SS Royal William crosses the Atlantic largely under steam

Background. SS Royal William was a Canadian side-wheel paddle steamship, sometimes credited with the first Atlantic crossing almost entirely under steam power in 1833. The 1,370-ton vessel, named after King William IV, was the largest passenger ship in the world from 1831 to 1839. Earlier vessels like the Curaçao and SS Savannah crossed partially under steam, but Royal William is a key claimant for substantial steam propulsion.

Departure from Pictou. On 18 August 1833, SS Royal William departed from Pictou, Nova Scotia, carrying seven passengers, a small amount of freight, and a large load of coal. Pictou was an active shipping port and the shire town of Pictou County, serving as the departure point for this significant transatlantic voyage.

Arrival in England. After a 25-day passage, the ship arrived at Gravesend on the River Thames. The journey included a stop at Cowes, Isle of Wight, for a fresh coat of paint. This voyage is cited as a major claimant for the first transatlantic trip substantially under steam power, distinct from earlier hybrid sail-steam crossings.