1850 American Gold Baron

Vanderbilt personally took the helm and sailed the James Day into the port of San Francisco.

His steering skills are very good. Captain is not just a nickname for him. In his early years, he often took the helm and sailed ships and transported passengers on the routes of the Raritan River and the Hudson River. He is a veritable old captain.

From sailboats to steam boats, and from steam boats to steam ships, he has personally piloted almost every ship available.

Since the New York water route was monopolized by several old aristocratic families: the Livingston family and the Fulton family, he often had to evade police pursuits and play cat and mouse games with the police on the New York waters, thus developing a reputation that was widely recognized.

Excellent boating skills praised by passengers.

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

Although countless merchant ships come to San Francisco, a place full of opportunities, every day, this is the first time that three steamships of over 1,000 tons have appeared in the port at the same time.

People on the shore understood that this was the arrival of a big shot from the east, and couldn't help but stop and watch.

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

For example, the shipbuilding expert Jeremiah Simonson, the steam engine manufacturer Theodore Secor, as well as his hometown neighbor Daniel Vandaze, and his assistant John Nigel.

Two years ago, Vanderbilt and the old guys in these circles raised $216,300 to establish the California Shipping Company, ambitiously setting out from New York to California, hoping to make a difference and make a name for themselves.

Kony was among them. Vanderbilt stood on the New York pier full of expectations and reluctance, waving goodbye to Kony, who was traveling for the first time. He hoped that his son would surprise him when he returned.

Later, Kony did return, but unlike Vanderbilt's imagination, Kony came back with a lot of debt.

The captains and sailors sent by other shareholders were also unreliable. They deceived Kony into selling the ships of the California Shipping Company (including the Sacramento, which was produced with new technology), squandering money in casinos, spending time in brothels, and finally losing money.

The people disappeared together in California.

This time, Vanderbilt and his old friends decided to go to California to investigate in person.

They want to know how much development potential California has in the future and whether it is worth their investment.

"Guys, this place is busier than we thought."

Van Daze squinted and stared at the busy dock. Everything was so orderly at the busy dock. There was even a warehouse on the dock that provided warehousing services for shipping companies, and the storage area was still being expanded.

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

Assistant Nigel was carrying a large suitcase and followed Vanderbilt closely.

Before arriving at the port of San Francisco, he was also 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 of San Francisco, it is not difficult to berth a large ship of two thousand tons.

"He is a very far-sighted and courageous person."

Vanderbilt was not stingy with his praise and gave positive comments to the owner of the port.

He is proficient in maritime affairs and knows in his heart how much it will cost and how much risk it will take to expand the port rashly. Moreover, the cost cannot be recovered in the short term. Few people are willing to make such a thankless investment.

People are more willing to invest effective investments 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. But now that the stock market is not doing well, a lot of his money has been locked up in the stock market.

"Mr. Vanderbilt, welcome to San Francisco."

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

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

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

Vanderbilt did not recognize 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 to Liang Yao, the richest man in California."

"From the richest man's assistant to the bank president, my old friend." Jones said with a smile.

He hoped to stay with Liang Yao as his assistant, but it was a pity that Strauss took his job. And Strauss was obviously more capable than him. It seemed that he had no chance to return to Liang Yao.

Become an assistant to Yao.

"Is that the 19-year-old millionaire? I'm very interested in him now, please take me to meet him."

Vanderbilt said with interest.

He started his business at the age of sixteen, but he became a millionaire only after he was 30 years old and started his business on the Hudson River.

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

Thinking of this, he glanced at Kony with hatred. At this time, Kony's eyes were resting 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.

"How can a small Western millionaire have such a big air? To show off in front of Mr. Vanderbilt?" Vanderbilt's son-in-law felt slighted and said with great dissatisfaction, "Father-in-law, we don't need to pay attention to him.

He's just a nouveau riche, and once he has a little money, he doesn't know how high the sky is."

"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 for a walk first."

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

Yin Lisabai is very interested in the commercial street not far from the port. The streets there are very wide and look 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, fabrics, tents, and various other products.

Such tools.

These are not what Elizabeth Yin is most interested in. These products can also be seen frequently in New York.

What interests her most is 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 Lisa Bai walked towards the bustling commercial street together.