The White Star Line was founded about the middle of the last century by the owners of a line of smart clippers sailing between England and Australia. The great rush of adventurers to the Australian gold diggings in the “fifties” gave a great impetus to the trade between Great Britain and the Colonies. In the course of seven years the White Star, Black Ball and other lines carried about half a million passengers to the Antipodes. The “White Star” boats, even in those days, were the largest of their class, and amongst them were the famous wooden clippers GOLDEN ERA, CHAMPION OF THE SEAS, BLUE JACKET, and WHITE STAR, vessels of from 3,000 to 4,500 tons gross. An important change took place in the destinies of the line in 1867, when the managing owner retired, and the late Thomas Henry Ismay took over the flag. Two years later came the great event in the history of the White Star Line, when Mr. Ismay induced some friends to join him in the formation of the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company. It was an enterprise boldly conceived, and carried out with great judgment. Boldly conceived, for there were already four companies each maintaining a regular weekly service between Liverpool and New York. Nor were these small companies, or of indifferent reputation. There was the Cunard Company, established about thirty years previously; the Inman Line, with a fine fleet of clipper passenger steamers; the Guion Line, with its large American connections; and the National Line, with its fleet of huge cargo carriers. In spite of this, Mr. Ismay was confident that there was room for a high-class Trans-Atlantic passenger service, and the shares in the new company (£1,000 each fully paid) were at once privately taken up by the firm of T. H. Ismay & Co. and their friends, amongst whom were some of the most substantial names in England. The following year Mr. Imrie (of the late firm of Imrie, Tomlinson & Co.) joined Mr. Ismay, and the style of the firm was altered to Ismay, Imrie & Co.