Chapter XXII: The Fate of the Clipper Ships (1)

We have already seen how, about the year 1855, the extreme clippers were succeeded in the United States by a class of vessels known as medium clippers. These vessels were not so sharp and did not carry as heavy spars or so much canvas as the old clippers, but they could carry more cargo and could be handled with fewer men. This made them more profitable when the demand for speed and the rates of freight had declined, and the extreme clippers were unable to command any higher rate than the medium clippers. After the Civil War ship building for the oversea carrying trade steadily declined, though it was not until 1893 that the last American wooden sailing ship, the _Aryan_, was launched. During these thirty-eight years a good many ships were built, and by degrees a new type of vessel, designed to carry large cargoes at moderate speed, was developed, which enterprising agents advertised as clippers; but those who had known the real clippers were not deceived. Many of the old names survived; thus there were a second _Memnon_, another _Rainbow_, _Sea Witch_, _Oriental_, _Eclipse_, _Comet_, _Northern Light_, _Ringleader_, _Invincible_, _Witch of the Wave_, _Blue Jacket_, _Charmer_, _Sovereign of the Seas_, _Lightning_, and _Andrew Jackson_ which should not be mistaken for the famous clippers after which they were named.

One may well ask what became of all the splendid clipper ships? The fate of some of them has already been told in these pages, others have disappeared from one cause or another, as time went on, until now scarcely one is left. During the Civil War many of them were sold and sailed under foreign flags, their names were changed and their identity all but lost.

Of the more famous early clippers, the _Houqua_ foundered in a typhoon in the China seas in 1865 while under command of Captain McKenzie. The _Sea Witch_ made her last voyage to San Francisco in 1852 and then returned to the China trade for which she had been built. On her voyage to China in 1855 Captain Fraser was murdered at sea by his chief mate, and the vessel put into Rio Janeiro, where Captain Lang took command. On the homeward voyage from Amoy to Havana with a cargo of coolies, the _Sea Witch_ was wrecked and became a total loss on the eastern coast of Cuba, March 26, 1856. The _Samuel Russell_ was wrecked in the Gaspar Straits in 1870, under command of Captain Frederick Lucas.

The _Stag-Hound_ was burnt off the coast of Brazil in 1863, her United States ensign, which the captain brought off and returned to the owners in Boston, being the sole relic. The _Surprise_, under command of Captain Charles Ranlett, struck a sunken rock while beating into Yokohama Bay and became a total wreck, February 4, 1876; the _Game-Cock_ was condemned at the Cape of Good Hope in 1880.

The _Staffordshire_ was lost off Cape Sable, while bound from Liverpool for Boston in December, 1854. She struck on a ledge during a thick fog and foundered in deep water. Two days before her wreck Captain Richardson had fallen on deck and fractured his spine, and while he lay helpless in his berth, Joseph Alden, his chief mate, reported that the ship was sinking. Captain Richardson gave directions to the mate for saving the women and children passengers, but declined assistance for himself. His last words were: “God’s will be done,” and as the vessel settled deeper and deeper in the water and the waves closed in upon her deck, the brave spirit of her captain returned to God who gave it, to join the innumerable host of heroes and martyrs of the sea.

The _Flying Cloud_ was sold to James Baines in 1863 and was destroyed by fire at St. John, N. B., in 1874. The _Flying Fish_ was wrecked in November, 1858, while coming out of Foo-chow, bound for New York with a cargo of tea, and was abandoned to the underwriters, who sold her to a Spanish merchant of Manila. She was subsequently floated and rebuilt at Wampoa, her name being changed to _El Bueno Suceso_. She sailed for some years between Manila and Cadiz, and finally foundered in the China Sea. The _Typhoon_ was sold to the United States Government during the Civil War, and was finally broken up. The _Northern Light_ was abandoned at sea, December 25, 1861, after being in collision while bound from Havre for New York.

The _Comet_ was sold under the British flag and renamed the _Fiery Star_. She sailed between England and Australia for several years and was finally burned at sea in 1865, while on a voyage from Moreton Bay, Queensland, for London. She had been on fire for twenty-one days when the crew were rescued by the ship _Dauntless_. The _Trade Wind_, while bound from Mobile for Liverpool, in 1854, was in collision with the ship _Olympus_, from Liverpool for New York. Both vessels foundered, forty-four of the sixty-four passengers and crew of the _Trade-Wind_ and fifty-two of the fifty-eight on board the _Olympus_ being rescued by the Belgian barque _Stadt Antwerpen_, Captain Wyteerhoven, and landed at New York.

The _Nightingale_ was sold to a firm in Salem and sent to Rio Janeiro, where she was bought and sailed in the African slave trade under the Brazilian flag. About the year 1860 she was captured by a United States war-vessel and sent home as a prize. She was subsequently fitted out by the Government as an armed cruiser during the Civil War, and at the close of the war was sold and sailed in the California and China trade. Later she sailed for many years under the flag of Norway. The _Shooting Star_ was sold to a merchant of Siam in 1862 and was wrecked on the coast of Formosa in 1867. Captain Low remained in command of the _N. B. Palmer_ until she was sold abroad in 1872. The _Tornado_, _Whirlwind_, and _Neptune’s Car_ were sold in England and disappeared from the Shipping Lists many years ago.

The _Golden Light_ under command of Captain C. F. Winsor, sailed from Boston on her first voyage bound for San Francisco, February 12, 1853, and ten days out was struck by lightning which set fire to cargo in the forehold. After every exertion had been made to save the vessel, Captain Winsor gave orders to abandon the ship, and at 6 P.M., February 23d, her people took to the boats. At that time the ship was in flames. Her foremast had burnt off and fallen; soon after her main-and mizzen-masts went over the side. She had eleven passengers, including three ladies who were in the long boat with the captain. There were five boats in all, four of which, after being adrift eight days, were picked up by the British ship _Shand_ from Calcutta bound for Boston; the other boat, in charge of the mate, reached Barbadoes in safety, so that all hands were saved.

The _Sovereign of the Seas_ was sold to a Hamburg firm and was wrecked on the Pyramid Shoal in the Straits of Malacca, August 6, 1859, becoming a total loss. The _Contest_ and _Winged Racer_ were destroyed by the _Alabama_ off the coast of Java in 1863, and the _Jacob Bell_ by the _Florida_ during the same year. The _Harvey Birch_ was destroyed by the _Nashville_ in 1861. The _Flying Dutchman_ went ashore on the Brigantine Shoal, off the coast of New Jersey, during a thick snowstorm in February, 1858, and became a total loss. The _Highflyer_, under command of Captain Gordon B. Waterman, sailed from San Francisco, October 24, 1856, bound for Hong-kong and was never heard from. The _John Gilpin_ struck an iceberg off Cape Horn and foundered, January 29, 1858, while bound from Honolulu for New Bedford under command of Captain John F. Ropes, all hands, including fifteen passengers, being saved by the British ship _Herefordshire_.

The _Phantom_ was lost on Prates Shoal, about two hundred miles east-southeast of Hong-kong, in 1862, while under command of Captain Henry Sargent. All hands were saved in the boats, which reached Hong-kong safely, and a large amount of treasure that she had on board was also saved. Captain Sargent received great credit for his brave and judicious action at the time of the wreck; for in those days the China Sea was filled with junks whose crews required only the sight of a vessel in distress to turn them into most barbarous pirates. Captain Sargent soon after took command of the clipper barque _Emily C. Starr_ and sailed from Shanghai for Yokohama. She was never heard from, and it was supposed that she foundered in a typhoon. Captain Sargent belonged to an old Boston family whose home was on Beacon Street. He had sailed with Captain Nickels in the _Flying Fish_ and had also commanded the ship _Rockland_. He was one of the youngest and most accomplished of all the American clipper ship captains.

The _Bald Eagle_ and _Romance of the Seas_ both sailed from Hong-kong in 1860 and were never heard from. The _Reporter_ foundered off Cape Horn in 1863, and in the same year the _Undaunted_ was condemned at Rio Janeiro.

