c.1790-1810
“Rich as was the West India trade, we had even more to boast of Europe, Asia, China, and Africa were represented at our margin by their merchandise. The towering masts of the dignified merchantmen betold their presence; and the "Yo, heave ho!" of the merry mariner heralded the delivery of their treasures.” [p.21]

“This dock was an inlet to the flour store of Hugh & Joseph Ely, and Smith & Wood, and was covered at the head by a plank wharf or landing, for the convenience of their storage, as well as a passage to the Old Ferry, interrupted, however, by the small, brick cooper-shop of Sharon Carter, where, and on the platform at the door, he and his boy Job, rung the "Cooper's March," as a change to the "Yo, heave ho!" of the merry darky, as he showed up barrel after barrel from the hold of his sloop in the dock.” [p.30]

“William Fling, Jr., was, in stature and general appearance, a fac simile of his senior, both men of courage, for in that day it was a feat to venture two hundred feet above the heads below. And whether they, or either of them, trusted to the Yo, heave ho!" below, or sent up a maintop-sail man as a substitute, they endorsed the project, and were responsible for results.” [p.102]

“William S. Sontag was prominent, at No. 114, as a shipping merchant in the West India trade, which, as heretofore shown, was as profitable as it was extensive, and the life of the "Yo, heave ho!" of the merry darkies, that rent the air with their vocal powers.” [p.185]
[Philadelphia and Her Merchants, as Constituted Fifty Or Seventy Years Ago, Ritter, 1860]