After an interval of three years (1882) the BRIER was built, a somewhat similar vessel, but slightly smaller than the preceding steamer, her dimensions being 209 feet by 30 feet by 15 feet. Her gross register is 728 tons, and she has berthing and saloon accommodation for sixty passengers. She was quickly followed by the THISTLE and ELM, both built in 1884, and the GARDENIA in 1885. They are all beautiful specimens of marine architecture, the first a large steamer of 822 tons gross register, and the latter considerably smaller. In 1893 a further advance was made in the size of the Company’s ships by the construction of the splendid screw steamer OLIVE, 1,141 tons gross register, one of the fastest and finest steamers crossing the channel. She is 260 feet long, with a beam of 33 feet 1 inch, and a depth of 15 feet 8 inches. She has always been a particular favourite with passengers, of whom she carries a large number, being certified to carry one hundred saloon passengers, in addition to 1,000 steerage. [Illustration: OLIVE S.S. 1141 Tons. Messrs. Alex. A. Laird & Co.] The DAISY and the LILY were the next steamers built, the former in 1895, and the latter in 1896; and in the closing year of the nineteenth century the FERN (second of the name) was launched. The latest addition to the fleet is a magnificent vessel constructed after the most modern type of passenger steamships. She is named the ROSE, was launched in June, 1902, is built of steel, and is 250 feet long, 36 feet 2 inches broad, and 15 feet deep. She is fitted with electric light in the saloon, staterooms and holds. Her saloon, which is a handsomely furnished and spacious apartment, is situated amidships forward of the engine room. The great breadth of the vessel makes her a remarkably steady sea boat, while her engines, which are triple-expansion and of great power, are capable of propelling her at the rate of 15½ knots per hour. She is nearly 1,400 tons gross, and carries 140 saloon passengers, in addition to those in the steerage. In 1885 it was considered desirable to consolidate the several interests concerned, by forming this old-established business into a limited company, the title of the Company being The Glasgow, Dublin and Londonderry Steam Packet Co., Limited; but it is much better known by the short name of the “Laird Line.” Mr. William MacConnell, son of the late Mr. MacConnell, of the firm of Thomson & MacConnell, is the Managing Director. The company’s steamship services are not confined to those to and from Glasgow, although we have shown that they have a very large share of the Clyde traffic, maintaining regular and frequent sailings between Glasgow and Greenock and Dublin, Londonderry, Coleraine, Sligo, Ballina and Westport; also during the tourist season a daily daylight service between Ardrossan and Portrush.