This book gives a fascinating history of the American merchant marine. The book contains thrilling stories about brave Americans, their love for the sea, and adventures at sea in the 1600s and 1800s. In this book, the author focuses on American merchantmen, the American navy, privateers, and fishermen, as well as discussing the American revolution and post-revolutionary war dangers to merchantmen and the Federal legislation enacted to promote and protect the American sea trade. The book contains the following: Colonial Adventures in Little Ships - The Privateers of '76 - Out Cutlases and Board - The Famous Days of Salem Port - Yankee Vikings and New Trade Routes - Free Trade and Sailors' Rights - The Brilliant Era of 1812 - The Packet Ships of the "Roaring Forties" - The Stately Clippers and her Glory - Bound Coastwise.