With Britain triumphant after the defeat of Napoleon, the British Merchant Navy began to expand. With powerful Blackwall 'frigates' serving a growing empire, a vast migration to North America, Australia and New Zealand and the carriage of valuable cargoes such as tea from China, sail remained dominant throughout much of the 19th Century.
From a tentative beginning, British steam-vessels increased in power and endurance so that, by 1884, they had taken over the long-haul routes to China and the Antipodes. Far from trade following the flag, it was almost always the other way round as this extraordinary history demonstrates.
- ISBN10 0750967234
- ISBN13 9780750967235
- Publish Date 2 November 2009
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint The History Press Ltd
- Format eBook (EPUB)
- Pages 384
- Language English