One of his principal reasons for so doing was his belief that this method was the best means of stopping the slave trade and raising the social condition of Africans.
[citation needed] After graduation, Laird joined the family business in Birkenhead, where he developed an interest in building steamships.
[2][1] In the early 1830s, Richard Lander, an associate of Hugh Clapperton, was provided a subsidy to return to Africa and find the course of the Niger.
Although the primary aim was to foster trade with the interior communities, Laird also had a personal objective of implementing Christian and humanitarian ideals.
[6][7] The Alburkah was a paddle-wheel steamer of fifty-five tons designed by Laird, and was the first iron vessel to make an ocean voyage.
[citation needed] Laird was weakened by fever and had to return to Fernando Po, where he was received by Colonel Edward Nicolls, the British Governor there, who later became his father-in-law.
Oldfield were the only surviving officers besides Captain (then Lieutenant) William Allen, who accompanied the expedition on the orders of the Admiralty to survey the river.
The firm launched a vessel, the British Queen, that provided a mail service between England and America, but this venture was unprofitable.
[11] Despite the unsuccessful expedition, Laird continued to stimulate interest in promoting commercial trade in the hinterland of West Africa, particularly within the settlements closest to the mouth of the Niger.
Under W. B. Baikie, the ship made a successful voyage which enabled Laird to convince the government to sign contracts for annual trading trips by steamers specially built for navigation of the Niger and Benue.