Morris tribune., 1895-06-05
THE OLD CLIPPER SERVICE.
BY GEORGE e. WALSH.

service, which must soon result in tn
final disappearance of class of sail
ing vessels that cannot be replaced b,
any of our modern craft The clippe
service was an institution that served
its purpose in life nobly, and its doom
must be accepted as one of the inevi
table steps in the progress of civiliza
ton.
In those early days when China
Japan and the orient were not closely
connected with the western world by
lines of fast steamships, the fleet clip
pers were essential factors in trade
An intense rivalry developed between
the owners of the various fast-sailine
craft, and everything that Yankee in
genuity could do was brought into
service to make types of vessels that
would outstrip anything sailing on the
sea. A great incentive to fine ship
building was given by the clipper serv'
ice, and the wonder is even to-day that
such fine lines were drawn for many OF
the large sailing craft.
In a short time heavy bets were made
upon the various clippers, and the win
ner would realize more money from
the wagers than profit from his cargo.
Usually two stanch clippers left China
at the same time, loaded down with a
cargo of tea, and steering direct for
Cape Horn they would make a long,
tireless race for the Atlantic seaboard.
The cargo of tea was so light that it
served merely as necessary ballast,
in, irfa q
sailing of the clippers. Every sail was
set, and the clippers were driven along
by cloud of canvas that would shame
many of our modern pleasure yachts.
Nothing but a tremendous storm would
ever induce the captain to take in the
sails.
No statelier clipper ever sailed the
blue seas than the Alice, of New York.
Early in the forties she had out
classed and outsailed every ship of her
size. She had made thousands of dol
lars for her owners, winning in nearly
every race, and finally earning the
proud name of Mistress of the Sea-"
But there was too much rivalry in
the sarvice to let one clipper enjoy this
distinction without desperate effort
being made to win it from her. Con-
sequently, when the Flyer, of Boston,
was launched, after months of fine
work on her splendid hull, it was I'M
derstood that she was built ostensibly
to beat the Alice. Everything was done
to make her staunch, swift and grace
full.
She made her first race against the
Alice a year later, and most mem
orable struggle for the supremacy took
place. The owners of the two vessels
stal1ed over a hundred thousand dol
lars on the result of the contest, and
several private firms made smaller
wagers.
1t was early in spring-one beautiful
May morning the two clippers
started on their long journey around
Cape Horn; and, as they glided away
toward the open ocean before gentle
breeze, they looked like two ghostly
apparitions. Enormous water sails
came down to the very waters edge,
and swelling topsails and balloon sails
caught every Whit of wind that passed
over their heads, Such long race as
the two clippers were entering upon
would test the captains abilities, the
staying qualities of the vessels, and
their speed in all sorts of weather and
sea. None of our modern international
races could give such thorough test.
The first night separated the two
clippers, and in the morning it was evil
dent that the captains had chosen diff
ferent courses to make the run to the
cape. Capt. Singleton, of the Alice,
had selected the route which had SO
often brought him success, and as he
knew the coast and weather that pre-
vailed at the various points, he felt
perfect confidence.
Near the Society islands she met
many trading vessels, who signaled
her, and wished her Godspeed in her
journey. The news of the great race
had travelled so far that most mariners
knew something about it, and their
sympathy was generally with the Alice.
AS the clipper approached Cape Horn,
the weather grew colder, the winds
heavier and the sea rougher, and for
days the noble vessel struggled brave
iy through against adverse elements.
But despite the rough weather, Capt.
Singleton kept most of the sails set,
and the Alice plowed through the
water with her nose constantly sub
merged. The matches were battened |
down and everything was made snug
and taut above decks.
While rolling heavily almost abreast
OF the cape, one day, the lookout re-
ported a sail ahead. For moment all |
danger from the seas was forgotten. If |
the sail had been over the stern, there
would have been more rejoicing than
anxiety; but to know that the
Flyer had rounded the cape ahead of |
them was disappointing. But in few
everyone's anxiety was re-
lieved. The sail was crossing the bow
of the Alice at right angles, standing
out from the shore.
AS this was rather peculiar course |
for any vessel to be taking Capt. Sim
gleton took his position alongside Of
the lookout. There was no harbor or
trading place in this part of the world,
but the vessel might have been into
one of the straits for repairs or for
water. Patagonian Indians, Gillian