CATALOGUE OF THE WATERCRAFT COLLECTION. 11 



and the Dramatic Line were prominent. The first line of packets to 

 Havre was founded about 1822, and this was shortly succeeded by 

 a second line. 



The rivalry of these lines led to an increase in tlie size of ships 

 and much improvement in speed. Quick voyages paid large divi- 

 dends, and there was the keenest competition between rival captains. 

 Passages were forced across the Atlantic, and ships staggered under 

 a press of sail in the heaviest weather. But they were built for the 

 work, and, under the splendid management of their ojfiicers, they 

 seldom met with serious mishaps. As an example of the power of 

 sailing clipper ships, as well as of the courage and hardihood of the 

 American sailor of that date, it is related of Capt. John Johnston, 

 who commanded the packet service between New York and Havre, 

 that on one occasion he said, " In all my career I never knew the 

 wind to blow but twice." One of the incidents referred to was when 

 he was in command of the Rhone^ August 16, 1839, at which time 

 every stitch of canvas was blown away by a hurricane, which did 

 not leave a piece of cloth so large as a man's head. 



The Ashhurton, 1,015 tons, built in 1843, was one of the largest 

 packet ships of that date. She was constructed to rival the Patrick 

 Henry of about 1,000 tons and the Roscius of approximately the 

 same capacity. " The Henry Glay^ 1,250 tons, came next, large and 

 with three decks, and all New York rushed to see her as she lay at 

 her pier, No. 18 East River, just opposite the Grinnell office. * * * 

 The New World, 1,400 tons, was another wonder, the largest vessel 

 afloat in 1846." * 



" The American packets," writes Hall, " carried the best officers 

 and the largest crews of any ships afloat. They were fast, dry, hand- 

 some, and sumptously fitted up, and were managed with so much 

 energy, care, and ability that they gained a virtual monopoly of the 

 passenger, mail, and express traffic to Europe. They made the best 

 time of any ships afloat, were insured at the lowest rates, and earned 

 the highest freights, and superseded nearly all English, French, and 

 German ships in that business, and their success and fame were the 

 subject of intense envy abroad. 



" The qualities desired in a packet ship were strength, speed, sta- 

 bility at sea, ease of handling, easy rolling, beauty of model, and 

 comfort in the passenger accommodations. It must not be supposed 

 that these were all attained at one bound; on the contrary, the best 

 good general model for a packet ship and the best sizes and dimen- 

 sions of timbers were reached only by patient study and slow degrees. 

 A great mafiy bad ships were built before all the questions that in- 



* Harper's Weekly. 



