Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1883-12-27
Miscellaneous.
Speed of the Old Clippers.

That clipper epoch was an epoch to be
proud Of. And We were proud Of il. lhe
New York newspapers abounded in such
headlines IN large type these: Quick
est Trip on Record" Shortest Passage 10
San Francisco" Unparalleled Speed. "
Quickest Voyage Yet" "A Clipper as T. a
Clipper" Extraordinary Dispatch The
Quickest VOYAGE to China, The Contest Of
the Clippers Great Passage from san
Francisco" Race Round the World" The
clipper ship Surprise, built IN East Boston
by Mr.. Hail, and owned BY \. \. Low and
Brother having sailed to San Francisco IN
ninety-sX days-then the shortest time on
record Mr.. w. II. Aspinwail'> SEA Witch
had run the course in ninety seven davs)-a
San Francisco journal said "One Of cur
most distinguished merchants made bet
with friend some weeks since that the Str-
DriSe would make the passage IN ninetv-six
dass-lu>t the time She has consumed To a
dal. Yesterday morning. full Of confidence.
he mounted hi, old nag. an rode over TO
the north beach to get the first glimpse Of
the looked-ior clipper. The fog, however,
was rather thick outside, and after looking
While he turned back 10 town, but had not
arrived at ms counting room before ne heard
that the Surprise had passed the Golden
Gate, and by eleven o'clock. Captain
Dumare>q was IN his old friends counting
room on San>ome street. She ha, brought
1900 tons Of cargo. which MAY be-estimated
at a value of S2OO0 Her manifest s
twenty five feet long" Her greatest run
was PSI miles in twenty -four hours. and she
reeted her ,opsails but twice during the yoy
age of l6.36s miles She soon left San
Francisco for London. bv way of Canton.
and on reaching the English capital her re-
ceipts for freigh,s had entirely paid her co>,
and running expenses. besides netting her
owners clear profit of $50. 900. At Can
ton her freight for London wa, engaged al
&c sterling ton. while the English shin,
were taking their freight at e and "a
ton and ,hi, wa, the second sea.or.,bat th..
preference had been given 10 American shjps
at advanced rates. their shorter passages en-
abling shippers to receive prompt returns
from their investments. to save interest. and
to secure an eariv market. ..If ship..
said a California newspaper. "can be built to
make such trips as this. steamers for iong
passages will be at discount. California
has done mucn toward the commencement
Of new era in ship-builling. when the
heavy, clumsy models of past DAYS have civ
en- way to the new and beautiful one of the
Sunrise and Others of the same build"
"The Californians." said New York news
paper, .are in ecstasies over our clipper
ships. which come and depart ike so MANY
winged Pegasuses. There are now on the
way to the Pacific, and ready TO start for
that portion of the world. as splendid YES
sells as the eve ever rested upon. and com
manded bv men whose knowledge of their
profession can not be excelled. and each de-
termined to do his utmost to be first in this
clipper contest"
The whole country. indeed. was stirred by
the beauty. the speed, and the triumpbs of
these American clippers. The Hououa, Cap
tain Daniel Mckenzie, built by Brown and
Bell for A. A. Low and Brother, made the
trip from Shanghai to New York, in 1850,
in lightweight days, then the shortest ever
made between these ports. The Samuel
Russell. Captain n. B. Palmer. owned by
the same firm, sailed in one day, in 1851. on
her voyage home from Whampoa. China. 3ls
miles. or thirteen and quarter miles an
.hour-a speed greater than had then been
obtained by any ocean steamer. For thirty
'davs in succession, from the Sth of Novem-
Der 10 the 7th of December, she averaged
.26 miles day, covering in that period
122 miles, or one-half the entire distance
etween China and New York. On another
I,casion, while going to Canton. she sailed
y miles in one day. "Now, sir" wrote
}. e of her shippers. 81 humbly submit if
! It is not feat to boast Off that is not