Historical Materials

The "Britannias" were the first ocean steamship "liners," that is to say they were built to maintain regular departures "full or empty" as stipulated in a pre-advertised schedule. Four in number they were constructed in response to Samuel Cunard and his partners winning a contract from the Admiralty in 1839 for the twice monthly conveyance of mail from Liverpool to Boston via Halifax, the requirement being reduced to once monthly in winter; there was also a clause placing the steamers and the crew at the Admiralty's disposal in the event of war. Although it was Cunard who raised the finance to float the British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (popularly abbreviated to "Cunard Line") it was Robert Napier, the well known Clyde shipbuilder, who was technically responsible for the venture's resounding success. Due to his efforts and advice the service began in July 1840 with "Britannia" arriving at Halifax after a passage of ten and a half days from Liverpool—a considerable improvement on that of  sailing ships tacking against the prevailing westerlies. As portrayed in Lane's painting, the Bostonians welcomed the new service greeting each steamer's arrival with growing enthusiasm.