The _Sweepstakes_ was condemned in Batavia in 1864. The _Great Republic_ was sold to the Merchants’ Trading Company, of Liverpool, in 1869 and her name was changed to the _Denmark_. She finally foundered in a hurricane off Bermuda in 1872. The _Morning Star_ was sold to a Liverpool firm, who renamed her the _Rockingham_; she foundered while on a voyage from Samarang for Falmouth in 1879. The _Ocean Telegraph_ was sold to an English firm and renamed the _Light Brigade_ and was finally condemned at Gibraltar and converted into a coal hulk.

The _Marco Polo_, _Red Jacket_, and _Donald McKay_ ended their days in the Quebec lumber trade, and the _Lightning_ disappeared from the Shipping List in 1866. The _Champion of the Seas_ foundered while homeward bound round Cape Horn in 1877. The _James Baines_ was burnt at Liverpool in 1858, and her wreck was converted into the old landing stage for Atlantic steamship passengers, few of whom probably realized that they were walking over the remains of one of the grandest ships that ever sailed the sea.

Of the British-built clippers, the first _Lord of the Isles_ built in 1854 was burnt in 1862. The second of the name, built in 1864 by Robert Steele, of Greenock, was sold in France and became known as the _Paul Albert_. The _Spindrift_ and _Serica_ were both wrecked in 1869. The _Forward Ho_ was lost in 1881. The _Sir Launcelot_ was sold to a merchant of Bombay and sailed for many years between that port and Mauritius, and was finally wrecked in 1895. The _Cutty Sark_ was sold to a merchant in Lisbon in 1895. The _Chinaman_ was sunk by a steamer on the coast of China in 1880. The _Windhover_ was wrecked on the coast of Australia in 1884. The _Falcon_ was sold in Australia, her name being changed to the _Sophia Branilla_. She was wrecked on the coast of Java in 1871. The _Thermopylæ_ is now a schoolship at the mouth of the Tagus. The _Yang-tze_ was lost in 1872. The first _Guinevere_, built by Robert Steele, in 1862, was lost in 1866, while the second _Guinevere_, built by Randolph Elder & Co., in 1868, was sold in Norway. The _Ariel_ sailed for Melbourne and was never heard from. The _Taitsing_ was wrecked on the coast of Zanzibar in 1883.

The _Titania_ is the only one of all the old clipper ships that can now be traced as in active service. She is owned by Madame Maresca, of Castellamare, and sails under the flag of Italy, usually between European and South American ports. A few years ago she arrived at New York, and I was much interested in going on board of her, as I had known the ship and her captain many years before in China. She appeared so little changed that it was difficult to realize that nearly forty years had passed away since I last stood upon her deck one bright June morning at the Pagoda Anchorage, bidding Captain Burgoyne good-bye as he was getting under way bound for London with new teas. Her spars had been somewhat reduced and her rig changed to a barque, but the beautiful India teak used in the construction of her hull, decks, and bulwarks, with the polished brasswork of her rails, skylights, bells, and capstans, blinking cheerfully in the autumn sunshine, seemed to have paid little heed to the flight and ravages of time.

And so I have endeavored to record the leading events of an era in maritime history long ago departed; and however much the remarkable development of steam navigation may have contributed to the welfare of mankind, I think that the memory of the clipper ships and the men who built and commanded them, will always find a welcome in the hearts of those who know and love the sea.

Appendix I

CALIFORNIA CLIPPER SHIPS BUILT IN THE UNITED STATES FROM 1850 TO 1857 INCLUSIVE

1850

SHIP TONS CAPTAIN BUILDER OWNER & PORT

_Celestial_ 860 Gardner William H. Webb, Bucklin & Crane,
New York New York.

_Eclipse_ 223 Hamilton J. Williams & Son, T. Wardle & Co.,
Williamsburg, N. Y. New York.

_Game-Cock_ 392 Hollis Samuel Hall, Daniel C. Bacon,
East Boston East Boston.

_Governor Morton_ 318 Burgess James M. Hood, Handy & Everett,
Somerset New York.

_John Bertram_ 080 Landholm R. E. Jackson, Glidden & Williams,
East Boston Boston.

_Mandarin_ 776 Stoddard Smith & Dimon, Goodhue & Co.,
New York New York.

_Race Horse_ 512 King Samuel Hall, Goddard & Co.,
East Boston Boston.

_Seaman_ 546 Myrick Bell & Co., Funch & Meincke,
Baltimore Baltimore.

_Sea Serpent_ 1337 Howland George Raynes, Grinnell, Minturn & Co.,
Portsmouth, N. H. New York.

_Stag-Hound_ 1535 Richardson Donald McKay, George B. Upton and Sampson
East Boston & Tappan, Boston.

_Surprise_ 1361 Dumaresq Samuel Hall, A. A. Low & Brother,
East Boston New York.

_White Squall_ 1118 Lockwood Jacob Bell, W. Platt & Son,
New York Philadelphia.

_Witchcraft_ 1310 Rogers Paul Curtis, S. Rogers & W. D. Pickman,
Chelsea, Mass. Salem.

1851

_Alert_ 764 Bursley Crocker & Warren,
Damariscotta, Me. New York.

_Challenge_ 2006 WatermanWilliam H. Webb, N. L. & G. Griswold,
New York New York.

_Comet_ 1836 Gardner William H. Webb, Bucklin & Crane,
New York New York.

_Courser_ 1026 Berry Paul Curtis, Richardson & Co.,
East Boston Boston.

_Eagle_ 1340 Farran Perrin, Patterson & Stack, Harbeck & Co.,
Williamsburg, N. Y. New York.

_Eureka_ 1050 Canfield Jacob A. Westervelt & Son,
New York

_Flying Cloud_1793 Creesy Donald McKay, Grinnell, Minturn & Co.,
East Boston New York.

_Flying Fish_ 1505 Nickels Donald McKay, Sampson & Tappan,
East Boston Boston.

_Gazelle_ 1244 Henderson William H. Webb Chamberlain & Heyser,
New York New York.

_Golden Gate_ 1347 Barstow Taylor & Merrill,
New York New York.

_Hornet_ 1426 Lawrence Jacob A. Westervelt & Son, Chamberlain & Co.,
New York New York.

_Hurricane_ 1607 Very Smith & Co., C. W. & H. Thomas,
Hoboken, N. J. New York.

_Invincible_ 1767 Johnson William H. Webb, J. W. Phillips,
New York New York.

_Ino_ 895 Plummer Perrin, Patterson & Stack, Sifkin & Ironside,
Williamsburg, N. Y. New York.

_John Wade_ 639 Willis Augustine Heard & Co.,
Medford, Mass. Boston.

_Monsoon_ 773 Winsor Trufant & Drummond, G. Hussey,
Bath, Me. New Bedford.

_Northern Light_ 1021 Hatch Briggs Brothers, James Huckins & Sons,
South Boston Boston.

_N. B. Palmer_ 1490 Low Jacob A. Westervelt, A. A. Low & Brother,
New York New York.

_Queen of the East_ 1275 Bartlett Metcalf & Co., Crocker & Warren,
Damariscotta, Me. New York.

_Raven_ 715 Henry Hood & Co., Crocker & Warren,
Somerset New York.

_Shooting Star_ 903 Baker J. O. Curtis, S. G. Reed & Co.,
Medford, Mass. Boston.

_Snow Squall_ 742 Bursley Charles R. Green & Co.,
Portland, Me. New York.

_Southern Cross_ 950 Stevens Briggs Brothers, Baker & Morrell,
Boston Boston.

_Staffordshire_ 1817 Richardson Donald McKay, Enoch Train & Co.,
East Boston Boston.

_Sword-Fish_ 1036 Babcock William H. Webb, Barclay & Livingston,
New York New York.

_Syren_ 1064 Silsbee Isaac Taylor, G. Z. Silsbee & Co.,
Medford, Mass. Boston.

_Tornado_ 1801 Mumford J. Williams, W. T. Frost & Co.,
Williamsburg, N. Y. New York.

_Trade-Wind_ 2030 Osgood Jacob Bell, W. Platt & Son,
New York Philadelphia.

