On Saturday night last the Circassian sailed from Galway. She had on board 342 passengers, of whom 108 were first class. 170 persons who applied for a passage could not obtain room. Dublin, Belfast, Dundalk, Limerick, and strange to say, Liverpool, contributed portions of a very valuable cargo. Linens, laces, muslins, and whiskey formed the chief articles of her lading.
This is the simple statement of a plain matter of fact. We may infer that these 342 passengers would have had to proceed to Liverpool, and spend two or three days there in order to select their ship, at an average cost of at least £5 each. That sum is saved by shipping direct from Galway. Again, at Liverpool, an organised band of touters and crimps lie in wait for the humble passenger, and generally contrive to deprive him of his all. Moreover, the most dangerous portion of the navigation is unquestionably the lower channel. It is there the most fearful wrecks have taken place. Rich and poor passengers alike escape the dangers of that run by embarking at Galway.
If these linens, laces, and muslins, had been sent to Liverpool for embarkation, the risk and carriage from the place of manufacture must have added to their price. They would have to be shifted three times, incurring a risk of damage or deterioration. We are inclined to believe that this trade has quadrupled since Galway became an American Packet Station. Merchants are induced to make a venture when they find an outlet almost at their very doors.
The Irish Times, September 21st, 1859.