufficient for the traffic1 the sailings were increased to weekly on and from the #bjth ,september1 #ahbf4 ,during this year the ,,william ,,huskisson was added to the ,liverpool and ,glasgow service1 and sailings were maintained three times per week from each port4 ,the ,,william ,,huskisson was a very much larger vessel than either of her predecessors1 her deadweight capacity being #cej tons1 and her engines #abj horse power4 ,illustration3 ,the late ,mr4 ,,alex4 ,a4 ,,laird4 ,for the ,campbeltown and ,londonderry trade the steampackets ,,clydesdale and ,,londonderry were built1 and were advertised to sail from ,glasgow to both ports1 with goods and passengers1 every ,tuesday1 ,thursday and ,saturday4 ,in addition to these sailings1 the ,,maid ,,of ,,islay was despatched every ,tuesday morning from the ,bromielaw to ,stranraer and ,islay4 ,messrs4 ,laird's connection with ,dublin dates also from this year1 the pioneer steamer being the ,,town ,,of ,,drogheda1 which sailed on her first voyage from ,greenock to ,dublin on ,monday1 #gth ,june1 #ahbf4 ,the new steampacket ,,solway was added to the ,liverpool and ,greenock fleet in #ahbh1 and the sailings increased to four per week from each port4 ,the steampacket ,,clarence acted as tender1 and sailed from the ,bromielaw at noon on the sailing dates of the ,liverpool steampackets from ,greenock4 ,in #ahcd the firm extended its operations to ,newry1 the steamers employed being the ,,erin and ,,st4 ,,david4 ,mr4 ,james ,bruce was admitted a partner in the ,glasgow house this year1 and the office was removed to #fi1 ,oswald ,street1 where the business was conducted under the style of ,laird ,bruce4 ,this partnership was dissolved on the #adth ,february1 #ahce2 ,mr4 ,bruce retaining the ,stranraer trade4 ,the title of ,mr4 ,laird's firm was changed to ,alex4 ,laird ,sons1 and the ,glasgow office removed to ,ewing ,place1 corner of ,york ,street4 ,one of the steamers1 for which ,mr4 ,laird was agent1 was named the ,,cumberland4 ,this vessel took an active part in the ,spanish ,expedition of #ahce1 as a transport1 making three voyages to ,spain during this year1 with recruits from the ,west of ,scotland for the service of ,donna ,isabella4 ,some of these recruits enlisted in the course of drunken frolics1 or after quarrels with their friends or masters1 and their military ardour speedily cooled4 ,the period during which they had to wait on the receiving ship at ,greenock until the transport was ready to receive them afforded frequent opportunities of deserting1 of which they did not fail to avail themselves4 ,scarcely a day passed but some of them succeeded in escaping by means of the boats which visited the receiving ships in the evenings4 ,one youth from ,glasgow1 failing to get away in this manner1 determined to drop into the sea and swim ashore1 a distance of about two miles1 to a spit where female friends would be waiting to assist him4 ,he had nearly reached the shore when he was discovered1 and pursued by the guard boat4 ,making a final effort1 he succeeded in landing1 and1 though fatigued with his long swim1 continued his flight4 ,when the guard boat's crew landed1 the women got round them1 and so hampered them in their movements that the fugitive got out of sight1 when1 of course1 it was useless to attempt to follow him4 ,the ,,cumberland1 after performing the three voyages referred to1 returned to her station between ,glasgow and ,dublin4 ,in #ahdd ,messrs4 ,laird ,sons 7then at #aja1 ,union ,street7 were appointed agents at ,glasgow for the ,dundalk ,steam ,packet ,co41 the first steamer from ,glasgow1 the ,,finn ,,maccoul1 sailing on the #cjth ,november1 #ahdd4 ,for a period of forty years1 from #ahbg to #ahfg1 ,messrs4 ,t4 ,cameron ,co4 had maintained steamship services between ,glasgow and ,greenock1 and ports on the ,north and ,west coasts of ,ireland1 and from #ahdc until #ahfg a weekly service between ,liverpool and ,sligo4 ,in #ahfg the ,glasgow services were conducted by the joint firms of ,messrs4 ,t4 ,cameron ,co4 and ,alex4 ,a4 ,laird ,co41 but the following year1 owing to the decease of ,mr4 ,cameron1 the business was entirely taken over by ,messrs4 ,laird4 ,messrs4 ,cameron's steamers were named after flowers and plants 7with two exceptions1 referred to later71 the first steamer of this class being the ,,shamrock1 built in #ahdg1 followed by the ,,thistle in #ahdh1 ,,rose in #ahea1 ,,myrtle in #ahed1 and the ,,garland in #aheg4 ,at the time of the change of firm1 ,messrs4 ,cameron ,co4 had been opposed on the ,glasgow and ,sligo and ,liverpool and ,sligo stations1 for ten years1 by a local company1 the ,sligo ,steam ,navigation ,co4 ,this was subsequently settled amicably1 ,messrs4 ,alex4 ,a4 ,laird ,co4 retired from the ,liverpool and ,sligo trade1 and the ,sligo ,steam ,navigation ,co4 withdrew from the ,glasgow trade1 and having purchased the opposition steamer ,,garland1 renamed her the ,,glasgow4 ,the two exceptions in class of name1 to which reference has been made1 were the ,,northman and ,,irishman1 trading as the ,glasgow and ,dublin ,screw ,steam ,packet ,co4 ,they were amongst the earliest iron screw steamers built1 the former having been launched in #ahdg and the latter in #ahed4 ,these two steamers retained the colour of the old ,st4 ,george ,co4 on the funnel1 viz41 a white funnel with a black top4 ,the ,,irishman was the last steamer so distinguished1 all succeeding steamers carrying what is now the recognised 8,laird0 funnel--white and red in equal proportions1 with a black top4 ,in #ahfi1 to meet the requirements of the ,west ,coast of ,ireland trade1 the ,company purchased the steamer ,,scotia1 and renamed her the ,,laurel4 ,two steamers were added to the fleet in #ahgh4 ,these were the steamships ,,azalea and ,,cedar4 ,these ships are identical in measurement and capacity1 each being #bag feet long1 #cj feet broad1 and #ae feet deep1 with a gross register of #gej tons1 and with excellent saloon accommodation for seventy passengers4 ,an important addition was made to the fleet in #ahgi1 when the magnificent and fast steamship ,,shamrock was built4 ,she was considerably in advance in point of capacity1 speed1 and accommodation of any steamer previously built for the firm4 ,she measures #bca feet #b inches in length1 #ca feet #c inches in breadth1 and #ae feet #e inches in depth2 and her gross register is #hfd tons4 ,she is certified to carry eighty saloon passengers1 and is equipped with every modern convenience for their comfort4 ,after an interval of three years 7#ahhb7 the ,,brier was built1 a somewhat similar vessel1 but slightly smaller than the preceding steamer1 her dimensions being #bji feet by #cj feet by #ae feet4 ,her gross register is #gbh tons1 and she has berthing and saloon accommodation for sixty passengers4 ,she was quickly followed by the ,,thistle and ,,elm1 both built in #ahhd1 and the ,,gardenia in #ahhe4 ,they are all beautiful specimens of marine architecture1 the first a large steamer of #hbb tons gross register1 and the latter considerably smaller4 ,in #ahic a further advance was made in the size of the ,company's ships by the construction of the splendid screw steamer ,,olive1 #a1ada tons gross register1 one of the fastest and finest steamers crossing the channel4 ,she is #bfj feet long1 with a beam of #cc feet #a inch1 and a depth of #ae feet #h inches4 ,she has always been a particular favourite with passengers1 of whom she carries a large number1 being certified to carry one hundred saloon passengers1 in addition to #a1jjj steerage4 ,illustration3 ,,olive ,s4,s4 #aada ,tons4 ,messrs4 ,alex4 ,a4 ,laird ,co4 ,the ,,daisy and the ,,lily were the next steamers built1 the former in #ahie1 and the latter in #ahif2 and in the closing year of the nineteenth century the ,,fern 7second of the name7 was launched4 ,the latest addition to the fleet is a magnificent vessel constructed after the most modern type of passenger steamships4 ,she is named the ,,rose1 was launched in ,june1 #aijb1 is built of steel1 and is #bej feet long1 #cf feet #b inches broad1 and #ae feet deep4 ,she is fitted with electric light in the saloon1 staterooms and holds4 ,her saloon1 which is a handsomely furnished and spacious apartment1 is situated amidships forward of the engine room4 ,the great breadth of the vessel makes her a remarkably steady sea boat1 while her engines1 which are triple-expansion and of great power1 are capable of propelling her at the rate of #ae knots per hour4 ,she is nearly #a1djj tons gross1 and carries #adj saloon passengers1 in addition to those in the steerage4 ,in #ahhe it was considered desirable to consolidate the several interests concerned1 by forming this old-established business into a limited company1 the title of the ,company being ,the ,glasgow1 ,dublin and ,londonderry ,steam ,packet ,co41 ,limited2 but it is much better known by the short name of the 8,laird ,line40 ,mr4 ,william ,mac,connell1 son of the late ,mr4 ,mac,connell1 of the firm of ,thomson ,mac,connell1 is the ,managing ,director4 ,the company's steamship services are not confined to those to and from ,glasgow1 although we have shown that they have a very large share of the ,clyde traffic1 maintaining regular and frequent sailings between ,glasgow and ,greenock and ,dublin1 ,londonderry1 ,coleraine1 ,sligo1 ,ballina and ,westport2 also during the tourist season a daily daylight service between ,ardrossan and ,portrush4 ,in connection with the ,midland ,railway ,company of ,england a service of powerful steamers is maintained between ,morecambe and ,dublin1 the steamers sailing from the respective ports on alternate days1 and making the passage in about #aj hours4 ,early next year1 it is proposed to transfer the service from ,morecambe to ,heysham1 and to maintain daily sailings to and from the latter port and ,dublin4 ,the 8,laird0 steamers also sail in connection with the same railway company from ,morecambe to ,londonderry every ,tuesday and ,saturday1 returning from ,londonderry every ,monday and ,thursday4 ,from ,fleetwood1 in connection with the ,lancashire and ,yorkshire1 and ,london and ,north-,western ,railway ,companies1 a weekly service had been maintained for many years by the company's steamers between ,fleetwood and ,londonderry1 but in ,september1 #aijc1 ,messrs4 ,laird ,co4 retired from this service4 ,from ,liverpool also1 steam communication is maintained with ,larne1 ,coleraine and ,westport4 ,the fixed sailings are once a week from each port1 but extra steamers are despatched according to the requirements of the trade4 ,the company's fleet at the present date 7#aijc7 consists of #ab first-class powerful steamships1 having an aggregate gross tonnage of #i1afd tons1 and named as follows3-- ,gross ,tonnage4 ,,azalea #gdh ,,brier #gbh ,,cedar #gej ,,daisy #efe ,,elm #eba ,,fern #ejc ,,gardenia #dia ,,lily #ffh ,,olive #aada ,,rose #acfc ,,shamrock #hfd ,,thistle #hbb ,illustration3 ,steamship ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,langlands' ,,line4 ,glasgow ,,and ,liverpool ,royal ,,steampacket ,company4 ,prior to the year #ahci all the steampackets plying between ,liverpool and ,glasgow were built of wood1 and these wooden steamers had established for themselves a reputation for speed and luxurious travelling not surpassed nearly three-quarters of a century later4 ,it was1 therefore1 a bold thing to do on the part of the proprietors of the ,glasgow and ,liverpool ,royal ,steampacket ,company to enter into competition with these famous and tried vessels1 and to introduce into the trade steamers constructed not of wood but of iron4 ,the pioneer steamer of this company1 the ,,royal ,,sovereign1 sailed on her maiden voyage from ,liverpool on ,monday1 #ahth ,march1 #ahci4 ,the company despatched their steamer twice a week from each port1 and continued to do so until the end of ,august of the same year1 when the second steamer1 the ,,royal ,,george1 was placed on the station1 and the sailings were increased to four times per week each way4 ,the established lines were naturally indisposed to share the trade with an outsider1 and to discourage the new enterprise they reduced the rates of freight on fine goods to #a;d4 per foot1 and on steerage passengers to #as4 each4 ,the ,royal ,steampacket ,company maintained1 in spite of this endeavour to drive them out of the trade1 their advertised sailings1 and grew in popularity with the travelling public4 ,they decided in #ahda to increase their fleet by the addition of a third steamer1 and it being evident that they had come to stay1 their competitors1 ,messrs4 ,mac,iver and ,messrs4 ,burns1 entered into a friendly and honourable alliance with them1 and uniform rates were adopted by the three lines to ,glasgow4 ,illustration3 ,,princess ,,maud4 ,m4 ,langlands ,sons4 ,a tradition exists in the ,royal ,company that when their third steamer was on the stocks the first birth in her late ,majesty's family was anticipated1 and the proprietors proposed to call their new steamer the ,,prince ,,of ,,wales4 ,the event1 however1 proved the name to be inappropriate1 and ,,princess ,,royal was substituted1 a name which has been perpetuated by different steamships to the present day4 ,the following paragraph respecting this steamer1 which appeared in the 8,glasgow ,chronicle0 of the #ast ,june1 #ahdb1 will be read with interest3--8,the ,,princess ,,royal4 ,we feel much indebted to the agent 7,mr4 ,m4 ,langlands7 of this splendid steamer for putting us in possession of the #8,morning ,chronicle' of yesterday morning three hours before the arrival of the #8,london ,mail' containing the details of the attempted assassination of ,her ,majesty4 ,copies of the #8,chronicle1' #8,times1' and other ,london journals were1 the moment the train arrived from ,greenock1 forwarded to the different public reading rooms in town1 and altogether the public are much indebted to the proprietors and agents of the vessel at ,liverpool and ,glasgow for their public spirit and enterprise4 ,the passage from ,liverpool to ,greenock was made in the astonishing space of #af hours40 ,the ,,princess ,,royal referred to was built by the eminent firm of ,tod and ,m',gregor1 who in #ahdi projected a line of steamers to run between ,glasgow and ,new ,york4 ,accordingly they built and equipped the barque-rigged screw steamer ,,city ,,of ,,glasgow1 and appointed ,mr4 ,m4 ,langlands agent4 ,she was a vessel of #a1jhg tons register1 with engines of #cej horse-power1 and was manned by about #gj of a crew4 ,in the ,art ,palace at ,kelvingrove1 ,glasgow1 there is a watercolour drawing 7,no4 #b1jah1 by ,s4 ,bough7 representing the departure of this the first steamship for ,new ,york from ,glasgow harbour1 in ,april1 #ahej4 ,after making several very successful voyages1 ,tod and ,m',gregor sold her to ,richardson ,bros41 of ,belfast1 who ran her in the ,liverpool and ,philadelphia trade1 and this vessel and the steamship ,,city ,,of ,,manchester were the nucleus of what became afterwards the well-known ,inman line4 ,illustration3 ,paddle ,steampacket ,,princess ,,royal4 ,m4 ,langlands ,sons4 ,in view of the high reputation the ,,princess ,,royal had earned1 it is not surprising that she was selected for experimental purposes by a ,committee of the ,house of ,commons 7appointed in #ahdb7 for the purpose of inquiring into the conveyance of the mails between ,england and ,ireland4 ,from the 8,liverpool ,mercury0 of that date we learn that 8,the fine new iron steamboat called ,,princess ,,royal1 at present on the station between this port and ,glasgow1 started from ,clarence ,dock on ,sunday morning last 7#aith ,june7 for ,dublin4 ,she arrived there in #i hours #e minutes1 beating ,h4,m4 mail steampacket ,,medusa by #a hour #de minutes4 ,on ,monday morning she left ,dublin for ,holyhead1 and arrived there in #d hours #de minutes1 returning to ,dublin the same day in #d hours #bh minutes4 ,in the evening she started for ,liverpool1 which she reached in #i hours #ce minutes4 ,the vessel had a head wind nearly all the way40 ,the ,,princess had now established beyond dispute her claim to be one of the fastest ,channel steamers leaving the port4 ,the ensuing winter she proved herself to be also one of the best sea-boats4 ,the terrible gale of ,january #bjth to #bbnd1 #ahdc1 was one of the most severe that ever visited these coasts4 ,the ,,mona',s ,,isle1 from ,liverpool to ,douglas1 was #bd hours on the passage4 ,at ,cork the posts on the quays were carried away4 ,the ,,princess was at sea during this storm1 and fully proved her excellent qualities as a sea-boat4 ,she left ,greenock at #aa-cj p4m4 on ,friday1 and arrived at ,liverpool at #e p4m4 on ,saturday without the slightest damage4 ,this celebrated steamer was