Swordfish (clipper)
Swordfish was an 1851 clipper ship which has been called William H. Webb’s masterpiece. She is known for her record-breaking race to San Francisco with the clipper Flying Fish.
| History | |
|---|---|
.svg.png.webp){kind=small} United States | |
| Name | Swordfish |
| Owner | Barclays & Livingston |
| Builder | William H. Webb |
| Launched | 1851 |
| Fate | Wrecked at the mouth of Yangtze Kiang when her achors were fouled, July 1862 Wreck sold at auction, 26 July 1862 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Extreme clipper |
| Tonnage | 1,036 t (1,020 long tons; 1,142 short tons) |
| Length | 169.6 ft (51.7 m) |
| Beam | 36.6 ft (11.2 m) |
| Draft | 20 ft (6.1 m) |
| Notes | [1] |
Record voyage
“On her first passage out to San Francisco a race was arranged for large stakes between her and the Flying-fish, a Boston record-breaker, built by the great designer, Donald McKay. The Sword-fish won, making the trip in ninety-two days,—the second best record ever made,—her rival taking ninety-eight days.” [2]
The race took place in the fall the Sword Fish sailed out of Boston and the Flying Fish out of New York. The Flying Fish led to the equator by 4 days, but they both went round the Horn neck and neck. The Sword Fish would do the journey in 90 days, the Flying Fish in 98 1/2. Her career best record time to San Francisco was 92 days.[3]
References
- Bruzelius, Lars (1998-08-13). "Sailing Ships: Swordfish (1851)". The Maritime History Virtual Archives. Retrieved Aug 4, 2020.
- Bank of the Manhattan Company, Walton Advertising and Printing Company (1915). Ships and shipping of old New York: a brief account of the interesting ... Boston, Mass.: International Marine. p. 56. ISBN 0-07-014501-6.
- Clarke, Captain Arthur H.; Howe, Dr. O. T. (1913). Some Ships of the Clipper Era. State Street Trust Company. p. 20. Retrieved 3 August 2019.