Royal Mail Steam Packet Company: A Brief History and Background

The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company has a rich history that spans over a century. It was formed in 1839 by the merger of the Royal Mail and the Steam Packet Company.

The company's early years were marked by a series of mergers and acquisitions, including the takeover of the British and Irish Steam Packet Company in 1843.

One of the company's most significant achievements was the introduction of the steamship service between the UK and the West Indies in 1845. This service revolutionized transportation in the Caribbean.

The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company played a crucial role in the development of international trade and commerce, particularly in the 19th century.

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The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company has a rich and fascinating history that spans over a century. Here's a breakdown of the major periods in its history.

The company was founded in 1839 by James MacQueen to distribute the Royal Mail's correspondence beyond the seas, particularly in South America. It was based in Southampton, England.

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In 1850, the company established a line between Southampton and Buenos Aires, Argentina. This marked a significant milestone in the company's growth and expansion.

The company's fortunes began to decline at the end of the 19th century, when it was surpassed by larger European shipping companies. To stay competitive, the company commissioned five new ships, each named with an "A" prefix, such as Aragon, Amazon, and Asturias.

Here are the company's major ships that frequented Cherbourg during this period:

In 1921, the company built the New York Hotel in Cherbourg, a complex of six buildings that could accommodate 250 people. The architect was René Levavasseur.

The company continued to operate until 1927, when it merged with the White Star Line. This merger proved to be disastrous, and the company's fortunes continued to decline with the onset of the Great Depression in 1929.

The company was refounded in 1932 under the name Royal Mail Lines and resumed its services to South America with the ship Andes.