_Typhoon_ 1610 Salter Fernald & Pettigrew, D. & A. Kingsland,
Portsmouth, N. H. New York.

_Wild Pigeon_ 996 Putnam George Raynes, Olyphant & Co.,
Portsmouth, N. H. New York.
_Witch of the Wave_ 1500 Millett George Raynes, Glidden & Williams,
Portsmouth, N. H. Boston.

1852

_Antelope_ 1187 Cole J. Williams & Son, Harbeck & Co., Williamsburg, N. Y. New York. _Ariel_ 1340 Delano Patten & Co., Patten & Co., Bath, Me. Bath, Me. _Bald Eagle_ 1790 Dumaresq Donald McKay, George B. Upton, East Boston Boston. _Celestial Empire_ 1399 Pierce J. Stetson, C. H. Parsons & Co., East Boston New York. _Cleopatra_ 1562 Thayer Paul Curtis, East Boston _Climax_ 1051 Howes Howes & Crowell, Boston. _Contest_ 1150 Brewster Jacob A. Westervelt, A. A. Low & Brother, New York New York. _Dauntless_ 791 Miller _Fleetwood_ 666 Dale George Raynes, Captain and others, Portsmouth, N. H. Boston.

_Flying Childers_ 1125 Cunningham Samuel Hall, Cunningham & Sons,
East Boston Boston.
_Flying Dutchman_ 1257 Hubbard William H. Webb,
New York
_Golden City_ 810 Canfield Jacob A. Westervelt, H. A. Pierce & Co.,
New York Boston.
_Golden Eagle_ 1120 Fabens Hayden & Co., William Lincoln & Co.,
Medford, Mass. Boston.
_Golden Light_ 1141 Winsor Briggs Brothers, James Huckins & Sons,
South Boston Boston.
_Golden State_ 1363 Barstow Jacob A. Westervelt, A. A. Low & Brother,
New York New York.
_Golden West_ 1443 Kerwin Paul Curtis, Glidden & Williams,
Boston Boston.
_Highflyer_ 1092 Waterman Currier & Townsend, David Ogden,
Newburyport New York.
_Jacob Bell_ 1382 Kilham Jacob Bell, A. A. Low & Brother,
New York New York.
_John Gilpin_ 1089 Doane Samuel Hall, Pierce & Hunnewell,
East Boston Boston.
_Messenger_ 1350 Corning Jacob Bell, Slade & Co.,
New York New York.
_Meteor_ 1063 Pike Briggs Brothers, Curtis & Peabody,
South Boston Boston.

_Phantom_ 1177 Paterson J. O. Curtis, Henry P. Sturgis,
Medford, Mass. Boston.
_Polynesia_ 1068 Watson Samuel Hall, Hunnewell, Pierce & Co.,
Boston Boston.
_Queen of the Seas_ 1400 Knight Paul Curtis, Glidden & Williams,
East Boston Boston.
_Radiant_ 1300 Hallet Paul Curtis, Baker & Morrell,
East Boston Boston.
_Red Rover_ 1021 Putnam Fernald & Pettigrew, R. C. Taylor,
Portsmouth, N. H. New York.
_Simoon_ 1436 Smith Jabez Williams, B. A. Mumford & Co.,
New York New York.
_Sovereign of the Seas_ 2421 McKay Donald McKay, Grinnell, Minturn & Co.,
East Boston New York.
_Storm_ (barque) 545 Roberts Chamberlain & Heyser,
Sag Harbor New York.
_Westward Ho_ 1600 Hussey Donald McKay, Sampson & Tappan,
East Boston Boston.
_Whirlwind_ 962 Burgess J. O. Curtis, W. & F. H. Whitmore,
Medford, Mass. Boston.
_Winged Racer_ 1760 Esterbrook R. E. Jackson, R. L. Taylor,
East Boston New York.
_Wizard_ 1600 Woodside Samuel Hall, Slade & Co.,
Boston New York.

1853

_Amphitrite_ 1687 Samuel Hall,
East Boston
_Archer_ 1098 Bursley Hood & Co., Crocker & Warren,
Somerset New York.
_Belle of the West_ 936 Howes Glidden & Williams,
Dennis Boston.
_Black Warrior_ 1878 Murphy Austin & Co., W. Wilson & Sons,
Damariscotta, Me. Baltimore.
_Bonita_ 1127 Windsor Hallett & Co.,
Boston Boston.
_Boston Light_ 1164 Crowell Briggs Brothers, James Huckins & Sons,
Boston Boston.
_Challenger_ 1334 Hill R. E. Jackson, Whitmore & Son,
East Boston Boston.
_Cyclone_ 1109 Osgood Briggs Brothers, Curtis & Peabody,
Boston Boston.
_Dashing Wave_ 1239 Young Fernald & Pettigrew, S. Tilton,
Portsmouth, N. H. Boston.
_David Brown_ 1715 Brewster Roosevelt & Joyce, A. A. Low & Brother,
New York New York.
_David Crockett_ 1679 Spicer Greenman & Co., Handy & Everett,
Mystic, Conn. New York.

_Don Quixote_ 1470 Nott John E. Lodge,
Medford, Mass. Boston.
_Eagle Wing_ 1174 Linnell J. O. Curtis, Chase & Tappan,
Medford, Mass. Boston.
_Edwin Forrest_ 1200 D. D. Kelly,
East Boston
_Empress of the Seas_ 2200 Putnam Donald McKay, W. Wilson & Son,
East Boston Baltimore.
_Fearless_ 1183 Manson A. & G. T. Sampson, W. F. Weld & Co.,
East Boston Boston.
_Flora Temple_ 1915 Myers J. Abraham, Abraham & Oshcroft,
Baltimore Baltimore.
_Flying Dragon_ 1140 Baker Trufant & Drummond, S. G. Reed & Co.,
Bath, Me. Boston.
_Gauntlet_ 1860 Borland T. J. Southard, Stephenson & Thurston,
Richmond, Me. New York.
_Great Republic_ 3357 Limeburner Donald McKay, A. A. Low & Brother,
East Boston New York.
_Guiding Star_ 899 Hale J. Currier, C. Hill & Co.,
Newburyport, Mass. Newburyport, Mass.
_John Land_ 1061 Howes Briggs Brothers, Baker & Morrell,
South Boston Boston.
_Kate Hooper_ 1507 Johnson Hunt & Wagner, J. Hooper,
Baltimore Baltimore.

_Kathay_ 1460 Stoddard Jacob A. Westervelt,
New York
_Kingfisher_ 1300 Crosby William Lincoln & Co.,
Medford, Mass. Boston.
_Lightfoot_ 1996 Jackson & Ewell,
East Boston
_Live Yankee_ 1637 Thorndike Foster & Nickerson,
Rockland, Me. New York.
_Matchless_ 1033 Potter N. S. Goddard,
Chelsea, Mass. Boston.
_Morning Light_ 1713 Knight Toby & Littlefield, Glidden & Williams,
Portsmouth, N. H. Boston.
_Mystery_ 1200 Samuel Hall,
East Boston
_Neptune’s Car_ 1616 Patten Foster & Nickerson,
Portsmouth, Va. New York.
_North Wind_ 1041 Gore Jacob Bell, Grinnell, Minturn & Co.,
New York New York.
_Oriental_ 1654 Fletcher Samuel Hall, D. G. & W. B. Bacon.
East Boston Boston.
_Pamparo_ 1376 Coggins Charles Mallory, J. Bishop & Co.,
Mystic, Conn. New York.
_Panama_ 1349 Cave Thomas Collyer, N. L. & G. Griswold,
New York New York.

