NORTH AMERICA

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NORTH AMERICA

Post by shipstamps » Wed Sep 10, 2008 5:57 am


Throughout the early 1800s thousands of immigrants arrived in what was to become Canada, seeking a new beginning. As they built their new lives in a new land, many sought to maintain a link and communicate news with friends and relatives overseas, leading to the creation of transatlantic steamship mail service. Not one, but two shipping moguls were able to fulfill this most essential service. The Cunard Line, run by Sir Samuel Cunard, began to deliver the mail from Liverpool to Halifax in 1840.
Similarly, the Allan Line, run by Sir Hugh Allan, began to ship mail from Liverpool to Quebec City in 1856. On 28 May 2004, Canada Post paid tribute to these men for their mail delivery innovation by issuing two commemorative 49-cent stamps.

By opening the lines to regular communication between England and Canada, Cunard and Allan helped to shape the future. Regular mail overseas allowed families, separated by an ocean, to keep in contact with each other. This type of overseas mail delivery helped to join Canada first with Britain and then the rest of the world.
These two men showed the world that it was possible to have regular contact with loved ones and business associates, even when separated by great distances, said Anne Joynt, president and CEO of Canada Post,” a tradition which Canada Post now continues. Cunard and Allan were mail pioneers and were proud to honour their work, and carry on their tradition.”

Cunard was born in Halifax on 21 November 1787 (died 28 April 1865), the son of a Halifax carpenter and timber merchant. After serving in the War of 1812, he played an increasing role in his father’s business, building its few sailing ships into a large fleet. By the 1830s, he had become very wealthy. He also became a member of the Council of the Twelve, a group established in 1719 to advise Nova Scotia’s governor, deliberate on bills in the legislature’s upper house and act as a civil court of appeal. In 1839 he made a submission to the British government to begin regular steamship mail service across the Atlantic. He was granted his request and began service the following summer with an initial trip by the UNICORN, followed by regular trips by the paddlewheel steamship BRITANNIA (which made the voyage from England to Halifax Harbor in 14 days.) Cunard was one of the first Nova Scotians to build a successful business empire. His company grew to be one of the great 20th-century passenger lines, launching such famous ships as the QUEEN MARY and QUEEN ELIZABETH.

Sir Hugh Allan born on 29 Sept. 1810 (died 09 Dec. 1882)., was a shipping magnate, railway developer and financier. In 1826 he came to Canada from his birthplace of Scotland and settled in Montreal. In 1853, he persuaded the Government of Canada to subsidize a transatlantic line to carry the mail.
Allan did not win the initial contract, but he and his brothers financed their own ships and wrestled the contract from his competitors in 1856. The NORTH AMERICA made its first journey in April of 1856, arriving in Quebec City three weeks after its departure from Liverpool. Soon, ships were making the journey across the Atlantic weekly for regular mail service. Allan also invested in railways. He wanted the contract to build the Canadian Pacific Railway, which the Canadian government had promised British Columbia when it joined Canada in 1871. Looking to ensure he got the contract, Allan gave about $360.000 in campaign funds to Sir John A Macdonald and other Conservatives during the 1872 elections. This brought on the Pacific Scandal, which caused the Macdonald government to fall from office and lost Allan the railway contract.

Both stamps were designed by Dennis Page and Oliver Hill (of Page & Wood Creative Strategies in Halifax) and feature illustrations of Cunard and Allan by Bonnie Ross.
Cunard stamp also showcases the BRITTANIA (see is on more stamps see her details on that page), while Allan’s features the NORTH AMERICAN, also illustrated by Bonnie Ross. Both ships appear to be battling the rough seas of the Atlantic. Designer Hill and Page say they believe the design expresses the determination shown by Cunard and Allan and leave the viewer with a visual flavour of the 19th century.


NORTH AMERICAN.

Built as an iron passenger- cargo vessel by William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton, Scotland for the J & A Allan & Co. (Allan Line), Glasgow. The shipyard Denny was to have a share in the stock of the company (£8.000) or shares in the vessels themselves.
Original provisional order place on 10 May 1855, contingent on the Canadian Government mail contract being awarded. Order confirmed on 02 July 1855.

09 July 1855 keel laid down.
26 January 1856 launched under the name NORTH AMERICAN.
Tonnage 1.673 gt, 1.138 net, 1.390 dwt. , dim. 86.26 x 10.57 x 7.16m.
One 2-cyl. simple inverted direct acting steam engine, 1280 ihp, speed 11½ knots. One funnel. Coal consumption 42 tons a day. Four tubular boilers and a donkey boiler.
Passenger accommodation for 75 first and 350 third.
Flush decked with topgallant forecastle, three deck. Barque rig. Clinker built. Billet head fitted.
Cost: Final price £57.134. Engine £21.960. Shipyard profit £4.032 3s 2d. after discounts.

The NORTH AMERICAN inaugurated the mail service for the Allan Line between Liverpool and Canada.
23 April 1856 she sailed on her maiden voyage in this service from Liverpool. On her maiden homeward voyage she steamed from Quebec to Liverpool in 11½ days.
1867 the NORTH AMERICAN stranded on Anticosti Island, but was later refloated, needed bow repair.
She was first towed to Gaspé and later to Quebec, she was out of service more as a year.
12 Nov. 1868 resumed in the Liverpool to Portland service.
19 April 1871 made the first voyage in the Liverpool to Norfolk, Baltimore service, 11 March 1873 made her last voyage in this service

1873 She was laid up in Montreal, and sold the next year to Hamilton & Kerr of Montreal. Her new owners removed her engines and used her as a sailing vessel. Barque rigged.
04 January 1875 registered in Montreal.
14 May 1877 registered in London. Her owner given as James Kerr of Liverpool in 1879 and 1883. She is than given, ship rigged.
19 February 1885 under command of Capt. H.Hamilton she sailed from Melbourne for London, she was sighted on the 28th by the ARISTIDES, but not seen of heard again.
After 202 days she was posted missing by Lloyds.

Source: Merchant Fleets in profile vol 3 by Duncan Haws. North Atlantic Seaway. The Australian Run by Jack Loney and Peter Stone. Dan Rodlie. The Denny List, part one.

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