No. 407.
Mr. Thomas
to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
Stockholm, May 31, 1884. (Received June 16.)
Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 35 on the subject of direct steam communication between the United States and Sweden, I have the honor to inform you that the Stockholm City, the pioneer steamer of the Direct Swedish Steamship Line between Stockholm and the United States, sailed this afternoon at 4 o’clock from Stockholm for Boston.
The Stockholm City is an entirely new English-built iron steamship. She carries 3,600 tons heavy goods, or 4,500 tons measured goods, and is permitted to carry, under the laws of Sweden, 840 passengers.
She sailed from Stockholm, having on board 1,200 tons freight, chiefly iron, and 5 first-class, 10 second-class, and 114 steerage passengers. She will touch at the Swedish ports of Malmö and Gothenburg, where she will take on board 800 tons of iron, 3 first class and 300 steerage passengers. The Stockholm City will therefore take across the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean to Boston 2,000 tons cargo, chiefly iron, and 434 passengers, nearly all emigrants.
This steamer will be followed by the Lincoln City, sailing from Stockholm for New York June 14, and thereafter by the Gothenburg City, sailing from Stockholm for Boston about July 10.
In my dispatch No. 65 I had the honor to inform you that the first [Page 529] steamer of the Gothenburg line sailed on May 1, from Gothenburg for New York.
The two lines of direct steamships announced to the Department in my dispatches Nos. 29 and 35 of last year are now in actual operation. Direct steam communication between the United States and Sweden is now a fact. Sweden is now for the first time open to the direct shipment of American products and manufactures by regular lines of steamships.
It is earnestly to be hoped that American exporters will give immediate and careful attention to this new direct market, which is ready to receive and consume considerable quantities of American wheat, flour, maize, agricultural machines, fruit, canned goods, and Yankee notions.
I have, &c.,