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][a]
Notable passages
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
- ^ 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
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b 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) - ^ "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.
External links
- Sovereign of the Seas, Springfield Museum, Currier and Ives lithograph
- Painting of clipper ship Sovereign of the Seas, San Francisco Public Library