Description

This book charts the development of Liverpool’s trade, shipping and business culture in the third quarter of the nineteenth century. Using previously neglected evidence, it assesses the causes and consequences of major changes in the port’s economy, and considers the activities of the international trading community that had to work in this complex business environment. Shipowners and merchants confronted difficult choices, whether in adopting the new steamship technology, diversifying into new commodity trades, competing for government contracts, or managing their port through the elected Mersey Docks & Harbour Board. Plan of the Mersey docks, c.1860 Preface List of tables List of figures 1. Introduction: Boom, bust, crisis and opportunity Part I: Patterns and contexts 2. Shipping in an era of transition and opportunity 3. Trade, diversification, regions and commodities 4. Accommodating diversity: Port infrastructure Part II: The dynamics of mercantile business 5. Function, specialisation and integration 6. Capital, credit, growth and control 7. Insecurity, information and reputation Part III: Institutions and influence 8. Constraint and opportunity: Government contracting 9. Interest, faction and port management 10. Conclusion: Trading in interesting times Notes on sources Notes on abbreviations Bibliography Index Plan of the Mersey docks, c.1860 Preface List of tables List of figures 1. Introduction: Boom, bust, crisis and opportunity Part I: Patterns and contexts 2. Shipping in an era of transition and opportunity 3. Trade, diversification, regions and commodities 4. Accommodating diversity: Port infrastructure Part II: The dynamics of mercantile business 5. Function, specialisation and integration 6. Capital, credit, growth and control 7. Insecurity, information and reputation Part III: Institutions and influence 8. Constraint and opportunity: Government contracting 9. Interest, faction and port management 10. Conclusion: Trading in interesting times Notes on sources Notes on abbreviations Bibliography Index