Occidental and Oriental Steamship Company Founding and Growth

The Occidental and Oriental Steamship Company was founded in 1865 by a group of entrepreneurs who saw an opportunity to connect the East and West through shipping.

The company's first ships sailed from San Francisco to Hong Kong, starting a regular service that would become a crucial link between the two regions.

One of the key factors in the company's growth was its decision to offer a more direct and efficient route between the East and West coasts of the United States and Asia.

This decision allowed the company to tap into the growing demand for trade between the two regions, which helped to drive its expansion.

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The Occidental and Oriental Steamship Company (O&O) was founded in late 1874 by George Bradbury, a former president of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. Bradbury's vision was to create a company that could rival Pacific Mail's dominance on the route from Hong Kong to San Francisco.

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The company was formed in response to Pacific Mail's decision to abandon its transcontinental railway agreements and instead use the isthmus of Panama. This move left a gap in the market that O&O was eager to fill.

Bradbury became the president of O&O and immediately set out to secure charter contracts with other companies. He traveled to London, where he met with Thomas Henry Ismay, the chairman of the White Star Line.

The meeting with Ismay led to a two-year charter agreement for three vessels: the SS Gaelic, the SS Belgic, and the RMS Oceanic. The Oceanic was a luxury liner that had become redundant on the North Atlantic route, but it proved to be a game-changer for O&O.

The Oceanic set a Pacific crossing record of 16 days and 10 hours, beating Pacific Mail's ships by 8 days. This success laid the foundations for a long collaboration between O&O and White Star, with White Star supplying British officers and O&O providing Chinese crews.

The success of the Oceanic's first voyage was enough to convince Pacific Mail to sign a contract with O&O, allowing the two companies to operate a joint service on the route.

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The Occidental and Oriental Steamship Company was a major player in the global shipping industry. It was formed in 1865 by the merger of the Occidental and Oriental Steamship Company of London and the Oriental Navigation Company.

The company's early years were marked by significant expansion, with the addition of new ships and routes. One notable partnership was with the shipping line of the British East India Company.

The company's fleet grew rapidly, with over 50 ships sailing under its flag by the early 1870s. This growth was fueled by the increasing demand for transportation between Europe and Asia.

The company played a key role in the development of the Suez Canal, which opened in 1869 and greatly reduced travel times between Europe and Asia. This partnership with the Suez Canal Company helped to further increase the company's efficiency and reach.

The company's growth and success were also due in part to its ability to adapt to changing market conditions.

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The Occidental and Oriental Steamship Company was a subsidiary of the White Star Line.

It operated a service between San Francisco and the Orient, which was commenced in 1879 with White Star Line vessels.

The Occidental and Oriental Steamship Company had a fleet of impressive ships that played a significant role in its operations.

The company's flagship, the SS Orient, was a massive vessel that traveled between Europe and Asia.

The Orient was not alone in its grandeur, as the SS Occidental, another prominent ship in the company's fleet, also made regular transatlantic crossings.

One notable route was the Company's service between Liverpool and Bombay, which took around 30 days to complete.

The SS Orient was known for its luxurious amenities and accommodations, making it a favorite among passengers.

The company's ships were also equipped with the latest technology, including wireless telegraphy, which enabled them to stay in touch with other vessels and coastal stations.

The SS Occidental was a popular choice for passengers traveling between Europe and the East Coast of the United States.