A direct service between Holyhead and Greenore was opened in 1873 with the three paddle-driven boats _Eleanor_, _Isabella_, and _Earl Spencer_. These served until 1895, when, at the suggestion of Captain Binney, the company’s Marine Superintendent, three new steamers of greater speed and capacity--the _Rosstrevor_, _Connemara_, and _Galtee-More_--were ordered for the service. These vessels are 280 feet in length, with a gross tonnage of 1000 tons, and a maximum speed of 18 knots. The engines are triple-expansion of 2500 horse-power, and the boats are propelled by twin screws. In 1908 the _Rosstrevor_ was replaced by the _Rathmore_, the former vessel being converted into a cargo and cattle steamer. The _Rathmore_ is 300 feet long, and has a gross tonnage of 1600 tons; her engines are of 6180 horse-power and give a speed of 20¹⁄₂ knots per hour. [Illustration: THE “SCOTIA” (L. & N.W. RAILWAY).] The goods, cattle, and general cargo traffic between Holyhead and North Wall, Dublin, is served by eight cargo boats, all of which are twin-screw ships. They convey third-class passengers but are not provided with any first-class accommodation. For very many years the Midland Railway Company were partners in the Barrow Steam Navigation Company, whose fleet maintained a daily service between Barrow and Belfast and, during the season, between Barrow and the Isle of Man. When Heysham Harbour was opened in September 1904, the Midland Company put on a fleet of seven powerful and magnificently fitted steamers of the most modern type for their Heysham-Belfast service. They also bought out the other partners in the Barrow Steam Navigation Company, which has now been dissolved. Two of the vessels formerly belonging to the Barrow Steam Navigation Company were disposed of at a comparatively recent date and have been broken up. As regards the existing fleet, the _Londonderry_ is installed with the Lodge-Muirhead system of wireless telegraphy. The _Antrim_ and the _Donegal_ will shortly be similarly equipped. There is a wireless telegraphic station at Heysham and wireless communication was first established on the company’s service nearly six years ago. The _Londonderry_ and _Manxman_ are propelled by turbines, whilst the _Antrim_, _Donegal_, _Duchess of Devonshire_, and _City of Belfast_ are twin screws. During the season, the Isle of Man service between Heysham and Douglas is maintained by the _Manxman_ and the _Duchess of Devonshire_. Except on Sundays, a nightly service between Heysham and Belfast is carried on regularly by the _Antrim_, _Donegal_, and _Londonderry_, whilst the _City of Belfast_ runs on alternate days from Barrow and Belfast. CHAPTER V OPENING OF THE TRANSATLANTIC SERVICE