In 1836, he launched the Dramatic Line of sailing packets, which quickly became a major presence on what was then the world's most important shipping route, between New York and Liverpool. He received a government subsidy in 1847 to carry mail on that same route, for which purpose he formed the New York and Liverpool United States Mail Steamship Company (the "Collins Line") to compete with Britain's Cunard Line. The new Line's inaugural voyage took place in April 1850, and for the next six years its steamships were the biggest, fastest and most luxurious on the Atlantic.
In 1836, a shipping entrepreneur launched a line of sailing packets that dominated the transatlantic trade route between New York and Liverpool. He received government support in 1847 to transport mail along this route, leading him to establish the New York and Liverpool United States Mail Steamship Company (the "Collins Line") to challenge Britain's Cunard Line. The Collins Line made its debut voyage in April 1850, and for six years, its ships were the largest, fastest, and most luxurious on the Atlantic.