1891-92. ] NOTE ON CCEAN STEAM NAVIGATION. ihe 
was founded by enterprising merchants in the Mother Country. This 
Company was formed in 1836, within three years after the passage of 
the “Royal William,’ and immediately the construction of the “Great 
Western” specially for the Atlantic voyage was undertaken; the 
“Sirius” was chartered for the same purpose. These were the first 
steamships to cross the ocean after the “Royal William.” The “Sirius” 
left London on April 4th, 1838, the “Great Western” left Bristol three 
days later, and by a singular coincidence they both steamed into New 
York Harbour on St. George’s day. Other steamships followed in 
rapid succession, among them I may mention the ‘‘Liverpool” and the 
“Royal William ;” both were built in England, and both began their 
trips a few months after the “Sirius” and ‘Great Western.” The latter 
“Royal William,” the second of this name has led to some confusion, 
from being better known than the Quebec vessel built eight years or so 
earlier; and it has caused the first “ Royal William” somewhat to pass 
out of memory. 
To my mind it is incontestably established that the memorable voyage 
of the Canadian built “Royal William” from Quebec to London in 
1833, must be held to be the first passage across the Atlantic under 
steam; that passage triumphantly demonstrated the practicability of 
steam navigation on a voyage between the two continents, notwithstand- 
ing the declaration of Dr. Lardner, who at that date pronounced it “ per- 
fectly chimerical, and” to use his own words, “they might as well talk 
of making a voyage from New York or Liverpool to the moon.” 
The Canadian built “ Royal William” undoubtedly proved to be the 
pioneer of Atlantic steamships. It cannot be disputed that she was the 
forerunner of the Cunard line, and as such she was equally the fore- 
runner of the thirty-four other lines which to-day run regularly between 
America and Europe. It must certainly be admitted that this pioneer 
ship has had no small influence on the ocean steam service of the globe 
—a service which embraces the great lines running to India, China, 
Japan, South Africa, South America and Australia, a service con- 
sisting of ships which may be counted by thousands with a gross tonnage 
of 12,000,000 tons. And tous Canadians and British subjects it is 
interesting to note that ¢wo thirds of this enormous tonnage belong to 
Great Britain, Canada and the Colonies, while the remaining ove ‘third 
may be claimed by all the other nations of the world. 
We myst all regard with satisfaction the circumstance that Canada has 
the proud distinction of having taken the initiative in applying science 
and mechanical skill to a purpose which has led to such splendid results. 
Is it not a national duty that we should honour the memory of the men 
