Early in 1632, at Richmond Island, off the coast of Maine, was built what was probably the first regular packet between England and America.

She carried to the old country lumber, fish, furs, oil, and other colonial products, and brought back guns, ammunition, and liquor--not a fortunate exchange.

Of course meanwhile English, Dutch, and Spanish ships were trading to the colonies, and every local essay in shipbuilding meant competition with old and established ship-yards and ship owners.

Yet the industry throve, not only in the considerable yards established at Boston and other large towns, but in a small way all along the coast.

Special privileges were extended to ship-builders.