replaced in #ahef by a second ,,princess ,,royal1 also a paddle steamer4 ,after running in the ,liverpool and ,glasgow service for about four years1 ,,princess ,no4 #b was sold to the ,general ,steam ,navigation ,company1 of ,london4 ,the third ,,princess ,,royal1 built in #ahfa1 was a screw steamer1 the first screw owned by the ,glasgow and ,liverpool ,royal ,steampacket ,company4 ,in #ahfa1 civil war broke out in the ,united ,states4 ,the ,federals 7,northerners7 established a strict blockade of all the ,southern ports on the ,atlantic seaboard4 ,a cotton famine ensued1 and fast steamers were in great demand for blockade running4 ,amongst other ,liverpool steamers purchased for this purpose was the new ,,princess4 ,she was sold in #ahfb1 and her new owners changed her name4 ,we are informed that she was captured on her first trip as a ,confederate blockade runner1 and converted by her captors into a ,federal cruiser4 ,her immediate successor1 the fourth ,,princess ,,royal1 after running for a number of years between ,liverpool and ,glasgow1 was sold to a firm to trade in the ,west ,indies4 ,for the present the ,royal ,steampacket ,company is without a ,,princess ,,royal1 the fifth steamer of that name having been sold in #aija to foreign buyers4 ,the service is meantime maintained by the ,,princess ,,louise1 or other steamer of the fleet4 ,about the year #ahgj1 the ,royal ,company opened up a new steamship service from ,liverpool to the ,west ,highlands1 ,north of ,scotland1 and east coast ports4 ,owing1 in large measure1 to the natural attractions of the route1 and the excellence of the accommodation and cuisine provided on the steamers1 this is every year becoming a more popular and favourite trip4 ,the first steamer employed on the ,west ,highland and east coast route was a small cargo steamer1 but in a very short time it was found necessary to place the ,,princess ,,alice1 a much larger steamer1 carrying passengers as well as cargo1 on the route4 ,the earlier vessels on this service were steamers of #cjj to #djj tons1 with limited accommodation for about #bj passengers1 but now the steamers employed have accommodation for #ajj to #adj saloon passengers1 and an average cargo-carrying capacity of nearly #a1jjj tons each4 ,some idea may be gained of the growth of the passenger and cargo traffic1 by comparing the earlier vessels with the new ,,princess ,,maud1 built in #aija4 ,this steamer is of steel1 and her dimensions are3--,length1 #bef feet #f inches2 breadth1 #cf feet #f inches2 depth1 #ag feet #a inches4 ,gross tonnage1 #a1dej tons4 ,the vessel is handsomely fitted up for passengers1 the large dining saloon being furnished in solid oak1 artistically carved4 ,one hundred first-class passengers can dine at one sitting1 and there is sleeping accommodation in deck rooms and state cabins for #adj passengers4 ,the steamer is fitted throughout with electric light1 patent berths1 sea-water baths1 ample lavatories1 and every modern convenience that can contribute to the comfort of passengers4 ,the ,,princess ,,maud was placed on the service early in #aijb1 and will no doubt enhance the reputation in which this line is held by tourists4 ,in addition to the bi-weekly service between ,liverpool and ,aberdeen1 ,leith1 and ,dundee1 the ,royal ,steampacket ,company run a regular service of steamers between ,aberdeen1 ,newcastle1 ,hull1 and other east coast ports1 and ,bristol1 ,cardiff1 and ,swansea1 calling also at ,southampton and ,plymouth4 ,during the summer months this service embraces a fortnightly trip round the ,united ,kingdom with one of the larger passenger steamers1 and this has now become a favourite cruise for summer holiday seekers1 occupying as it does about twelve days4 ,when the ,manchester ,ship ,canal was opened in #ahid1 the ,royal ,company began at once to despatch their steamers from ,manchester to ,glasgow1 as well as to the west1 north1 and east coasts of ,scotland4 ,in addition to having the management of the various services mentioned1 ,messrs4 ,langlands have1 for a great many years1 been the agents of ,messrs4 ,alex4 ,a4 ,laird and ,co4 as regards the steamers trading between ,liverpool1 ,larne1 and ,westport4 ,the agency of the company's steamers at ,glasgow1 ,liverpool1 ,manchester1 ,leith1 ,dundee and ,hull1 is in the hands of ,messrs4 ,m4 ,langlands and ,sons1 who have been closely identified with the development of the company's business1 and are largely interested in its success4 ,illustration3 ,decoration ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,messrs4 ,james ,little ,co4 ,towards the end of ,july1 #ahai1 ,messrs4 ,james ,little ,co41 who had commenced business seven years previously1 despatched from ,greenock1 on her maiden voyage to ,liverpool1 the first passenger steamer that ever sailed from the ,clyde to the ,mersey4 ,her name was the ,,robert ,,bruce1 and she was described in her advertisements as being 8an elegant new ,steam ,packet1 having most excellent accommodation for passengers40 ,as a matter of fact1 she was a small wooden paddle steamer1 #ih feet long1 or about twelve feet longer than the ,cluthas that ply up and down ,glasgow ,harbour1 but with twice their beam4 ,she called at ,portpatrick and ,douglas 7,i4 of ,m47 on her voyages to and from the ,clyde1 and occupied about thirty hours on the run from ,greenock to ,liverpool4 ,the following letter from the ,captain 7,patterson7 to ,messrs4 ,little1 written on the #ast ,september1 #ahai1 indicates how different are the conditions under which passengers travel by steamers at the present date and those which existed in the early stages of steam navigation4 ,captain ,patterson dated his letter from ,troon1 and stated3-- 8,i have to inform you that we were taken with a heavy gale of wind from the ,n4,w4 yesterday about two o'clock1 just as we had got outside the ,cumbraes1 with a heavy sea2 about six o'clock the sea came more to the westward1 and1 from the very heavy sea on our beam1 we made so much lee-way that we could not stand out-channel nor fetch ,lamlash4 ,i1 therefore thought it best to bear up for this port1 and got in safe last night with the loss of our bowsprit1 but no other damage4 ,our engines worked very well1 only the wheels had little effect owing to the heavy sea4 ,it has continued to blow a gale all night1 and still looks very bad4 ,the ship ,,nereus got here an hour before us1 dismasted4 ,i will get another bowsprit as soon as possible1 and will proceed when it moderates4 ,the passengers were all sick1 but are now well4 8,i am1 c41 8,,john ,,patterson4 8,p4,s4--,the ,,robert ,,bruce behaved under her sails1 double reefed1 as well as any ship ,i was ever in40 ,the rates of passage money were3--,cabin1 #djs42 steerage1 #bas4 ,a second steamer1 the ,,superb1 was placed on the station during the same season1 and in #ahbj a larger steamer1 the ,,majestic1 was added to the service4 ,an interesting and valuable painting of the latter steamer in #ahbj is in the possession of ,messrs4 ,little ,co41 at their office1 #df1 ,leadenhall ,street1 ,london4 ,a curious intimation appears in the ,glasgow papers of the #aith ,july1 #ahbb1 with reference to the same vessel4 ,it appears that on a recent trip the ,duke of ,athol and suite had embarked on board the ,,majestic at ,greenock1 for conveyance to ,douglas 7,i4 of ,m471 where his ,grace had a seat 7,mona ,castle74 ,as well as being accompanied by the members of his suite1 ,his ,grace had with him several carriages and a quantity of luggage1 all of which took some time to land4 ,some of the ,liverpool passengers complained of the detention of the steampacket for this purpose1 and1 on the complaint being submitted to the managers of the steamer1 they not only expressed their regret for the delay1 but they also donated the amount of freight they received from the ,duke of ,athol to the fund for the relief of the starving ,irish4 ,a fourth steamer1 the ,,city ,,of ,,glasgow1 was added to the fleet on the #bast ,june1 #ahbb4 ,the ,,robert ,,bruce having become too small for the ,greenock and ,liverpool service was transferred to the ,liverpool and ,douglas station1 and the three larger steamers were appointed to carry ,h4,m4 mails to and from ,greenock and ,liverpool4 ,the wretched condition of the destitute poor in ,ireland was not the only charity that appealed to the managers of these steamers4 ,finding that the ,committee of the ,greenock ,hospital and ,infirmary were in urgent need of funds1 they placed the ,r4,m4,s4 ,,city ,,of ,,glasgow at the ,committee's disposal for one day1 for the benefit of the ,institution named4 ,the ,committee of ,management of the ,hospital accordingly arranged a cruise per that steamer around ,ailsa ,craig1 on ,saturday1 #aith ,july1 #ahbc1 tickets for which were #gs4 #f;d4 each4 ,the ,,city ,,of ,,glasgow continued to trade between ,greenock and ,liverpool until #ahca1 when she was purchased by the late ,david ,mac,iver1 who was then forming the ,city of ,glasgow ,steam ,packet ,co4 ,although ,messrs4 ,little's connection with ,belfast is not of such long standing as with ,liverpool1 yet it is approaching three-quarters of a century4 ,in ,january1 #ahbh1 the new steamer ,,frolic began to trade between ,glasgow1 ,greenock and ,belfast4 ,she differed from the steamers of the ,liverpool route in carrying cargo as well as passengers4 ,the previous year1 ,messrs4 ,little had obtained the agency in ,greenock of the ,glasgow and ,dublin ,shipping ,company4 ,the pioneer steamer of this line was the ,,erin1 which sailed from the ,clyde on her first voyage in ,march1 #ahbg4 ,a second steamer1 the ,,scotia1 a vessel of #cjj tons burden1 was added to the service in ,january1 #ahbh4 ,the steamer ,,water ,,witch1 built for this trade by ,messrs4 ,james ,little ,co41 and contracted for with ,messrs4 ,denny ,co41 of ,dumbarton1 was the first screw steamer built on the ,clyde4 ,in addition to their several channel steamers1 ,messrs4 ,little owned1 in #ahej1 the steamers ,,dunoon and ,,helensburgh4 ,these two steamers plied with passengers between ,greenock and coast towns1 connecting with the ,glasgow and ,greenock ,railway 7now the ,caledonian ,railway71 and they were the first steamers on the ,clyde to run in connection with a ,railway ,company4 ,in #ahgb this firm purchased from the owners of the ,anchor ,line steamers the steamer ,,dom ,,pedro1 a screw steamer engaged in the ,glasgow and ,peninsular service4 ,the ,,dom ,,pedro was the first screw steamer with compound engines1 built by the famous ,clyde shipbuilding firm1 ,randolph and ,elder1 now known as the ,fairfield ,shipbuilding ,co4 ,subsequently1 ,messrs4 ,james ,little ,co4 owned a fleet of steamers bearing ,greek classical names1 e4g41 ,,apollo1 ,,achilles1 c41 and to be in accordance with these the name of the ,,dom ,,pedro was changed to the ,,ariadne in the year #ahge4 ,she has now for a number of years been running on the ,barrow and ,liverpool station4 ,in the year #ahff1 ,messrs4 ,little ran the paddle steamer ,,herald between ,glasgow and ,campbeltown4 ,the ,,herald proved herself when on the ,campbeltown route to be one of the fastest1 if not the fastest1 steamer on the ,clyde4 ,she was withdrawn the following summer 7#ahfg7 from the ,glasgow and ,campbeltown station1 to open the ,barrow and ,isle of ,man trade4 ,the latter traffic is now maintained during the summer months by the magnificent steamers1 ,,manx ,,queen1 ,,duchess ,,of ,,devonshire1 or ,,duchess ,,of ,,buccleuch4 ,the ,,manx ,,queen is a large steel paddle steamer1 with a gross register tonnage of about #a1jjj tons1 built and engined on the ,clyde by ,messrs4 ,j4 and ,g4 ,thompson4 ,her principal dimensions are--length1 #bgh feet #i inches2 beam1 #bi feet #g inches2 depth1 #ad feet1 and her speed is about #af knots per hour4 ,the ,,duchess ,,of ,,devonshire is a steel twin-screw steamer1 built and engined in #ahig by the ,naval ,construction and ,armaments ,co41 ,barrow4 ,her gross register tonnage is #a1bfe tons2 her length is #cjj feet2 beam1 #ce feet #a inch2 and depth1 #ae feet #g inches4 ,her engines are capable of driving her considerably over #ah knots per hour1 and she is1 therefore1 one of the fastest steamers in the cross-channel trade4 ,the ,,duchess ,,of ,,buccleuch is a steel paddle steamer1 with a gross register tonnage of #hjd tons1 built and engined in #ahhh by the ,fairfield ,shipbuilding and ,engineering ,co41 ,ltd41 ,glasgow4 ,her length is #bef feet #a inch2 beam1 #bi feet #a inch2 and depth #ad feet1 and her speed is about #ah knots per hour4 ,the route via ,barrow to ,douglas gives the shortest sea passage from ,england to the ,isle of ,man1 the average passage being about three hours4 ,in consequence of this1 and of the first-class accommodation provided in these splendid steamers1 the ,barrow route is a favourite one to the ,island1 and each year sees an increase in the number of passengers carried4 ,messrs4 ,james ,little ,co41 in conjunction with the ,midland and ,furness ,railways1 established1 in #ahfg1 a service of mail1 passengers and cargo steamers between ,barrow and ,belfast4 ,for the conduct of the business connected with this service1 ,messrs4 ,little opened a branch office in ,belfast1 and1 as they had also started the ,barrow to ,douglas trade that same year1 they opened an office in ,barrow4 ,the first steamers employed on the ,barrow and ,belfast station were the paddle-steamers ,,roe1 ,,talbot1 and ,,shelburne4 ,in #ahgj a larger and faster paddle-steamer1 the ,,antrim1 was added to the fleet4 ,the service is now maintained by the swift and powerful ,royal ,mail ,steamships ,,city ,,of ,,belfast1 ,,duchess ,,of ,,devonshire1 ,,manx ,,queen or ,,londonderry4 ,the ,,duchess ,,of ,,devonshire has already been briefly described4 ,her sister vessel in the service1 the ,,city ,,of ,,belfast1 is slightly smaller4 ,her gross register tonnage is #a1jee tons4 ,these powerful steamers leave ,belfast every evening at #h-cj1 ,irish time1 and arrive in ,barrow about #f o'clock on the following morning1 in time to connect with the early morning ,midland trains to all parts of ,england and ,scotland4 ,the steamers leave ,barrow daily 7,sundays excepted7 on arrival of the through trains from ,london1 ,bristol1 ,leeds1 c41 that is about #h-cj p4m41 and arrive in ,belfast about #e-cj the following morning 7,irish time74 ,in #ahgc ,messrs4 ,little opened a branch office in ,glasgow1 and in #ahhc one in ,liverpool4 ,in addition to the mail and other steamship services on the ,west ,coast of ,britain1 ,messrs4 ,james ,little ,co4 have a regular service of steamers from ,london to ,terneuzen1 in ,holland1 and for the efficient working of this service they1 in conjunction with ,mr4 ,j4 ,w4 ,johnston1 opened an office in ,london in #ahhf1 the name and address of the ,london firm being ,little ,johnston1 #df1 ,leadenhall ,street1 who also have a sub-office in ,terneuzen4 ,they have also several ocean steamers1 not built for any special trade1 but of large carrying capacity1 under the management of their ,glasgow house4 ,the fleet of this firm at the present date 7#aijc7 consists of fourteen full-powered steamships1 having a gross registered tonnage of #be1bgi tons1 and named as follows3-- ,,ann ,,webster #gib tons gross4 ,,ariadne #bib 0 ,,borderer #bihc 0 ,,border ,,knight #cgcj 0 ,,city ,,of ,,belfast #ajee 0 ,,duchess ,,of ,,devonshire #abfe 0 ,,duchess ,,of ,,buccleuch #hjd 0 ,,halling #ggg 0 ,,hermiston #dchc 0 ,,indianapolis #bdfd 0 ,,londonderry #gcf 0 ,,manx ,,queen #ihi 0 ,,riverdale #dbjf 0 ,,river ,,lagan #hjc 0 ------ #be1bgi ,illustration3 ,,duchess ,,of ,,buccleuch4 ,james ,little ,co4 ,illustration3 ,r4,m4,s4 ,,claymore4 ,david ,mac,brayne4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,mr4 ,,david ,,macbrayne',s ,,west ,,highland ,,steamers4 ,in the early part of last century ,messrs4 ,thomson and ,mac,connell1 of ,glasgow1 held a large financial interest in several of the steampackets then plying on the ,river and ,firth of ,clyde4 ,one of the earliest of these steamers in which they were interested was the ,,britannia1 built about two years after ,bell's ,,comet4 ,the citizens of ,glasgow were quick to avail themselves of the advantages of steam navigation3 thus1 while in #ahab the limit of steam navigation was ,dunoon1 in #ahae it was extended to ,inverary1 and in #ahbb ,fortwilliam1 ,tobermory and ,skye were included in the ports of call of the steampacket ,,highlander4 ,passengers were also carried by the same steamer to the ,island of ,staffa1 the fare for the return passage being #c #cs4 ,steam communication between ,glasgow and ,inverness via the ,crinan and ,caledonian ,canals was established in the spring of #ahbd1 the pioneer vessel being a