Page 110 - Standing Display

American Sailing Packets on the North Atlantic, 1818 – 1840
They fought winter seas and ice on the North Atlantic. They often limped home with windows blown out
and shredded sails…….

They carried mail, specie, premium manufactured goods, like wines, textiles, porcelains, and other
luxury items. They were the preferred ships for passengers like government officials, actors, writers and
other distinguished persons.

These were the American packet ships of the six lines that pioneered regular service between New York
– Liverpool and New York – London before the coming of steam.

In this Display databases of departure and arrival schedules on the Black Ball, Red Star, Blue Swallowtail,
Dramatic, Black X and Red Swallowtail packet lines were prepared using newspapers and other original
material of the period between 1818 and 1840. During this period businesses and governments relied
on American packets to connect businesses on both side of the Atlantic in a timely manner unknown
before this period.

James R. Pullin FRPSL