Sailing across the Atlantic was a hazardous job for a sailor. In the 1830s, the only vessels that had attempted a crossing of the Atlantic were sailing ships. Newly invented coal-fired paddle steamers were confined to coastal journeys. The arrival of steamships made regular liner services possible. Their increased reliability, safety and ability to weather storms caused a boom in transatlantic travel.

Which route to take?

[26053] 'Tommy W Vinke' passes iceberg

Tommy W Vinke passing an iceberg

During the winter, ships could sail directly between Britain and New York, but in summer, warmer weather causes arctic icebergs to drift south. Ships had to sail below the 'ice line', between France and south-eastern Canada, to avoid icebergs, making the journey longer.

Ships travelling to and from Canada were in greater danger from icebergs at all times of the year. The ports at Halifax and St Johns were well above the ice line, so many transatlantic ships called first at New York or Boston. They could then travel along the coast to Canada, avoiding icebergs floating free in the ocean.

Over time, the best route for a crossing of the Atlantic and a Blue Riband record attempt was found to be from Ambrose lightship, New York to Bishop's Rock, Cornwall - a distance of around 3000 nautical miles (5500 km).

There and back again

Strong winds blow across the Atlantic from the west. In the days of sail, journeys from Britain to America would be slower than in the opposite direction because ships had to sail into the oncoming wind. With the arrival of regular liner services operated by steamships, the difference in journey time was small.

Across the great divide

There and back again

Time difference

Transatlantic milestones