THE VAPUR (STEAMBOAT)

The reason for settlements in Istanbul to be limited to the historical peninsula and the Haliç (Golden Horn) area until the 19th century was limitations on the means of transportation. The developments seen in the Ottoman economy have made it necessary for Istanbul to spread towards the bosphorus.

The first steamboat was purchased in 1827. Afterwards, two companies, one British and the other Russian have started to operate two ships (vapours) in 1837 making use of their capitulations. As a result of the high demand from the people of Istanbul, a company which was one of the first incorporated companies of the Ottoman Empire was founded (Şirketi Hayriye) and an order of 6 ships was made to Britain and some were manufactured in Istanbul.

Some of the steamboats currently used such as the one called Paşabahçe dates back to 1952. The two anchors found on the boats symbolize the two continents, Europe and Asia.