Founded in 1835 as Peninsular Steam Navigation Company by Brodie McGhie Willcox and Arthur Anderson, obtaining a postal contract for the Iberian Peninsula in 1837.13 Received a Royal Charter in 1840, becoming P&O, and obtained the postal contract for Egypt, on the condition of establishing service to India.13 In 1842, began regular service England-Alexandria and Suez-India (Ceylon, Madras, Calcutta), extending to Penang, Singapore, and China in 1845.13 Established steam communication with Australia in 1852.13 Main focus was always the East, India, and Australia, via the Mediterranean and Suez Canal (after its opening in 1869, which initially posed a challenge). Sir Thomas Sutherland (Managing Director from 1872) modernized the company and moved the main terminal from Southampton to London.13 In the early 20th century, made a series of acquisitions and mergers: Blue Anchor Line (1910), British India Steam Navigation Company (1914), New Zealand Shipping Company and Federal Steam Navigation Company (1916), Hain Line, Mercantile Steamship Company, stake in Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (1917), stake in Orient Steam Navigation Co. (1918), General Steam Navigation Company (1920).13 These alliances created a vast system connecting the main ports of the British Empire and other parts of the world.13 Although the main focus was not direct North Atlantic, P&O operated feeder services "across the Atlantic and Pacific" in 1913 to connect its main routes.13 Detailed archival records are at Royal Museums Greenwich.13