When Ice Went by Ship

In the 1800s, people sent ice—very cold, hard water—from cold places to hot countries by ship. Ice from lakes in New England went to the Caribbean and India.

In winter, workers cut the ice into big pieces. They kept it in special buildings before putting it on ships.

How did the ice stay cold? People put the big pieces close together and kept heat away. Some ice became water on the long trip. But enough ice could get to the hot country for people to sell.

Workers took ice to homes and shops. Some people had an icebox, a cupboard with room for ice. The ice kept food cold. People had to take out the water and put in new ice often.

Not everyone could pay for ice or get it easily.

Later, machines made ice. Then more homes had machines to keep food cold. People no longer needed so much ice from lakes.