Canadian Pacific Steamship Lines - World's Greatest Travel System

Maker Canadian Pacific Steamship Company (1891 - 1971)

Manufacturer Bryant and May (founded 1843)

Date1921 - c 1950

Object number00006942

NameMatchbox

MediumWood

DimensionsOverall: 18 x 59 x 38 mm

ClassificationsClothing and personal items

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionA box of Bryant & May's "Brymay" special safety matches advertising the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company. Obverse inscribed 'Canadian Pacific Steamship Lines. World's greatest travel system' and stamped 'Free distribution not for sale'. Contains 39 brown headed matches. History"In 1884 the Canadian Pacific Railway Co. entered into shipowning and three steamers were built to operate Great Lakes services. These ships sailed across the Atlantic, were cut in half at Montreal, towed to Buffalo and rejoined. In 1886 regular passenger services were started between Montreal and Port Moody and in 1887 a service between Vancouver and the Orient commenced with chartered vessels, to be followed in 1891 by the company's own "Empress" ships. The Columbia and Kootenay River Navigation Co. was purchased in 1890 and this enabled CPR to enter the sternwheeler traffic of the Canadian Rockies lakes and river trade. The same year, passenger routes were established between Toronto, Montreal and Chicago. A Vancouver - Victoria service started in 1897 and in 1901 the ships and coastal services of the Canadian Pacific Navigation Co were acquired. Transatlantic passenger services commenced in 1903 when the fleet and North Atlantic interests of Elder Dempster & Co and their subsidiary Beaver Line were taken over and the following year, a regular service between Seattle and Victoria BC was inaugurated. The Bay of Funday route started in 1912 and in 1913 CPR and Allan Line started joint co-operation in victualling and stores depots and the two fleets eventually merged, but this was not formally announced until Jan. 1916. Most of CPR's fleet was requisitioned for war service in 1914 and in 1915 Canadian Pacific Ocean Services was formed to operate the combined CPR / Allan Line fleets. In 1921 the title of the operating company became Canadian Pacific Steamships Ltd. On the outbreak of war in 1939, Canadian Pacific placed all their ships at the disposal of the government and several were taken over as troopships. In the 1960s with the advent of air travel and cargo containerisation, the passenger ships were gradually sold and new container and bulk cargo vessels built." - The Ships ListSignificanceCheap, portable and functional items such as ashtrays, key rings, matchboxes, bags, paperweights, pens and T-shirts have always been popular souvenirs purchased on cruise ships or from ports of call. When emblazoned with the name or image of the vessel that the passenger temporarily calls home, the item can be immediately understood. Lasting long after the journey ends, they become poignant reminders of unique times in peoples lives.