How Long Did It Take To Cross The Atlantic? Fascinating Historical Insights

In the 1800s, the duration of transatlantic voyages underwent significant changes, reflecting advancements in maritime technology. In 1838, the paddle steamer SS Sirius made the historic journey from Cork to New York City, taking 18 days and 4 hours to complete the crossing. Over the years, the time required for this transatlantic voyage continued to decrease. By 1863, the single-screw steamship RMS Scotia significantly shortened the journey, completing the trip from Queenstown to New York City in just 8 days and 3 hours. The most remarkable reduction in travel time occurred in 1889 when the double-screw steamship SS City of Paris completed the voyage from Queenstown to Sandy Hook in a mere 5 days and 19 hours. These timeframes illustrate the remarkable progress in maritime transportation during the 1800s, marking a transition from lengthy and arduous journeys to more efficient and quicker transatlantic crossings.

In the 1700s, it typically took approximately six weeks for sailing ships to complete the challenging voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. However, a transformative breakthrough was on the horizon. By the 19th century, in the year 1845, the British steam-powered ship known as the SS Great Britain emerged as a revolutionary innovation. This pioneering vessel was capable of covering the entire Atlantic crossing in a remarkably short span of just 14 days. This advancement in maritime technology marked a significant shift in the timeline of transatlantic travel, drastically reducing the duration of what was once a lengthy and arduous journey.

In 1492, during Christopher Columbus’s historic voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, it took him and his crew over two months to complete the journey. This remarkable exploration marked a pivotal moment in history, as Columbus’s expedition led to the discovery of the Americas. Fast forward to today’s modern era, with the advent of advanced air travel technology, crossing the Atlantic can now be accomplished in just 9 hours by plane. This significant reduction in travel time highlights the incredible advancements in transportation and serves as a testament to how far we’ve come since Columbus’s pioneering expedition over five centuries ago. (Note: The date “2nd August 2018” is included for reference but may not be directly relevant to the topic at hand.)