Masters of the oceans

摘要

Canadian Pacific can trace its origins to a campaign started by Sir Hugh Allan, of the Allan Line, and others to have a railway built across Canada. The campaign led to the formation of the Canadian Pacific Railway Co (CPR) in 1881 which between then and 1885 had the 2,900-mile railway built. The Railway Co's shipping activities began in 1884 when three vessels entered service on the Great Lakes intended mainly to carry workers and materials. Coastal services along the Canadian west coast were developed in the 1890s and in 1901 the Canadian Pacific Navigation Co, formed in 1883, was acquired. In 1886, CPR chartered nine sailing ships to carry cargoes to and from the Orient. The first voyage, by the sailing ship W. B. Flint, brought tea to Vancouver. The following year, three former Cunard passenger vessels were chartered to provide services from Vancouver to Far Eastern destinations. In addition, nine cargo ships were also chartered for the route. In 1891 three newly-built passenger ships entered service introducing the Empress names to the fleet. Empress of India (1890/5,905gt), Empress of Japan and Empress of China (both 1891/5, 905gt) commenced a three-ship service linking Vancouver, Hawaii, Yokohama, Shanghai and Hong Kong. The vessels had a service speed of at least 17 knots and could be converted into auxiliary cruisers to support the British Pacific Fleet in the event of war.