“The first of these vessels is to be launched on the 3rd July, and will be ready to commence the mail service in accordance with the terms of the contract on the 1st September. Two of them have capacity for 700, two of them for 1,000, and one for 250 tons cargo, with excellent accommodation for first-class passengers. The company are also to have Mr. Laird’s services as Managing Director. A negotiation is going on with the Portuguese Government for an extension of the line from Fernando, the valuable African possession. “Plymouth will be the first port of arrival, and the last port of departure for the company’s vessels, but the voyage will terminate at and commence from London.” The steamers referred to were the FORERUNNER, FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY, and NORTHERN LIGHTS. The trading operations between London and Africa not being profitable, the Board of Directors (about 1860) proposed to wind up the company. On the solicitations of Messrs. Fletcher & Parr, of Liverpool, they were induced to try the trade from Liverpool to the West Coast of Africa. The result of the trial was extremely satisfactory, and Liverpool became the home-port of the fleet. The business of the company increased rapidly, and the shareholders received their dividends for some time with gratifying regularity, but unfortunately about ten years after the change from London to Liverpool, the relations between the Board of Directors at the former port and the managing agents at Liverpool became somewhat strained. In spite of a great financial loss, caused by the defalcations of the Secretary; of a small and inefficient fleet; and a policy on the part of the Directors which was decidedly peculiar, the company maintained a struggling existence until 1891, when it passed into the management of the firm of “Elder, Dempster and Co.” Under the vigorous and successful management of this firm, the African Steamship Company started on a new and prosperous career. Instead of, as in 1875, possessing a fleet of seven ocean steamers and two coast vessels, the company now owns thirty-three modern, large and powerful ocean steamers, ranging from 1,000 to 5,200 tons each, and six branch steamers, four of which are 1,000 tons each. An Express Service to the Coast has been established by means of a fleet of fast steamers of the JEBBA type, which reach Sekondi, the centre of the new gold mining industry, in 15 days. They have been specially constructed for the trade in which they are engaged, and no skill has been wanting nor expense spared to make them the most perfect of their kind. The passenger accommodation has received special attention. The saloons are spacious, the staterooms lofty and well ventilated, while extensive promenade and bridge decks enable passengers to enjoy the invigorating sea breezes secure alike from sun and rain.