The story here submitted is the result of many years of research, travel and ship study. I have had access to many manuscripts and printed books too numerous to mention. I desire to return thanks to Messrs. T. H. Parker, 12A Berkeley Street, W., for permission to use some invaluable, rare prints; and to the Cunard and White Star Lines for certain other illustrations of a magnificent service. E. KEBLE CHATTERTON. CONTENTS CHAP. PAGE I. INTRODUCTION 1 II. THE DEMAND FOR MERCHANT SHIPPING 7 III. THE MEDITERRANEAN MERCANTILE MARINE 17 IV. THE MERCHANT SHIPS OF THE NORTH 30 V. THE GROWTH OF THE MERCANTILE MARINE 42 VI. THE MERCANTILE MARINE OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY 53 VII. FISHERMEN AND MERCHANTMEN 62 VIII. SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY SEAFARIN 75 IX. MERCANTILE SUPREMACY AT SEA 90 X. MIGHTY MERCHANTMEN 103 XI. PACKET SHIPS AND BRIGS 119 XII. THE SAIL-CARRIERS 134 XIII. CRACKING-ON 150 XIV. THE TRIUMPH OF STEAM 168 XV. THE IRON AND STEEL AGE 182 XVI. THE MODERN MERCHANT SHIP 194 XVII. THE RISE AND FALL OF THE GERMAN MERCANTILE MARINE 208 XVIII. THE AMERICAN MERCANTILE MARINE 220 XIX. THE MINOR MERCANTILE MARINES 229 XX. THE FUTURE OF THE MERCANTILE MARINE 238 APPENDIX 246 INDEX 249 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS _Facing page_ H.E. INDIA COMPANY’S SHIP “WILLIAM FAIRLIE” _Frontispiece_ SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY DUTCH EAST INDIAMEN 74 SIGNAL CODE 74 CAPTAIN THOMAS FORREST 90 BRUNSWICK DOCK, BLACKWALL 92 CAPTAIN HENRY WILSON 98 CAPTAIN HON. RICHARD WALPOLE 98 COMMODORE SIR NATHANIEL DANCE 98 SIR WILLIAM JAMES, BART. 98 A CONVOY OF EAST INDIAMEN 112