[5] By the amalgamation of the Register of Shipping (1760) and the New Register Book of Shipping (1799). CHAPTER XV THE IRON AND STEEL AGE In a very few years, then, the increasing success of the steamer, together with the opening of the Suez Canal and firm establishment of several steamship companies carrying mails east, west and south, gave the glorious sailing ships a blow from which they have never since recovered. Mechanically-propelled craft were now seen everywhere. In 1841 the Blackwall yard launched the 666-ton paddler _Princess Royal_ and the 875-ton paddler _Trident_ for the General Steam Navigation Company. The latter craft was one of the fastest vessels afloat, and on Queen Victoria’s first visit to Scotland this ship so far surpassed the royal yacht in speed that _Trident_ was chartered for Her Majesty’s party on the return voyage. [Illustration: [_By courtesy Messrs. T. H. Parker._ S.S. “TRIDENT.” Of the General Steam Navigation Company, arriving at Woolwich on September 13, 1842, with Queen Victoria on board after her visit to Scotland. “Trident” was of 875 tons.] From 1840 to about 1860 the Cunard ships had practically a monopoly of the Atlantic steamship trade, though as long as they used paddle-wheels they were not very serious competitors with the sailing craft. It was the advent of iron and steel, of the high-pressure and compound engines which was to give the steamships the virtues of economy and efficiency and thus a superiority over the old-fashioned craft. From 1850 for the next eight years there was in the North Atlantic a certain amount of opposition from a steamship company called the Collins Line, which had been subsidised by the United States Government. After a burst of keen rivalry, the Collins Line withdrew from the contest. In 1850 came the Inman Line, which kept up the running for many years until in 1893 it was reorganised and became merged in the American Line. In 1866 was founded the Guion Line, which certainly had a great influence for a time in accelerating the development of the big steamship. And then in 1870 came the White Star Line, which, excepting the Cunard Line and a temporary influence of the two German lines, has done more for the improvement in design and speed and comfort in regard to steamships than all the other companies put together.