_Queen of Clippers_ 2360 Zerega Jackson & Ewell, Zerega & Co.,
East Boston New York.
_Red Gauntlet_ 1038 Andrews J. W. Cox, F. Boyd & Co.,
Robbinston, Me. Boston.
_Reporter_ 1474 Howes Paul Curtis, E. Snow,
East Boston Boston.
_Ringleader_ 1156 Matthews Howes & Crowell,
Medford, Mass. Boston.
_Romance of the Seas_ 1782 Dumaresq Donald McKay, George B. Upton,
East Boston Boston.
_Skylark_ 1209 Henry Hood & Co., Crocker & Warren,
Somerset New York.
_Snapdragon_ (barque) 619 Brown William H. Webb,
New York
_Spirit of the Times_ 1206 Klein Cooper & Slicer, Aymer & Co.,
Baltimore New York.
_Spitfire_ 1550 Arey Manning & Stanwood,
Frankfort, Me. Boston.
_Storm King_ 1408 Callahan Isaac Taylor, John E. Lodge,
Chelsea, Mass. Boston.
_Sweepstakes_ 1735 Lane Jacob A. Westervelt, Grinnell, Minturn & Co.,
New York New York.
_Undaunted_ 1371 Freeman Snow & Hall, W. H. Foster & Co.,
Bath, Me. Boston.

_Viking_ 1449 Windsor Trufant & Drummond, G. Hussey,
Bath, Me. New Bedford.
_Whistler_ 820 Brown George W. Jackman, Bush & Wildes,
Newburyport, Mass. Boston.
_Wild Wave_ 1547 Knowles G. H. Ferrin, Benjamin Bangs,
Richmond, Me. Boston.
_Young America_ 1961 Babcock William H. Webb, George Daniels,
New York New York.

1854

_Adelaide_ 1831 Wakeman Jacob Bell, Williams & Guion,
New York New York.
_Canvas Back_ 735 Clarke S. Lurman,
Baltimore Baltimore.
_Black Prince_ 1050 Brown George W. Jackman, Bush & Wildes,
Newburyport, Mass. Boston.
_Electric_ 1271 Gates C. Adams,
Mystic, Conn. New York.
_Fleetwing_ 912 Howes Hayden & Cudworth, Crowell, Brooks,
Medford, Mass. Boston.
_Grace Darling_ 1240 Doane Briggs Brothers, C. B. Fessenden,
South Boston Boston.
_Harvey Birch_ 1488 Nelson Irons & Grinnell, J. H. Brower & Co.,
Mystic, Conn. New York.
_Midnight_ 1000 Hatch Fernald & Pettigrew, Henry Hastings,
Portsmouth, N. H. Boston.
_Nabob_ 1254 Baxter J. Taylor, William Appleton,
Chelsea, Mass. Boston.
_Nonpareil_ 1431 Dunham & Co., T. Richardson & Co.,
Frankfort, Me. New York.
_Nor’wester_ 1267 Gregory S. Lapham, Coolidge & Co.,
Medford, Mass. Boston.
_Ocean Telegraph_ 1492 Willis J. O. Curtis, S. G. Reed & Co.,
Medford, Mass. Boston.
_Rattler_ 794 Forrest Forster & Borze, D. Stewart,
Baltimore Baltimore.
_Robin Hood_ 1185 Sears Hayden & Cudworth, Howe & Crowell,
Medford, Mass. Boston.
_Sancho Panza_ 850 Friend John E. Lodge,
Medford, Mass. Boston.
_Saracen_ 1266 Barry Briggs Brothers, Curtis & Peabody,
South Boston Boston.
_Sierra Nevada_ 1942 Penhallow Toby & Littlefield, Glidden & Williams,
Portsmouth, N. H. Boston.
_Starlight_ 1150 Matthews Briggs Brothers, Baker & Morrell,
South Boston, Boston.
_Starr King_ 1170 Turner George W. Jackman, Bates & Thaxter,
Newburyport, Mass. Boston.
_Swallow_ 1435 Tucker Robert E. Jackson, W. T. Dugan,
East Boston. New York.

1855

_Andrew Jackson_ 1676 Williams Irons & Grinnell, J. H. Brower & Co.,
Mystic, Conn. New York.
_Beacon Light_ 1320 Barwell J. A. Stetson,
Chelsea, Mass. Boston.
_Carrier Dove_ 1694 Conner J. Abraham, Montell & Co.,
Baltimore. Baltimore.
_Charmer_ 1060 Lucas George W. Jackman, Burt & Wildes,
Newburyport, Mass. Boston.
_Courier_ 1025 Smith Foster & Elliott,
Newburyport, Mass. New York.
_Daring_ 1097 Simonson George W. Jackman, Bush & Comstock,
Newburyport, Mass. Boston.
_Electric Spark_ 1215 Howes Thacher & Magoun, Magoun & Co.,
Medford, Mass. Boston.
_Golden Fleece_ 1538 Manson Paul Curtis, Weld & Baker,
East Boston. Boston.
_Herald of the Morning_ 1300 Baker Thacher & Magoun, Magoun & Co.,
Medford, Mass. Boston.
_Mary Whitridge_ 978 Cheesebrough Hunt & Wagner, T. Whitridge,
Baltimore. Baltimore.
_Noonday_ 1177 Gerry Fernald & Pettigrew, Henry Hastings,
Portsmouth, N. H. Boston.
_Ocean Express_ 1699 Cunningham J. O. Curtis, Reed & Wade,
Medford, Mass. Boston.
_War Hawk_ 1067 Simmons George W. Jackman, Captain and others,
Newburyport, Mass. Boston.

1856

_Alarm_ 1184 Matthews Briggs Brothers, Baker & Morrell,
South Boston. Boston.
_Euterpe_ 1984 Avery H. Merriman, Foster & Nickerson,
Rockland, Me. New York.
_Florence_ 1310 Dumaresq Samuel Hall, Jr., R. B. & John M. Forbes,
East Boston, Boston.
_Flying Mist_ 1150 Fennell J. O. Curtis, T. Chase & Co.,
Medford, Mass. Boston.
_Intrepid_ 1173 Gardner William H. Webb, Bucklin & Crane,
New York. New York.

_Mary L. Sutton_ 1450 Rowland Charles Mallory, Charles Mallory,
Mystic, Conn. Mystic, Conn.

_Norseman_ 820 Haskell R. E. Jackson, Cunningham Brothers,
East Boston. Boston.

_Witch of the Wave_ 1200 Todd Titcomb & Co.,
Portsmouth, N. H. Newburyport, Mass.

1857

_Black Hawk_ 1108 Bowers William H. Webb, Bucklin & Crane,
New York. New York.

_Black Hawk_ 970 Shoof J. Currier, M. Devenport & Co.,
Newburyport, Mass. Newburyport, Mass.

_Hotspur_ 862 Porter Roosevelt & Joyce, Wisner, McCready & Co.,
New York. New York.

_Twilight_ 1482 Gates Charles Mallory, G. Gates & Co.,
Mystic, Conn. Mystic, Conn.

Appendix II

RECORD PASSAGES OF THE CALIFORNIA CLIPPER SHIPS MADE IN 110 DAYS OR LESS FROM 1850 TO 1860, INCLUSIVE

1850

PORT OF ARRIVAL AT
SHIP DEPARTURE SAN FRANCISCO DAYS

_Celestial_ New York November 1 104 _Race Horse_ Boston November 24 109 _Samuel Russell_ New York May 1 109 _Sea Witch_ New York July 24 97

1851

_Challenge_ New York October 29 108 _Flying Cloud_ New York August 31 89 _N. B. Palmer_ New York August 21 106 _Raven_ Boston November 19 105 _Sea Witch_ New York November 20 110 _Seaman_ New York March 11 107 _Stag-Hound_ New York May 26 107 _Surprise_ New York March 19 96 _Typhoon_ New York November 18 106 _Witchcraft_ New York August 11 103

1852

_Celestial_ New York February 17 106 _Comet_ New York January 13 103 _Courser_ Boston April 28 108 _Eclipse_ New York April 22 104 _Northern Light_ Boston March 8 109 _Sea Witch_ New York December 8 108 _Staffordshire_ Boston August 13 101 _Sword-Fish_ New York February 10 90 _Flying Fish_ Boston February 17 98 _John Bertram_ Boston March 26 105 _Shooting Star_ Boston August 17 105 _White Squall_ New York July 29 110 _Wild Pigeon_ New York January 28 104 _Sovereign of the Seas_ New York November 15 103

