 Initially the firm concentrated on Swedish iron ore importing for the Sheffield iron trades but gradually turned to focus on the shipping lines all over the world, with Hull becoming one of the most significant ports to flourish under the advent of steam.Previously getting out of the Humber Estuary was difficult despite the convenient location of Hull, but with steam it became easy to reach the sea and navigate around Britain.At one time the firm was 'well on its' way to becoming the World's largest private shipowner'.