Ever since ancient times, we have depended upon water transportation for trade. Phoenicians, the most notable traders and sailors of the ancient world, carried goods by vessel across the Mediterranean and into the Atlantic Ocean in 1100 BC. In China, flat boats called junks carried merchants to Indonesia and India in 9th century AD. The Venetians owned a huge merchant fleet that traveled the natural waterways during the Middle Ages. In the 1600s, the Dutch became first in shipping activity, operating a globe-circling tramp service for merchants of western Europe; shipping has been a leading sector of the Dutch economy ever since. The earliest explorers were also traders — many a captain set to sea to explore uncharted territory in search of corn, spice, silk, perfume, art, gold and other items that could be traded. Can you find pictures of some of these early ships in the encyclopedia? How do they differ from the ships you see in our harbor today? Clipper ships, the fastest oceangoing sailing vessels ever built, were developed around the time of the American Revolution. The sleek clipper ship was remarkably fast — speeds from 16 to 18 nautical mph were common — so they were called into service to carry small commodities of high value. After the American Revolution, the US engaged in active trade with European nations. Sailing ships carried farm, forest and fish products to Europe. Timber and food were exchanged for rum, molasses, and sugar in the West Indies. The Far East became a trading interest, and in 1787 the us joined the lucrative business of transporting tea and spices. Are any of these products still exported or imported today? In the 19th century, the modern shipping industry was borne. Prior to the early 1800s, ships were owned by merchants or trading companies that sailed when cargo was offered. The captain and crew often sold the cargo for a share of the profits. Common-carrier service began in 1818 — sailings at regular, stated intervals, acceptance of cargo in less-than-shipload lots and fixed rates. Around the same time, the use of steam power and the use of iron in shipbuilding revolutionized the shipping industry. The SS California. Photograph courtesy of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park The first efficient steamboat — a paddlewheeler called the Clermont built by American inventor Robert Fulton — made its way up the Hudson River from New York City to Albany and back in 1807. This 300 mile trip — one that took four days in a sailing ship — was accomplished in a record 62 hours! Within a dozen years, steamships were making six trips between America and Europe in the time a sailing ship could make three. At what rate of speed did the clermont travel? Can you find New York City and Albany in the atlas? How many miles apart are these two cities? How long would it take to drive that distance today? In the mid-1800s, the British took the lead in building iron- and steel-hulled vessels powered by steam and made rapid technological progress. At the turn of the century, the compound steam turbine was adapted to maritime use; diesel fuel was also used. The SS Korea. Photograph courtesy of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park In the Great Depression, the government encouraged economic revitalization by commissioning shipbuilders to provide a modern, efficient navy fleet. During this time, significant progress was made in perfecting the turboelectric drive and, using mass production methods, the us built 5,600 war ships and merchant ships by the end of World War II. After the war, American companies used surplus warships for domestic and foreign trade until they were surpassed by less expensive Japanese and European ships. What factors might have led foreign manufacturers to produce less expensive ships? Cargo ships carry packaged goods and unitized cargo (cargo in which a number of items are consolidated into one large shipping unit for easier handling). For many years, shipping units were mismatched crates and wooden pallets stacked with goods and bound with ropes. How were crates and pallets loaded onto ships? The Presidents Wilson and Cleveland. Photograph courtesy of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Containerization has facilitated transfer of shipments between marine ports and cities within the inland empire. In the late 1950s, container ships began carrying 20-foot aluminum-alloy containers which allowed ships to be unloaded and re-loaded in one day. Previous shipping methods required a minimum of 84 hours turnaround time. What efficiencies and economies are created by quicker turnaround time? Container boxes are locked and sealed after they are loaded. Their contents are not disturbed until the freight is unloaded at its final destination. Some have electrical outlets and refrigeration units that keep perishable goods such as fish and fruit as fresh as possible. A different style of container is used to ship goods by air. Why are containers locked and sealed after they are loaded? Who does this benefit? Containers have been standardized over the years to allow routing by rail, truck and ship. Additional intermodal efficiency and economy was achieved in 1984 with the advent of the “stacktrain,” double-stacked cargo containers on railcar beds. What does the word “intermodal” mean? Who invented the stacktrain? Home Journey Log Trade Topics People Profiles Index Ask the Eagle