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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Copyright © 1997 Lars Bruzelius.