Inman Line
By embracing new technology, Inman Line became the first to show that unsubsidized ocean liners could profitably cross the North Atlantic.
In 1850, Inman persuaded his partners to form the Liverpool and Philadelphia Steamship Company and buy an advanced new ship, City of Glasgow.
[2] She proved profitable because her iron hull required less repair, and her screw propulsion system left more room for passengers and freight.
As Irish Quakers, the Richardsons were concerned about the poor conditions experienced by U.S.-bound emigrants, who traveled by sailing ship with unpredictable passage times.
In 1836, Diamond lost 17 of her 180 steerage passengers to starvation when the ship required 100 days to make the crossing.
However, New York was the principal passenger arrival port in North America, and Inman soon altered its service routing.
That same year Collins Line collapsed, and Inman succeeded it as the mail contractor for the United States Post Office.
[2] With the celebrated City of Paris of 1866, the company ordered five express liners that matched the speed of Cunard's best.
Inman was awarded one of the three weekly New York mail services and the fortnightly route to Halifax, Nova Scotia formerly held by Cunard.
[7] In 1871 both companies faced a new rival when White Star Line joined the Atlantic ferry with the revolutionary RMS Oceanic and her sisters.
White Star also set new standards for comfort by placing the dining saloon midships and doubling the size of cabins.
[4] To restore its fortunes, Inman ordered City of Rome, which was designed as the largest and fastest liner yet.
After considerable lobbying, the US Congress agreed to replace the contract and allow Inman to register its two new record breakers in the US if International Navigation built two similar express liners in US yards.
