| 1866-00-00: |
ACHILLES (1) was built in 1866 by Scott & Co. at Greenock with a tonnage of 2,280grt a length of 309ft 6in, a beam of 38ft 10in and a service speed of 10 knots. In December 1866 the Captain was informed by the appointed agent, Bruell & Co., that there was no cargo for the return voyage. However, a newly established company, Butterfied & Swire, stepped in and offered a part cargo of a consignment of shirtings for Lancashire which enabled the ship to make a profitable start to her voyage. Alfred Holt was impressed with Butterfield and Swire's initiative and appointed them as agents in Shanghai. He also recognised that their trade was in textiles and silks in addition to tea. Consequently, the appointment began a valuable and longlasting relationship which had a considerable effect on the fortunes of the Blue Funnel Line. The ships of Alfred Holt started using the Suez Canal very soon after it was opened during November of 1869 and Achilles (1) was the first to use it on her homeward bound voyage. Alfred Holt was determined to obtain the very highest standard for everything even remotely connected to his ships and when machinery in his first ships was installed or replaced between 1876 and 1878, this was not a surprise to anyone as it greatly improved the vessels performance. The great use of the Suez Canal by vessels of the Holt’s fleet was very much in contrast to the attitude of rival P & O whose managers and directors spent many years without making a decision to use it. P&O eventually made its decision, but not until the vessels of Alfred Holt & Co. had established a very firm advantage over their rivals as far as trade was concerned. In 1891 she was transferred to N.S.M. 'Oceaan' without a change of name. She was sold on to Swedish owners in 1896, but even with her re-engining she was obsolete and in the summer of 1899 went for breaking up at Spezia. (John I Bax Collection) |
