Born at Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, on 17th May, 1811, his family then being—and having been since 1780—extensively engaged in shipowning and shipbuilding there. Removed to London in 1831, and entered the counting-house of Mr James Thomson, a considerable shipowner, whose vessels were principally engaged in the West Indian trade. Assumed partnership with Mr Thomson in 1847, carrying on business as James Thomson & Co., a connection which, unfortunately, was soon thereafter broken, in the removal by death of Mr Thomson. In 1849 the business was extended to the Australian trade, by the commencement of a line of sailing vessels to Adelaide, which soon became well-known and favourite traders. Some time after Mr Thomson’s death, the name of the firm was changed to Anderson, Thomson & Co., and in 1869 it underwent a second change to Anderson, Anderson & Co., its present designation. In 1876 the feasibility of running a direct line of steamships to Australia occurred to Mr ANDERSON and his partners, and was practically tested at their sole risk in that year. Notwithstanding the predictions that severe loss would result, the experiments encouraged Messrs Anderson, Anderson & Co. to promote the formation of a company to work such a service. Early in 1877, Messrs F. Green & Co. joined Messrs Anderson, Anderson & Co. in the enterprize, and on the 7th March, 1878, the steamer _Garonne_ left England for Australia, flying the flag of the ORIENT STEAM NAVIGATION CO., LIMITED, the designation “Orient” having been adopted through the high reputation of the clipper ship of that name belonging to Messrs Anderson, Anderson & Co. Anticipations were at first confined to the hope that sufficient trade might be found to justify monthly sailings, but almost at once it was seen that a fortnightly service was requisite. At the outset four steamers—the _Chimborazo_, _Lusitania_, _Cuzco_, and _Garonne_—were purchased by the Company, and one—the _Orient_—built. In January, 1880, the Pacific Steam Navigation Company entered, as it were, into partnership, by supplying, in ready and admirable working order, the additional vessels required. The further additions to the fleet, and the nature of the service done, are referred to elsewhere in this work. [Illustration: James Anderson (signature) INK-PHOTO, SPRAGUE & C^o. LONDON.] PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE. ALEXANDER C. KIRK. ALEXANDER C. KIRK, M.I.C.E. MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTION OF NAVAL ARCHITECTS; OF THE INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS, AND OF THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS AND SHIPBUILDERS IN SCOTLAND.