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Lot Essay
Atrato, the first iron vessel ordered for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company's fleet, was, when launched on 27th April 1853, the largest steamer in the world. A handsome two-funnelled paddler carrying an auxiliary barquentine rig, she was built on the Clyde by Caird & Co. at Greenock and registered at 3,466 tons gross. Measuring 350 feet in length with a 72 foot beam, she had accommodation for 224 passengers and could steam at 12 knots under full power. Intended for the company's principal Southampton - West Indies mail service, she spent almost her entire career with Royal Mail but transferred off her original route in 1864 when she inaugurated the Colon service which connected to the new Panama to Australia run across the Pacific. Sold to Morrison's of London in 1870 who converted her to screw propulsion, she then began sailings to Australia and New Zealand until scrapped as obsolete in 1875.
We are grateful to A.S. Davidson for his assistance in cataloguing this lot.
We are grateful to A.S. Davidson for his assistance in cataloguing this lot.