Southampton

an important port on the southern coast of England. It lies at the head of Southampton Bay. In amount of tonnage Southampton is the sixth port in the United Kingdom. It is the home port of several lines of steamships. It corresponds on the British coast to Havre on the French coast. The heavy freights between London and Paris are transported usually by this route. Southampton is also a port of call for the North German Lloyd line of steamships. Southampton is an ancient town. The Romans are supposed to have made a landing here. Richard the Lion-Hearted embarked here for the Third Crusade. More than one English Armada destined for descent on France set sail from Southampton. The Mayflower, the ship of the Pilgrim Fathers, set sail, it may be remembered, from Southampton in 1620.