The steamers of the Bibby Line sail on alternate Thursdays from Liverpool, calling at Marseilles to embark the overland passengers on the following Thursday. Circular tickets in connection with these sailings are issued for £15, which are available for a passage both ways by any steamer of the fleet, or if passengers prefer it, they will receive, free of additional cost, a first-class Railway ticket, via Paris, for the journey one way overland to or from London.
Travellers to and from Egypt, Palestine, etc., whether journeying round Spain or using the Marseilles route will find these steamers a convenient and luxurious means of conveyance.
The public will be glad to know that passages can be secured for £3 3s. for the fortnightly runs round from London to Liverpool. The steamers usually leave Tilbury on Friday, and arrive in Liverpool on the following Monday morning, thus affording a very pleasant week end trip.
The present fleet consists of the following modern fast Mail Steamships:—
| Lancashire | 4244 Tons. | Staffordshire | 6005 Tons. |
| Yorkshire | 4261 ” | Derbyshire | 6636 ” |
| Cheshire | 5775 ” | Warwickshire | 7966 ” |
| Shropshire | 5785 ” | Worcestershire (Building) | 7966 ” |
Chapter VIII.
THE CORK STEAMSHIP COMPANY, LIMITED.
The Cork Steamship Company, as successors to the St. George Steam Packet Co., may justly be considered to be one of the oldest existing steamship companies in the world. The original company (the St. George), was formed in the Autumn of the year 1821, its headquarters being in Liverpool. An announcement concerning it appeared in the Liverpool “Mercury,” of the 12th October, 1821, stating:—
“A company has been formed here (Liverpool) for establishing steam packets.... Two vessels of large dimensions are already contracted for, and are now building by two experienced ship-builders in this town, the machinery for both to be fitted by an engineer of eminence; and the proprietors, we learn, are determined to spare no expense in the equipment of the vessels to contribute to the safety and comfort of the passengers.”
In accordance with this announcement the pioneer steam packet of the Company, the St. Patrick, was launched from the yard of Mr. Thomas Wilson, Liverpool, at 10-30 a.m. on the 21st April following.
This event created quite a sensation in the town, as she was, if not the first steamer ever built in the port, certainly the finest specimen of ship-building craft up to that date constructed there. So great was the interest displayed that every wall and pier from which a view of the launch could be obtained was crowded with spectators. This steamer ran for about two years between various ports in England and Ireland, and having in that time established a reputation for speed and seaworthiness, she was purchased by a London Company to trade between London and Lisbon. She was replaced by a second St. Patrick, a vessel of 300 tons burthen and 120 h.p., built by Clarke and Nickson, Liverpool, and launched from their yard on the 19th August, 1825. In the interim between the dates of the launch of the first and second St. Patrick, the Company had built or purchased quite a number of steamers. They had also established themselves in Cork, and had built the premises situated on Penrose Quay, where to-day is carried on the business of the City of Cork Steam Packet Co., Limited.