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Migration to Australia, the transition from sail to steam, and the SS Great Britain

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  • Timothy J. Hatton

Abstract

The transition from sail to steam for emigrant ships on the route to Australia took place in the early 1880s. From the 1850s, a string of steamship ventures failed, but with one outstanding exception. Brunel's iconic ship the SS Great Britain made 32 voyages to Australia from 1852 to 1875 with a total of nearly 16,000 passengers. Among the key reasons for the Great Britain's success are the characteristics of the ship and the way it was adapted for the long voyage to the antipodes. Also important was the shrewd management of its owners, and an element of luck.

Suggested Citation

  • Timothy J. Hatton, 2025. "Migration to Australia, the transition from sail to steam, and the SS Great Britain," Asia-Pacific Economic History Review, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 65(2), pages 173-191, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:apechr:v:65:y:2025:i:2:p:173-191
    DOI: 10.1111/aehr.70009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fletcher, Max E., 1958. "The Suez Canal and World Shipping, 1869-1914," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 18(4), pages 556-573, December.
    2. Cohn, Raymond L., 2005. "The Transition from Sail to Steam in Immigration to the United States," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 65(2), pages 469-495, June.
    3. Luigi Pascali, 2017. "The Wind of Change: Maritime Technology, Trade, and Economic Development," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 107(9), pages 2821-2854, September.
    4. Timothy J. Hatton, 2025. "Emigrant voyages from the UK to North America and Australasia, 1853–1913," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 78(2), pages 452-473, May.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • N77 - Economic History - - Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, and Other Services - - - Africa; Oceania
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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