A Steady Hand

When you purchase your airline ticket you are not informed of the identity of the pilot, his or her experience or air miles. It never enters your mind. On a rare occasion I was met at the cabin door by the pilot with his gray hair, steely blue eyes and wearing his four stripe epaulets on his shoulder. If he was loquacious he might give you a travelogue when passing the Grand Canyon. All of which was reassuring. But back in 1850/1860 Clipper ships were sailing from New York's East River piers to San Francisco via Cape Horn. The one with the fastest transit time would attract the cargo. They all advertised with "ship cards"
which mentioned the ship's name and that of the Captain. i.e.-
DREADNOUGHT - William Cushing, Commander - Pier 11 East River.
You knew whose steady hand was on the wheel.
tjs