242 : The Atlantic 



The experienced sailors who usually made up a small nucleus of 

 a transatlantic liner crew became known as "packet rats." Both ashore 

 and afloat they enjoyed the reputation of being tough and often dis- 

 orderly. They were often denounced by their captains and were either 

 envied or scorned by other seamen. They performed the most difficult 

 and dangerous work and got the most punishment and abuse. It is 

 certain that they themselves habitually complained; that they were 

 always difficult to handle and sometimes mutinous; yet, year after 

 year, they made possible the best marine services that the world had 

 ever seen. There is a good deal to indicate that they took a kind of 

 fierce pride in the very difficulty of their job and, as we would say, in 

 their capacity to "take it." Like a "sand hog" in construction work 

 and the "topper" in the lumber camp, they constituted a special 

 group in a dangerous trade. 



Captain Samuels asserts that a Captain Bryer was murdered by his 

 crew, but Dr. Albion's researches do not confirm this story. In fact, 

 they throw a good deal of doubt upon it. On the other hand, protests 

 and occasional mutiny would take place on the packet ships, though 

 there was less of this than the literature of the time would have us 

 believe. If there was trouble aboard it was apt to occur at the time of 

 sailing or shortly thereafter. This was the time when a number of 

 those aboard would be new to their tasks and before the organization 

 of the crew had fallen into place. In addition, the sailors usually came 

 aboard full of liquor or recovering from the effects of some. This is 

 illustrated in one of the most picturesque of the mutinies — a mutiny 

 that was quelled by one small woman. 



In 1832 William G. HackstafI was a proud and happy man. He was 

 in command of the Sheffield, of the Red Star Line, and had just mar- 

 ried an attractive and accomplished girl twenty years old. In those 

 days, the wives and families of ship captains often accompanied them 

 on their cruise. On the day of sailing from Liverpool, the Sheffield 

 was moved out into the Mersey River with the crew and a passenger 

 list of men and the captain's bride aboard. He was detained ashore, 

 apparently completing the ship's business. It was then that the mutiny 

 started. The rebellious crew overran the ship. The terrified passengers 

 ran to their cabins and locked themselves in. Mrs. HackstaflF went to 

 her captain's cabin and got his pair of pistols. With a pistol in each 

 hand, she went on deck. She faced the crew and said that she would 

 shoot down the first man that came aft. She held them at bay until 

 the captain arrived, when the ringleaders were put in irons and sent 

 ashore. From this strenuous and heroic honeymoon. Captain and 