1853

_Bald Eagle_ New York April 11 107 _Contest_ New York February 24 108 _Contest_ New York October 24 97 _Flying Cloud_ New York August 12 105 _Flying Dutchman_ New York January 27 104 _Flying Dutchman_ New York October 7 106 _Flying Fish_ New York February 1 92 _Golden Age_ (barque) Boston May 31 103 _Golden Gate_ New York March 20 102 _Hornet_ New York August 12 105 _Invincible_ New York September 9 110 _John Gilpin_ New York February 2 93 _Meteor_ Boston March 10 110 _Oriental_ New York May 7 100 _Phantom_ Boston April 21 104 _Rebekah_ (barque) Baltimore May 10 106 _Sea Serpent_ New York June 1 107 _Sword-Fish_ New York May 30 105 _Storm_ (barque) New York April 10 109 _Tornado_ New York May 2 109 _Trade-Wind_ New York February 24 102 _Westward Ho_ Boston February 1 103 _Witchcraft_ New York July 8 110 _Winged Racer_ New York March 30 105 _Young America_ New York August 29 110

1854

_Archer_ New York April 29 106 _Challenger_ Boston June 9 110 _Courier_ Boston April 28 108 _David Brown_ New York March 23 98 _Eagle_ New York February 16 103 _Eagle Wing_ Boston April 5 106 _Flying Cloud_ New York April 20 89 _Golden City_ New York February 8 105 _Herald of the Morning_ Boston May 7 106 _Hurricane_ New York September 4 99 _Matchless_ Boston February 8 109 _Pamparo_ New York January 25 105 _Polynesia_ New York April 10 104 _Ringleader_ Boston February 8 109 _Romance of the Seas_ Boston March 23 96 _Samuel Russell_ New York January 20 106 _San Francisco_ New York February 8 105 _Stag-Hound_ New York August 14 110 _Westward Ho_ New York February 28 106 _Witchcraft_ New York August 15 97 _Young America_ New York October 20 110

1855

_Boston Light_ Boston April 11 102 _Cleopatra_ New York March 4 107 _Don Quixote_ Boston March 29 108 _Electric_ New York March 4 109 _Flying Cloud_ New York June 6 108 _Flying Fish_ Boston January 10 109 _Flying Fish_ Boston December 27 105 _Golden Eagle_ New York August 25 106 _Governor Morton_ New York April 2 104 _Greenfield_ (barque) New York May 6 110 _Herald of the Morning_ New York May 16 99 _Meteor_ Boston August 30 108 _Neptune’s Car_ New York April 25 100 _Red Rover_ New York June 13 107 _Telegraph_ Boston April 9 109 _Westward Ho_ Boston April 24 100

1856

_Antelope_ New York March 15 97 _David Brown_ New York April 28 103 _Don Quixote_ Boston May 31 108 _Electric Spark_ Boston April 9 106 _Flyaway_ New York April 8 106 _Mary L. Sutton_ New York July 20 110 _North Wind_ Boston July 21 110 _Phantom_ New York April 29 101 _Red Rover_ New York April 7 110 _Reporter_ New York March 27 107 _Ringleader_ Boston February 3 106 _Sweepstakes_ New York May 25 94 _Tornado_ New York March 27 110 _Wild Hunter_ Boston April 29 108 _Young America_ New York October 14 107

1857

_Andrew Jackson_ New York February 28 100 _Flying Dragon_ New York April 10 97 _Flying Dutchman_ New York September 10 102 _Flying Fish_ Boston October 2 100 _John Land_ New York July 30 104 _Reporter_ New York April 17 110 _Westward Ho_ New York March 26 100

1858

_Andrew Jackson_ New York April 27 103 _Dashing Wave_ New York August 18 107 _Don Quixote_ New York March 4 108 _Esther May_ Boston May 19 103 _John Land_ New York July 24 108 _Twilight_ New York April 16 100

1859

_Andrew Jackson_ New York April 5 102 _Robin Hood_ New York March 25 107 _Sierra Nevada_ New York December 17 97 _Young America_ New York July 24 105

1860

_Andrew Jackson_ New York March 23 89 _Archer_ New York March 18 106 _Lookout_ New York February 20 108 _Mary L. Sutton_ New York May 12 103 _Ocean Telegraph_ New York March 13 109 _White Swallow_ New York August 7 110

During the forty-five years that have elapsed since the close of the Civil War a large number of sailing ships have been built for the California trade, and it is a notable fact that only two of these vessels made the passage from an Atlantic port to San Francisco in less than one hundred days. The _Seminole_, built by Maxon & Fish at Mystic, Connecticut, in 1865, arrived at San Francisco from New York, March 10, 1866, in 96 days, and the _Glory of the Seas_, already mentioned as the last ship built by Donald McKay, made the same voyage, arriving at San Francisco, January 18, 1874, in 94 days.

The two most successful ships in after years were the _David Crockett_ and _Young America_. Both were built in 1853, and both continued in the San Francisco trade until 1883, during which time the _David Crockett_ made her best twelve passages from New York to San Francisco in an average of 109-7/12 days each, her best being 102 days in 1872. The _Young America_, during this period also made twelve passages in an average of 110-7/12 days each, her best being 102 days in 1880.

As these ships were by many years the oldest survivors of the California clippers, there was a good deal of rivalry between them, and their records show that they were very evenly matched. It should, however, be remembered that about the year 1860 their spars and canvas were considerably reduced and that they were fitted with double topsail yards, all of which hampered their speed in moderate weather. Indeed, they resembled two faded beauties who in their youth had been rival belles.

Appendix III

CHINA TEA CLIPPERS, 1859-1869

SHIP TONS CONSTRUCTION BUILDER YEAR

_Falcon_ 937 Wood Robert Steele & Sons, Greenock 1859 _Isle of the South_ 821 “ Laing & Co., Sunderland 1859 _Fiery Cross_ 888 “ Chalour & Co., Liverpool 1860 _Min_ 629 “ Robert Steele & Sons, Greenock 1861 _Kelso_ 556 “ Pile & Co., Sunderland 1861 _Belted Will_ 812 “ Feel & Co., Workington 1863 _Serica_ 708 “ Robert Steele & Sons, Greenock 1863 _Taeping_ 767 Composite Robert Steele & Sons, Greenock 1863 _Eliza Shaw_ 696 “ Alexander Stephen, Glasgow 1863 _Yang-tze_ 688 “ Alexander Hall, Aberdeen 1863 _Black Prince_ 750 “ Alexander Hall, Aberdeen 1863 _Ariel_ 853 “ Robert Steele & Sons, Greenock 1865 _Ada_ 686 “ Alexander Hall, Aberdeen 1865 _Sir Launcelot_ 886 “ Robert Steele & Sons, Greenock 1865 _Taitsing_ 815 “ Connell & Co., Glasgow 1865 _Titania_ 879 “ Robert Steele & Sons, Greenock 1866 _Spindrift_ 899 “ Connell & Co., Glasgow 1867 _Forward_ Ho 943 “ Alexander Stephen, Glasgow 1867

SHIP TONS CONSTRUCTION BUILDER YEAR

_Leander_ 883 Composite Lawrie & Co., Glasgow 1867 _Lahloo_ 779 “ Robert Steele & Sons, Greenock 1867 _Thermopylæ_ 947 “ Walter Hood, Aberdeen 1868 _Windhover_ 847 “ Connell & Co., Glasgow 1868 _Cutty Sark_ 921 “ Scott & Co., Dumbarton 1868 _Caliph_ 914 “ Alexander Hall, Aberdeen 1869 _Wylo_ 799 “ Robert Steele & Sons, Greenock 1869 _Kaisow_ 795 “ Robert Steele & Sons, Greenock 1869 _Lothair_ 794 “ Walker & Son, London 1869

Appendix IV

RULES FOR TONNAGE MEASUREMENTS

The English system of measuring the tonnage of vessels in the eighteenth century is given in Falconer’s _Marine Dictionary_, 1780, as follows:

“To determine the burden, or, in other words, the tonage, of a ship, it is usual to multiply the length of keel into the extreme breadth of the ship within board, taken along the midship beam, and multiplying the product by the depth in the hold from the plank joining to the keelson upwards to the main-deck, and divide the last product by 94; then will the quotient be the burden required, in tons.”

