Messrs. James Little and Co.

This firm, which was established as early as 1812, despatched in 1819 the first steamer which ever carried passengers from the Clyde to Liverpool. This was the Robert Bruce, a small vessel of 98 feet in length; she was soon followed by the Superb, and in 1820 by the Majestic, and two years later by the City of Glasgow. The steamers on the Liverpool and Glasgow service called at Port Patrick and Douglas, and in 1828 Messrs. Little inaugurated their Glasgow and Belfast service with a new vessel, the Frolic. It was for this service also that some years later they ordered, from Messrs. Denny and Co. of Dumbarton, the Waterwitch, which was the first screw steamer built on the Clyde. Another of their most notable boats was the Herald, a Clyde paddle-steamer, built in 1866 and placed by them on the Barrow and Isle of Man service the following year. They afterwards added those fine steamers Manx Queen, Duchess of Devonshire, and Duchess of Buccleuch, which were so successful that the rivalry between them and the Isle of Man Steam Packet boats became very keen, the Barrow route to the Isle of Man being shorter than the Liverpool.

The evident popularity of the Isle of Man services has proved a sore temptation to speculators to start rival lines to those already in existence. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company had a virtual monopoly of the Liverpool and Manx service for close on half a century, but in 1887 two large and fast paddle-steamers, Queen Victoria and Prince of Wales, each of 1657 tons, built by the Fairfield Company for the Isle of Man, Liverpool, and Manchester Company, were started in opposition. Both vessels are stated to have done the journey in a trifle over three hours, and the Prince of Wales once accomplished it in under the three hours. After another season’s conflict the two boats were bought by the Manx Company. Another opposition company tried its fortunes for a season with the Lancashire Witch, a twin-screw steamer, which now, under the name of the Coogee, belongs to the great Australian shipowning firm, the Huddart Parker and Co. Proprietary, Ltd. There have been several other attempts at opposition with boats neither so fast nor so comfortable as those of the established company.

“The Majestic.”

THE MAJESTIC,
Captain OMAN,
AND
THE CITY OF GLASGOW,
Captain CARLYLE,

Sail from GREENOCK every MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, and FRIDAY, at One o’Clock in the Afternoon, and from LIVERPOOL, every MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, and FRIDAY, at Ten o’Clock in the Forenoon, calling off PORT PATRICK, and at DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN, both in going and returning from LIVERPOOL.

These Packets carry no Goods, being expressly fitted up for the comfort and accommodation of Passengers.

FARES.

For the First Cabin, including Provisions and Steward’s Fees.
		To Port Patrick.			To Isle of Man.			To Liverpool.			To Greenock.
From	Greenock,	£1	1	0	£1	10	0	£2	5	0	£0	0	0
	Port Patrick,	0	0	0	1	1	0	1	11	0	1	1	0
	Isle of Man,	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	17	0	1	10	6
	Liverpool,	1	11	6	0	17	0	0	0	0	2	5	0
For the Second Cabin without Provisions.
		To Port Patrick.			To Isle of Man.			To Liverpool.			To Greenock.
From	Greenock,	£0	10	0	£0	10	0	£0	10	0	£0	0	0
	Port Patrick,	0	0	0	0	10	0	0	10	0	0	10	0
	Isle of Man,	0	10	0	0	0	0	0	9	6	0	10	0
	Liverpool,	0	10	6	0	9	6	0	0	0	0	10	0
Children under Twelve Years of Age Half Price.

ON DECK.

A Coach,	£4	15	A Horse,	£2	10	0
A Chaise,	4	0	Dogs, per couple,	0	10	0
A Gio,	2	10

Parcels Forwarded to the Isle of Man and all Parts of England.

The Proprietors will not be accountable for the Delivery of any Parcel of the Value of Two Pounds and upwards, unless entered, and paid for accordingly.

Passengers are put on Board and landed at Greenock, Douglas, and Liverpool, free of expence.

The Passage between Greenock and Liverpool is generally made with Twenty-five hours.

May 1, 1826.

JAMES LITTLE,

Agent,

Greenock,