What is another word for packet boat?
Pronunciation: [pˈakɪt bˈə͡ʊt] (IPA) 
Packet boats were an essential means of transportation in the pre-railroad era. They were small, fast and affordable boats that were used to carry mail, freight, and passengers. Packet boats have since evolved into other forms of transportation, but the term still exists today. Synonyms for packet boat include riverboat, steamboat, and ferry. Riverboats were commonly used on inland waterways of the United States, typically powered by steam engines. Steamboats were an important mode of transportation during the industrial revolution. Ferries are still in use today, transporting both passengers and vehicles across waterways. Regardless of what you call them, these boats were important parts of transportation history.
