Paisley and Playfair shared much in common and seemed to compliment each others abilities. It was Paisley's coal mining and sales efforts coupled with Playfairs financial ties to Henry W. Richardson of Kingston, Ontario which provided the strength for numerous successful ventures. James Richardson and Sons were key to Plaiyfair's ventures since they provided much of the financial backing need for Playfair to expand his marine interests. They also ended up owning a substantial share of James Paisley's coal company. Like the previous three volumes, this book is much more than a recitation of fleet activities. It is the FIRST detailed explanation of Richardson's "silent" involvement that allowed Playfair to gain the stature he did on the Great Lakes. It also describes how Paisley and Playfair parlayed their individual expertise to become one of the major shipping magnates of their time.