Swordfish (clipper)

Swordfish was an 1851 clipper ship which has been called William H. Webb’s masterpiece. She is known for her record-breaking race to San Francisco with the clipper Flying Fish.

History
United States
Name: Swordfish
Owner: Barclays & Livingston
Builder: William H. Webb
Launched: 1851
Fate:

Wrecked at the mouth of Yangtze Kiang when her achors were fouled, July 1862

Wreck sold at auction, 26 July 1862
General characteristics
Type: Extreme clipper
Tonnage: 1,036 t (1,020 long tons; 1,142 short tons)
Length: 169.6 ft (51.7 m)
Beam: 36.6 ft (11.2 m)
Draft: 20 ft (6.1 m)
Notes: [1]

Record voyage

“On her first passage out to San Francisco a race was arranged for large stakes between her and the Flying-fish, a Boston record-breaker, built by the great designer, Donald McKay. The Sword-fish won, making the trip in ninety-two days,—the second best record ever made,—her rival taking ninety-eight days.” [2]

The race took place in the fall the Sword Fish sailed out of Boston and the Flying Fish out of New York. The Flying Fish led to the equator by 4 days, but they both went round the Horn neck and neck. The Sword Fish would do the journey in 90 days, the Flying Fish in 98 1/2. Her career best record time to San Francisco was 92 days.[3]

References
  1. Bruzelius, Lars (1998-08-13). "Sailing Ships: Swordfish (1851)". The Maritime History Virtual Archives. Retrieved Aug 4, 2020.
  2. Bank of the Manhattan Company, Walton Advertising and Printing Company (1915). Ships and shipping of old New York: a brief account of the interesting ... Boston, Mass.: International Marine. p. 56. ISBN 0-07-014501-6.
  3. Clarke, Captain Arthur H.; Howe, Dr. O. T. (1913). Some Ships of the Clipper Era. State Street Trust Company. p. 20. Retrieved 3 August 2019.



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