Flagships of imperialism : the P & O Company and the politics of empire from its origins to 1867 /Freda Harcourt.

Follows the history of the P&O company from its origins to 1867, and how, as a government contractor, its major financial successes and failures linked to the wider politics of the British Empire. After its origins in Ireland, the company expanded into the Mediterranean, India, China and Australia. Flagships of Imperalism places this firmly in the context of the Empire, such as noting how P&O faced competition from rival companies in the new territories and suffered losses over its involvement in the China opium trade. Also covers the development of P&O's financial infrastructure, the government contracts the company received, its founders' reaction to technological advances, and the shareholding base.