We give below an abstract of the "logs" of the ships Romance of the Seas and David Brown, which have just completed one of the closest and most remarkable passages from San Francisco to Hong Kong, China, that has ever yet been recorded. The two ships towed to sea side by side, in good ballast trim; parted company, and, after a fine passage of 44 days and 22 hours, came to anchor in the same hour, at the same port of destination. It will be remembered that both vessels sailed at about the same time -- the Romance of the Seas from Boston, and the David Brown from New-York -- in December last, for San Francisco, China, and home to Boston and New-York, respectively. The two vessels were close to each other off the coast of Brazil; and after a passage of 96 and 98 days, reached San Francisco on the 23rd of March, 1854. Their dispatch at Hong Kong and subsequent run on the homeward voyage will be the subject of a still more lively interest, when the result of their present trial is recorded.
| Date. | Course. | Dist | Lat. | Long. | Winds. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 1 | S. 28 W. | 132 | 35 41 | 123 50 | N. | 5 P.M., steam cast off, light and foggy. |
| " 2 | S. 29 W. | 88 | 34 32 | 124 07 | " | Light and foggy. 8 hours calm. |
| ... | ||||||
| May 16 | At midnight passed the Lema, and at 11 A.M., anchored at Hong Kong. Passage from achorage to anchorage, 44 days and 22 hours. Distance sailed 7,727. Royal studding-sails and sky-sails set since leaving San Francisco; never taken in; average per day, 171 miles. | |||||
| Date. | Course. | Dist | Lat. | Long. | Winds. | Remarks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 1 | S.S.W. | 108 | 36 17 | 123 55 | Baff. and calm, west. | 1st and 2d, small breezes and pleasant. Sailed in company with ship Romance of Seas at 5.50, outside and clear of the bar. Made sail and passed the Romance of Seas at 9 A.M. Romance of Seas 12 miles astern. |
| " 2 | S.S.W. | 134 | 34 09 | 124 39 | W. by S., baff. and calm. | Calm and foggy. Lost sight of Romance of Seas. |
| . . . | ||||||
| May 16 | Light, baffling airs and intervals of calms all day. Midnight, made and passed in by Lema Isl. Daylight, large clipper ship astern. At 8, the above ship having a breeze, passed to windward of us, while we were becalmed. At 11.30, she anchored; and at 30 past meridian we came to anchor close to the above ship, which proved to be the Romance of the Seas. | |||||
Transcribed by Lars Bruzelius.
Sjöhistoriska Samfundet | The Maritime History Virtual Archives.
Copyright © 1996 Lars Bruzelius.