Liner shipping developed with the emergence of stream ship in the middle of the nineteenth century, with radically changed the method of transporting goods by sea. Sailing ship generally received their cargo at a port and did not set sail until they were virtually fully loaded, regardless of whether they were carrying bulk goods or general cargo. Departure dates were uncertain and arrival dates even more so. Vessel were usually controlled by merchants themselves, who ether owned them or charters them to meet their requirements. The availability of transport to small traders was very limited and the date of shipment of their goods was even more uncertain.