London Times, 9 June 1870, p. 5: RUSSIAN COMMERCE AND THE SUEZ CANAL.
It may be interesting to British steamboat owners to know that the first of an important line of steamers under the Russian flag has just returned viâ the Suez Canal, with a full cargo of cotton from Bombay, which she landed at Odessa. The pioneer of the line, the Nachimoff, under the command of Paul Grekke, her enterprising captain, left Odessa with cargo for Constantinople, Alexandria, and Bombay the 26th of February last, and arrived at the latter port on the 24th of March, where, after discharging, she took on board 7,000 bales of cotton and 530 packages of coffee, pepper, &c., which she delivered at Odessa on the 1st of May, and then reloaded 9,200 quarters wheat, with which she arrived in London June 6, where she will discharge and then reload for Odessa and Bombay. The facilities to Russian commerce in the East afforded by this direct route are of the utmost importance, and are eagerly embraced by Russian merchants, who are disposed to offer the Russian Steam Navigation and Trading Company every inducement to extend their steam lines to India and China. The Tchihatcheff, named after the chief director, who has brought the financial and working position of the company to a condition of unprecedented success, is now on her outward voyage to China, whence she is expected with a valuable cargo of tea, which will be landed at Odessa for distribution through the interior of Russia, thus touching [?] materially on the trade of Mincing-lane merchants and brokers.
Provided by Stephen McLaughlin