Shortest Passage on Record.

The clipper ship Andrew Jackson, Capt. Williams, from New York, arrived yesterday afternoon, in the unprecedented short time of eighty-nine days and seven hours, beating the quickest voyage of the clipper ship Flying Cloud, Capt. Cressy, six hours. The Flying Cloud made two voyages to this port which were never equalled until this one of the Andrew Jackson. Her first short passage was 89 days and 23 hours, and the second one in 89 days and 13 hours, and now the Andrew Jackson beats her shortest passage some six hours. For several years past the conviction has been forcing itself on the minds of most of our nautical amateurs and connoisseurs, that, as the days of extreme clippers are passing away, the time of the world-renowned clipper ship Flying Cloud would never be beaten. We must say our mind was made up to this point, and now that her best time has been beaten, we confess our surprise and astonishment. The Andrew Jackson is not an extreme clipper, having been built with a view for carrying as well as for sailing, but she has on previous occasions done herself credit, having made three voyages the first in 129 days, the second in 103 days, and the third in 102 days, and now in 89 days and few hours.

Capt. Williams left this port last June, having on board a California cargo, and after a fine run to New York, he laid there over four months when he started on the return trip. During the voyage he has had a succession of light winds, carrying his skysails and studding-sails almost the entire passage; but as the ship sails well, good judgement and a sharp look-out for all the chances, brought the Andrew Jackson out in the first rank of the California fleet. -- Alta California, March 24.


The Atlas and Daily Bee, 1860. Thursday, April 19.

Transcribed by Lars Bruzelius


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