This rule continued in force till 1819, when it was changed by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty as follows:

“Multiply the length of the keel by the breadth of beam, and that product by half the breadth of beam, and divide the last product by 94, and the quotient will be the tonnage” (_Marine Dictionary_, William Burney, LL.D., 1830). Dr. Burney remarks: “It appears from the general construction of merchant ships, that more attention is paid to evade the tax on tonnage than to their sailing well with the wind in different directions; and if the real tonnage of ships were taken, an alteration would soon be made in the construction for the better.”

This form of the rule continued until 1842, when by Act of Parliament the following method was adopted:

“Divide the length of the upper deck between the after part of the stem and the fore part of the stern-post into six equal parts. Depths: at the foremost, the middle, and the aftermost of these points of division, measure in feet and decimal parts of a foot the depths from the under side of the upper deck to the ceiling at the limber strake. In the case of a break in the upper deck, the depths are to be measured from a line stretched in a continuation of the deck. Breadths: Divide each of those three depths into five equal parts, and measure the inside breadths at the following points--viz., at one fifth and at four fifths from the upper deck of the foremost and aftermost depths, and at two fifths and four fifths from the upper deck of the midship depth. Length: At half the midship depth, measure the length of the vessel from the after part of the stem to the fore part of the stem-post; then, to twice the midship depth add the foremost and the aftermost depths; add together the upper and lower breadths at the foremost division, three times the upper breadth, and the lower breadth, at the midship division and the upper and twice the lower breadth at the after division, for the sum of the breadths; then multiply the sum of the depths by the sum of the breadths, and this product by the length, and divide the final product by three thousand five hundred, which will give the number of tons for register” (Young’s _Marine Dictionary_, 1846).

In 1854 this rule was changed by the Merchant Shipping Act, which provided that the actual cubic contents of a vessel’s hull should be measured, a registered ton being reckoned as 100 cubic feet. This is known as the Moorsom system, and is still in use and likely to continue. It was adopted by the United States in 1865; Denmark, 1867; Austria, 1871; Germany, France, and Italy, 1873; Spain, 1874; and Sweden, 1875.

The old practice of calculating tonnage in the United States was adapted from the English, and the mode of measurement was as follows:

The length was measured on deck from the fore part of the stem to the after part of the stern-post; the breadth from outside to outside planking at the broadest part of the vessel; the depth of the hold from the plank on deck to the ceiling of the hold. This last measurement was not used, the depth of a vessel for tonnage purposes being assumed to be one half of her breadth. In order to find the tonnage, three fifths of the breadth were deducted from the length and the remainder multiplied by the breadth, and this product multiplied by one half the breadth, or the assumed depth, the last product was then divided by 95, giving the formula:

(L - ⅗ B) × B × ½ B/95

Thus in a vessel measuring 100 ft. x 20 ft. x 18 ft.:

Length of vessel 100

Subtract ⅗ breadth 12 ------ Length for measurement 88

Multiply by the breadth 20
------
1760

Multiply by half breadth 10
------
17,600

Divide 17,600 by 95 and

the result is 185 + 12/19

Total tonnage 185 + 12/19

This mode of measurement continued from colonial times until the Moorsom system was adopted in 1865.

The dimensions of ten representative American and British clippers were as follows:

Length Breadth

_Nightingale_ (1851) 178 “ 36 “

American _Oriental_ (1849) 183 ft. 36 ft.

_Celestial_ (1850) 158 “ 34 “ 6 in.

_Stag-Hound_ (1850) 209 “ 39 “

_Flying Dutchman_ (1852) 187 “ 38 “ 6 in.

British _Falcon_ (1859) 191 “ 4 in. 32 “ 2 in.

_Taitsing_ (1865) 192 “ 31 “ 5 in.

_Titania_ (1866) 200 “ 35 “

_Spindrift_ (1867) 219 “ 4 in. 35 “ 6 in.

_Thermopylæ_ (1868) 210 “ 36 “

Although these British ships show less breadth than the American, yet they have more breadth in proportion to length than the earlier British clippers, such as the _Stornoway_ (1850), _Lord of the Isles_ (1855), etc.

INDEX

Vessels not otherwise designated are American

A

_Abbot Lawrence_, medium clipper ship, 255, 256, 258

_Abergeldie_, British clipper ship, 205

Abrahams, J., builder, Baltimore, 357, 362

Abrahams & Ashcroft, owners, Baltimore, 357

_Achilles_, British iron screw steamer, 332

Ackley, Samuel, builder N. Y., 16, 17

_Ada_, Brit. clipper ship, tea-trade, 325-6, 371

Adamson & Bell, China merchants, 325

_Adelaide_, packet ship, 44

---- clipper ship, 298, 360

---- British iron screw steamer, 286

_Admiral Gardner_, Brit. E. Indiamen, 25

_Adriatic_, Collins Line S. S., 49, 250;
med. clipper ship, 258

_Ajax_, Brit. iron screw steamer, 332

_Akbar_, clipper ship, China trade, 62, 138

_Alarm_, Cal. clipper ship, 289, 299, 363

_Albert Gallatin_, packet ship, 42, 48, 142

_Albion_, packet ship, 38

_Alert_, Cal. clipper ship, 350

_Alexander Marshall_, packet ship, 41

_Alfred_, Brit. ship, 36-37

_Alhambra_, med. clipper ship, 258, 291

Allen, Wm. H., N. Y. packet captain, 44

_Alliance_, U. S. frigate, 1778, 6, 7

Alsop & Co., S. Francisco, agents of _Challenge_, 187

_Amelia Packet_, Brit. barque, 180

_America_, Brit. fifty-gun frigate, built at Portsmouth, N. H., 9

_Amos Lawrence_, med. clipper ship, 255

_Amphitrite_, Cal. clipper ship, 232, 256

_Andrew Jackson_, Cal. med. clipper ship, 253, 295; 362;
89 days to S. Francisco, 144, 178, 296, 300, 369;
other records, 247, 295, 297, 298, 368

Andrews, Capt., later ship, 341;
_Red Gauntlet_, 359

_Anglo-American_, packet ship, 56

_Anglo-Saxon_, packet ship, 56

_Angola_, clipper schooner, opium trade, 58

_Ann McKim_, first clipper ship built, 60-2

_Antarctic_, ship, 56

_Antelope_, clipper brig, opium trade, 58, 59, 138

---- Cal. clipper ship, 353;
records, 290, 296, 298, 299, 368

Appleton, Wm., ship-owner, Boston, 361

_Archer_, Cal. clipper ship, 248, 356;
records, 248, 298, 299, 367, 369

_Architect_, clipper ship, 70

_Arctic_, Collins Line S. S., 309

Arey, Capt., _Spitfire_, 359

_Argo_, Brit., first merchant ship with steam power to circumnavigate the globe, 287

_Argonaut_, clipper ship, 196

_Ariel_, clipper schooner, opium trade, 58

---- clipper ship, China trade, 68

---- Cal. clipper ship, 353

---- Brit. clipper ship, tea trade, 324, 347, 371;
racer, 324-30, 332-3, 335

_Aristides_, Brit. ship, Australian trade, 333

_Arizona_, S. S., 278

_Aryan_, last Amer. wooden sailing ship, 1893, 340

_Ashburton_, N. Y. packet, 41, 54

_Atlanta_, clipper ship, Cal. trade, 298, 299

_Atlantic_, first Amer. ship in India, 12-13

_Aurora_, ship, 236, 299

_Austerlitz_, ship, 193

Austin & Co., builders, Damariscotta, Me., 356

_Australian_, Brit. screw steamer, 286

Avery, Capt., _Euterpe_, 363

Aymer & Co., owners, N. Y., 359

B

Babcock, Col. Harry, 160

---- Maj. Paul, 84, 160

---- Capt. David S., 84;
_Sword Fish_, 160-1, 213, 352;
_Young America_, 233, 360