small steamer named the ,,ben ,,nevis4 ,about #ahcj ,messrs4 ,j4 ,martin and ,j4 ,g4 ,burns advertised the steamers ,,inverness1 ,,rob ,,roy and ,,helen ,,mcgregor to sail regularly between the ,clyde and ,inverness1 ,skye and ,stornoway4 ,the ,,helen ,,mcgregor was described as having 8a splendid cabin1 panelled with landscapes descriptive of the scenery through which she passes40 ,she had upwards of #cj sleeping berths for cabin passengers1 and an excellent steerage4 ,in #ahda the ,,shandon1 described as 8an elegant vessel10 was placed1 by the same firm1 on the route now taken by the ,r4,m4,s4 ,,columba4 ,her passengers were carried through the ,crinan ,canal on track boats drawn by horses ridden by postillions in brilliant scarlet uniforms1 and at ,crinan were transferred to the steampacket ,,brenda1 which conveyed them to ,oban4 ,the latter steamer belonged to ,messrs4 ,thomson and ,mac,connell1 as did also the ,,toward ,,castle1 ,,morven and ,,staffa1 and later 7#ahdf7 the ,,edinburgh ,,castle and ,,maid ,,of ,,islay4 ,the two firms had been engaged in friendly competition both on the ,glasgow and ,liverpool trade and the ,glasgow and ,west ,highland service from the year #ahca1 but in #ahda an arrangement was arrived at1 by which the ,west ,highland traffic was managed conjointly4 ,her late ,majesty ,queen ,victoria visited the ,highlands in #ahdg1 and in 8,leaves from the ,journal of ,our ,life in the ,highlands10 ,her ,majesty wrote3-- 8,the light on the hills was beautiful as we steamed down ,loch ,fyne4 ,at five we reached ,lochgilp1 and all landed at ,lochgilphead 7,ardrishaig74 ,we and our people drove through the village to the ,crinan ,canal1 where we entered a most magnificently decorated barge1 drawn by three horses ridden by postillions in scarlet4 ,we glided along very smoothly1 and the views of the hills--the range of ,cruachan--were very fine indeed40 ,to meet the requirements of an ever-increasing traffic1 the elegant saloon steamer ,,linnet was built1 which is capable of comfortably accommodating double the number of passengers that the old track boat could4 ,the ,messrs4 ,burns1 who prior to that date had controlled a large portion of the ,river ,clyde and ,west ,highland traffic1 in #ahea decided to confine their energies to 8deep sea0 steamers1 and accordingly sold off their smaller craft1 and ,messrs4 ,thomson and ,mac,connell parted with their steamers of the same type4 ,these vessels were acquired1 and the ,west ,highland trade taken over1 by ,messrs4 ,david ,hutcheson ,co4 7the company including ,mr4 ,david ,mac,brayne1 the head of the present firm71 whose address at that date was #ad1 ,jamaica ,street1 ,glasgow4 ,messrs4 ,hutcheson had1 previous to the purchase of the steamers referred to1 five steampackets named ,,cygnet1 ,,lapwing1 ,,duntroon ,,castle1 ,,pioneer and ,,dolphin1 so that in #ahea they controlled a fleet of about a dozen steamers4 ,these steamers maintained a bi-weekly service 7in addition to other sailings7 between ,glasgow and ,inverness1 sailing from ,glasgow every ,monday and ,thursday1 a service which has been maintained uninterruptedly for upwards of half a century4 ,the ,,cygnet and ,,lapwing were built with their paddle boxes flush with their hulls1 to enable them to pass through the ,crinan ,canal4 ,two new steamers1 the ,,chevalier and ,,mountaineer1 were added to the fleet in #ahed4 ,the following year 7#ahee7 the ,,clansman was built for the firm4 ,the same year the ,,iona 7the first of the name7 was built1 and maintained her reputation as a 8crack0 ,clyde steamer until #ahfc1 when she was purchased by an agent of the ,confederate ,states1 to run the blockade during the ,american ,war4 ,she1 however1 never crossed the ,atlantic1 being sunk1 as the result of a collision1 before she got clear of the upper firth4 ,she was promptly replaced by ,,iona 7second of the name71 launched the same year1 which1 after running for one season only1 was also sold to run the blockade1 but is supposed to have been lost with all hands off ,lundy ,island4 ,the second ,,iona differed from her predecessors in having a saloon on deck4 ,prior to her starting on her ,atlantic voyage1 this saloon was removed and placed on ,,iona the third4 ,this steamer for many years bore the reputation of being the swiftest1 as well as the most luxuriously appointed1 steamer on the ,firth of ,clyde4 ,the engines1 which work with almost incredible smoothness1 are of #a1fbe horse-power1 and are capable of propelling her at the rate of #ah knots per hour4 ,in connection with this vessel1 the writer remembers a very amusing incident4 ,many years ago he was travelling by steamer from ,liverpool to ,glasgow1 and in conversation a fellow-passenger stated that he had in the early part of the same summer sailed in the famous ,,iona from ,glasgow to ,ardrishaig4 8,what do you think of the ,kyles of ,bute80 ,i asked4 8,the ,kyles of ,bute10 he replied2 8,i never saw them40 ,the subject was dropped1 until a little later he again spoke of his trip to ,ardrishaig4 8,and what do you think of the ,kyles of ,bute80 ,i again queried4 8,the ,kyles of ,bute2 you asked me that before4 ,i never saw them40 8,but you say you sailed to ,ardrishaig in the ,,iona80 8,yes40 8,then you must have seen the ,kyles--you could not possibly have gone to ,ardrishaig without seeing them40 ,he seemed astonished1 but after a moment's thought a bright idea struck him1 and he exclaimed-- 8,ah6 yes1 ,i remember now1 ,i saw a red board with gilt letters #8,kyles of ,bute' on it2 but ,i didn't go ashore--,i never saw them40 ,fortunately all men are not so unobservant2 and so we find tourists from ,great ,britain and ,ireland2 from ,canada and the ,united ,states2 from ,south ,africa and the ,antipodes1 journeying to enjoy not alone the beauties of the ,kyles of ,bute1 but also the grand and beautiful scenery of the ,western ,highlands1 now so easy of access by the splendid steamers of the ,mac,brayne fleet4 ,in #ahfb was built the first of the trio of handsome screw steamers which sail regularly round the ,mull of ,cantyre to ,stornoway and the far ,north4 ,she is named the ,,clydesdale4 ,a larger steamer1 the ,,clansman 7second of the name71 was built in #ahgj1 and one still larger1 the ,,claymore1 in #ahha4 ,mr4 ,david ,hutcheson retired in #ahgf1 leaving his partner1 ,mr4 ,david ,mac,brayne1 sole control of the business1 which has since grown steadily1 necessitating from time to time the addition of new steamers4 ,in #ahgh the ,royal ,mail steamer ,,columba was built by ,messrs4 ,j4 ,g4 ,thomson 7now ,john ,brown ,co471 of ,clydebank1 who were also the builders of the ,,iona4 ,she is the largest passenger steamer on the ,firth of ,clyde1 and few1 if any1 cross-channel steamers exceed her in length4 ,according to the official description of her1 she is #caf feet in length1 #ej feet in breadth 7inclusive of paddle boxes71 and #i feet in depth4 ,she is built entirely of steel1 and is fitted with two oscillating engines of #bbj nominal horse-power1 but capable of working up to #c1jjj indicated horse-power4 ,two years previously the ,r4,m4,s4 ,,columba was refitted by ,messrs4 ,hutson ,sons1 ,limited1 with two large tubulous boilers of the haystack type1 made entirely of steel1 and with twelve furnaces4 ,when working at full pressure1 she attains a speed of #bb miles per hour1 and she is certified to carry over #b1jjj passengers4 ,the ,,columba is steered by a steam steering engine1 has the novelty of a set of steam bits at bow and stern by which the vessel is warped into piers1 and has all the modern improvements introduced on board4 ,the upper saloon is very luxuriously fitted up1 and in the interior are reading table1 writing desk and lounges4 ,the large square windows are carried round the sides and stern1 affording a fine view of the scenery through which the steamer passes4 ,the breakfast and dining saloon1 which is #h feet high and well ventilated1 has a series of separate circular tables1 and meals are served at any time4 ,the dining saloon 7forward7 for steerage or fore-cabin passengers is light and airy4 ,the ladies' and gentlemen's cabins are elegantly fitted up with the usual hand-basins and other conveniences4 ,there is a shampooing and hairdressing establishment1 with a supply of every toilet requisite2 a splendid bathroom1 affording passengers who have travelled during the night the luxury of a salt-water bath1 and a cloak room where they can leave hand-bags and other small articles4 ,there are in addition a book stall and a fruit stall for cabin passengers1 and for steerage passengers1 a ladies' cabin forward and several stalls 7fruit stalls1 c47 are provided4 ,the only floating post office in the kingdom is to be found on board the ,,columba1 and in it is transacted a larger amount of business than is transacted in many a provincial town4 ,in it letters1 telegrams and parcels are received1 stamped1 sorted and distributed at every calling place1 for transmission to all parts1 and it is of immense convenience to tourists and the inhabitants along the route4 ,upwards of #ajj1jjj letters pass through this office in a month1 of which a large proportion are local letters passing between the coast towns and villages at which the steamer calls4 ,over #dej telegrams were handed in1 and upward of #gj received for postage and telegraph stamps in one month4 ,the most sanguine expectations of the ,post ,office ,department being more than realised1 has induced the ,postmaster-,general to add to the staff4 ,three post office officials travel with the ,,columba4 ,postal orders can be purchased1 and those issued at other offices in the kingdom cashed on board this steamer4 ,illustration3 ,r4,m4,s4 ,,columba4 ,david ,mac,brayne4 ,in #aijb ,mr4 ,david ,mac,brayne assumed as partners his two sons1 ,mr4 ,david ,hope1 and ,mr4 ,laurence ,mac,brayne1 the name of the firm remaining unchanged4 ,messrs4 ,mac,brayne's steamers navigate every sound and loch between ,port ,ellen in the ,island of ,islay1 off the ,south-west coast of ,scotland1 and ,thurso in the extreme ,north1 and visit almost every island between those two points4 ,the new steamer ,,lapwing1 built in the early part of the year #aijc1 proved very successful1 and the firm have in course of construction another fine steamer1 which is expected to be ready for the service early next year 7#aijd74 ,the fleet at present consists of thirty-one screw and paddle steamships1 named as follows3-- ,horse ,speed4 ,power4 ,knots4 ,,columba #cjjj #ai ,,iona #afbe #ah ,,fusilier #ijj #ae ,,grenadier #ajej #af ,,chevalier #abjj #af ,,gondolier #fjj #ab ,,carabinier #djj #ab ,,mountaineer #ejj #ae ,,gael #aejj #af ,,glengarry #cej #ab ,,glencoe #gjj #ab ,,gairlochy #ejj #ab ,,lovedale #abjj #ad ,,lochawe #ie #ab ,,lochness #dbj #ab ,,claymore #adej #ae ,,clansman #abej #ad ,,clydesdale #ajjj #ac ,,cavalier #abjj #ab ,,flowerdale #abjj #ac ,,glendale #adjj #ae ,,staffa #cej #ab ,,handa #bej #aa ,,ethel #cge #aa ,,fingal #cbe #aa ,,lochiel #daj #ab ,,linnet #de #aj ,,mabel #ce #aj ,,texa #bej #aj ,,countess #ie #h ,,lapwing #ejj #ab ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,,messrs4 ,,david ,,maciver ,,co4 ,the firm of ,messrs4 ,david ,mac,iver ,co4 was originally founded by the late ,mr4 ,david ,mac,iver and his brother ,charles1 in #ahce4 ,mr4 ,david ,mac,iver had some four years prior to this date formed a steamship company to trade between ,liverpool and ,glasgow1 which he called the ,city of ,glasgow ,steampacket ,co4 ,the pioneer steamer was named the ,,city ,,of ,,glasgow1 and sailed on her first voyage from ,liverpool on the #beth ,april1 #ahca4 ,three other steamers were quickly added to the fleet1 viz41 the ,,solway1 ,,vulcan and ,,john ,,wood1 the latter steamer being named after a celebrated shipbuilder of ,port ,glasgow4 ,in #ahce the ,,city ,,of ,,glasgow 7second7 was added to the fleet1 and the same year ,mr4 ,charles ,mac,iver joined his brother1 and the style of the firm was altered to ,messrs4 ,david ,mac,iver ,co41 from that of the ,city of ,glasgow ,steampacket ,co4 ,on the #ast of ,june1 #ahcg1 the celebrated steamer ,,commodore was launched by ,mr4 ,john ,wood1 and made her first voyage1 sailing from the ,prince's ,pierhead1 ,liverpool1 on the #fth ,march1 #ahch4 ,the ,,commodore was at that time considered to be the most powerful1 most comfortable1 and fastest sea-going steamer afloat4 ,the sister ship of this splendid steamer1 the ,,admiral1 was launched in the beginning of the year #ahdj1 and proved a faster vessel than her consort4 ,on her trial trip on the #bnd ,april1 #ahdj1 with a full deadweight cargo1 she ran #af miles in #ef minutes1 being five minutes less time than it was ever done by any other steamer4 ,in #ahdj a ,mail ,steamship ,service between ,liverpool1 ,canada and the ,united ,states was established1 the respective agents being ,mr4 ,samuel ,cunard1 ,halifax2 ,messrs4 ,j4 ,g4 ,burns1 ,glasgow2 and ,messrs4 ,david and ,charles ,mac,iver1 ,liverpool1 the latter being the practical managers of the company4 ,this service1 which afterwards acquired a worldwide reputation as the 8,cunard ,line10 was modestly inaugurated by the despatch of the ,liverpool and ,glasgow steamer ,,unicorn 7,captain ,douglas71 which sailed from ,liverpool for ,halifax and ,boston on ,saturday morning1 #afth ,may1 #ahdj4 ,after she completed her outward voyage1 she continued to ply between ,pictou and ,quebec1 in connection with the ,british and ,north ,american ,royal ,mail ,steamers4 ,in #ahej was instituted the steamship service between ,liverpool and ,havre1 the pioneer steamer being the ,,commodore1 the well-known and favourite ,liverpool and ,glasgow steampacket4 ,the coasting services were then carried on in the name of ,charles ,mac,iver ,co4 ,about the same date1 steamship services to the ,mediterranean were begun4 ,the ,havre and the ,mediterranean business was conducted in the name of ,burns and ,mac,iver4 ,the elder of the two brothers 7the founders of the 8,mac,iver0 steamship business71 ,mr4 ,david ,mac,iver1 died unmarried in #ahde4 ,his brother1 the late ,mr4 ,charles ,mac,iver1 of ,calderstones1 then became the head of the firm1 which position he held until his decease in #ahhe4 ,in #ahfc ,mr4 ,charles ,mac,iver admitted his eldest son1 ,mr4 ,david ,mac,iver1 the present ,m4,p4 for the ,kirkdale ,division of ,liverpool1 into partnership4 ,mr4 ,david ,mac,iver remained a partner in the firms of ,d4 ,c4 ,mac,iver1 ,charles ,mac,iver ,co4 and ,burns ,mac,iver for eleven years1 when he retired from all three firms1 and established an entirely separate steamship business1 resuscitating the old title of ,david ,mac,iver ,co4 ,the first steamer built under the new regime was the ,,tuscany4 ,she was built in #ahgf by ,messrs4 ,j4 ,g4 ,thomson1 ,glasgow1 and engined by the same eminent firm4 ,after running in ,messrs4 ,david ,mac,iver ,co4's service for a number of years1 she was purchased by ,portuguese owners1 and she is believed to have again changed owners and to be now sailing under the ,spanish flag as the ,,margarita4 ,the ,,sicily1 the second steamer of the fleet1 was built and engined by ,messrs4 ,laird1 ,birkenhead1 in #ahgf1 and was sold to the ,cullum ,steam ,shipping ,co41 of ,london4 ,the following year 7#ahgg7 the ,,thessaly and ,,barbary were built for the firm by the builders of the ,,sicily4 ,the latter steamer was sold1 first to ,messrs4 ,booth ,co41 who changed her name to the ,,clement1 and subsequently to the ,cia de ,cabotagem do ,gro ,para1 by whom she was named the ,,marajo1 and placed under the ,brazilian flag4 ,after an interval of five years1 the ,,albany was contracted for1 also with the ,messrs4 ,laird1 of ,birkenhead4 ,mr4 ,david ,mac,iver's connection with ,birkenhead is one of very long standing1 and he has always laboured to promote its welfare and prosperity4 ,in recognition of his services1 he was the elected representative of the ,borough from #ahgd to #ahhe4 ,the ,,albany was considerably larger than any of her predecessors1 her principal dimensions being--,length #cjj feet #g inches1 breadth #ci feet #b inches1 and depth #bf feet #d inches2 with a deadweight capacity of about #c1ejj tons4 ,she was purchased by ,messrs4 ,t4 ,w4 ,lunn ,co41 of ,newcastle-on-,tyne1 by whom she was re-named the ,,willowdene4 ,a reference to the list of steamers built for ,messrs4 ,david ,mac,iver ,co4 will show the distinguishing characteristic of the names to be the terminal letter ,y4 ,an amusing incident occurred in this connection during the building of the steamer ,,albany4 ,a firm of north country shipowners1 whose steamers were named after ,british dukes 7omitting the prefix 8,duke of071 had selected 8,,albany0 for a vessel then under