The British Empire, of 3361 gross tonnage, was the
same class of vessel as those of the White Star line, but fuller,
being intended for cargo. Though originally intended for the
Eastern trade, this vessel was eventually placed on the Liverpool
and Philadelphia line; and her working proved so satisfactory
that five more vessels were ordered like her, which were
chartered to the American Company.
The Liverpool agents, Messrs. Richardson, Spence, and Co., having
purchased the Cunard steamer Russia, sent her over to us to be
lengthened 70 feet, and entirely refitted--another proof of the
rapid change which owners of merchant ships now found it
necessary to adopt in view of the requirements of modern traffic.
Another Liverpool firm, the Messrs. T. and J. Brocklebank, of
world-wide repute for their fine East Indiamen, having given up
building for themselves at their yard at Whitehaven, commissioned
us to build for them the Alexandria, and Baroda, which were
shortly followed by the Candahar and Tenasserim. And continuing
to have a faith in the future of big iron sailing ships, they
further employed us to build for them two of yet greater tonnage,
the Belfast and the Majestic.
Indeed, there is a future for sailing ships, notwithstanding the
recent development of steam power. Sailing ships can still hold
their own, especially in the transport of heavy merchandise for
great distances.
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