The Great North Atlantic Steamship Race

G.G. Hatheway describes how British-Canadian and American companies entered upon a nineteenth century contest in transatlantic crossings.

SS SavanahHer majesty’s 10-gun brig, Tyrian, twenty days out of Halifax, bound for Bristol, rocked gently on the swells of the North Atlantic. She was becalmed; most of her passengers lounged on deck watching the western horizon where a dirty, black smudge was growing steadily larger. Soon, at the base of the smudge, they could discern the paddle-steamer Sirius, which was bound on the return journey from New York to Liverpool.

To continue reading this article you will need to purchase access to the online archive.

Buy Online Access  Buy Print & Archive Subscription

If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.

Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.