The new service began on the 1st October, 1885, with this most remarkable result, that vessels after twenty-five years’ service had their speed increased by an average of 2½ knots per hour. A new steamer was added to the fleet—the IRELAND, a vessel capable of steaming 20 knots an hour, being the fastest paddle steamer ever built for cross-Channel service. The new service gave much satisfaction to the public, and the passenger receipts steadily increased. In 1893 the company decided to build a new type of passenger and cargo vessel, and in the following year the LOUTH, a screw steamer of large tonnage and great power, was put on the station; she was found so satisfactory, her performance being so regular, and her sea-worthy qualities so good, that she dispelled the great prejudice which up to that time had existed against screw steamers for cross-Channel trade (especially the cattle trade), and the company decided to replace their fleet with steamers of this class. While this re-construction was going on an attempt was made to deprive the company of their position on the Holyhead station. Owing largely to the efforts of the company, Kingstown had been put in direct communication with all the Irish railway companies, and the one blot on the Kingstown service removed. It was stated, however, that the boats were not fast enough, and the Government were urged to terminate the mail contract and seek for new tenders. Most extravagant ideas seemed to prevail as to what could be done; accelerations were suggested by land and sea which could not have been accomplished except at very great expense. However, the City of Dublin Company were not behindhand, and they put in a variety of tenders, and offered to build boats of the very largest class. No other company tendered in accordance with the advertisement. The Post Office, however, did not accept any of the tenders, and subsequently entered into negotiations with the company, and settled the existing contract. The company undertook to build four twin-screw steamers, which, although not so large as those originally proposed, are superior to anything up to the present time attempted for cross-Channel purposes, and being twin-screws, their accommodation is far greater than had they been paddle steamers of the same size. They all realised a speed of 24 knots on their trial trips, which up to the present time has not been surpassed by any passenger steamer. The new service commenced on the 1st April, 1897, and passengers are conveyed between all parts of England and Ireland at a very high rate of speed, and perform the journey with a degree of comfort that would have been thought incredible a few years since.