The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-12-04
7 ROCIlLAND CLIPPER SHIPS.
One Who Sailed In the Live Yankee Con
attributes Word. -

lIlOuteS a WOHo.
Editor Of The Courier Gazette: wa.
much pleased to see in a recent issue Of
your paper an article reaffirming the fac,
that the ship Red jacket holds the rec
ord for the quickest passage of sailing
vessels from New York to Liverpool.
Many wordy fights have had over the
claim of the Dreadnaught. These ships
were of my time as a sailor. OF the
commanders none were more noted than
Capt, Samuels. He was better known
as one of the DULLES of-Ahe packet line.
AS the Red Jacket and the Live Yankee
were on the passage from New York to
Liverpool at the same time, and | one of
the crew of the Live Yankee, am pref
ty well acquainted with the facts.
During the summer of 1854 the above
named ships were built in Rockland, the
Red Jacket by Deacon Thomas, in the
yard at the Northend where now stands
the Crockett block; the Live Yankee
few hundred yards farther north by
Master Builder Merriam. The two ships
were launched within few days of the
same time, the Red Jacket going all the
way across The Cove and striking a
schooner at Hunts wharf and crushing
in her side. Both these ships went to
New York in ballast; the Red Jacket
being towed and the Live Yankee under
sail. The Live Yankee was so hours
only from Rockland to New York, going
out through the South Channel into warm
water to melt the ice off deck and rig
ging and in by Sandy Hook. am quite
sure this is the fastest for that voyage
on record.
The Red Jacket took cargo in New
York, while the Live Yankee loaded in
Atlantic Docks in Brooklyn. When we
pulled out into the stream the Red Jacket
was already there fitting for sea. There
are many little incidents connected with
the getting ready for sea of the Red
Jacket that would bear telling, but will
speak of only one A tall, rough and
ready fellow applied for the berth of
second mate OF our ship. The position
being filled he shipped on the Red Jacket.
Those were hard times for sailors, and
Mr.. Second Mate had been on board the
Red Jacket less than an hour before he
had killed one of the crew.
The Red Jacket was 240O TONS The
Live Yankee 1900. We had for cargo
400 tons more than the Red Jacket. She
was loaded for a record passage and then
to be sold in Liverpool. We left New
Y DIRK on Friday. She sailed the follow
ing Sunday. Thirteen days later she
passed close in under Holyhead while we
We're broad off laying too under close
reefed topsails, little short of COM
plete wreck. Thirteen days, hours for
the Red Jacket, II days for the Live
Yankee.
The Red Jacket was on exhibition for
several weeks and a swell dance given on
board. She was sold for $3.50, 900 to go
INTO the Australian trade. She was
beautiful ship, more like an immense
yacht than commercial craft She was
comparatively light and there was no
lack of wind, for it was one steady gale
from land 20 land
Deacon Thomas built some very fine
vessels in Rockland, then moved to
Quincy Point, Mass, where | think he
built the first large vessels ever built
there, all within stones throw of the
Fore River plant where so many of the
large battleships have been built today
still living there Rockland has record
for ship building that is hard to excel.
One season there were Is large vessels
built there, most of them ships, all
square-riggers. Those were stirring
times. More than one of the ships made
remarkable records. If had not made
this so long | would like to publish a
word or two of advice to nautical story
writer's! w. E. CROCKETT.
Boston,