construction1 and they made the cool request to ,messrs4 ,david ,mac,iver ,co4 to change the name of their steamer4 ,it is needless to say they were unable to comply with this request4 ,for the first few years1 the steamers named were not employed in any regular trade1 though originally designed for the ,mediterranean--hence the names ,,tuscany1 ,,sicily1 ,,barbary1 ,,thessaly1 c4--but traded1 as inducement offered1 to the ,mediterranean1 the ,danube1 the ,black ,sea1 and elsewhere4 ,they have formed part of the ,anchor ,line to ,bombay1 and of the ,hall ,line to the same port2 and they have operated in the ,north ,atlantic in the service of ,messrs4 ,richardson1 ,spence and ,co41 between ,liverpool and ,philadelphia4 ,in #ahhc ,messrs4 ,david ,mac,iver ,co4 despatched their first steamer to the ,river ,plate1 and two years later they established a regular service between ,liverpool and ,buenos ,ayres1 ,montevideo and ,rosario4 ,in #ahic1 ,mr4 ,charles ,livingston1 who had been associated with ,mr4 ,mac,iver for two years previously1 became a partner in the firm4 ,mr4 ,livingston takes a very active part in the management of the steamers1 and he has devoted himself with great energy and success to the development of the ,river ,plate trade with ,great ,britain4 ,the five steamers named having become too small for the requirements of the service in which they were engaged1 were disposed of1 as stated1 to various buyers and replaced by modern steamers of greater capacity and higher speed4 ,these later steamers have all been designed specially for the ,river ,plate trade1 and although large carriers1 are of remarkably light draught1 thus enabling them to ascend to ,rosario1 without putting consignees and shippers to the risk and expense of transhipping cargo4 ,in #ahid contracts were placed with ,sir ,raylton ,dixon ,co41 ,middlesbrough1 for three steamers of exactly similar dimensions and engine power4 ,the first of these was the ,,saxony1 launched ,december1 #ahid4 ,she is a steel screw steamer of #c1ejj tons deadweight1 and fitted with triple-expansion engines 7constructed by ,blair ,co41 ,ltd41 ,stockton7 working up to about #a1ejj horse-power effective4 ,the following month 7,january1 #ahie7 her sister ship1 the ,,normandy1 was delivered1 and ,february of the same year witnessed the completion of the third vessel1 the ,,lombardy4 ,the steamer which succeeded these was #a1jjj tons larger4 ,she is named the ,,brittany1 and was built in #ahih by ,messrs4 ,richardson1 ,duck ,co41 ,stockton4 ,she is a steel screw steamer1 #ccj feet long1 by #dc feet beam and #af feet #f inches depth1 with a deadweight carrying capacity of #d1ejj tons4 ,she is1 like all her sister ships1 propelled by triple-expansion engines constructed by ,blair ,co41 ,ltd41 ,stockton4 ,the opening of the #bjth century was marked by a further and an important advance in the carrying capacity of the firm's steamers4 ,contracts were placed with ,messrs4 ,richardson1 ,duck ,co4 for three steamers1 two of which are each of about #f1ejj tons1 and the third of about #e1ejj tons deadweight4 ,the first of the trio1 the ,,barbary 7second of that name7 was delivered in ,may1 #aija1 and the ,,tartary in ,july following4 ,both these vessels are practically identical as regards size and power4 ,they are each #cgj feet long1 with a beam of #dh feet #a inch1 and a depth of #ai feet and a half4 ,their engines 7triple-expansion7 develop #c1jjj horse-power4 ,in ,november of the same year the ,,burgundy1 a vessel of somewhat smaller dimensions1 was completed4 ,the fleet of ,messrs4 ,david ,mac,iver ,co4's line to the ,river ,plate at present consists of seven full-powered steamers1 but before the close of the present year an eighth steamer1 the ,,araby1 now in course of construction1 and of about the same dimensions as the ,,burgundy1 will be placed on the service4 ,formerly the steamers were each registered as a single ship company1 but in #aijj they were all incorporated in ,david ,mac,iver1 ,sons and ,co41 ,ltd4 ,the ,directors of the ,limited ,company are ,david ,mac,iver1 ,esq41 ,m4,p41 his son ,charles ,mac,iver1 ,esq41 and ,charles ,livingston1 ,esq4 ,the steamers of ,messrs4 ,david ,mac,iver and ,co4's line are deservedly popular with shippers and consignees in the ,river ,plate trade1 who are able to depend upon them for regularity of service and careful handling of their goods1 and with underwriters for their freedom from serious accidents4 ,all the steamers are comparatively new1 and are fitted with the most modern and perfect appliances for the rapid and effective loading and discharging of general cargo4 ,special attention has been given by the ,company to the transit of cattle to and from the ,river ,plate1 and each of the steamers is fitted with permanent fittings for the conveyance of live stock4 ,the headquarters of ,messrs4 ,david ,mac,iver and ,co4's line are1 and have always been situated in ,liverpool1 from which port it maintains a regular fortnightly service to and from ,buenos ,ayres1 ,montevideo and ,rosario1 throughout the year4 ,,chapter ,,xvii4 ,,maciver',s ,,liverpool ,,and ,,glasgow ,,steamers4 ,in the autumn of #ahbf the ,new ,clyde ,shipping ,company advertised that their steampacket ,,enterprise 7,captain ,m',farlane7 would sail weekly between ,liverpool and ,glasgow4 ,she was a very small steamer1 being only #baj tons burthen1 and the owners announced that1 in consequence of her light draft1 she would proceed direct to ,glasgow1 and not transfer her passengers to river steamers at ,greenock1 as the larger steamers had to do4 ,the first agents of the company were ,messrs4 ,m',nair and ,brebner1 #cc1 ,water ,street1 but in ,january1 #ahbi1 the agency was transferred to ,mr4 ,david ,mac,iver1 #ah1 ,water ,street4 ,a few months later the ,glasgow and ,liverpool ,shipping ,company was formed1 and in #ahca that company acquired the ,mersey and ,clyde ,steam ,navigation ,company's steampackets ,,henry ,,bell1 ,,james ,,watt1 and ,,wm4 ,,huskisson1 as well as the ,,enterprise4 ,the ,new ,clyde ,shipping ,company having ceased operations1 ,mr4 ,mac,iver formed a new steamship line of his own1 which he called the ,city of ,glasgow ,steampacket ,company4 ,the pioneer steamer was named the ,,city ,,of ,,glasgow and sailed on her first voyage from ,liverpool on the #beth ,april1 #ahca4 ,three other steamers were quickly added to the fleet1 viz41 the ,,solway1 ,,vulcan1 and ,,john ,,wood1 the latter steamer being named after a celebrated shipbuilder at ,port ,glasgow4 ,in #ahce the ,,city ,,of ,,glasgow 7second7 was put on the station1 and the sailings were increased to three per week from each port4 ,mr4 ,charles ,mac,iver joined his brother this year1 and the style of the firm was changed to ,d4 ,mac,iver ,co4 ,in #ahcg the celebrated steamship ,,commodore was built1 followed in #ahdj by her equally famous sister ship1 ,,admiral4 ,all the steamers engaged in the ,liverpool and ,glasgow trade prior to #ahci were built of wood1 but in that year a new steamship company entered into competition with the existing companies1 and placed the ,,royal ,,sovereign1 an iron steamer1 on the station41 ,the immediate result was a heavy drop in passenger and freight rates4 ,steerage passengers were carried for #as4 each1 and boxes and bale goods for #a;d4 per foot measurement4 ,the following year 7#ahdj7 a mail steamship service between ,liverpool1 ,canada1 and ,u4,s4,a4 was established1 the respective agents of the company being ,d4 and ,c4 ,mac,iver1 ,liverpool2 ,j4 and ,g4 ,burns1 ,glasgow2 and ,samuel ,cunard1 ,halifax4 ,this service1 which afterwards acquired a world-wide reputation as the 8,cunard line10 was modestly inaugurated by the despatch of the ,liverpool and ,glasgow steampacket ,,unicorn 7,captain ,douglas74 ,this vessel 7the real pioneer of the ,cunard line7 sailed from ,liverpool for ,halifax and ,boston on ,saturday morning1 #afth ,may1 #ahdj4 ,after she completed her outward voyage1 she continued to ply between ,pictou and ,quebec in connection between the ,british and ,n4,a4 ,royal mail steamers4 ,although there were three perfectly distinct steamship companies trading between ,liverpool and ,glasgow1 yet so friendly were the respective owners towards each other that in #ahdf they issued a joint sailing bill1 which included the whole of the sailings for all the companies4 ,this arrangement continued unchanged for seven years 7#ahec71 at the end of which period the ,,princess ,,royal was advertised separately4 ,at this date the quickest1 cheapest 7although the fares were double what they now are71 and most comfortable mode of travelling between ,liverpool and ,glasgow was by steamer4 ,the steamers were large1 swift1 and luxuriously furnished1 and so numerous were the passengers that the joint companies maintained a daily service4 ,from the year #ahec the two services1 the ,mac,iver and the ,burns1 were amalgamated1 the joint line being represented in ,liverpool by ,chas4 ,mac,iver ,co41 and in ,glasgow by ,g4 and ,j4 ,burns4 ,in #ahej ,messrs4 ,chas4 ,mac,iver ,co4 instituted the steamship service between ,liverpool and ,havre1 the pioneer steamer being the ,,commodore1 the well-known ,liverpool and ,glasgow steampacket4 ,about the same date the steamship services to the ,mediterranean were begun by ,messrs4 ,mac,iver1 under the style of ,messrs4 ,burns and ,mac,iver4 ,until the year #ahec no distinctive class of name had been adopted for the coasting steamers of the ,mac,iver line1 but in that year the ,,elk and ,,stag were built1 followed by the ,,lynx and ,,stork4 ,these were the last of the paddle-steamers built to run between ,liverpool and ,glasgow4 ,in #ahee the owners decided to place screw-steamers on this station1 and accordingly built the screw-steamers ,,otter1 ,,beaver1 and ,,zebra4 ,the ,,zebra was a large and powerful vessel1 and was amongst the earliest of the steamers taken up by ,government for transport duty during the ,crimean war4 ,all the succeeding steamers have been of the same type1 and have been named after animals or birds4 ,the joint service remained in force for nearly half a century1 until 7in #ahie7 ,messrs4 ,g4 and ,j4 ,burns opened an office in ,liverpool1 and placed the steamers ,,mastiff1 ,,pointer and ,,spaniel on the station4 ,the elder of the two brothers 7the founders of the 8,mac,iver0 steamship business71 ,mr4 ,david ,mac,iver1 died unmarried in #ahde4 ,his brother1 the late ,mr4 ,charles ,mac,iver1 of ,calderstone1 then became the head of the firm1 which position he held until his death in #ahhe4 ,the long connection of the 8,mac,ivers0 with the ,cunard ,company was terminated in #ahhc1 and they retired from the management4 ,messrs4 ,charles and ,henry ,mac,iver 7the younger sons of the late ,mr4 ,charles ,mac,iver7 retain the old styles of ,d4 and ,c4 ,mac,iver 7for their foreign trades7 and ,chas4 ,mac,iver ,co4 for the steamers trading between ,liverpool and ,glasgow4 ,illustration3 ,sailboat ,,chapter ,,xviii4 ,,sligo ,,steam ,,navigation ,,co41 ,,ltd4 ,during the first half of the last century ,messrs4 ,middleton and ,pollexfen1 of ,sligo1 owned a large fleet of sailing vessels4 ,some of these vessels were barques which traded to foreign ports1 but others were swift1 staunch schooners which traded regularly between ,sligo and ,liverpool1 and ,sligo and ,bristol ,channel and ,glasgow4 ,but the schooners laboured under one serious disadvantage--the uncertainty of the duration of the passage4 ,with favourable weather it might be accomplished in a few days1 but with adverse gales or fogs it might occupy as many weeks4 ,it is self-evident that1 in competition with steamers1 schooners have no chance of success1 so in #ahef ,messrs4 ,middleton and ,pollexfen decided to employ steam in their ,sligo and ,liverpool trade1 and for this purpose built a small steamer1 which they named the ,,sligo4 ,the following year 7#aheg7 they put the ,,sligo on the ,sligo and ,glasgow station in opposition to ,messrs4 ,cameron and ,co4 ,five years later 7#ahfb7 a company was formed with the title of the ,sligo ,steam ,navigation ,company1 ,limited1 which took over the steamship business of ,messrs4 ,middleton and ,pollexfen1 and which has continued to flourish1 financially and otherwise4 ,the company in #ahfe built a larger steamer than the ,,sligo1 and named her ,,liverpool4 ,the opposition in the ,sligo services began under the regime of ,messrs4 ,middleton and ,pollexfen1 continued for some years after the formation of the ,sligo ,steam ,navigation ,company1 but was finally settled amicably4 ,messrs4 ,alexander ,a4 ,laird and ,co4 7successors to ,messrs4 ,cameron and ,co47 retired from the ,sligo and ,liverpool trade1 and the ,sligo ,company withdrew from the ,glasgow trade1 purchasing the ,,garland1 which they renamed the ,,glasgow4 ,having disposed of the ,,sligo1 the company purchased a swift ,clyde-built cargo and passenger steamer1 to which they transferred the name4 ,the ,,liverpool was sold in #ahib to ,preston buyers1 but has been for several years1 and is now1 employed by the ,cunard ,company to maintain their ,liverpool and ,havre service4 ,the same year the largest steamer yet built by the company was placed on the ,liverpool and ,sligo station4 ,the new vessel 7the ,,liverpool7 was constructed by ,messrs4 ,john ,jones and ,sons1 of ,liverpool1 and was built to the specifications and under the supervision of ,mr4 ,h4 ,h4 ,west1 the naval architect for the ,sligo ,steam ,navigation ,company4 ,she is a smart-looking boat of the following dimensions3--,length between perpendiculars1 #bjf feet2 breadth1 moulded1 #bi feet2 and depth1 #ae feet #c inches4 ,her gross register is #gjj tons1 and net #ccb tons4 ,the carriage of cattle being a very important feature of the trade1 careful consideration has been given to the cattle fittings4 ,being a larger vessel than any of her predecessors1 increased accommodation is also provided for saloon and deck passengers1 as the trade is increasing in this direction very considerably4 ,the saloon and cabins are fitted up in a substantial and comfortable manner4 ,the engines 7triple expansion71 also constructed by ,messrs4 ,jones and ,sons1 are of #a1jjj indicated h4p4 ,on her trial trip the ,,liverpool attained a speed of #ac knots1 being a knot in excess of contract speed4 ,the ship is lighted throughout by electricity4 ,the loading berth for the company's steamers was1 originally1 in the ,trafalgar ,dock1 but is now on the east side of the ,clarence ,basin1 a berth they have occupied since about #ahfg4 ,the company despatches the ,,liverpool or ,,sligo once a week between the two ports1 sailing from ,liverpool every ,tuesday1 and from ,sligo every ,saturday4 ,in addition to this1 its main service1 the company has a ,government contract1 on which the steamer ,,tartar is employed4 ,this steamer sails twice a week in winter1 and three times per week in summer1 from ,sligo to ,belmullet1 calling at ,rosses ,point1 ,ballycastle1 and ,belderrig1 to land and embark passengers4 ,it is a favourite tourist route in summer1 affording a splendid view of the wild coast scenery of the ,west of ,ireland4 ,the distance run is about #gj miles1 and the time occupied about six hours4 ,the steamers of the ,sligo ,steam ,navigation ,company1 sailing between ,liverpool and ,sligo1 are exposed to all the force and fury of the ,atlantic gales1 as they steam along the north and north-west coasts of ,ireland4 ,it is1 therefore1 an eloquent testimonial to the strength of their construction1 as well as to the ability with which they are managed1 and navigated1 that they sail with unfailing regularity in winter as in summer1 and with a most gratifying freedom from accidents4 ,illustration3 ,sunset ,,chapter ,,xix4 ,,waterford ,,steamship ,,company4 ,early in the year #ahcf several ,waterford merchants determined to run steamers between ,waterford and ,liverpool in opposition to the steamers owned by the ,messrs4 ,pope1 of the former port4 ,accordingly1 on the #aath ,january1 #ahcg1 there was launched from ,mr4 ,john ,laird's yard1 ,birkenhead1 the ,,duncannon1 a small iron paddle-steamer of #bjj tons burthen1 to the order of the ,waterford ,commercial ,steam ,navigation ,company1 represented in ,liverpool by ,archer1 ,daly ,co41 of #b1 ,cook ,street4 ,three years later 7#ahdj7 a second steamer1 the ,,wm4 ,,penn1 was added to the service4 ,the new company was so successful in its venture that in a short time the ,messrs4 ,pope either abandoned the trade1 or were absorbed by their rivals1 who thereupon appear to have adopted the title of the ,waterford ,steamship ,company4 ,there had been for years keen rivalry between the ,st4 ,george ,steampacket ,company and the ,city of ,dublin ,steampacket ,company1 and when the business of the former was transferred to the ,cork ,steamship ,company1 the directors of the ,city of ,dublin ,company were by no means favourably disposed to the new management4 ,this unfriendly feeling was extended to the ,waterford ,steamship ,company1 because ,mr4 ,joseph ,malcomson 7chairman of the latter company7 was offered1 and accepted1 a seat on the board of the ,cork ,steamship ,company1 and his firm 7,messrs4 ,malcomson ,brothers7 invested largely in the ,cork ,company's shares4 ,the following year the ,waterford and ,kilkenny ,railway was opened from ,waterford to ,thomastown4 ,the directors asked the ,waterford ,steamship ,company to change their loading berth from the south side of the ,river ,suir to the north side1 adjacent to the railway company's terminus4 ,this the steamship company refused to do4 ,in consequence of this refusal1 the ,waterford and ,kilkenny ,railway ,company induced the ,city of ,dublin ,company to put on steamers between ,waterford and ,liverpool4 ,but1 as the ,city of ,dublin ,company had no steamers of their own available1 they chartered steamers from the ,british and ,irish ,steampacket ,company1 which they placed on the ,liverpool and ,waterford station4 ,meantime1 the ,waterford ,steamship ,company had not been idle4 ,the late ,liverpool agent of the company 7,mr4 ,george ,k4 ,payne7 was detailed to organise an opposition to the railway company1 with emphatic instructions not to permit a single passenger to be carried by the railway company between ,waterford and ,thomastown1 or vice versa4 ,the distance was only twelve miles1 and an efficient car service was at once established between the two towns4 ,not only was the service an efficient one1 but1 rather than permit passengers to travel by the railway company1 the drivers of the cars would take them for nothing4 ,of course1 there were not wanting those who prophesied that the ,waterford ,company and the ,messrs4 ,malcomson 7who had acquired the whole of the steamship company's shares7 would be ruined by the opposition4 ,malcomson ,brothers1 however1 referred inquirers as to their stability to ,messrs4 ,overend1 ,gurney ,co41 then at the zenith of their power1 whose reply was3--8,we guarantee ,messrs4 ,malcomson ,brothers to the extent of two million pounds sterling40 ,illustration3 ,,clodagh ,s4,s4 7new #aijc74 ,waterford ,steamship ,co41 ,ltd4 ,equally fierce was the opposition in the cross-channel service4 ,passengers were frequently carried without charge between ,liverpool and ,waterford1 as well as between ,liverpool and ,dublin4 ,a story is told of a passenger going into the ,dublin ,company's office in ,waterford1 and asking what the cabin fare was to ,liverpool4 ,he was told he would be taken for nothing1 to which he replied1 8,that is not good enough2 you must feed me as well40 ,a similar tradition exists with regard to the ,liverpool and ,dublin service1 namely1 that when one of the rival companies advertised its willingness to carry passengers for nothing1 and to give them a loaf of bread1 the other company capped the offer by the addition of a bottle of ,guinness' stout4 ,not content with carrying the war into the enemy's country by running horsecars between ,waterford and ,thomastown1 the ,waterford ,steamship ,company placed their steamer ,,lion on the ,liverpool and ,dublin station1 and chartered a steamer from the ,cork ,steamship ,company to run in opposition to the ,british and ,irish ,company between ,dublin and ,london4 ,thereupon1 the ,british and ,irish ,company chartered a steamer from ,langtry's ,belfast ,steamship ,company to run between ,liverpool and ,cork1 and the ,cork ,company1 as a counter move1 placed their steamer ,,minerva on the ,liverpool and ,belfast station4 ,the opposition was maintained with unabated fierceness for about three years1 at the end of which time the ,city of ,dublin ,company and the ,waterford ,company arrived at an amicable settlement1 each company agreeing to cease opposing the other4 ,the ,belfast ,steamship ,company and the ,british and ,irish ,company having now to bear the brunt of the opposition1 without the support of the ,city of ,dublin ,company1 deemed it wise to make the best terms they could with their opponents4 ,accordingly1 the ,belfast ,company divided the ,liverpool and ,belfast trade with the ,cork ,company1 and the ,british and ,irish ,steampacket ,company shared their ,london and ,dublin trade with the ,waterford ,steamship ,company4 ,the ,cork ,company continued to run steamers between ,liverpool and ,belfast for several years1 but were eventually bought off by the ,belfast ,steamship ,company4 ,the ,waterford ,company ran two steamers regularly between ,london and ,dublin until the year #ahgj1 when they also were bought off by the ,british and ,irish ,steampacket ,company4 ,prior to the ,city of ,dublin ,company's opposition1 the ,bristol ,steam ,navigation ,company and the ,waterford ,steamship ,company had maintained a joint service between ,waterford and ,bristol4 ,the ,bristol ,company's boat left ,waterford on ,tuesday to catch the ,bristol cattle market1 and the ,waterford ,company's boat left ,waterford on ,friday4 ,as a consequence of the low rates which were in force during the opposition1 a great deal of traffic was diverted from the ,bristol route to the ,liverpool route1 and the ,bristol ,company suspended their sailings to and from ,waterford4 ,the ,waterford ,company thereupon took up the ,tuesday sailings to ,bristol4 ,when the ,liverpool opposition ceased1 the ,bristol ,company wished to resume their ,tuesday sailings from ,waterford4 ,the ,waterford ,company1 however1 refused to withdraw their ,tuesday steamer1 but agreed to let the ,bristol ,company have the ,friday sailing4 ,the close and friendly relationship which had formerly existed between these two companies became somewhat strained1 and ultimately ended in so wide a breach that the ,waterford ,company purchased the paddle steamer ,,victory from the ,cork ,steamship ,company1 and placed her on the station between ,bristol and ,dublin1 in opposition to the ,bristol ,steam ,navigation ,company4 ,this opposition was withdrawn upon the ,bristol ,company undertaking to pay the ,waterford ,company an annual sum of #a1jjj1 which sum they continued to pay for a great many years4 ,about the year #ahdg1 ,malcomson ,brothers 7the owners of the ,waterford ,steamship ,company7 purchased the steamer ,,dublin1 for employment in one of their ,london trades4 ,she was the first screw steamer owned by any ,irish company or firm1 and she proved so successful that her new owners had all their subsequent steamers fitted with screws1 except one boat for a special trade4 ,being shareholders in the ,peninsular and ,oriental ,steam ,navigation ,company1 ,malcomson ,brothers induced the directors of that company to introduce screw steamers into their fleet4 ,it was also by the advice of ,messrs4 ,malcomson that ,richardson ,brothers1 the promoters and first managers of the ,inman line1 built screw steamers for the ,atlantic4 ,the ,messrs4 ,malcomson were no mere theorists in steamship construction2 they decided to build the steamers they owned4 ,for this reason they established 7in #ahdg7 an iron shipbuilding and engineering works at ,waterford1 under the style of the ,neptune ,iron ,works4 ,they were fortunate in securing for their manager a talented shipbuilder1 the late ,mr4 ,john ,horn1 who was succeeded by his son1 ,mr4 ,andrew ,horn1 an engineer of very exceptional abilities1 and who is the present superintendent engineer of the company4 ,about #dj steamers were built at the ,neptune ,iron ,works before they were closed1 several of which became famous1 and all of which were noted for their strength of hull and engines4 ,in #ahdi the ,waterford ,steamship ,company 7,malcomson ,brothers7 built at their ,neptune ,iron ,works1 ,waterford1 the steamer ,,mars4 ,her original plans1 which were for a paddle-boat1 were altered while she was on the stocks1 and she was launched a screw steamer4 ,she was the first screw steamer placed on the ,liverpool and ,waterford station1 and at first the cattle shippers did not like the idea of shipping by her1 especially as on one of her early voyages she heeled over on leaving ,waterford ,quay1 and killed a large number of cattle2 but the late ,captain ,burns was put in command1 and she proved herself to be a safe carrier1 and speedily became a favourite boat in the trade4 ,two years prior to this date 7#ahdg7 ,malcomson ,brothers built at the same yard the steamer ,,neptune--this was the first steamer built at the ,neptune ,iron ,works1 and she was also the first steamer to run to ,st4 ,petersburg4 ,it happened in this way4 ,the ,russian ,government were very anxious to get a line of steamers established between ,england and ,st4 ,petersburg1 and made overtures on the subject to ,malcomson ,brothers4 ,as a result1 the latter agreed to start a line from ,london1 of which the pioneer steamer was wrecked in the ,baltic on her first outward voyage4 ,the ,,neptune was then despatched4 ,when she arrived at ,cronstadt the ,mayor of ,st4 ,petersburg came on board in state1 and as she steamed up the ,neva1 ,h4,i4,m4 the ,czar ,nicholas met her in his state barge2 the forts and warships fired salutes of honour1 and all the merchant ships were covered with flags4 ,to commemorate this important event1 his ,majesty the ,czar commanded that whenever the ,,neptune came to ,st4 ,petersburg she was to be free of port and pilotage dues4 ,at the time of which ,i write1 it was impossible to over-estimate the influence of ,malcomson ,brothers in the commercial steamship world4 ,we have seen how they were consulted by the directors of the ,p4 and ,o41 and by the promoters of the ,inman line4 ,in addition to their coasting fleets they had steamers in the ,eastern trade1 one of which--the ,,una--was one of the first steamers to pass through the ,suez ,canal4 ,they were also the pioneers of the ,liverpool and ,river ,plate trade1 and were1 ,i believe1 the predecessors of ,lamport and ,holt4 ,amongst the large fleet of steamers built for the ,waterford ,steamship ,company at their own shipbuilding and engineering works was a screw steamer1 the ,,william ,,penn4 ,this steamer was sold by the ,waterford ,steamship ,company1 and her new owners1 having lengthened her and given her a fourth mast1 renamed her the ,,european4 ,as the ,,european she ran for a number of years in ,h4 ,n4 ,hughes and ,nephew's line between ,liverpool and ,bombay4 ,she afterwards was transferred to1 or chartered by1 ,geo4 ,warren and ,co41 and while in their ,boston and ,liverpool service1 in the early seventies1 she had the proud distinction of being the first steamer to bring to ,liverpool an importation of ,american live cattle1 consigned to ,geo4 ,roddick and ,co41 ,chapel ,walks4 ,since the withdrawal of the ,malcomsons from the active control of the company1 the management of the ,waterford ,steamship ,company has been vested in ,mr4 ,c4 ,morley1 under whose able management the steamers have been maintained in a state of thorough efficiency and up-to-dateness4 ,the fleet of the company at the present date consists of the following powerful steamers1 which make their passages to and from ,liverpool and ,waterford with unfailing regularity in about #ah hours1 summer and winter1 viz43--,,lara1 ,,comeragh1 ,,reginald1 ,,dunbrody and ,,menapia4 ,the ,,dunbrody has a complete installation of electric light1 including the holds1 and her lower holds for the entire length form a refrigerator4 ,a further and larger addition1 the ,,clodagh1 now building1 will shortly be added to the fleet1 embracing all the above improvements1 with an increased speed1 and increased first-class passenger accommodation4 ,the ,waterford ,steamship ,company were amongst the first steamship owners to discard the bowsprit and figure-head1 and to adopt the straight stem4 ,they were also amongst the first owners to build steamers with saloons amidships1 and it is their proud boast that in the ,liverpool and ,waterford service1 extending over sixty years1 they never lost a ship or a human life4 ,illustration3 ,the late ,t4 ,h4 ,,ismay1 ,esq4 ,,chapter ,,xx4 ,,white ,,star ,,line4 ,the ,white ,star ,line was founded about the middle of the last century by the owners of a line of smart clippers sailing between ,england and ,australia4 ,the great rush of adventurers to the ,australian gold diggings in the 8fifties0 gave a great impetus to the trade between ,great ,britain and the ,colonies4 ,in the course of seven years the ,white ,star1 ,black ,ball and other lines carried about half a million passengers to the ,antipodes4 ,the 8,white ,star0 boats1 even in those days1 were the largest of their class1 and amongst them were the famous wooden clippers ,,golden ,,era1 ,,champion ,,of ,,the ,,seas1 ,,blue ,,jacket1 and ,,white ,,star1 vessels of from #c1jjj to #d1ejj tons gross4 ,an important change took place in the destinies of the line in #ahfg1 when the managing owner retired1 and the late ,thomas ,henry ,ismay took over the flag4 ,two years later came the great event in the history of the ,white ,star ,line1 when ,mr4 ,ismay induced some friends to join him in the formation of the ,oceanic ,steam ,navigation ,company4 ,it was an enterprise boldly conceived1 and carried out with great judgment4 ,boldly conceived1 for there were already four companies each maintaining a regular weekly service between ,liverpool and ,new ,york4 ,nor were these small companies1 or of indifferent reputation4 ,there was the ,cunard ,company1 established about thirty years previously2 the ,inman ,line1 with a fine fleet of clipper passenger steamers2 the ,guion ,line1 with its large ,american connections2 and the ,national ,line1 with its fleet of huge cargo carriers4 ,in spite of this1 ,mr4 ,ismay was confident that there was room for a high-class ,trans-,atlantic passenger service1 and the shares in the new company 7#a1jjj each fully paid7 were at once privately taken up by the firm of ,t4 ,h4 ,ismay ,co4 and their friends1 amongst whom were some of the most substantial names in ,england4 ,the following year ,mr4 ,imrie 7of the late firm of ,imrie1 ,tomlinson ,co47 joined ,mr4 ,ismay1 and the style of the firm was altered to ,ismay1 ,imrie ,co4 ,the first step taken by the managers of the ,oceanic ,steam ,navigation ,company was to arrange with the celebrated shipbuilders1 ,messrs4 ,harland and ,wolff1 ,belfast1 for the construction of a fleet of high-class steamships1 expressly for the ,american passenger trade4 ,the pioneer vessel of the line 7the ,,oceanic7 was launched on the #bgth ,august1 #ahgj1 and started on her maiden voyage under the ,white ,star flag on the #bnd ,march1 #ahga4 ,after running for several years between ,liverpool and ,new ,york1 this steamer 7,,oceanic1 the first71 along with her sister ships1 ,,gaelic and ,,belgic1 were chartered to the ,occidental and ,oriental ,steamship ,company1 of ,san ,francisco1 to maintain a mail service between that port and the ,orient4 ,the ,,oceanic was quickly followed on the ,liverpool-,new ,york service by the ,,baltic1 ,,republic1 ,,adriatic and ,,celtic1 and weekly sailings from both ports were instituted4 ,these steamers were all of the one type1 straight stems1 four masts1 single funnel1 and saloon amidships4 ,they proved themselves to be equal in speed and superior in accommodation to any ships then afloat4 ,four more steamers were added to the fleet in #ahgc1 viz41 the ,,asiatic1 ,,tropic1 ,,gaelic and ,,belgic4 ,a great advance on the earlier steamships was made in #ahgd1 when the ,,britannic was launched1 followed by her sister ship1 the ,,germanic1 in #ahge4 ,prior to the formation of the ,white ,star ,atlantic ,fleet1 the passage between ,liverpool and ,new ,york had averaged #i or #aj days1 the ,,oceanic and her consorts reduced it to about #h days1 whilst the ,,britannic and ,,germanic brought the time down to about #g days4 ,these vessels1 with the exception of the two last named which were larger and faster1 were almost uniform in size and speed4 ,these1 and the later vessels of the fleet1 were designed and built to attain the three-fold purpose of safety1 speed and comfort1 and their performances have certainly realised the expectations of their owners4 ,speed has been an important1 but a secondary1 consideration1 as is shewn by the following extract from the 8,book of ,regulations0 of the ,white ,star ,line of steamers3-- 8,the commanders must distinctly understand that the issue of the following instructions does not1 in any way1 relieve them from entire responsibility for the safe and efficient navigation of their respective vessels2 and they