The New Student's Reference Work/Allan, Sir Hugh

Allan, Sir Hugh, born in Ayrshire, Scotland, 1810. His father was a ship master; entered a counting house at the age of 13; went to Canada in 1826. In 1851, the firm of which he was a member began to build iron screw-steamships, and their first boat, "The Canadian," made its first trip in 1853. In 1854 the mail service was begun. It has continued ever since. The history of the Allan firm is that of Canadian maritime commerce. Their fleet has long been one of the first in point of general merit in the world. Their steamers have been used as transport ships by the British Government. A director of several important industrial concerns; received knighthood in recognition of his great services to foreign and domestic commerce; died December 8, 1892.