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Quiz about American Passenger Shipping to 1865

American Passenger Shipping to 1865 Quiz

A short multiple-choice quiz on American-flag passenger shipping in the Atlantic from 1818 through the Civil War. Why start in 1818? It could have been 1819. See Questions 1 and 3!

A multiple-choice quiz by ignotus. Estimated time: 7 mins.

Author
ignotus

Time
7 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
213,221

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
209

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In 1818, this American-flag line began a packet ship service between Liverpool and New York: Hint

The Black Ball Line

The United States Line

The Red Ball Express Line

The Liverpool and New York Line

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Question 2 of 10

2. By the way, what specific characteristic made a vessel a "packet ship"? Hint

Food was included in the ticket price -- a packet of hardtack.

She carried extra sails -- a packet of canvas.

She left port on a regular schedule -- usually with a packet of mail and newspapers.

She charged very high passenger fares -- a packet of money.

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Question 3 of 10

3. In 1819, the American steamship Savannah left Georgia for Liverpool. How long did the voyage take? Hint

About two weeks.

It's a trick question: she ran out of fuel and returned to Savannah.

Over six weeks.

About 29 days.

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Question 4 of 10

4. On her 1819 voyage, wherever it ended, how long did Savannah run her steam engine? Hint

The full voyage - that's why she's "historic"!

For about 85 hours total.

Continuously for the first week, until she ran out of fuel.

She didn't, except when leaving and entering port - three hours at most.

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Question 5 of 10

5. This 19th century American-flag line included ships named Sheridan, Siddons and Garrick. Hint

The American General Line - Sheridan is a big hint.

The Cod Line - "Old Salty."

The Boston Shamrock Line - the ships were named for Irishmen.

The Dramatic Line - the ships were named for playwrights and performers.

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Question 6 of 10

6. In the early 1850s, the Collins Line challenged Cunard's domination of the North Atlantic passenger trade. How? Hint

With sailing ships that were faster than Cunard's steamships - swift Yankees!

With train service to and from Halifax, shortening the time at sea - clever Yankees!

With daily departures from New York - efficient Yankees!

With steamships that were more luxurious than the Cunarders - fancy Yankees!

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Question 7 of 10

7. In 1851, the American steamer Pacific made headlines by: Hint

Making 25 knots on her sea trials.

Burning and sinking within sight of the Liverpool docks.

Carrying over 2,000 passengers on a single voyage.

Crossing the Atlantic (New York to Liverpool) in less than ten days.

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Question 8 of 10

8. The Collins steamship line failed in 1858. Why? Hint

Each of these three factors played a role.

By 1857, the line had lost two major ships, the Pacific and the Arctic.

The U.S. government withdrew the transatlantic mail contract.

The line was not profitable, due to high fuel costs and low revenue per voyage.

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Question 9 of 10

9. The American Civil War devastated the Union merchant marine. Between 1861 and 1865, what percentage of Union (American) merchant ships were transferred to foreign ownership? Hint

About 95%.

Only about 20% of the ships, but over 70% of the tonnage.

About 60%.

Between 30% and 40%.

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Question 10 of 10

10. After the Civil War, Great Britain paid reparations to the United States for the sinking of American merchant ships. Why? Hint

Confederate warships were built in British shipyards.

British blockade runners prolonged the war.

British privateers "mistakenly" attacked Union ships.

Lloyds of London gave the Confederates information about merchant ship departures.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In 1818, this American-flag line began a packet ship service between Liverpool and New York:

Answer: The Black Ball Line

American sailing packets were quite successful, though there were few passengers on the Atlantic until the 1840s. Founded by Quakers, the Black Ball Line originally offered departures from New York, Boston and Philadelphia - on the 1st and 16th of the month. See Question 2.

2. By the way, what specific characteristic made a vessel a "packet ship"?

Answer: She left port on a regular schedule -- usually with a packet of mail and newspapers.

Many sailing ships waited to leave port until they had gathered enough cargo to turn a profit on the voyage. Packets offered more reliable schedules. They usually carried time-sensitive cargo in addition to passengers.

3. In 1819, the American steamship Savannah left Georgia for Liverpool. How long did the voyage take?

Answer: About 29 days.

It was a fair passage but not a speed record. Many sailing ships did better. The Savannah's paddlewheel could be folded out of the water, to improve her speed under sail ... leading to Question 4.

4. On her 1819 voyage, wherever it ended, how long did Savannah run her steam engine?

Answer: For about 85 hours total.

Early marine steam engines could not run continuously for more than a few hours. Savannah's 85 hours of steaming were spread over 18 of her (approximate) 29 days at sea.

5. This 19th century American-flag line included ships named Sheridan, Siddons and Garrick.

Answer: The Dramatic Line - the ships were named for playwrights and performers.

Sheridan the playwright; Siddons the actress; Garrick the actor-manager - and long before the Civil War's General Phil Sheridan.

6. In the early 1850s, the Collins Line challenged Cunard's domination of the North Atlantic passenger trade. How?

Answer: With steamships that were more luxurious than the Cunarders - fancy Yankees!

At the time, the big Collins sidewheelers were also faster than Cunard's ships. The line prospered, for a few years at least ...

7. In 1851, the American steamer Pacific made headlines by:

Answer: Crossing the Atlantic (New York to Liverpool) in less than ten days.

The Collins liner Pacific would make headlines again later, but for a very different reason. See Question 8.

8. The Collins steamship line failed in 1858. Why?

Answer: Each of these three factors played a role.

The mail contract was withdrawn at the behest of Southern Senators who refused to subsidize a Yankee merchant. The loss of two of the four Collins steamships was a human tragedy as well as a business disaster. At best, the Collins steamers made little profit. Space in their hulls was taken up by huge engines and fuel, instead of revenue-producing cargo and passengers.

9. The American Civil War devastated the Union merchant marine. Between 1861 and 1865, what percentage of Union (American) merchant ships were transferred to foreign ownership?

Answer: Between 30% and 40%.

High insurance premiums and the fear of Confederate raiders drove ships into foreign hands. At the same time, land-based investments offered greater profit and less risk.

10. After the Civil War, Great Britain paid reparations to the United States for the sinking of American merchant ships. Why?

Answer: Confederate warships were built in British shipyards.

These were known as the Alabama Claims, after the Liverpool-built Confederate raider. The money did little to revive American-flag shipping in the Atlantic.

Source: Author ignotus

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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