The Steamship Carnatic Diving Holiday

by Ned Middleton

The story begins August 1869 when the Steamer Venetian sailed from Liverpool for Alexandria with cargo bound for Bombay. Shortly afterwards the Pera sailed from London with passengers for the same destination. This was at time when the Suez Canal was nearing completion & due to be opened within three months.

Even at this late stage however few could imagine how such new seaway would change the shape world trade forever. Up until now ships had unloaded passengers & cargo at Alexandria from where they would be moved by land to Suez over 200 miles away before joining another vessel & resuming the journey. In this way the longer & more perilous route around the Cape Good Hope was avoided.

The passengers on board the Pera had enjoyed an uneventful crossing to Gibraltar & similarly quiet journey taking almost the entire length the Mediterranean before their ship grounded Alexandria where they remained for three hours until floating with the tide.

Despite this minor mishap they were nevertheless mostly at ease & looking forward to joining the more opulent Carnatic the pride the P & O fleet. The long trek to Suez was frightful journey the most oppressive conditions but there really was no alternative & everyone knew they would soon be enjoying cool evening sea breezes once again. In the meantime the Masters both the Pera & Venetian had played their part & were already heading back to England.

Progress overland was always slow so was not until the second week September Captain Jones was able to supervise the arrival & stowage both passengers & cargo. He exercised great care some cargo was very valuable & he had to make sure every single item was accounted for & thoroughly checked.

Finally he was able to confirm total 230 passengers & crew addition to cargo cotton bales copper sheeting Royal Mail & 40 000 specie as bullion was called those days.

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