Packet trade

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Steam Packet redirects here. For the Manx boat service, see Isle of Man Steam Packet

Packet trade generally refers to any regularly scheduled passenger and cargo trade conducted by ship. In the United States, the term is used most often to refer to the Atlantic (or Western) Ocean packets which traded with Europe and Africa (most notably Cape Verde).

During the 18th century ships carrying cargo, passengers and mail between Europe and America would sail only when they were full, but in the early 19th century, as trade with America became more common, schedule regularity became a valuable service.

1 The Blackball line
2 Cape Verde
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] The Blackball line

Starting in 1818, ships of the Black Ball line began regularly scheduled trips between Britain and America. These "packet ships" (named for their delivery of mail "packets") were infamous for keeping to their disciplined schedules. This often involved harsh treatment of seamen and earned the ships the nickname, "bloodboat".

[edit] Cape Verde

Because of the influence of whaling and several local droughts, there was substantial migration from Cape Verde to America, most notably to New Bedford, Massachusetts. This migration built strong ties between the two locations, and a strong packet trade between New England and Cape Verde developed during the early-to-mid 1800s.