Ships have carried passengers across the oceans for centuries. Yet, it was not until the early 1800s that true ocean travel was established. Up until then, ships sailed only when they had a full load of cargo and passengers. Because international trade was expanding, the demand for better transatlantic passenger service increased. The United States took the lead in establishing regularly scheduled voyages with vessels called packet ships; they sailed regardless of weather, cargo, or passengers. In 1818, the Black Ball Line began the first packet service. Soon, other liner companies were formed to cash in on the popularity of the service. The first packet ships were small by today's standards: the average length was about 100 ft. (30.48 m). The typical packet had three sails, the tallest of which was the middle one. The United States lost its competitive edge in the construction of liners due to a...