Chapter 51: The Commodore's Arrival

Vanderbilt personally steered the James Day into the port of San Francisco. Google search reading

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

From sailing ships to steamboats, and from steamboats to steam ships, he has personally driven almost all the ships that can be driven.

Because the routes in New York waters are monopolized by several old aristocratic families: the Livingston family and the Fulton family, he often has to evade the police and play cat and mouse games with the police in New York waters, so he has developed a superb boat driving skill that is widely praised by passengers.

After the James Day anchored in the berth area, the three steamships behind it followed closely and anchored in the berth area of ​​the port.

Although countless merchant ships come to San Francisco, a place full of opportunities every day, it is the first time that three steamships of more than 1,000 tons appear in the port at the same time.

The people on the shore knew that this was a big shot from the East, and they couldn't help but stop and watch.

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

For example, shipbuilding expert Jeremiah Simonson, steam engine manufacturer Theodore Secor, and his fellow countryman neighbor Daniel Van Dazer and assistant John Nigel.

Two years ago, Vanderbilt and these old friends in the circle raised $216,300 to establish the California Shipping Company, and ambitiously set out from New York to California, hoping to make a difference and create a world.

Connie was among them. Vanderbilt stood on the New York dock with full of expectations and reluctance and waved goodbye to Connie, who was traveling far away for the first time. He hoped that his son would surprise him when he returned.

Later, Connie did return, but unlike what Vanderbilt imagined, Connie came back with a debt.

The captains and sailors sent by other shareholders were also unreliable. They tricked Coney into selling the ships of the California Shipping Company (including the Sacramento produced with new technology) to spend money in casinos and brothels, and finally disappeared from the face of the earth in California.

This time, Vanderbilt and his old friends decided to go to California for an inspection.

They wanted to know how much development potential California had in the future and whether it was worth their investment.

"Guys, this place is more lively than we thought."

Vanderbilt squinted his eyes and stared at the busy dock. Everything was so orderly at the busy dock. There was even a warehouse on the dock that provided storage services for shipping companies, and the storage area was still under expansion.

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

Assistant Nigel carried a large suitcase and followed Vanderbilt closely.

Before arriving at the port of San Francisco, he was still worried that the small port of San Francisco could not berth their four steamships of more than 1,000 tons.

Now it seems that he was worrying too much. With the current port conditions in San Francisco, it is no problem to berth a 2,000-ton ship.

"He is also a very visionary and courageous person."

Vanderbilt did not hesitate to praise him and gave a positive evaluation of the owner of the port.

He was proficient in maritime affairs and knew how much cost and risk would be required to expand the port rashly, and that the cost could not be recovered in the short term. Few people were willing to make such a thankless investment.

People are more willing to invest effectively in places with quick results 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 is stuck in the stock market.

"Mr. Vanderbilt, welcome to San Francisco."

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

Jones, the president of the bank, also moved his office from Sacramento to San Francisco.

Jones saw his old friend Nigel among the group of people. He guessed that the tall and hairy man in front of Nigel must be the famous "Commodore" Mr. Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt did not know the stranger in front of him, and his assistant Jones 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 smiled.

He hoped to stay with Liang Yao as an assistant, but it was a pity that Strauss took his job. And Strauss's ability was obviously better than his. It seemed that he had no chance to return to Liang Yao as an assistant.

"Is it the 19-year-old millionaire? I am very interested in him now. Please take me to see him."

Vanderbilt said with interest.

He started his business at the age of sixteen, but he became a millionaire after he was thirty years old and did business on the Hudson River.

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

Thinking of this, he glanced at Kony with hatred. Kony's eyes were still on the prostitutes soliciting customers at the port. He was completely 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 hospital affairs these days, and you came earlier than we expected. He asked me to invite you to his manor first. , and let me express his apology to you.”

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

"A small Western millionaire has such a big air? To show off in front of Mr. Vanderbilt?" Vanderbilt's son-in-law felt that he had been slighted, and he said with great dissatisfaction, "Father-in-law, we don't need to pay attention to him. He’s just a nouveau riche, but with a little money, he doesn’t know what the sky is like.”

"In New York, we are also the nouveau riche in the eyes of the old aristocrats." Vanderbilt didn't take it seriously. "You go to Mr. Liang's manor to sit down first, and I'll go to the city to take a look around."

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

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

Stalls on both sides of the street display a variety of products, including boxes of coffee, buckets of food, even neatly arranged bricks and stones, as well as a variety of hats, blankets, cloths, tents, and various other products. Such tools.

These are not what Elizabeth is most interested in. These products can also be seen frequently 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 good daughter."

Vanderbilt's attitude towards his daughter is obviously much better than that towards his son, and the anger in his eyes has been replaced by doting.

He and Elizabeth walked towards the bustling commercial street together.