The _Oceanic_ was a 3808-ton vessel, and became the fastest steamship afloat, her four-cylinder compound engines enabling her to average fourteen and a quarter knots. The first Atlantic line to build all its steamers of iron had been the Inman Line, which from 1850 to 1892 was one of the chief competitors in that ocean. Founded by William Inman, its successful policy was to capture the emigration trade which had been carried on by the sailing ships. Their first ships had been the _City of Glasgow_ and _City of Manchester_, built of iron and propelled by a single screw. They inaugurated the custom of calling at Queenstown, and began running to New York instead of Philadelphia. The first so-called Atlantic “greyhound” was built by the Guion Line. In 1879 came their _Arizona_, which unfortunately ran at full speed into an iceberg, but her water-tight bulkhead enabled her to get into St. John’s, Newfoundland. Her advent was followed by the _Oregon_, built in 1882, and she created a sensation by making the run from Queenstown to New York in six days, fourteen hours. This was a 7375-ton ship, which, with her speed of nineteen knots, made her the fastest vessel afloat, and was purchased by the Cunard Company; but she in turn was eclipsed by the two famous Cunarders, _Umbria_ in 1884 and _Etruria_ in the following year. These two wonderful craft were to be used as armed cruisers if required, and never were more satisfactory ships built to give their owners so little trouble. In respect of speed, also, they broke all records, _Etruria_ crossing from Queenstown to New York in six days, six hours and thirty-six minutes in 1885, while seven years later _Umbria_ surpassed this by maintaining an average of over nineteen and a half knots. And whilst all this activity was proceeding in the Atlantic, ships driven by steam were running regularly to the East, though the competition in this sphere was not keen. In 1877 the Orient Line was founded. One of their ships, the _Austral_, launched in 1881, was lying in Sydney Harbour with her scuttles open, but owing to a heavy list caused through unequal coaling the water poured in and she sank in fifty feet of water. She was, however, refloated several months later. [Illustration: [_By courtesy Messrs. T. H. Parker._ S.S. “SULTAN.” 2,225 tons, 240 horse-power. J. Maddison, R.N.R., Commander. About 1873.] [Illustration: [_By courtesy Messrs. T. H. Parker._ S.S. “ORIENT.” About 1879. Owned by Orient Steam Navigation Company. 5,386 tons, 5,400 horse-power, length 460 ft., beam 46 ft. 6 in.]