Travellers to and from Egypt, Palestine, etc., whether journeying round Spain or using the Marseilles route will find these steamers a convenient and luxurious means of conveyance. The public will be glad to know that passages can be secured for £3 3s. for the fortnightly runs round from London to Liverpool. The steamers usually leave Tilbury on Friday, and arrive in Liverpool on the following Monday morning, thus affording a very pleasant week end trip. The present fleet consists of the following modern fast Mail Steamships:— LANCASHIRE 4244 Tons. YORKSHIRE 4261 ” CHESHIRE 5775 ” SHROPSHIRE 5785 ” STAFFORDSHIRE 6005 Tons. DERBYSHIRE 6636 ” WARWICKSHIRE 7966 ” WORCESTERSHIRE (Building) 7966 ” CHAPTER VIII. THE CORK STEAMSHIP COMPANY, LIMITED. The Cork Steamship Company, as successors to the St. George Steam Packet Co., may justly be considered to be one of the oldest existing steamship companies in the world. The original company (the St. George), was formed in the Autumn of the year 1821, its headquarters being in Liverpool. An announcement concerning it appeared in the Liverpool “Mercury,” of the 12th October, 1821, stating:— “A company has been formed here (Liverpool) for establishing steam packets.... Two vessels of large dimensions are already contracted for, and are now building by two experienced ship-builders in this town, the machinery for both to be fitted by an engineer of eminence; and the proprietors, we learn, are determined to spare no expense in the equipment of the vessels to contribute to the safety and comfort of the passengers.” In accordance with this announcement the pioneer steam packet of the Company, the ST. PATRICK, was launched from the yard of Mr. Thomas Wilson, Liverpool, at 10-30 a.m. on the 21st April following.