Bacon, Daniel C., owner, 135, 349;
Pres. Amer. Nav. Club, 202-4

---- D. G. & W. B., owners, 304, 358

Bailey, Capt., _Yorkshire_, 46

Baines, James, owner, L’pool, 342

---- & Co., L’pool, Australian Black Ball Line, 266, 268, 272;
vessels for, 273, 284

Baker, Capt., 352, 357, 363

Baker & Morrill, owners, Boston, 352, 355, 357, 361, 363

_Bald Eagle_, Cal. clipper ship, 216, 237, 343, 353;
story of race, 200-2;
records, 299, 300, 366

_Baltic_, med. clipper ship, 258

---- Collins Line S. S., 309

Baltimore, ship-building, 54, 60-62, 70, 136, 254, 350, 357, 362

_Baltimore_, Havre packet ship, 41

Bangs, Benj., owner, Boston, 360

Barclay & Livingston, owners, N. Y., 159, 352

Baring Bros. & Co., 203-4

_Barrington_, ship, 193

Barry, Commodore, 11

Barry, Capt., _Saracen_, 361

Barstow, Gideon, of E. Boston Timber Co., 49

Barstow, Capt., 351, 354

Bartlett, Capt., 352

Barwell, Capt., 362

Bates & Thaxter, owners, Boston, 362

Bath, Me., ship-building, 105, 152, 351, 353, 357

_Bavaria_, packet ship, 48

Baxter, Capt., _Nabob_, 361

_Beacon Light_, Cal. clipper ship, 362

Beauchamp, Capt. Isaac, _Defender_, 255

_Beauregard_, Confederate privateer, 14

_Beaver_, ship, China trade, 17

Bell, Jacob, builder, N. Y., 47, 136, 152, 164, 216, 352, 354, 358, 360;
_see_ Brown

Bell & Co., builders, Baltimore, 136, 350

_Belle of the Sea_, clipper ship, Australian trade, 284

_Belle of the West_, Cal. clipper ship, 299, 356

_Belted Will_, Brit. clipper ship, tea trade, 320, 371

_Ben Nevis_, Brit. clipper ship, Australian trade, 266, 268

_Benefactor_, clipper barque, China trade, 209

_Bengal_, ship, 193

Benjamin, Capt., _Helena_, 62

Bennett, Capt., _Oliver Ellsworth_, 16

Bergh, Christian, builder, N. Y., 17, 47, 48

Berry, Capt., _Courser_, 350

Bertram, Capt. John, Salem, 141, 166-8

Best days’ run, 69, 70, 178, 179, 207, 220, 221, 228, 266, 278, 281, 295, 320, 327, 330, 334, 336, 338

Bishop, J., & Co., owners, N. Y., 358

Black Ball Line, N. Y., L’pool packets, 38, 39-40, 41, 42;
vessels, 38, 41, 52;
flag, 42;
match, 45;
captains, 39-40;
discipline, 44, 73

Australian clippers, _see_ James Baines & Co.

_Black Hawk_, Cal. clipper ships (Webb), 291, 364;
(Currier), 364

_Black Prince_, Brit. clipper ship, tea trade, 322, 371;
race, 325-6

---- Cal. clipper ship, 360

_Black Warrior_, Cal. clipper ship, 356

_Blenheim_, Brit. merchant frigate, 36

_Blessing of the Bay_, colonial barque, 1631, 2

_Blue Jacket_, clipper ship, Australian trade, 270;
later ship, 341

_Bombay_, Brit. E. Indiaman, 34

_Bonita_, Cal. clipper ship, 356

Bordman, Wm. H., Amer. Nav. Club, 202

Borland, Capt., _Gauntlet_, 357

Borrows & Spooner, owners, N. Y., 84

_Boston_, packet ship, 52

_Boston Light_, clipper ship, 253, 300, 356

Boston & Liverpool Packet Company, 51-2

Bowditch, Nath., navigator, 141

Bowers, Capt., _Black Hawk_, 364

Boyd, Col. Geo., 1767, 53

Boyd, F., & Co., owners, Boston, 359

_Brenda_, packet ship, 52

Brewster, Capt. Geo., 249, 356

Brewster, Capt. Wm., 227

_Briganza_, ship, eighteenth century, 16

Briggs Brothers (E. & H. O.), builders, South Boston, 50-1;
Cal. clippers, 152, 163, 233, 351-63

_Brighton_, packet ship, 40

_Britannia_, Black Ball packet ship, 38, 43, 47, 73

Britton, Capt. John, _Constitution_, 43

_Brookline_, ship, 52

Brower, J. H., & Co., owners, N. Y., 295, 361, 362

Brown, Adam & Noah, builders, 17

---- Charles, builder, N. Y., 17

---- David, of Brown & Bell, 47

---- Vernon H., owner, 303

---- Bates & Delano, builders, E. Boston, 50

---- & Bell, builders, N. Y., 47-8, 53, 58, 63, 70, 72

Brown, Capt., 359, 360

Bryant & Sturgis, owners, Boston, 52

_Bucephalus_, Brit. frigate, 36

_Buckinghamshire_, Brit. E. Indiaman, 32, 34

Bucklin & Crane, owners of first Cal. clipper ship, N. Y., 135, 159, 349, 350, 363, 364

Burgess, _see_ Snow, owners, 304

Burgess, Capt., 349, 355

Burgoyne, Capt., _Titania_, 347

Bursley, Capt. Ira, 43, 350, 356

Bush & Comstock, owners, Boston, 360, 362

Bush & Wildes, owners, Boston, 362

C

_Cairngorm_, Brit. clipper ship, China trade, 208

_Cairo_, ship, Boston, 54

_Caledonia_, ship, 47

_Calhoun_, ship, 47

_California_, Pacific Mail, S. S., 103

_Caliph_, Brit. clipper ship, tea trade, 332, 372

Callahan, Capt., _Storm King_, 359

_Cambria_, N. Y., packet ship, 40

_Cambridge_, N. Y. packet ship, 41

Cameron, R. W.’s Australian line, 284, 304

_Canada_, N. Y. packet ship, 38, 47

---- Cunard S. S., 221, 309

Canfield, Capt., 351, 354

_Canning_, Brit. E. Indiaman, 32, 34

_Canvasback_, Cal. clipper ship, 250, 360

_Capitol_, ship, 193

_Carmelite_, ship, 1807, 17-18

_Carnatic_, Brit. ship, 36

_Carrier Dove_, Cal. clipper ship, 253, 362

_Castle Eden_, Brit. ship, 36

_Cathay_, _Kathay_, Cal. clipper ship, 232, 358

Cave, Capt., _Panama_, 358

_Celestial_, Cal. clipper ship, first to be launched, 135, 136, 159, 349;
records, 145-6, 229, 300, 365

_Celestial Empire_, Cal. clipper ship, 353

_Challenge_, Cal. clipper ship, 152, 156, 164, 174, 222, 337, 350; vicious crew, 77, 181-9; in China trade, 196-7, 206-7; records, 181, 299, 301, 365

_Challenger_, Brit. clipper ship, tea trade, 206;
race, 206-7

---- Cal. clipper ship, 271, 356, 367

Chamberlain & Co., owners, N. Y., 351

Chamberlain & Heyser, owners, N. Y., 351, 355

_Chariot of Fame_, med. clipper ship, Australian trade, 270

_Charles Carroll_, packet ship, 41

_Charles Grant_, Brit. E. Indiaman, 32

_Charles H. Marshall_, N. Y., pilot boat, 305

_Charlestown_, ship, South American trade, 161

_Charmer_, Cal. clipper ship, 253, 254, 362

---- later ship, 341

Chase, T., & Co., owners, Boston, 363

Chase & Tappan, owners, Boston, 357

Cheesborough, Capt. Robt. B., 254, 363

_Chinaman_, clipper ship, 325-6, 346

_Chrysolite_, Brit. clipper ship, tea trade, 199, 202, 205, 206-7

Chrystall, James, British owner, 35

_City of Glasgow_, Inman Line, S. S., 314

_City of Pekin_, Pacific S. S., 86

Clarke, Capt., _Canvasback_, 360

_Cleopatra_, Cal. clipper ship, 216, 353;
records, 253, 299, 367

_Climax_, Cal. clipper ship, 298, 353

Coggin, Capt., _Panparo_, 358

Coleman, Wm. T., & Co., owners, N. Y., 106

Collins, E. K., manager of Dramatic Line, 40, 43

---- Capt. John, _Shakespeare_, 43

Collins Line S. S., 250, 271, 309, 312

Collyer, Thos., & Mm., builders, N. Y., 49, 232, 358

_Columbia_, 1773, first Amer. ship to sail round globe, 14, 51

---- N. Y. packet ship, 38, 40, 43;
No. 2, 48

_Columbus_, N. Y., packet ship, 41, 43, 45, 52

_Comet_, Cal. clipper ship, 152, 153, 159, 193, 337, 343, 350;
records, 213, 224, 227, 297, 299, 365;
China passage, 208;
Australian trade, 283

