ABSTRACT
From the outbreak of the American Revolution to the end of the Napoleonic wars, American shipping was confronted by abnormal conditions. Independence resulted in trade dislocation and necessitated reorganization. Until 1807 conditions were prosperous, but thereafter American commerce suffered badly from effects of the European wars and restrictions of the United States government. After 1815 more normal conditions returned, and the steady growth of shipping resulted. By mid-century came the glorious peak of the clipper-ship era, but by the time of the Civil War American commerce had entered a period of decline.
