A presentation telescope engraved on the draw to "Captn. Price, Steam Packet Hibernia", this is a fine quality instrument made by Bywater & Co.of Liverpool. Price captained many vessels after a career in the British Navy, and working under the Cunard Company banner, he took the helm of the Steam Sidewheel Packet HIBERNIA in 1846.
Running primarily in the Royal Mail Service, the 1400G gross-ton wood steamer was built on the Clyde in 1843, a contracted through Cunard with the Admiralty for mail service from Liverpool to Boston and Halifax, as well as 120 passenger berths in her fine accommodations. HIBERNIA won the Eastbound Atlantic record Blue Ribaund in 1843 and held it until 1849. She was sold to the Spanish Navy in 1850. Renamed HABANOIS.
The telescope measures 31½ inches fully extended, with a 24½ inch barrel of polished and tight grained wood, with a 1⅝ inch diameter lens. Very clean and well made, it is a significant piece to know both the name of its owner and the passenger ship he led, a record holder in the age of immigration before the American Civil War.
