Summary - TST 13

TRANSPORTES, SERVICIOS Y TELECOMUNICACIONES


TST 13

Martín Rodrigo y Alharilla
Navieras y navieros catalanes en los primeros tiempos del vapor, 1830-1870

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Key words: Merchant navy; shipping companies; steamers; financing.

[ Abstract ]

This paper describes and analyzes the profiles of the businessmen who created the first steamship lines in Barcelona, the traditional capital of Catalonia. It begins with the origins of the first of these companies, from 1830 to 1834, and continues until the year 1870. During this time span, the number of ships in the city’s port was the highest in Spain. The article discusses how these businesses were juridical constructed and explores the origins of the financial capital of these steamship enterprises. It concludes by highlighting and analyzing the profound differences between those companies that based their business on sailing vessels and those who made the leap into steam power.