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.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

"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)