Page 3 - Standing Display

EARLYYEARS 1818 -1822 The Pacific

BLACK BALL LINE First Voyage, Double Letter

What was a packet? In Britain, a packet was a ship contracted and controlled by the government.
They carried government mail in addition to regular mail. During the period of this study, they
sailed once a month but not during winter months. Americans define packets as a ship that
sailed between two ports on a regular schedule summer and winter and departed sometimes
without a full cargo hold.

The Black Ball Line started regular packet service between New York and Liverpool with
the January 4, 1818 sailing of the Courier from Liverpool. The James Monroe made the first
easterly voyage and departed New York January S. To complete the schedule in February, the
Pacific sailed from Liverpool and the Amity departed from New York.

BRISTOL, E GLA..'\q) TO E'rVYORK
(VI:\ Lo~TIO:'.'i A.'\q) LIVERPOOL)

Pacific First Voyage

The Paa.fie departed
Lh'erpool February
5 1818 arrived New
ork f larch 25 1818.
She was the oldest of
the initial fleet when
replaced in 1819 b the
Albion.

~,.
J~~~ '·' ··• Great Britain 4/2
Postal Rates
GPO . 'otice Jan. 181 .
Packe rate Falmouth to
~~~ America abated by l d +
inland London to Liverpool.
l Sd + lld - ld = 25d, 2 x 25 =
50d. (4 shilling, 2 pence)
United States 6¢
The Pacific was the second Black Ball packet to depart Liverpool
Fee for letter addressed to
Mail to the Americas passed through the Ship Letter Office in
port of arrival.
London. Note the Bristol postmark indicating the Bristol mileage
mark of 122 miles to London.

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