This vintage book is a detailed account of the sailing ships that played a significant role in the development of the British Empire, written specially for the officers and seamen of the Mercantile navy. Highly detailed and including a wealth of fascinating information, this volume will appeal to those with an interest British maritime history, and would make for a fantastic addition to any bookshelf. Contents include: ¿The Power of Gold¿, ¿Steerage Conditions in 1844¿, ¿Discovery of Gold in Australiä, ¿Melbourne and its Shipping in 1851-2¿, ¿First Gold Cargoes Home¿, ¿Great Rush to Gold Regions in 1852¿, Maury's Improvements on Old Route to Colonies¿, ¿Early Fast Passages Outward¿, ¿Rules and Customs aboard the 'Eagle' in 1853¿, etc. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on sailing. This book was first published in 1921.