packetboat

plural packetboats

1. alternativeAlternative form of packet boat.

   That this might be carried out with greater speed, and with more comfort and help to the crew he resolved to also proceed in the packetboat as far inside as he could.

   2015, Richard W. Blumenthal, The Early Exploration of Inland Washington Waters

   2 more examples

   And be it further enacted, That it shall not be lawful for any stage coach, railroad car, steamboat, packetboat, or other vehicle or vessel, nor any of the owners, managers, servants, or crews of either, which regularly perform trips at stated periods on a post route, or between two or more cities, towns, or other places, from one to the other of which the United States mail is regularly converyed under the authority of the Post-Office Department, to transport or convery, otherwise than in the mail, any letter or letters, packet or packages ofletters, or other mailable matter whatsoever, except such as may have relation to some part othe cargo of such steamboat, packetboat, or other vessel...

   1855, James Holbrook, Ten Years Among the Mail Bags, page 426

   He had the misfortune to encounter at the mouth of the river of Philadelphia a Frigate of the King of England, named the Liverpool, which detained his packetboat, searched it, and took the money that it carried.

   1964, United States. Naval History Division, Naval Documents of the American Revolution, page 1339