A Century of North Sea Passenger Steamers

The first half of the 19th century witnessed the establishment of many shipping companies, some of which introduced regular services linking the major seaports bordering the North Sea. These services soon began to attract passengers, and subsequently secondary, often seasonal, services were developed to cater for a growing interest in tourism. Throughout the earlier part of the period under review westbound carryings were greatly augmented by large numbers of emigrants in specially fitted tweendecks. Ship development falls into two separate categories. The shorter routes nearer to the English Channel tended to favour the faster type of `Channel packet,' often paddle and later turbine propelled, though the longer overnight services from Harwich did eventually evolve their own particular type of long-foc'sled ship. The northern routes on the other hand, being longer and more exposed, required rather more sturdy construction, generally of welldeck or three-island design...