Auxiliary screw steamer ERL KING, immigrant ship to Australia

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Auxiliary screw steamer ERL KING, immigrant ship to Australia

Publisher Illustrated London News (Established 1842)

Date1866

Object number00003595

NameEngraving

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 399 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionEngraving from page 104 of the Illustrated London News 3 February 1866 titled 'Auxiliary screw steamer ERL KING immigrant ship to Australia' with accompanying article '[built] to supply the place of their steamer SEA KING, which became famous as the confederate privateer SHENANDOAH'. Engraving above is titled 'The late J.B. Martin of the Australian packet ship LONDON lost in the Bay of Biscay'.HistoryThe ERL KING was launched in 1865 at Glasgow and owned by Robertson & Co London. Designed as an auxiliary steam ship this allowed the ERL KING this to use the Suez Canal when it opened in 1869 - something which was not possible for sailing vessels. The ERL KING was used in the China tea trade – sailing from Britain to China. Known as the Tea Clipper Era these high speed sailing vessels competed to get the first "new crop" to market in Britain. Newspapers covered these 'races' and the vessels became well known to the general population who were even known to bet on the outcome.