2-888-274 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The New Steamer, "City of Paris", 1850. '...the first sea-going steamer built at Greenwich, was launched from the premises of Messrs. W. Joyce and Co., of the Greenwich Iron-Works [in London]...an iron steam-ship, built for the Commercial Steam Navigation Company, and intended to ply with passengers and goods between London and Boulogne...constructed from the design of Oliver W. Lang...The vessel and engines are constructed hy Messrs. W. Joyce and Co. The engines are of the collective power of 120 horses...Mrs. Hopkinson, the lady of one of the proprietors, went through the usual formalities of breaking a bottle of wine against the steamer's bows, and bestowing on her the name of the City of Paris...the vessel glided beautifully into the river under a salute of twenty-one guns, accompanied by...the reiterated cheers of the spectators afloat and ashore'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.