---- later ship, 340

_Commodore Perry_, ship, Australian trade, 273

Composite build, 321-2, 371-2

Condry, Dennis, owner of _Delia Walker_, 53-5

_Congress_, ship, 47

Connell & Co., builders, Glasgow, 324, 371, 372

Conner, Capt., _Carrier Dove_, 362

_Constant Warwick_, first frigate built, 5

_Constantine_, packet ship, 141

_Contest_, Cal. clipper ship, 216, 227, 344, 353;
records, 224, 296, 297, 299, 366;
race with _Northern Light_, 227

---- Brit. ship, 267

Coolidge & Co., owners, Boston, 361

Cooper & Slicer, owners, Baltimore, 359

Cope, Thos., Phila., owner of packet line, 40

Copper fastened, 10, 30, 33, 34, 61, 285;
sheathed, 61, 285, 320, 322

_Coquette_, clipper barque, China trade, 64

_Corinthian_, packet ship, 40

_Cornelia_, ship, 48

_Cornelius Grinnell_, packet ship, 42, 56, 141, 236

_Cornwallis_, ship, 193

_Cortes_, N. Y. packet ship, 40

_Courier_, packet ship, 1816, 38

---- early clipper ship, 1842, 54, 62, 162

---- Cal. clipper ship, 1855, 298, 363, 367

_Courser_, Boston packet ship, 52

---- Cal. clipper ship, 299, 350, 366

Cox, J. W. builder, Robbinston, Me., 233, 359

Creesy, Capt. Josiah P., boyhood, 153-5;
_Oneida_, 155;
_Flying Cloud_, 153, 211, 248-9, 253-4, 297, 351;
race, 214-15;
“obituary,” 222-3;
Mrs. Creesy, 306

_Creole_, N. Orleans packet ship, 41

_Cressy_, Brit. ship, 36

_Crest of the Wave_, Brit. clipper ship, 208

Crocker & Warren, owners, N. Y., 304, 356, 359

Crosby, Capt., _Kingfisher_, 358

Crowell, Capt., _Boston Light_, 356

Crowell & Brooks, owners, Boston, 360;
_see_ Howes

Crowninshield, Jacob, owner, Salem, 13

Cunningham, Capt., 354, 363

---- Bros., owners, Boston, 364

---- & Sons, 354

Cunningham’s rolling topsails, 163

Currier, John, Jr., builder, Newburyport, 52, 68, 232, 357, 364

---- & McKay, 53-4

---- & Townsend, 52, 243, 354

Curtis, J. O., builder, Medford, 52, 152, 216, 352, 355, 357, 361, 363

---- Paul, builder, Chelsea, 136, 350;
E. Boston, 216, 350, 353, 354, 355, 359, 362

Curtis & Peabody, owners, Boston, 354, 356, 361

Cutler, Capt. Benj. F., _Mary Whitridge_, 254

Cutting, Capt. Robt. C., packet ship _Adelaide_, 44

Cutting, Francis B., part owner of _Dreadnought_, N. Y., 244

_Cutty Sark_, Brit. clipper ship, tea trade, 332, 336, 346, 372

_Cyclone_, Cal. clipper ship, 300, 356

D

Dale, Capt Fleetwood, 353

_Daniel Webster_, packet ship, 56

Daniels, Geo., owner, Boston, 233, 303

_Daring_, Cal. clipper ship, 253, 362

_Dashing Wave_, Cal. clipper ship, 356, 369

_Dauntless_, Cal. clipper ship, 343, 363

_David Brown_, Cal. clipper ship, 232, 356;
records, 248, 290, 296, 297, 298, 367, 368

_David Crockett_, Cal. clipper ship, 232, 356, 369-70

_David Malcolm_, Brit. ship, 36

Dean, Capt. Stewart, sloop _Enterprise_, 1785, 6

Deas, Capt., _Ganges_, 200-1

Decline of American shipping, 290, 292-3, 314-17, 341

_Defender_, med. clipper ship, 255-6, 300

De Horsey, Capt. of H. M. S. _Brisk_, 251-2

Delano, Capt., _Ariel_, 353

---- Capt. Joseph, packets, 43

---- Warren, owner, Boston, 70; Amer. Nav. Club, 202

_Delia Walker_, ship, 53, 54

Dent & Co., owners, China, 59

Depaw, Francis, owner of Havre packet line, 41

De Peyster, Capt. F. A., packets, 43, 45

Derby, Elias Haskett, Salem merchant, eighteenth century, 12-13;
Jr., Capt., _Atlantic_, 12

_Devonshire_, packet ship, 48

“_Diadem_,” Brit. brig., Capt. Johnson’s story, 157-9

“Diving Bell,” _Lord of the Isles_, 209

Doane, Capt. Justin, 225, 354, 360

Donald McKay, clipper ship, Australian trade, 273, 280, 346

_Don Quixote_, packet ship, 41

---- Cal. clipper ship, 357;
records, 253, 299, 367, 368, 369

_Dorchester_, Boston ship, 54

_Dorsetshire_, Brit. E. Indiaman, 32

Douglas, Mr., chief officer on _Challenge_, 182-3

_Dragon_, Brit. E. Indiaman, 23, 32

Dramatic Line, 40, 42, 45

_Draper_, 18th cent. ship, 16

_Dreadnought_, 44, 235, 243-7

_Duchesse d’Orléans_, Havre packet ship, 41

_Duke of York_, Brit. E. Indiaman, 32

Dumaresq, Capt. Phillip, 62, 71, 138, 175, 205, 233, 289, 297, 350, 353, 359, 363

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_Eagle_, N. Y. packet ship, 38

---- Cal. clipper ship, 297, 299, 350, 367

_Eagle Wing_, Cal. clipper ship, 357, 367

_Earl of Balcarras_, largest ship of Brit. E. India Co., 32, 33, 34

_Echo_, early N. Y. ship, 16

Eckford, Henry, builder, N. Y., 17, 47

_Eclipse_, Cal. clipper ship, 136, 175-6, 211, 349, 364

---- later ship, 340

_Edward Everett_, ship, 255

_Edwin Forrest_, Cal. clipper ship, 357

Elder, Randolph & Co., builders, 347

Eldridge, Capt. Asa, 43, 247, 271

---- Capt. John, 43, 271

Eldridge, Capt. Oliver, 43, 64, 70, 271

_Electric_, Cal. clipper ship, 299, 300, 360, 367

_Electric Spark_, Cal. clipper ship, 299, 362, 368

_Eliza Shaw_, Brit. clipper ship, tea trade, 322, 371

Ellis, Capt., 241

Emanuel, _see_ Wells

_Emily C. Starr_, barque, 345

_Empress of the Seas_, Cal. clipper ship, 232-3, 357

Englis, John, 149

Enright, Capt. Anthony, _Chrysolite_, 199

_Erie_, Havre packet ship, 41

_Erl King_, Brit. auxiliary steamer, China trade, 331

_Espirito Santo_, 78-9

Esterbrook, Capt., _Winged Racer_, 355

_Esther May_, clipper ship, 369

_Ethiopian_, Brit. ship in Australian trade, 333

_Eureka_, Cal. clipper ship, 351

_Euterpe_, Cal. clipper ship, 289, 363

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