are also enjoined to remember that1 whilst they are expected to use every diligence to secure a speedy voyage1 they must run no risk which might by any possibility result in accident to their ships4 ,it is to be hoped that they will ever bear in mind that the safety of the lives and property entrusted to their care is the ruling principle that should govern them in the navigation of their ships1 and no supposed gain in expedition or saving of time on the voyage is to be purchased at the risk of accident4 ,the company desires to establish and maintain for its vessels a reputation for safety1 and only looks for such speed on the various voyages as is consistent with safe and prudent navigation40 ,not content with giving this general regulation1 the managers have issued to the commanders of the respective ships of the fleet a special autograph letter1 laying special emphasis on the supreme importance of extreme and unvarying caution and prudence in the navigation of the company's vessels4 ,the concluding paragraph of this letter is as follows3-- 8,under all these circumstances of paramount and engrossing interest to the company1 whose property is under your charge1 we invite you to dismiss from your mind all idea of competitive passages with other vessels1 the advantage of success in which is merely transient1 concentrating your whole attention upon a cautious1 prudent1 and ever-watchful system of navigation which shall lose time1 or suffer any other temporary inconvenience1 rather than run the slightest risk which can be avoided40 ,the ,,britannic when she first came out was fitted with a novelty in the shape of a 8lifting propeller40 ,this propeller was a patent of the late ,sir ,edward ,harland1 senior partner of the firm by whom the ,,britannic was built4 ,in long ships the pitching in a heavy sea1 and the vertical motion of the waves1 tend to expose the upper portion of the propeller1 the evil effects arising from this being the 8racing0 of the engines and its attendant dangers1 together with a diminished speed4 ,sir ,edward ,harland believed that a propeller which could be worked at any depth1 and which did not require the stoppage of the vessel whilst it was being raised or lowered1 would reduce these risks to a minimum1 if it did not entirely remove them4 ,in actual practice1 however1 it was found that the advantages of the new principle did not compensate for its disadvantages1 and1 after a fair trial had been given to it1 it was abandoned in favour of the old style of screw4 ,in a letter1 dated #crd ,december1 #ahgd1 addressed to the late ,mr4 ,w4 ,s4 ,lindsay1 ,messrs4 ,ismay1 ,imrie ,co4 state3--8,the average speed of the ,,britannic is fifteen knots per hour on a consumption of #ge to #hj tons of coal per day1 and her approximate cost1 built without contract1 is #bjj1jjj40 ,from #ahgc until #ahhd the ,white ,star ,line maintained its position as the fastest fleet on the ,atlantic1 a result to which the ,,britannic and ,,germanic contributed in no small degree4 ,in ,september1 #ahij1 the ,,britannic eclipsed her own previous record of #g days #i hours1 by crossing from ,new ,york to ,queenstown in #g days #f hours #ee minutes1 at an average speed of #afhj knots4 ,the following year 7,september1 #ahia7 she surpassed even this rapid passage1 by making the run from ,new ,york to ,queenstown in #g days #f hours #eb minutes4 ,while employed by ,h4,m4 ,government to convey troops during the late war in ,south ,africa1 she made the run from ,queenstown to the ,cape in #ai days1 a speed surpassed by few of the transports engaged4 ,in ,august1 #ahia1 the ,,germanic following in the track of her sister ship1 travelled from ,new ,york to ,queenstown in #g days #g hours #cg minutes1 at an average speed of #afaj knots per hour4 ,when it is remembered that this high speed 7nearly nineteen statute miles per hour7 was attained by vessels over #bj years old1 with their original compound engines and boilers1 it will be acknowledged that1 having regard to their small coal consumption and large carrying capacity1 the ,,britannic and ,,germanic have given results unattainable with the fastest ships of the present day4 ,the ,,germanic in #ahie received new engines and boilers1 and had her passenger quarters entirely remodelled on the plan of the ,,majestic and ,,teutonic4 ,in ,july of that year she crossed from ,queenstown to ,new ,york in #f days #bc hours #de minutes1 and in ,august of the year following in #f days #ba hours and #ch minutes1 thus showing a substantial increase of speed4 ,after the launch of these two famous steamers1 there was an interval of six years during which no new vessels were added to the fleet4 ,the next additions were the ,,arabic and ,,coptic1 for the ,trans-,pacific trade1 in #ahha4 ,in the same year ,mr4 ,w4 ,s4 ,graves1 son of a well-known former ,m4,p4 for ,liverpool1 became a partner4 ,illustration3 ,,oceanic 7#ahgj74 ,white ,star ,line4 ,in #ahhc the ,,ionic and ,,doric were built for the ,new ,zealand trade--the ,shaw1 ,savill and ,albion ,line from ,london4 ,in #ahhe the ,,gaelic and ,,belgic--replacing the two older ships of the same names--were built for the ,trans-,pacific trade4 ,a new type of steamer for the cargo and cattle trade between ,liverpool and ,new ,york was introduced in #ahhh1 the two first steamers of the new type being the ,,cufic and ,,runic4 ,these vessels were the last single screw ships ordered for the ,white ,star ,line1 all the succeeding vessels being of the twin-screw type4 ,the ,,cufic and ,,runic proved successful enough to warrant the company in forming a complete service of cargo and cattle steamers4 ,after doing very efficient service as cattle carriers1 the ,,cufic was sold to a ,liverpool firm1 who changed her name to the ,,manxman1 and the ,,runic1 also sold to a ,liverpool firm1 is engaged in the ,west ,indian trade under the name of the ,,tampican4 ,in ,january1 #ahhi1 was launched the ,,teutonic1 the first of the celebrated pair of twin-screw mercantile armed cruisers 7,,teutonic and ,,majestic71 each #aj1jjj tons1 which have since made for themselves a great reputation in the ,new ,york mail and passenger service4 ,the keel of the ,,teutonic was laid in ,march1 #ahhg4 ,the vessel was launched #bb months later1 and she left ,liverpool on her maiden voyage to ,new ,york on the #gth ,august1 #ahhi4 ,prior to going on to her regular station1 she was present1 armed with eight quick-firing guns1 at the naval inspection by the ,german ,emperor at ,spithead in the beginning of ,august1 #ahhi4 ,on that occasion she astonished nautical critics with her splendid proportions1 and was honoured by a special visit from ,h4,i4,m4 the ,kaiser1 and ,h4,r4,h4 the ,prince of ,wales 7now ,h4,m4 ,king ,edward ,,vii474 ,she was again present with a large party of guests at the ,diamond ,jubilee ,naval ,review in ,june1 #ahig1 when she carried an armament of #af guns4 ,her sister ship1 the ,,majestic1 was launched on the #bith ,june1 #ahhi1 but did not start on her first voyage until the #bnd ,april1 #ahij4 ,the length of time occupied in the building of these great ships is sufficient evidence1 if any were needed1 of the great care bestowed on their construction1 and the builders1 ,messrs4 ,harland ,wolff1 have their reward in witnessing the successful work which is being performed by two of the finest vessels the world has ever seen4 ,these two beautiful vessels quickly lowered the record on the ,atlantic4 ,in ,july1 #ahia1 the ,,majestic steamed from ,queenstown to ,new ,york in #e days #ah hours and #h minutes1 the fastest passage then on record1 but even this was eclipsed by the ,,teutonic the succeeding month by a passage of #e days #af hours duration4 ,illustration3 ,r4,m4,s4 ,,teutonic4 ,white ,star ,line4 ,on ,january #ast1 #ahia1 ,mr4 ,ismay's two elder sons1 ,mr4 ,j4 ,bruce ,ismay 7previously the company's agent in ,new ,york7 and ,mr4 ,james ,h4 ,ismay1 were admitted members of the firm4 ,after #dj years' business life ,mr4 ,t4 ,h4 ,ismay1 on the #cast ,december1 #ahia1 retired from the firm of ,ismay1 ,imrie ,co41 but he continued to fill the position of chairman of the ,white ,star ,line until his decease in ,november1 #ahii4 ,a large and handsome twin-screw passenger and mail steamer1 the ,,gothic1 of #g1gee tons1 was added to the company's ,new ,zealand fleet in #ahic1 and four years later 7#ahig7 the ,,delphic1 #h1bgc tons1 a twin-screw cargo steamer1 with accommodation for one class of passengers only1 was placed in the ,new ,zealand service4 ,recognising that very considerable numbers of passengers are willing to sacrifice speed to comfort and safety1 the managers of the ,white ,star ,line determined to make an innovation by building a twin-screw cargo steamer of exceptional size and power1 fitted with accommodation for a limited number of saloon and third-class passengers4 ,the new steamer which was called the ,,cymric1 commenced work in the ,liverpool and ,new ,york trade in #ahih4 ,her tonnage is #ac1jif tons gross4 ,her passenger accommodation in both classes is excellent1 and she has proved a very attractive ship4 ,the autumn of #ahii was the most eventful period in the history of the ,white ,star ,line4 ,the ,company1 having sold all its sailing ships formerly employed between ,england and ,australia1 determined upon replacing them by a line of high-class steamships1 and the first steamer of the new line--the ,medic1 #aa1ihd tons--sailed from ,liverpool for ,australian ports on the #crd ,august4 ,she was followed by the ,,afric1 ,,persic1 ,,runic and ,,suevic4 ,all these five vessels are approximately of the same size1 propelled by twin screws1 and maintain a regular monthly service between ,liverpool and ,australia1 via the ,cape4 ,the first return voyage of the ,,medic was taken advantage of by the ,australian ,government for the conveyance of the first contingent of ,colonial troops and horses to the ,cape4 ,intense public interest was excited by the arrival1 in the ,mersey from ,belfast of the ,,oceanic1 the second1 on ,saturday1 #bgth ,august1 #ahii1 but almost at the moment of their greatest triumph the ,white ,star ,line suffered the irreparable loss of the founder of the ,company4 ,mr4 ,t4 ,h4 ,ismay passed away1 after a severe illness lasting three months1 on the #bcrd ,november1 #ahii4 ,the extent of the loss caused by his death to the community at large1 was very feelingly expressed by the 8,times10 in its issue of the following day4 ,the second ,,oceanic sailed on her maiden voyage from ,liverpool to ,new ,york on the #fth ,september1 #ahii4 ,the following description of her appeared in the 8,liverpool ,daily ,post0 of #cast ,august1 #ahii3-- 8,big as she is1 the ,,oceanic appeared nothing remarkable as she lay yesterday in the ,canada ,dock1 while coal was being poured into her bunkers from eight grimy barges lying alongside4 ,this was because the ,liverpool docks are themselves gigantic4 ,it was only when1 from the bridge of the ,,oceanic1 #ff feet above the water-line1 one looked down upon the whole length of the vessel and upon the expanse of docks and sheds1 that her size was realised4 ,on the opposite side of the dock was the ,,cymric1 from the depths of which a horde of labourers were discharging cargo4 ,now the ,,cymric is the largest cargo steamer in the world1 #b1ejj tons larger than either the ,,majestic or ,,teutonic4 ,but from the ,,oceanic',s bridge she looked positively like a coaster4 ,one looked down upon her busy decks as one might look from the roof of a house into a street4 ,why the bulk of the ,,oceanic is not the first thing that strikes the attention1 is because her lines are graceful4 ,she is huge1 but she is not elephantine4 ,her masts1 even at the point where they enter the top mast or spar deck1 are nearly three feet in diameter1 that is1 they are as high and as thick as patriarchal oak2 but from a near distance they look slim and tapering4 ,the same may be said of the ship's boats which are as big as barges4 ,the fact is1 that everything about this latest creation of shipping enterprise is proportioned so beautifully that the mere hugeness of it all is only apprehended by remembering such facts as1 that her rudder and stern frame weigh #aej tons2 that #ajj tons of cable lie coiled on her foc'sle deck2 that she is composed of #ag1jjj steel plates1 many weighing from two to three and a quarter tons2 that her promenade deck is #djj feet long2 and that her monster engines can move with the power of #bh1jjj horses4 ,to look down into the engine room from the big sky-light on the top deck is to have a glimpse into a world that to people not used to shipping is one of strange activity2 a world where diminutive human ants are moving in a tropical atmosphere across narrow bridges1 busy preparing this ,brobdignagian apparatus for its first struggle with the forces of the wide ,atlantic1 which the ,,oceanic is to cross with the speed and certainty of an express train--the conquest of the mighty force of matter by the mighty force of mind4444 8,but much has been written already of the ship as a triumph of science2 the more immediate purpose here is to speak of her as a triumph of art1 as the last thing1 so far1 in the way of floating hotels4444 ,state rooms in scores to the right and to the left2 now mahogany1 now oak2 now satinwood2 now a mixture of any two or three of them1 until the lavishness of everything became surfeiting1 notwithstanding that the ,louis ,quinze style succeeded the ,queen ,anne1 and the ,queen ,anne gave place to something #8too utter' in decadent sumptuousness4 ,three decks of these apartments1 with lavatories of costly marble1 suites of baths1 and every other appurtenance of physical comfort placed conveniently here and there4 ,it is the literal truth to say that the ,,oceanic is a ,hotel ,cecil afloat40 ,it would serve no purpose to weary the reader with a decorator's specification1 but the following are the dimensions of the ,,oceanic1 and of the principal apartments on board3-- ,the library1 on the promenade deck1 has a length of #ec feet and a width of #dj feet4 ,the saloon is #hj feet by #fd feet4 ,the central glass dome is #ba feet square1 and is divided up by golden ribs and filled in with white ground glass of a pearly appearance4 ,illustration3 ,r4,m4,s4 ,,oceanic 7#ahii74 ,white ,star ,line4 ,the length of the ship over all is #gje feet2 the length between perpendiculars1 #fhe feet2 breadth1 #fh feet2 depth1 #dd feet2 gross tonnage1 #ag1bgd tons2 load displacement1 #bh1jjj tons2 engines1 #bh1jjj ,i4,h4,p4 ,illustration3 ,r4,m4,s4 ,,celtic4 ,white ,star ,line4 ,mr4 ,harold ,arthur ,sanderson1 who had occupied the position of general manager to ,ismay1 ,imrie ,co4 for five years1 was admitted a partner on the #ast ,january1 #aijj4 ,the ,,celtic1 a monster steamer of #bj1ijd tons gross1 was added to the fleet in #aija4 ,a sister ship to the ,,celtic was launched at ,belfast on the #bast ,august1 #aijb4 ,the new vessel is named the ,,cedric1 and has the distinction of exceeding in size anything afloat1 ,british or foreign4 ,like the ,,celtic1 she is classed as an intermediate ship1 not so fast as the ,,oceanic1 but yet speedy4 ,her length is #gjj feet and her beam #ge feet1 with a gross tonnage of #ba1jjj tons4 ,she sailed on her first voyage from ,liverpool on the #aath ,february1 #aijc4 ,illustration3 ,r4,m4,s4 ,,cymric4 ,white ,star ,line4 ,in #aijb ,mr4 ,j4 ,p4 ,morgan succeeded in welding into one huge commercial undertaking1 with a capital of #cb1jjj1jjj1 several of the principal ,transatlantic steamship companies1 including the famous ,white ,star ,line4 ,the purchase money for the latter alone exceeded ten millions sterling1 three millions of which was payable in cash on the #cast ,december1 #aijb1 and1 as a matter of fact1 was actually paid at the offices of ,messrs4 ,j4 ,p4 ,morgan ,co41 in ,london1 on the #ast ,december1 #aijb4 ,it was a sincere satisfaction to the ,british public when it was officially intimated that the ,white ,star flag was still to be retained1 and that ,mr4 ,j4 ,bruce ,ismay and ,mr4 ,pirrie 7the senior partner of the celebrated ,belfast shipbuilding firm7 were to be on the directorate4 ,the latest addition to the ,new ,york service of the ,white ,star ,line is the ,,arabic1 #ae1hjj tons gross register1 which sailed on her maiden voyage1 ,june #bfth1 #aijc1 and in the autumn of #aijc the four latest steamers built for the ,dominion ,line1 the ,,columbus1 ,,commonwealth1 ,,new ,,england and ,,mayflower1 were transferred to the ,white ,star flag1 and renamed the ,,republic1 ,,canopic1 ,,romanic and ,,cretic4 ,with the addition of these vessels1 a new service has been announced of sailings between ,boston and the principal ports in the ,mediterranean1 and1 in conjunction with the other steamships1 the ,,cymric is intended to maintain a ,liverpool-,boston service4 ,a monster steamer of no less than #bd1jjj tons 7an increase of #c1jjj tons upon the ,,cedric's tonnage7 is approaching completion at the yard of ,harland ,wolff4 ,she is to be named the ,,baltic1 and will probably be ready early in the summer of #aijd4 ,,chapter ,,xxi4 ,adelaide ,steamship ,co41 ,limited4--,john ,bacon1 ,limited4--,r4 ,burton ,sons1 ,limited4--,fletcher1 ,woodhill ,co4--,t4 ,j4 ,harrison4--,w4 ,s4 ,kennaugh ,co4--,lamport ,holt4--,h4 ,w4 ,nelson4--,r4 ,j4 ,h4 ,rea4--,j4 ,s4 ,sellers4--,henry ,tyrer ,co4 ,the following firms hold a prominent position in their respective trades--,foreign and ,coastwise--and most of them have been established for many years3-- ,the ,adelaide ,steamship ,co41 ,lim41 was established in ,october1 #ahge1 its nominal capital being #ajj1jjj4 ,in ,november1 #ahhb1 the capital of the ,company was increased to #cjj1jjj1 and in ,december1 #aijj1 a further reconstruction of the ,company occurred1 the capital being increased to #gej1jjj4 ,the first two steamers built for the ,company were the ,,south ,,australian and the ,,victorian4 ,each was slightly over #djj tons register1 making a total of #ijj tons2 whereas the present capacity of the ,company's fleet 7consisting of #be steamers7 is about #ej1jjj tons4 ,the steamers1 on their various routes1 trade to and from nearly every port on the ,australian seaboard4 ,amongst the vessels owned by the ,adelaide ,steamship ,co4 is the ,,ferret1 whose romantic story is told in the first part of this volume4 7,see ante1 page #acg74 ,john ,bacon1 ,lim4--,this firm was established about the middle of the last century by the late ,mr4 ,john ,bacon4 ,mr4 ,bacon died in #ahhf1 and three years later the business was formed into a ,limited ,company4 ,the fleet of the ,company at the present date consists of the steamers ,,eden ,,vale1 ,,edith1 ,,heptarchy1 ,,prestonian1 ,,stuart1 ,,sunlight1 ,,talbot1 ,,tudor1 ,,vigilant1 and ,,wexford4 ,these steamers maintain regular sailings between ,liverpool and ,wexford1 ,liverpool and the ,bristol ,channel ,ports1 c4 ,r4 ,burton ,sons4--,the firm of ,r4 ,burton ,sons was founded by the late ,mr4 ,r4 ,burton1 of ,newport1 ,mon41 over one hundred years ago1 and since #ahdj has been carried on by his three sons4 ,in #ahih the business was transferred to a ,limited ,company1 with a capital of #ajj1jjj1 the major portion of the shares being retained by the ,messrs4 ,burton4 ,the ,company maintains regular services between ,liverpool and various ports in the ,bristol ,channel1 a daily service between ,bristol and ,cardiff1 and a daily service between ,bristol and ,newport1 ,mon4 ,fletcher1 ,woodhill ,co4--,this firm was established at ,manchester1 in #ahic1 by ,mr4 ,h4 ,a4 ,fletcher 7of ,liverpool7 and ,captain ,t4 ,j4 ,woodhill 7of ,sunderland74 ,since the opening of the ,ship ,canal ,messrs4 ,fletcher1 ,woodhill ,co4 have taken an active part in the steamship business of the port of ,manchester4 ,their present services are between ,manchester and ,france2 ,manchester1 ,portugal and ,spain2 and ,manchester and ,italy4 ,t4 ,j4 ,harrison4--,this important ,steamship ,company maintains regular sailings from ,liverpool to ,calcutta1 ,new ,orleans1 ,galveston1 ,brazil and ,west ,indies1 and ,south of ,france2 also joint sailings of ,ellerman-,harrison ,line from ,glasgow and ,liverpool to ,south and ,east ,africa4 ,the fleet at the present date 7#aijd7 consists of #cf full-powered steamships1 exclusive of two steamers building1 with an aggregate gross tonnage of #agi1aff tons3--,,actor1 ,,barrister1 ,,capella1 ,,chancellor1 ,,civilian1 ,,cognac1 ,,collegian1 ,,colonial1 ,,comedian1 ,,counsellor1 ,,craftsman1 ,,custodian1 ,,dictator1 ,,director1 ,,electrician1 ,,explorer1 ,,historian1 ,,inventor1 ,,jarnac1 ,,logician1 ,,magician1 ,,mechanician1 ,,mira1 ,,musician1 ,,navigator1 ,,orion1 ,,patrician1 ,,politician1 ,,senator1 ,,statesman1 ,,tactician1 ,,traveller1 ,,wanderer1 ,,wayfarer1 ,,workman1 ,,yeoman4 ,w4 ,s4 ,kennaugh ,co4 commenced business of steamship owners at a time when sailing vessels were being displaced in the general coasting trade by steamers4 ,the first boat built for the firm was the ,,scale ,,force1 famous in her day for her large carrying powers on a low net register4 ,she was designed by a brother of the senior partner of the firm1 by whom all the succeeding steamers have been designed4 ,the names of the steamers at the present date owned by this firm are the ,,aira ,,force1 ,,birker ,,force1 ,,holme ,,force1 and ,,stanley ,,force4 ,lamport ,holt ,line4--,the ,liverpool1 ,brazil and ,river ,plate ,steam ,navigation ,co41 ,limited1 better known as the 8,lamport ,holt0 ,line1 was formed in #ahfe1 the first ,managers of the ,line being the late ,mr4 ,william ,james ,lamport1 and ,mr4 ,george ,holt4 ,this ,company is one of the largest of the ,steamship ,companies of ,liverpool1 at which ,port its headquarters are situated4 ,it owns a fleet1 of thirty-nine full-powered modern cargo steamers1 ranging from #a1fga tons to #f1ejh tons1 the average per steamer being #c1cge tons and the aggregate tonnage #aca1fed tons gross register1 representing a total dead weight carrying capacity of about #bjj1jjj tons4 ,the ,company has given special attention to the transit of cattle to and from the ,river ,plate1 in which trade it has nine steamers1 specially built for this service1 having permanent fittings for the conveyance of live-stock4 ,these vessels have a most satisfactory record for the carriage of the cattle shipped by them4 ,live stock are also carried between ,new ,york and ,manchester by boats specially adapted to the requirements of the ,north ,atlantic ,trade4 ,all the steamers of the ,lamport and ,holt fleet are fitted with the most modern appliances for the rapid and effective handling of general cargo4 ,the operations of the ,company are varied and extensive and comprise the following regular services3--,from ,glasgow1 ,manchester and ,liverpool to ,bahia1 ,rio de ,janeiro and ,santos1 fortnightly4 ,from ,london and ,antwerp to ,rio de ,janeiro and ,santos1 every ten days4 ,from ,new ,york 7carrying first and third-class passengers7 to ,pernambuco1 ,bahia1 ,rio de ,janeiro and ,santos1 fortnightly4 ,also to the ,river ,plate from ,liverpool1 fortnightly2 from ,glasgow1 monthly2 from ,london and ,antwerp1 fortnightly2 and from ,new ,york at frequent intervals4 ,a regular monthly service is also maintained between ,liverpool1 ,glasgow1 and ,west ,coast ports in ,chili1 ,peru1 and ,ecuador4 ,the steamers of this ,line have always been very popular with shippers1 who are able to depend upon regularity of service1 and careful handling of their goods4 ,h4 ,w4 ,nelson1 ,limited4--,this remarkably successful ,company was founded in #ahhi1 by ,messrs4 ,hugh and ,william ,nelson4 ,the pioneer steamer of the fleet was the steamer ,,spindrift1 now the ,,highland ,,scot1 which sailed from ,liverpool on her maiden voyage on the #abth ,december1 #ahhi4 ,illustration3 ,,highland ,,brigade ,s4,s4 ,h4 ,w4 ,nelson1 ,limited4 ,a few months later 7,may1 #ahij7 the second steamer of the line1 the ,,highland ,,chief1 was launched1 and the following year three additional steamers were built for the ,company1 and named respectively the ,,highland ,,glen1 ,,highland ,,lassie and ,,highland ,,mary4 ,since that date1 nine vessels 7including three now building7 have been added to the fleet1 which consists of fourteen powerful modern steamships of large carrying capacity4 ,these steamers are all very similar in design 7though several are much larger7 to the ,,highland ,,enterprise1 of which particulars are given below4 ,the ,,highland ,,enterprise was launched in ,january of the present year 7#aijc74 ,she is #che feet long1 between perpendiculars2 with #de feet beam1 and draft laden #bc feet #f inches4 ,she has a carrying capacity of #f1ejj tons4 ,like her sister ships1 she is insulated throughout for carrying frozen meat1 and fitted with the latest type of refrigerating machinery1 as well as the most up-to date appliances for the effective handling of general cargo4 ,accommodation has been provided amidships for about a dozen passengers4 ,her engines1 which are of the triple-expansion type1 propelled her on her trial trip at a speed equal to #ac knots per hour4 ,in addition to a regular fortnightly service between ,liverpool and ,monte ,video1 ,buenos ,ayres and ,rosario1 the steamers of the ,nelson ,line sail at regular monthly intervals from ,london and ,newport 7,mon47 to the ,river ,plate4 ,,fleet4 ,,tons ,,reg4 ,,highland ,,brigade #e1fdj ,,highland ,,chief #b1fdj ,,highland ,,corrie #d1jej ,,highland ,,enterprise #d1ejj ,,highland ,,ghillie #c1ice ,,highland ,,glen #b1igd ,,highland ,,harris #e1ejj ,,highland ,,heather #e1ejj ,,highland ,,hope #d1ejj ,,highland ,,laird #d1aaf ,,highland ,,lassie #b1dhh ,,highland ,,mary #b1igd ,,highland ,,scot #c1jfj ,,highland ,,watch #e1ejj ,,total #eg1cgg ,,tons4 ,r4 ,j4 ,h4 ,rea4--,in #ahgb ,mr4 ,russell ,rea 7the present ,m4,p4 for the ,city of ,gloucester71 commenced business as a coal merchant in ,liverpool4 ,after a lapse of seven years 7#ahgi71 he admitted his brother1 ,mr4 ,james ,rea1 into partnership1 and the style of the firm was altered to ,r4 ,j4 ,h4 ,rea4 ,the firm own a fleet of five powerful modern coasting steamers1 each having a capacity of about #b1ejj tons dead weight1 and named respectively the ,,bangarth1 ,,calgarth1 ,,dalegarth1 ,,gatesgarth1 and ,,throstlegarth4 ,in addition to these vessels1 the firm possesses five steam tugs and about #bjj lighters4 ,messrs4 ,r4 ,j4 ,h4 ,rea have offices at ,london1 ,liverpool1 ,southampton1 ,bristol and ,cardiff4 ,john ,s4 ,sellers4--,mr4 ,sellers commenced business as a steamship owner at ,liverpool in the early nineties1 the first steamer acquired by him being the ,,timbo4 ,although for a short time employed as a 8tramp0 she was soon placed in a regular general cargo trade1 and during the past ten years she has maintained1 with every satisfaction to shippers and consignees1 the service between ,liverpool and ,preston4 ,mr4 ,sellers has also established a regular trade between ,harlingen 7,holland7 and ,liverpool1 and since early in #aijj he has built up a regular weekly service between ,glasgow and ,preston1 which is well served by the ,,thursby and other steamers4 ,henry ,tyrer ,co4--,mr4 ,henry ,tyrer1 the sole partner in this firm1 commenced business in #ahgh1 in ,liverpool1 and in #ahib opened a branch office at ,preston4 ,the ,albert ,edward ,dock at ,preston1 was opened by the late ,duke of ,edinburgh in ,june of that year1 and immediately after the opening ceremony1 the steamer ,,lady ,,louisa1 chartered by ,messrs4 ,henry ,tyrer ,co41 commenced discharging1 being thus the first steamer to unload in ,preston ,dock4 ,this firm has continued from that date to be closely associated with the steam trade of ,preston4 ,in #ahii ,messrs4 ,henry ,tyrer ,co4 built the steamer ,,prestonian1 the first steamer to bear that name1 shortly afterwards disposing of her to ,messrs4 ,john ,bacon1 ,limited1 in whose service she is still employed4 ,the following year 7#aijj7 ,messrs4 ,henry ,tyrer ,co4 purchased the steamship ,,hermann1 of about #a1cjj tons deadweight1 which is regularly employed in the firm's wood pulp trade from ,baltic ports4 ,the small steamer ,,princess was purchased the same year for employment in the firm's regular ,london and ,preston general cargo trade4 ,in #aija the steamer ,,prestonian1 the first1 was replaced by a new steamer of #a1fjj tons deadweight1 also named the ,,prestonian1 and which1 like the ,,hermann1 is regularly engaged in the firm's wood pulp trade4 ,during the present year 7#aijc7 the firm bought the steamer ,,minterne1 and re-named her the ,,nancy ,,lee4 ,she is a large steamer of about #d1gej tons deadweight1 and has proved herself to be an excellent sea boat4 ,a remarkable incident in connection with this ship is1 that she has been chartered for six years1 to run consecutive voyages between the ,saguenay ,river 7,canada7 and the ,u4 ,k41 at a fixed rate of freight covering the whole period4 ,in addition to their offices at ,liverpool and ,preston1 ,messrs4 ,henry ,tyrer ,co4 have also branch offices at ,london and ,manchester1 in connection with their extensive and largely developing wood pulp trade4 ,illustration3 ,steamship ,,index4 ,,aaron ,,manby 7#ahbb71 first iron steamboat1 #ci ,abb ,arnal and ,marquis de ,jouffroy 7#agha71 #h ,,accommodation1 first ,canadian steamboat1 #i ,,achilles 7,holt ,line71 ,remarkable steaming powers of1 #acf ,adelaide ,steamship ,co41 ,limited1 #cae ,,adriatic 7,collins ,line71 #aad ,african ,steamship ,co41 #afg ,,alaska 7,guion ,line71 #aaa ,,alaska 7ex ,,farralones1 ex ,,massachusetts71 #ib ,,albion 7#ahaf71 ,clyde ,steampacket1 #bi ,allan1 ,james 7,messrs4 ,wilcox ,anderson71 #di ,allan ,line1 #adg ,,america 7,national ,line71 #aji ,,ancient ,,briton 7#ahaf71 #bd ,,arctic 7,collins ,line71 #ie ,,arctic 7,collins ,line71 ,loss of1 #aja ,,argyle 7#ahac71 re-named ,,thames1 #ab ,,arizona 7,guion ,line71 #aab ,,asia 7,cunard ,line71 #ih ,,atalanta 7#ahcf71 #di ,,atlantic 7,collins ,line71 #ie1 #if ,bacon 7,john71 ,limited1 #cae ,,baltic 7,calcutta and ,burmah ,steam ,navigation ,co471 #ee ,,baltic 7,collins ,line71 #ie ,belfast1 ,first steamer to and from ,greenock and1 #bf ,belfast1 ,first steamer to and from ,liverpool and1 #cc ,belfast ,steampacket ,co41 established1 #dj ,bell1 ,henry1 present at ,mr4 ,miller's experiments in #aghi1 #f ---- gives ,fulton the plans of the ,,charlotte ,,dundas1 #ahjc1 #f ---- employs the steamer ,,comet on the ,clyde1 #ahab1 #aa ---- ,clyde ,trustees grant ,annuity to1 #ab ---- ---- ,erect ,obelisk in memory of1 #ab ,,berenice 7#ahcf71 #di ,bibby ,bros4 ,co41 founded #ahjg1 #ef ,bibby ,line1 #bjc ,,birmingham 7,city of ,dublin ,co47 brings news of defeat of ,don ,miguel1 #fd ,bourne1 ,messrs41 establish steamship service to the ,peninsula1 #di ,,britannia1 pioneer ,cunard ,liner1 #ib ,,britannia 7#ahae71 ,clyde ,steampacket1 #bg ,,britannia 7#ahae71 ,season tickets issued for1 #bi ,british and ,african ,steam ,navigation ,co41 ,limited1 #agj ,british and ,irish ,steampacket ,co41 ,limited1 #aie ,british ,india ,steam ,navigation ,co41 #ee ,british ,queen ,steam ,navigation ,co41 #gj ,,british ,,queen 7steamship71 #ga ,,burmah 7,british ,india ,co471 #ef ,burns1 ,g4 and ,j41 commence business as steamship owners1 #db ---- first steamer ,,ayr1 #ahbe1 #dc ---- despatch steamer ,,fingal1 ,glasgow to ,belfast1 #ahbf1 #dc ---- enter the ,liverpool and ,glasgow trade1 #ahbi1 #dc ---- sell their ,west ,highland steamers1 #ahea1 #dc ---- joint founders of the ,cunard ,line1 #ahdj1 #gh ,burton1 ,r4 and ,sons1 ,limited1 #caf ,,bussorah 7,british ,india ,co471 #ef ,,calcutta1 ,loss of1 #ee ,calcutta and ,burmah ,steam ,navigation ,co41 #ee ,,caledonia1 ,clyde ,steampacket1 #bg ,,caledonia1 ,clyde ,steampacket 7,quotation from 8,life of ,watt071 #bi ,caledonian ,railway ,co41 #aed ,canadian ,pacific ,railway ,co41 #aej ,,cape ,,of ,,good ,,hope1 ,loss of1 #ee ,,car ,,of ,,commerce 7#ahac71 #aj ,cattle ventilators on steamers suggested1 #ahbj1 #ce ,,charlotte ,,dundas 7#ahjc71 #e ,,city ,,of ,,cork1 first ,irish steamboat1 #ac ,,city ,,of ,,dublin 7#ahbc71 pioneer steamer of the ,city of ,dublin ,co41 #dj ,city of ,dublin ,steampacket ,co41 established #ahbc1 #dj ---- establish regular steampacket service between ,england1 ,ireland and ,france1 #ahbg1 #dd ---- ,history of1 #agi ,,city ,,of ,,glasgow 7,inman ,line71 #ajf ,,clermont1 first passenger steamer in the world1 #g ---- ,eye witness's account of first passage of1 #g ---- ,wilful attempts to destroy1 #h ,collins ,line1 #id ,,colombo 7,p4 ,o4 ,liner71 #ec ,,comet1 first ,european passenger steamer1 #aa ---- ,advertised by ,henry ,bell1 #ab ---- ,dimensions of1 #ab ---- ,amusing anecdote relating to1 #ab ,,conde ,,de ,,patmella1 probably the first steamer to cross the ,atlantic from ,europe1 #ce ,cork ,steamship ,co41 ,limited1 #bjg ,cunard1 ,samuel1 crosses the ,atlantic in the ,,liverpool1 #gh ---- tenders for ,british and ,north ,american ,mail ,service1 #gh ---- conjointly with ,messrs4 ,burns ,mac,iver1 founds the ,cunard ,line1 #gh ,cunard ,line founded in #ahdj1 #gh ---- obtains ,mail ,contract1 ,halifax1 ,new ,york and ,bermuda1 #id ---- ,history of1 #bba ,,defiance 7#ahae71 ,thames ,steampacket1 #ac1 #bc ,,de ,,garay 7#aedc71 ,alleged invention by1 #b ,dodd1 ,captain1 #ag ,dominion ,line1 #aej ,dublin and ,liverpool ,steam ,navigation ,co41 established #ahbd1 #dj ---- purchased by ,city of ,dublin ,co41 #da ,,dumbarton ,,castle1 ,clyde ,steampacket1 #bg ---- sails round ,ailsa ,craig1 #ahaf1 #cj ---- sails round ,north of ,scotland1 #ahai1 #cj ,eastern ,steam ,navigation ,co41 #aai ,elder1 ,dempster ,co41 #ij1 #aea1 #afa ,,emerald 7,turbine ,s4,y471 #aeh ,,enterprise1 first steamer from ,england to ,calcutta1 #dc1 #dg1 #dh ,,erin 7#ahbf71 #dd ,,etna1 first steam ferry boat between ,liverpool and ,tranmere1 #bd ,,farralones1 ex ,,massachusetts1 re-named ,,alaska1 #ib ,,fenella 7,ardrossan and ,fleetwood ,steamer71 #aaf ,,ferret1 ,remarkable history of steamer1 #acg ,fitch1 ,mr4 7#aghc71 uses steam boilers on ,american ,rivers1 #d ,fletcher1 ,woodhill ,co41 #caf ,flinn1 ,main and ,montgomery1 #aej ,franco-,algerian ,expedition1 ,steamers chartered for1 #fc ,,george ,,canning 7#ahbe71 and the ,rival ,steampacket1 #db ,glasgow ,steampackets in #ahae1 #bg ---- in #ahah1 #ca ,glasgow ,steampacket passenger fares1 #ahah1 #ca ,glasgow and ,south ,western ,railway ,co41 #aed ,,golden ,,age 7steamship71 #aca ,,great ,,britain 7steamship71 in the ,atlantic trade1 #ha ---- in the ,australian trade1 #abi ,great ,central ,railway ,co41 #aee ,great ,eastern ,steam ,navigation ,co41 #aai ,,great ,,eastern 7steamship71 #aai ,great ,eastern ,railway ,co41 #aef ,,great ,,liverpool1 ex ,,liverpool1 #ea ,great ,western ,steamship ,co41 #ga ,,great ,,western 7steamship71 #ga ,great ,western ,railway ,co41 #aec ,guion ,line1 #aaj ,harrison1 ,t4 and ,j41 #caf ,,hero 7steam yacht71 #ci ,,hibernia 7#ahaf71 first steamer between ,england 7,holyhead7 and ,ireland 7,howth71 #bf ,,himalaya 7,p4 ,o4 ,liner71 #ec ,,hindostan 7,p4 ,o4 ,liner71 #eb ,holt ,line1 #acd ,houlder ,line1 #bdd ,houston ,line1 #bcg ,,hugh ,,lindsay 7,east ,india ,co4's steamer71 #dh ,hulls1 ,jonathan 7#agcf71 first patentee of a steamboat1 #b ,hutcheson1 ,david1 ,co41 #dc ,imperial ,direct ,west ,india ,service1 ,limited1 #ij ---- ,history of1 #age ,,india1 first steamer with ,indian produce via ,suez ,canal1 #ef ,,industry 7#ahac71 ,clyde ,steampacket1 #ab1 #af ,inman ,line1 #ajf ,inman1 ,william1 #ajg ,irish steamers1 #ac ,johnston1 ,lieut4 7#ahbb71 #de ,kennaugh1 ,w4 ,s4 and ,co41 #cag ,,king ,,edward 7,turbine ,steamer71 #aeg ,laird1 ,alex4 ,a41 #cg ,laird ,line1 #bi1 #cg1 #bea ,lamport and ,holt1 #cag ,lancashire and ,yorkshire ,railway ,co41 #aec ,langlands ,line1 #bfa ,lardner1 ,dr41 on steam communication with ,america1 #fh ,,leeds1 pioneer steamer between ,belfast1 ,dublin and ,bordeaux1 #dd ,,leviathan 7see ,,great ,,eastern71 -- ,,lightning 7one of the first steamships in the ,british ,navy71 #dj ,lindsay1 ,w4 ,s41 author and shipowner1 #acd ,little1 ,james1 ,co41 #bfh ,,liverpool 7see also ,,great ,,liverpool71 #gf ,,liverpool 7first steamer ever seen on the ,mersey71 #ae ,liverpool steamers highly commended in ,parliamentary ,report1 #ahbb1 #ci ,liverpool and ,kingstown ,mail ,service established1 #dd ,london1 ,brighton and ,south ,coast ,railway ,co41 #aeb ,london and ,north ,western ,railway ,co41 #aec ,london and ,south ,western ,railway ,co41 #aec ,,lord ,,blaney1 ,mutiny on board1 ,loss of1 #fd ,mac,brayne1 ,mr4 ,david1 partner in ,david ,hutcheson ,co41 #dc ,mac,brayne's ,west ,highland ,steamers1 #bge ,mac,iver1 ,david1 ,co41 #bhb ,mac,iver's ,liverpool and ,glasgow ,steamers1 #bhg ,mc,kean1 ,mc,larty and ,lamont1 #adg ,mc,kinnon1 ,frew ,co41 #ee ,,majestic 7#ahaf71 ,thames ,steampacket1 #bc ,malcomson ,bros41 #aac ,,margaret 7first screw steamer belonging to ,hull71 ,loss of1 #fe ,,marjory 7#ahae71 ,thames ,steampacket1 #ac ,,massachusetts 7,auxiliary steamer71 #ia ,miller1 ,patrick 7,banker71 #aghj to #aghh1 #d ---- builds a triple vessel propelled by manual labour1 #d ---- launches 7#aghh7 a twin steamboat on ,dalswinton ,loch1 #e ---- places 7#aghi7 a larger steamboat on the ,forth and ,clyde ,canal1 #e ,miller dies 7#ahae7 having exhausted his fortune by experiments1 #f ,,mooltan 7,p4 ,o4 ,liner71 #ed ,,morning ,,star 7#ahai71 ,extraordinary accident to1 #cd ,napier1 ,david1 #be ---- establishes steampacket service between ,greenock and ,belfast1 #bf ,national ,line1 #ajh ,nelson1 ,h4 and ,w41 ,limited1 #cah ,,neptune 7steamship71 #aag ,newcomen1 ,thomas 7#agje71 #b ,north ,british ,railway ,co41 #aee ,norwegian ,grace ,darling1 ,a1 #aag ,,oregon 7,guion ,line71 #aab ,,oriental 7,p4 ,o4 ,liner71 #ea ,,orion1 ,loss of steamer1 #aae ,,pacific 7,collins ,line71 ,loss of1 #ajj ,,pacific1 first ,mail ,steamer between ,liverpool and ,valparaiso1 #fj ,pacific ,steam ,navigation ,co41 #eh ,,papin 7#afha71 #b ,,parana 7,malcomson ,bros4 ,line71 #aac ,peninsular ,steam ,navigation ,co41 established #ahcd1 #di ---- title changed to ,p4 ,o4 ,steam ,navigation ,co41 #ahch1 #ea ---- history of ,company1 #di ,peninsular and ,oriental ,steam ,navigation ,co4 7see ,peninsular ,steam ,navigation ,co471 #di ,,peru1 pioneer steamer of the ,pacific ,steam ,navigation ,co41 #ei ,,president1 ,loss of ,steamship1 #gf ,portugal1 ,civil war in1 #fc ,,quebec 7early ,canadian steamboat71 #aj ,,queen 7,turbine steamer71 #aeh ,,queen ,,alexandra 7,turbine steamer71 #aeh ,rea1 ,r4 and ,j4 ,h41 #cai ,,regent 7#ahaf71 ,description of1 #bc ---- destroyed by fire1 #bd ,,regulator 7#ahah71 early ,liverpool and ,tranmere ,ferry steamer1 #be ,,robert ,,bruce 7#ahai71 first ,liverpool and ,glasgow steamer1 #cd ,,robert ,,lowe 7,auxiliary screw steamer71 #acd ,,rob ,,roy1 first steamer between ,greenock and ,belfast1 #bf ,,rothesay ,,castle 7#ahaf71 ,clyde ,steampacket1 #cj ,royal ,atlantic ,steam ,navigation ,co4 7,galway ,line71 #aab ,,royal ,,charter 7,auxiliary ,steamship71 #acb ,,royal ,,ferdinand 7#ahag71 first steamer built in ,spain1 #be ,royal ,mail ,steam ,packet ,co41 #hd ,,royal ,,tar1 pioneer steamer of the ,peninsular ,steam ,navigation ,co41 #di ,,royal ,,william 7,city of ,dublin ,co471 first ,liverpool and ,new ,york ,liner1 #gc ,,royal ,,william 7of ,quebec71 first vessel to cross the ,atlantic by steam power only1 #gj ,,savannah 7,auxiliary steamship71 #cb ,savory1 ,thomas1 #b ,,scotland1 first foreign vessel to load at ,shanghai1 #acd ,season ,contract ,tickets 7#ahaf71 issued per steamers1 #bi ,sellers1 ,john ,s41 #cbj ,,sirius1 first passenger steamer from ,europe to ,america1 #ga ,siberian ,steamers1 ,the first two1 #be ,sligo ,steam ,navigation ,co41 #bij ,,snake 7#ahbj71 first ,indian steamer1 #ce ,,sophia ,,jane1 first steamer from ,england to ,australia1 #abi ,south ,eastern and ,chatham ,railway ,co41 #aeb ,,st4 ,,george 7,steampacket71 #cg ,st4 ,george ,steam ,packet ,co41 established1 #cg ,st4 ,george ,steam ,packet ,co41 re-constructed #ahdd1 #ci ,,st4 ,,patrick 7,steampacket71 #cg ,suez ,canal opened by ,empress ,eugenie1 #ahfi1 #ed ,,swift 7#ahbe71 ,extraordinary advertisement by owners of1 #da ,,swiftsure 7#ahac71 ,canadian ,steampacket1 #aj ,symington1 ,william1 #e ,taylor 7#aghj to #aghh7 suggests steam power to ,mr4 ,miller1 #d ,,telica1 first steamer on the ,pacific1 #eh ,,thames1 ex ,,argyle 7#ahac71 #ab ---- ,london 8,times10 ,notice of1 #ac ---- ,description of1 #af ---- narrative of voyage from ,glasgow to ,london1 #ag ,tod and ,mac,gregor 7shipbuilders71 #ajf ,,tourist 7#ahba71 #ce ,,trent ,r4,m4,s41 ,arrest of confederate ,commissioner on board of1 #ij ,,triton 7#ahbj71 ,havre and ,rouen ,steamer1 #ce ,,turbinia1 first ,turbine ,steamer1 #aeg ,tyrer1 ,henry and ,co1 #cbj ,valentia ,transatlantic ,steam ,navigation ,co41 #fg ,,vesta collides with ,collins ,liner ,,arctic1 #aja ,,victorian1 first ,transatlantic ,turbine ,steamship1 #adi ,waghorn1 ,lieut41 #dh ,waterford ,steamship ,co41 ,limited1 #bic ,,waterloo 7#ahai71 first ,liverpool ,cross-,channel ,steamer1 #cc ,wesewelodsky1 ,mr4 7#ahag7 builds two steamers in ,siberia1 #be ,white ,star ,line1 #cjj ,wilcox and ,anderson1 #di ,,wm4 ,,fawcett 7#ahbi71 ,steampacket1 #ej ,wm4 ,wheelwright1 promoter of steam navigation in the ,pacific1 #eh ,,yorkshireman 7#ahbc71 first steamer from ,hull to the ,continent1 #ci ,c4 ,,tinling ,,and ,,co41 ,,printers1 ,,victoria ,,street1 ,,liverpool4 ,,advertisements4 ,,the ,,largest ,,fire ,,office ,,in ,,the ,,world4 ,,fire4 ,,life4 ,,royal ,,insurance ,,buildings1 #a1 ,,north ,,john ,,street1 ,,liverpool4 ,illustration3 ,,royal ,,insurance ,,company ,,royal ,,insurance ,,buildings1 #bh1 ,,lombard ,,street1 ,,london4 ,total ,funds over #ab1jjj1jjj4 ,,fire ,,department4 ,insurances of every description effected at moderate rates of premium4 ,claims promptly and equitably settled4 ,risks inspected and rates quoted free of charge1 and every assistance rendered in arranging and revising insurances4 ,,life ,,department4 ,large participation in profits4 ,independent valuations by the most stringent tables4 ,profits divided every five years4 ,last ,reversionary ,bonus declared1 #g #ajs4 per cent4 ,large intermediate bonuses and liberal surrender values4 ,new non-forfeiture conditions4 ,low ratio of expenditure4 ,special facilities for meeting ,death ,duties2 immediate payment to the ,crown without probate4 ,,absolute ,,security4 ,,moderate ,,rates ,,of ,,premium4 ,,liberal ,,policy ,,conditions4 ,proposal forms and every information may be obtained of the ,head ,offices1 ,branches1 and numerous ,agencies of the ,company4 ,manager--,,charles ,,alcock1 ,sub-,manager--,,geo4 ,,chappell4 ,asst4 ,secretaries--,,wm4 ,,roper2 ,j4 ,j4 ,,atkinson4 ,secretary in ,london--,,john ,h4 ,,croft4 ,,alliance ,,assurance ,,company1 ,,limited1 ,,with ,,which ,,is ,,incorporated ,,the ,,imperial ,,insurance ,,company1 ,,limited4 ,,established #ahbd4 ,head ,office3--,,bartholomew ,,lane1 ,,london1 ,e4,c4 ,authorized ,capital-- ,invested ,funds exceed-- #e1bej1jjj ,sterling4 #aj1jjj1jjj ,sterling4 ,,directors-- ,chairman--,the ,right ,hon4 ,lord ,,rothschild1 ,g4,c4,v4,o4 ,,charles ,,edward ,,barnett1 ,esq4 ,right ,hon4 ,lord ,,battersea4 ,,frederick ,,cavendish ,,bentinck1 ,esq4 ,,francis ,a4 ,,bevan1 ,esq4 ,,percival ,,bosanquet1 ,esq4 ,hon4 ,,kenelm ,,pleydell ,,bouverie4 ,t4 ,h4 ,,burroughes1 ,esq4 ,,francis ,,william ,,buxton1 ,esq4 ,,john ,,cator1 ,esq4 ,,victor ,c4 ,w4 ,,cavendish1 ,esq41 ,m4,p4 ,colonel the ,hon4 ,,everard ,c4 ,,digby4 ,major-gen4 ,sir ,,arthur ,,ellis1 ,g4,c4,v4,o41 ,c4,s4,i4 ,,james ,,fletcher1 ,esq4 ,,john ,,hampton ,,hale1 ,esq4 ,,alex4 ,,lawrie1 ,esq4 ,,francis ,,alfred ,,lucas1 ,esq41 ,m4,p4 ,,edward ,,harbord ,,lushington1 ,esq4 ,hon4 ,,henry ,,berkeley ,,portman4 ,hon4 ,,lionel ,,walter ,,rothschild1 ,m4,p4 ,,hugh ,,colin ,,smith1 ,esq4 ,right ,hon4 ,lord ,,stalbridge4 ,lieut4-,col4 ,f4 ,,anderson ,,stebbing4 ,right ,hon4 ,the ,,earl ,,of ,,verulam4 ,sir ,,charles ,,rivers ,,wilson1 ,g4,c4,m4,g4 ,c4,b4 ,,robert ,,lewis1 ,general ,manager4 ,liverpool ,branch3--#cj1 ,,exchange ,,street ,,east4 ,,liverpool ,,board-- ,,frederic ,,north1 ,esq41 ,chairman1 ,,morris ,p4 ,,jones1 ,esq41 ,j4,p41 ,deputy-,chairman4 ,,alfred ,,tyrer1 ,esq4 ,,fredk4 ,w4 ,,frodsham1 ,esq4 ,r4 ,l4 ,,greenshields1 ,esq4 ,r4 ,,alfred ,,hampson1 ,esq4 ,,wm4 ,,bartlett1 ,esq4 ,,francis ,j4 ,,weld1 ,esq4 ,,george ,,davison1 ,esq4 ,h4 ,t4 ,,owen ,,leggatt1 ,secretary4 ,w4 ,e4 ,c4 ,,hutton1 ,fire ,superintendent4 ,branch ,establishments also at ,birmingham1 ,bristol1 ,bury ,st4 ,edmunds1 ,ipswich1 ,leeds1 ,leicester1 ,liverpool1 ,manchester1 ,newcastle-on-,tyne1 ,nottingham1 ,sheffield1 ,shrewsbury1 ,wrexham1 ,edinburgh1 ,glasgow1 ,dublin and ,belfast4 ,,life ,,department4 ,moderate ,rates of ,premium4 ,large ,bonuses1 including ,interim ,bonuses4 ,unclaimed ,surrender ,values applied in keeping ,assurances in force4 ,claims paid immediately after proof of death1 age1 and title4 ,except in1 special cases1 ,new ,policies are ,whole-,world and ,indisputable4 ,,death ,,duties4--,in order to enable the owners of ,property to provide for the payment of the ,,estate ,,duty1 ,special forms of ,policies have been prepared under which the ,policy moneys 7or such portion thereof as may be required for the purpose7 will be paid direct to the ,inland ,revenue ,office without waiting for the production of ,probate4 ,a ,prospectus containing full particulars will be forwarded on application4 ,,fire ,,department4 ,fire ,insurances ,granted at ,current ,rates4 ,,leasehold ,,and ,,sinking ,,fund ,,policies4 are granted 7on terms which may be ascertained on application71 enabling ,leaseholders to recoup their expenditure by a small ,annual ,premium1 or by a single ,payment in advance4 ,the ,directors are open to entertain applications for ,agencies from parties who are in a position to introduce business of a high class4 ,full ,prospectuses and ,statements of ,accounts may be had on application to the ,head ,office of the ,company1 or to ,liverpool ,branch1 #cj1 ,exchange ,street ,east4 ,manufacturers ,,of ,,all ,,kinds ,,of ,,flour ,,for ,,export ,,and ,,home ,,use4 ,illustration3 ,joseph ,appleby ,sons ,limited4 ,,blackburn ,,front ,,view ,,blackburn ,,canal ,,view ,,bootle ,,liverpool ,,enfield ,millers at ,,enfield1 ,,burnley1 ,,blackburn1 ,,bootle ,,liverpool ,,and ,,of ,,appleby',s ,,ssss ,,lilywhite ,,snowflake ,,sss ,,ss ,s ,,choice ,,fines4 ,telegrams--8,,lighterage40 ,telephones3--,liverpool--#aacc4 0 #hadg4 ,bootie--#ccc4 ,garston--#adc4 ,,liverpool ,,lighterage ,,co41 ,,limited1 ,drury ,buildings1 ,water ,street1 ,illustration3 ,decoration ,,liverpool4 ,illustration3 ,sailboat ,every ,description of ,lighterage 444 ,,undertaken ,,between 444 ,,high ,,level ,,liverpool ,,docks1 ,,birkenhead ,,tips1 ,,garston1 ,,widnes1 ,,st4 ,,helens1 ,,weston ,,point1 ,,saltport1 ,,ellesmere ,,port1 ,,northwich1 ,,manchester4 ,steam and ,sailing ,flats to all usual ,coastwise ,ports4 ,,henry ,,bloor1 ,manager and ,secretary4 ,,watson ,,prickard1 7,combining the business of ,j4 ,h4 ,,knight ,,co471 ,,shirt ,,tailor1 ,,gentlemen',s ,,complete ,,outfitter1 #af1 ,,north ,,john ,,street1 ,illustration3 ,decoration ,,liverpool4 ,telephone--#ehjh4 ,telegrams--8,burnaby40 ,,burnaby ,,chantrell1 ,,established #ahge4 ,,liverpool4 ,illustration3 ,decoration ,importers and ,manufacturers of 444 ,lubricating ,oils and ,greases4 ,,cylinder4 ,,engine4 ,,spindle4 ,,loom4 ,,gas ,,engine4 ,,dynamo4 ,,motor4 ,,lamp4 ,,solidified ,,oils4 ,,greases4 ,,cotton ,,waste4 ,,packing1 ,,etc4 ,price ,lists and ,samples on ,application4 ,,johnson ,,silver1 ,,duke',s ,,dock1 ,,liverpool4 ,best prices given for ,californian ,lining ,boards4 ,dunnage ,wood supplied at fair rates4 ,telephone #ehcc4 ,,cochrane ,,sons1 ,,shipbuilders ,,and ,,engineers1 ,illustration3 ,decoration ,,selby1 ,yorks4 ,builders of ,steam and ,sailing ,passenger and ,cargo ,vessels1 ,steam ,trawlers 7a speciality71 ,steam ,herring ,drifters1 ,steam ,tugs1 ,barges1 c41 c4 ,transcriber's ,notes pg xiii ,changed ,chapter ,,xiii page number from #hd to #gh pg xv ,changed3 ,glensannox p4s4 #aed to3 ,glen ,sannox p4s4 #aed pg #e ,changed period to comma after3 which was much greater than he anticipated pg #cc ,changed3 and two state-rooms for families to3 and two staterooms for families pg #gg ,changed3 filled with references to the illfated vessel to3 filled with references to the ill-fated vessel pg #ha ,changed3 ,the ,captain 7,lieut4 ,hoskins1 ,r4,n47 to3 ,the ,captain 7,lieut4 ,hoskin1 ,r4,n47 pg #aje ,changed3 a crew of #ej men and #adg pasengers2 to3 a crew of #ej men and #adg passengers2 pg #aai ,changed3 engineers of the period were secured1 ,mr4 ,j4 ,k4 ,brunel to3 engineers of the period were secured1 ,mr4 ,i4 ,k4 ,brunel pg #abb ,changed3 less successful than on the first occcasion to3 less successful than on the first occasion pg #abc ,changed3 by the company's engineer1 ,mr4 ,j4 ,k4 ,brunel4 to3 by the company's engineer1 ,mr4 ,i4 ,k4 ,brunel4 pg #abg ,changed3 ,she was chartered in #ahif by 8,lewis's to3 ,she was chartered in #ahhf by 8,lewis's per3 ,errata on page xiii pg #acd ,changed3 ,the ,,robert ,,bruce4 to3 ,the ,,robert ,,lowe4 per3 ,errata on page xiii pg #acg ,changed3 capacity of #djj tons dead-weight cargo to3 capacity of #djj tons deadweight cargo pg #agf ,changed3 according to the position of the state-room to3 according to the position of the stateroom pg #bjg ,changed3 year #ahba1 its head-quarters to3 year #ahba1 its headquarters pg #bac ,changed3 and the ,preussicher ,adler1 of #efc tons to3 and the ,preussischer ,adler1 of #efc tons pg #bac ,changed3 the ,preussicher ,adler being the first steamer to3 the ,preussischer ,adler being the first steamer pg #baf ,added period after3 to be taken by the ,dockyard officials pg #bbg ,changed3 returning from new ,york every ,wednesday to3 returning from ,new ,york every ,wednesday pg #bie ,changed3 carried by the railway company betwen ,waterford to3 carried by the railway company between ,waterford pg #cbh ,changed3 ,swiftsure 7#aahc71 ,canadian ,steampacket1 #aj to3 ,swiftsure 7#ahac71 ,canadian ,steampacket1 #aj