‘Bringing about increased trade between this country and the overseas Dominions through the Port of Bristol’ Report of Bristol’s Trade Ambassadors, August 1914

In 1914, Bristol’s Trade Ambassadors took seven months to travel ‘around the world.’ Henry Riseley, a shipping agent, and E Manning Lewis, Commercial Superintendent of the Port of Bristol, were on a mission to build up business for the efficient and modern Port of Bristol. The trade through the port was changing. West Africa and the Caribbean, so important in the 18th century slave trade and into the 19th century, hardly featured now. Tobacco from the USA came in by rail from London and Glasgow. The Port of Bristol needed new customers.