In 1849 the Waterford Steamship Company (Malcomson Brothers) built at their Neptune Iron Works, Waterford, the steamer MARS. Her original plans, which were for a paddle-boat, were altered while she was on the stocks, and she was launched a screw steamer. She was the first screw steamer placed on the Liverpool and Waterford station, and at first the cattle shippers did not like the idea of shipping by her, especially as on one of her early voyages she heeled over on leaving Waterford Quay, and killed a large number of cattle; but the late Captain Burns was put in command, and she proved herself to be a safe carrier, and speedily became a favourite boat in the trade. Two years prior to this date (1847) Malcomson Brothers built at the same yard the steamer NEPTUNE—this was the first steamer built at the Neptune Iron Works, and she was also the first steamer to run to St. Petersburg. It happened in this way. The Russian Government were very anxious to get a line of steamers established between England and St. Petersburg, and made overtures on the subject to Malcomson Brothers. As a result, the latter agreed to start a line from London, of which the pioneer steamer was wrecked in the Baltic on her first outward voyage. The NEPTUNE was then despatched. When she arrived at Cronstadt the Mayor of St. Petersburg came on board in state, and as she steamed up the Neva, H.I.M. the Czar Nicholas met her in his state barge; the forts and warships fired salutes of honour, and all the merchant ships were covered with flags. To commemorate this important event, his Majesty the Czar commanded that whenever the NEPTUNE came to St. Petersburg she was to be free of port and pilotage dues.