Sovereign_of_the_Seas_(clipper)

<i>Sovereign of the Seas</i> (clipper)

Sovereign of the Seas (clipper)

19th c. American clipper ship

For other ships of this name, see Sovereign of the Seas.

Sovereign of the Seas, a clipper ship built in 1852, was a sailing vessel notable for setting the world record for the fastest sailing ship, with a speed of 22 knots (41 km/h).[2][lower-alpha 1]

Quick Facts History, United States ...

Notable passages

Drawing of Sovereign of the Seas from a 1910 book

Built by Donald McKay of East Boston, Massachusetts, Sovereign of the Seas was the first ship to travel more than 400 nautical miles (740 kilometres) in 24 hours.[3] On the second leg of her maiden voyage, she made a record passage from Honolulu, Hawaii, to New York City in 82 days. She then broke the record to Liverpool, England, making the passage in 13 days 13+1⁄2 hours. In 1853 she was chartered by James Baines of the Black Ball Line, Liverpool for the Australia trade.

Record

In 1854, Sovereign of the Seas recorded the fastest speed for a sailing ship, logging 22 knots (41 km/h).[2]

See also

Notes

  1. Note that this is a very specific record. It applies to a ship in the most literal sense, a three masted, square rigged, sailing vessel. It has been far exceeded by multi-hulled sailing craft and modern monohulls.

References

  1. [1]
    MacGregor, David R (1993). British and American Clippers: A Comparison of their Design, Construction and Performance. London: Conway Maritime Press Limited. ISBN 0-85177-588-8.
  2. [2]
    Octavius T. Howe; Frederick G. Matthews (1986). American Clipper Ships 1833-1858. Vol. 1. New York. ISBN 0-486-25115-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. [3]
    "San Francisco Commerce, Past, Present and Future". Overland Monthly and Out West Magazine. April 1888. p. 370. Retrieved 23 December 2016.

Further reading

  • Lyon, Jane D (1962). Clipper Ships and Captains. New York: American Heritage Publishing.
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