1850 American Gold Tycoon

Chapter 51 Arrival of the Commodore

Vanderbilt himself steered the James Day into the port of San Francisco.

His steering skills are very good. The captain is not just a nickname for him. In his early years, he often steered the ship and transported passengers on the routes of the Raritan River and the Hudson River.He is a veritable old captain.

From sail boats to steam boats, from steam boats to steam ships, he has personally driven almost all ships that can be driven.

Since the routes in New York waters are monopolized by several old aristocratic families: the Livingston family and the Fulton family, he often has to escape the police and play cat-and-mouse games with the police on the waters of New York, so he has a well-received body. Excellent sailing skills praised by passengers.

After the James Day docked and anchored at the berthing area, the three steamships behind followed closely and moored at the berthing area of ​​the port.

Although countless merchant ships came to San Francisco, a place full of opportunities, every day, it was the first time that three steamships of over [-] tons appeared in the port at the same time.

The people on the shore knew that this was the arrival of the big man from the east, and couldn't help but stop and watch.

In addition to the family's second son Coney, sixth daughter Louise, seventh daughter Elizabeth, and son-in-law Clark, Vanderbilt's trip also included several old friends in the circle.

Such as shipbuilding expert Jeremiah Simonson, steam engine manufacturer Theodore Sekel, and his fellow countryman Daniel van Daze, assistant John Nigel.

Two years ago, Vanderbilt and the old folks in these circles raised 216300 US dollars and established the California Shipping Company, setting out from New York to California with ambitions, hoping to make a difference and break into a world.

Kony was among them, and Vanderbilt stood on the pier in New York with full of expectation and reluctance, and waved goodbye to Kony, who was out for the first time.I hope my son can surprise him when he returns.

Later, Kony did return, but unlike what Vanderbilt imagined, Kony came back with a whole body of debt.

The captains and sailors sent by other shareholders were also unreliable. They tricked Kony into selling the ships of the California Shipping Company (including the Sacramento produced with new technology) to squander in casinos, spend time in brothels, and finally even Everyone evaporated together in California.

This time, Vanderbilt and his old buddies decided to visit California in person.

They want to know how big the future development potential of California is, and whether it is worth their investment.

"Guys, it's busier than we thought."

Van Daze squinted his eyes and stared at the pier with people coming and going. Everything was so orderly at the busy pier. There was even a warehouse on the pier that provided warehousing services for shipping companies, and the storage area was still being expanded.

"It can be seen that the owner of the dock is a very ambitious person."

Assistant Nigel followed Vanderbilt with a large suitcase.

Before arriving at the port of San Francisco, he was also worried that the small port of San Francisco would not be able to accommodate their four steamships of more than [-] tons.

Now it seems that he is too worried. With the current port conditions of San Francisco, it is not a problem to berth a [-]-ton ship.

"He is a very visionary and courageous person."

Vanderbilt was not stingy with his praise either, giving the port's owner a positive evaluation.

He is proficient in maritime affairs, and knows how much cost and risk he needs to invest in rashly expanding the port, and the cost cannot be recovered in the short term. Few people are willing to make this kind of thankless investment.

People are more willing to invest effective investment in places with quick returns and high returns, such as the stock market. He himself invested a lot of money in the New York stock market.It's just that the stock market is not doing well now, and a lot of his money has been tied up in the stock market.

"Mr. Vanderbilt, welcome to San Francisco."

The head office of China Bank has been moved from Sacramento to San Francisco, and only the branch is kept in Sacramento.

Jones, the bank's president, also moved from Sacramento to San Francisco.

Jones saw his old friend Nigel in the group, and he guessed that the tall and hairy man in front of Nigel must be the famous "commodore" Mr. Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt didn't know the stranger in front of him, and his assistant Nigel hurriedly introduced him to Vanderbilt.

"This is Jones, Mr. Vanderbilt. I mentioned him to you. He is now the assistant of Liang Yao, the richest man in California."

"From the assistant of the richest man to the president of the bank, my old friend." Jones laughed.

He really hoped to stay by Liang Yao's side as an assistant, but it's a pity that Strauss stole his job.Moreover, Strauss' ability is obviously better than his. It seems that he has no chance to return to Liang Yao's side as an assistant.

"Is that the 19-year-old millionaire? I'm very interested in him now, please take me to meet him."

Vanderbilt said with interest.

He started his business at the age of sixteen, but it took him [-] years to become a millionaire, and he did business on the Hudson River.

Becoming a millionaire in less than half a year is a miracle no matter where it is.

Thinking of this, he glanced at Kony with resentment. At this point, Kony's eyes were resting on the prostitutes who were soliciting customers at the port.Unaware that his father's angry eyes were staring at him.

"I have informed my boss of your arrival, but my boss has been busy with the hospital these days, and you came earlier than we expected. He asked me to invite you to his manor first. , and let me express his apologies to you."

Jones said nervously, and after he finished speaking, he observed the change of Vanderbilt's expression.

"A small western millionaire has such a big air? Showing off in front of Mr. Vanderbilt?" Vanderbilt's son-in-law felt slighted, and he said extremely dissatisfied, "Father-in-law, we don't have to pay attention to him, You are just a nouveau riche, if you have some money, you don’t know the heights of the heavens and the earth.”

"In New York, we are also nouveau riche in the eyes of those old nobles." Vanderbilt didn't take it seriously, "You go to Mr. Liang's manor first, and I will go to the city first."

"Father, I'll go with you, it looks very lively here."

Elizabeth was very interested in the commercial street not far from the port, where the streets were very wide and looked clean.

The stalls on both sides of the street are filled with all kinds of goods, boxes of coffee, barrels of food, even neatly arranged bricks and stones, as well as various hats, blankets, fabrics, tents, etc. kind of tools.

These were not what Elizabeth was most interested in, and these items were often seen in New York.

She is most interested in the various handicrafts sold by Indians, Chinese, Maori, and Indians.These things are not common even in New York.

"Of course, my dear girl."

Vanderbilt's attitude towards his daughter was obviously much better than his attitude towards his son, and the anger in his eyes was replaced by pampering.

He walked towards the bustling commercial street together with Elizabeth.

(End of this chapter)