Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

"Here is no catalogue of ships, reader, nor naval chronicle, but a story of maritime enterprise; of the shipping, seaborne commerce, whaling, and fishing belonging to one American commonwealth," writes S.E. Morison. "I have chosen to catch the story at half flood, when Massachusetts vessels first sought Far-Eastern waters, and to stay with it only so long as wind and sail would serve. For to one who has sailed a clipper ship, even in fancy, all later modes of ocean carriage must seem decadent." This classic work includes the following chapters: I. Coast and Sea II. The Colonial Background (1602-1760) III. Revolution and Reconstruction (1760-1788) IV. Pioneers of the Pacific (1784-1792) V. The Northwest Fur Trade (1788-1812) VI. The Canton Market (1784-1812) VII. The Salem East Indies (1790-1812) VIII. Ships and Seamen (1790-1812) IX. Merchants and Mansions (1782-1812) X. The Sacred Codfish (1784-1812) XI. Newburyport and Nantucket (1790-1812) XII. Federalism and Neutral Trade (1789-1807) XIII. Embargo and War (1807-1815) XIV. The Passing of Salem (1815-1845) XV. The Hub of the Universe (1830-1845) XVI. Ships and Seamen in Southern Seas (1820-1848) XVII. China and the East Indies (1820-1850) XVIII. Mediterranean and Baltic (1820-1850) XIX. Cape Cod and Cape Ann (1820-1860) XX. The Whalers (1815-1860) XXI. Oh! California (1844-1850) XXII. The Clipper Ship (1850-1854) XXIII. Conclusion (1857-1860)