This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXV. In the last chapter I alluded slightly to Isaac Wright, who was of the firm of Isaac Wright & Son, and were among the small band of pioneers who established a regular sailing packet communication with the old world. To this class also belonged Benjamin Marshall, Francis Thompson and Jeremiah Thompson. These merchanti were the originators and first proprietors of the old black ball line of Liverpool packets that still survive all the storms of the ocean and of commerce. These ships were the first in importance in this sphere forty years ago, and it is pleasant now to record their importance in the trade between England and this country. It is not behind that of the more modern steamships. The ships of the Black Ball line numbered eight. They were well manned and equipped. The line established afterwards by Fish & Grinnell, and Thaddeus Phelps & Co. numbered four; good vessels all of them, but not quite equal to the others. Their names were the "Leeds," Capt. William Stoddart, master; "Robert Fulton," Henry Holdredge, master; "Cortes," Nash De Cost, master; "Corinthian," G. W. Davis, master. They were 400 tons each. They sailed on the 8th of the month. Byrnes, Trimble & Co. had another line in connection with old Samuel Hicks. Their ships left on the 24th of each month. Their names were the " Manhattan," Roland Crocker, master; " Panther," Thomas Bennett, master; "Meteor," N. Cobb, master; "John Wells," Isaac Harris, master. So that in 1823, forty years ago, our good city had four packet ships to leave this port each month for Liverpool, viz.: 1st, 8th, 16th, and 24th days of each month, and they were always punctual to sail on these fixed days, the Black Ball Line leaving on the 1st and lGth, and one of the other lines on the...