Steam-navigation -- History; Steamboat lines -- History; Steamboats -- History
After the launch of these two famous steamers, there was an interval
of six years during which no new vessels were added to the fleet.
The next additions were the ARABIC and COPTIC, for the Trans-Pacific
trade, in 1881. In the same year Mr. W. S. Graves, son of a
well-known former M.P. for Liverpool, became a partner.
[Illustration: OCEANIC (1870). White Star Line.]
In 1883 the IONIC and DORIC were built for the New Zealand trade—the
Shaw, Savill and Albion Line from London. In 1885 the GAELIC and
BELGIC—replacing the two older ships of the same names—were built
for the Trans-Pacific trade. A new type of steamer for the cargo and
cattle trade between Liverpool and New York was introduced in 1888,
the two first steamers of the new type being the CUFIC and RUNIC.
These vessels were the last single screw ships ordered for the White
Star Line, all the succeeding vessels being of the twin-screw type.
The CUFIC and RUNIC proved successful enough to warrant the company
in forming a complete service of cargo and cattle steamers. After
doing very efficient service as cattle carriers, the CUFIC was sold
to a Liverpool firm, who changed her name to the MANXMAN, and the
RUNIC, also sold to a Liverpool firm, is engaged in the West Indian
trade under the name of the TAMPICAN.
In January, 1889, was launched the TEUTONIC, the first of the
celebrated pair of twin-screw mercantile armed cruisers (TEUTONIC and
MAJESTIC), each 10,000 tons, which have since made for themselves a
great reputation in the New York mail and passenger service. The keel
of the TEUTONIC was laid in March, 1887. The vessel was launched 22
months later, and she left Liverpool on her maiden voyage to New York
on the 7th August, 1889. Prior to going on to her regular station,
she was present, armed with eight quick-firing guns, at the naval
inspection by the German Emperor at Spithead in the beginning of
August, 1889. On that occasion she astonished nautical critics with
her splendid proportions, and was honoured by a special visit from
H.I.M. the Kaiser, and H.R.H. the Prince of Wales (now H.M. King
Edward VII.). She was again present with a large party of guests at
the Diamond Jubilee Naval Review in June, 1897, when she carried an
armament of 16 guns. Her sister ship, the MAJESTIC, was launched on
the 29th June, 1889, but did not start on her first voyage until the
2nd April, 1890.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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