VI 



EARLY AMERICAN LINERS 



WE will leave the Navy for a time and 

 continue the story of the foundation of 

 Britain's mercantile supremacy, due mainly 

 to the development of steam. 



We have already seen the Cunard Com- 

 pany safely launched on its long and 

 honourable career. Naturally enough its 

 early success prompted others to take the 

 sea. I shall now, very briefly, sketch for 

 you the commencement of several steam- 

 ship lines which had their inception in 

 the period 1840-1860. 



If you remember how prominent the 

 Americans were in the early days of 

 the steamship, how they accomplished the 

 first voyage from New York in which 

 steam was used, and then had the honour 



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