The SS Agamemnon, launched in 1865, was a pioneering merchant steamship that significantly advanced the viability of long-distance maritime trade. Built by Scott & Co of Greenock for the Ocean Steam Ship Company (later Blue Funnel Line), she measured approximately 309 feet in length with a beam of 38 feet, and had a gross register tonnage of 2,270 GRT. Her design incorporated three key innovations: a higher boiler pressure of 60 psi—above the typical 25 psi limit—thanks to Alfred Holt’s experimentation; a compact and efficient compound steam engine also designed by Holt; and a durable iron hull requiring modest power, all of which contributed to her impressive performance and fuel economy. Agamemnon was capable of steaming at 10 knots while consuming only about 20 tons of coal daily, a substantial reduction compared to her contemporaries. This efficiency allowed her to undertake the arduous route from London to China via Mauritius with only a single coaling stop, enabling faster and larger cargo voyages than traditional sailing ships. Her journey from Liverpool to Hong Kong, completed in 65 days, set a record that surpassed the fastest tea clipper voyages, which averaged around 123 days. Notable for her speed and cargo capacity, Agamemnon's outward voyage from Liverpool in 1866 was particularly swift, reaching Mauritius in 40 days and Singapore in 60 days, setting a new standard for transoceanic travel. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 further cemented her success by shortening routes to Asia, solidifying her role in the transition from sail to steam dominance in maritime trade. Agamemnon's service life extended until 1899, after which she was scrapped. Her technological innovations and operational achievements marked her as one of the first successful long-distance merchant steamships, heralding a new era in global trade and maritime engineering.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.