Lot Essay
Although displaying the funnel colours of the Inman Line, the name at the bow of this auxiliary brig-rigged screw steamer is not quite legible. Originally named the Liverpool and Philadelphia Steam Ship Company, it was formed by the Richardson Brothers and William Inman. In 1852 it broke new ground in the bulk transport of transatlantic emigrants using 400 temporary berths in the cargo holds on the westward passage. Including the innovation of cooked meals the all-in fare was six guineas, a great step forward, and one which set new and humane standards for the emigrant trade.
With the onset of the Crimean War, the experience gained made the vessels ideal for trooping, but the Richardsons being Quakers were unwilling to be involved and retired leaving Inman in charge, the line shortly taking his name. Normal sailings were suspended after December 1854 and not resumed until April 1856, the fleet meanwhile trooping to the Black Sea.*
The vessel does not correspond with any in the regular fleet list and the likelihood is that it was an additional vessel brought in on a temporary basis to meet a particular commitment.
*C.R. Vernon Gibbs "British Passenger Liners of the Five Oceans" p.212
Christie's are indebted to A.S. Davidson for his assistance in cataloguing this picture.
With the onset of the Crimean War, the experience gained made the vessels ideal for trooping, but the Richardsons being Quakers were unwilling to be involved and retired leaving Inman in charge, the line shortly taking his name. Normal sailings were suspended after December 1854 and not resumed until April 1856, the fleet meanwhile trooping to the Black Sea.*
The vessel does not correspond with any in the regular fleet list and the likelihood is that it was an additional vessel brought in on a temporary basis to meet a particular commitment.
*C.R. Vernon Gibbs "British Passenger Liners of the Five Oceans" p.212
Christie's are indebted to A.S. Davidson for his assistance in cataloguing this picture.