The pioneer vessel of the new service was the YORKSHIRE, and her sister ship the LANCASHIRE (though both somewhat smaller than the later boats), still holds the blue ribbon of the route, having steamed from Liverpool to Rangoon in the fastest time yet on record. The CHESHIRE and SHROPSHIRE, which were the next steamers added to the fleet were each about 1,500 tons larger than their immediate predecessors. They were provided with two entirely distinct and separate sets of engines and propellers, a fact which at once arrested attention in the East, and greatly added to the popularity which their other arrangements justified. Intending passengers will be interested to know that with only one propeller in use, they are capable of making as good progress as an ordinary trading steamer. After an interval of two years (1893) the twin-screw steamer STAFFORDSHIRE was built, and in her was embodied every improvement which experience and money could provide. She was at once generally acknowledged to be the most comfortable and the best ventilated type of steamer placed on the Eastern route. In October, 1897, the twin-screw steamer DERBYSHIRE was added to the fleet. She is designed on the same lines as the STAFFORDSHIRE but being 7 feet longer and 3 feet broader, her staterooms are somewhat larger. An important addition was made to the fleet in 1902, when the twin-screw steamer WARWICKSHIRE was built. Her advent on the line was looked forward to with much interest, and she has amply fulfilled all anticipations, and has secured a preference over any other steamer for first-class passengers between Ceylon and Europe. Her large size admits of 200 berths being fitted, and the Main Saloon, Drawing room, Smoke room, Bath room, etc., are all increased in their proportions. By an ingenious arrangement (which is quite novel) every stateroom has a port opening to the outside of the ship, and all the rooms are equally light and airy, while many of the rooms provided are fitted up for the accommodation of one or two passengers only. The WARWICKSHIRE has marked a new era in the equipment of large passenger steamers, and the above mentioned Bibby Patent Stateroom is now being adopted by the principal Mail Lines in the construction of new boats. A twin-screw steamer, to be named the WORCESTERSHIRE, is now under construction at Belfast. She is designed closely on the lines of the WARWICKSHIRE, and is expected to be completed in good time to enable her to take her place in the Autumn sailings of 1904. The steamers of the Bibby Line sail on alternate Thursdays from Liverpool, calling at Marseilles to embark the overland passengers on the following Thursday. Circular tickets in connection with these sailings are issued for £15, which are available for a passage both ways by any steamer of the fleet, or if passengers prefer it, they will receive, free of additional cost, a first-class Railway ticket, via Paris, for the journey one way overland to or from London.