CA-K699Economy & trade

Sir Samuel Cunard and transatlantic steamships

Samuel Cunard, between 1855 and 1865 (Nova Scotia Archives). Samuel Cunard (cropped) · Unknown author · Photo source · Photo licence: Public domain. Resized for display; item previews may be cropped. The image remains under the licence shown.

Factual accuracy review: No recorded challenge

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Samuel Cunard, born in Halifax of Loyalist parents, built a Maritime empire in banking, lumber, land, coal and above all shipping. A pioneer of transatlantic steam navigation, he won an Admiralty contract in 1839 for scheduled Liverpool–Halifax–Boston mail service, and in July 1840 the Britannia, the first regular Cunarder, crossed in 13 days.

Scope & context

Cunard as described in his designation.

Sources behind this record

Sir Samuel Cunard National Historic Person ↗

Parks Canada (Directory of Federal Heritage Designations)

Importance; plaque text