Her entrance upon this industry was, as we have seen, in 1838.

The United States took it up about ten years later.

In 1847 the Ocean Steam Navigation Company was organized in this country and secured from the Government a contract to carry the mails between New York and Bremen.

Two ships were built and regular trips made for a year or more; but when the Government contract expired and was not renewed, the venture was abandoned.

About the same time the owners of one of the most famous packet lines, the Black Ball, tried the experiment of supplementing their sailing service with a steamship, but it proved unprofitable.