Regular transatlantic steam crossing (Sirius and Great Western)
Travesía transatlántica a vapor regular (Sirius y Great Western)
- Date
- 1838 · confidence high
- Place
- New York, United States
- Credited to
- Isambard Kingdom Brunel; Great Western Steamship Company
- Field
- Movement
⚠️ Disputed: the sources disagree.
What it is
In April 1838 the Sirius and the Great Western reached New York after crossing the Atlantic almost entirely under steam, the latter in 15 days with a wooden hull. They inaugurated regular steam liner service between Europe and America.
The Savannah (1819) crossed with sail and auxiliary steam and the Canadian Royal William (1833) made most of her crossing under steam; being 'first' depends on definitions.
What it led to
- Cunard Line (1840)
- ocean liners and mail steamers
- mass emigration by steamship