Page 2 - Standing Display

American Sailing Packets on the North Atlantic

1818to1840

PURPOSE:
To show inauguration and development of American Packet Service to link the business communities between New York -
Liverpool, and New York - London.

SCOPE:
Before advent of steamships capable of crossing the Atlantic, businesses had no reliable year-round communications. Philatelic
items carried by American packets illustrate development and growth of necessary business communication links that helped
fuel the industrial revolution during its early stages.

PACKET HISTORY:
In early 1815, American business interests recognized the need for reliable communications among United States, Great Britain
and Europe. To meet this need, American maritime management developed innovative tactics using ships that departed on
a published schedule with or without a full hold and sailed during winter months. The Black Ball Line initiated this service
transporting passengers, mail and business news along with premium manufactured goods like silks, woolens, ceramics, fine
wine, and specie. American sailing packets remained the mail and business intelligence carrier of choice on the North Atlantic
until the coming of steam in 1840.

The exhibitor conducted research over a ten year period using contemporary sources resulting in the publication the book,
"North Atlantic Packets Departures & Arrivals 1818-1840': In 2011, the book received the Stanley B. Ashbrook Cup for best
philatelic research in 2010. The Ship Information boxes, shaded in blue, contain the results of this research.

Indicates story line Cream backing indicates a
significant item.
information
Dramatic
Lines operated
This diagram illustrates the
with four sailing introduction of packet service
packets except Red Swallowtail
by line. In 1840, the British
where noted in
government's contract with the
the Black Ball BlackX
Cunard Line challenged sailing
Line.
packet service. Although
Blue Swallowtail American sailing packets
continued to sail for many years
Red Star after the coming of steam, they
carried less and less valuable
cargoes. As a result of the
4 Ships added to meet competition
Black Ball
------------------------------- gradual declining revenue, one
by one they abandoned packet
service.
1820 1825 1830 1835 1840

PLAN:
Section 1: Early Years - Black Ball Line 1818 - 1822
Section 2: Competition 1822 - 1830
Section 3: Superiority 1830 - 1837
Section 4: Effect of Steam 1838 - 1840
Section 5: Decline of Sailing Packet Service