1787-1865

A native son and a great Nova Scotian, he received his early training in this city and became a highly regarded merchant, humanitarian and ship owner. All this was a prelude to his most successful venture, the founding of the British and North American Royal Mail Steam-packet Company and its successor the Cunard Steam-ship Company.


Aware of the need for a regular Transatlantic passenger and mail service, Cunard established a fortnightly sailing from Liverpool to Halifax, Boston and return, On July 4th, 1840, a 1135 ton wooden paddle steamer, Britannia, set sail on her maiden voyage with a crew of 90 and a passenger list of 63 including Cunard and his two daughters. Britannia arrived in Halifax after a passage of 12 days, 10 hours, where she received a warm welcome before proceeding to Boston.


Thus began a Transatlantic service that became renowned for its dependability and its attention to the safety of the passengers. Britannia was joined by these sister ships, the Acadia, Caledonia and Columbia, and they became the vanguard of the long succession of great ocean liners that have made the name Cunard famous throughout the world.


In 1848, Cunard moved to London to better direct his rapidly expanding shipping interests. It was inevitable that he should be recognized for outstanding services to his country when Cunard ships were engaged in carrying troops to the Crimea. For this and many other achievements he was created a Baronet by Queen Victoria in 1859.

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