The Northman (1847) and Irishman (1854) were among the earliest iron steamers built; they belonged to the Glasgow and Dublin Screw Steam Packet Company, under which name Messrs. Cameron ran a service between those ports and were opposed by the Sligo Steam Navigation Company until an arrangement was made between Laird’s and the Sligo Company. The Irishman was the last steamer to carry the white funnel with a black top which was the distinguishing-mark of the old St. George Company. Other vessels of increasing size and importance were added from time to time and the Laird Company’s fleet now comprises twelve ships, of which the latest is the Rowan, a beautiful steel vessel of about 1500 tons, launched in 1909.