The clipper ship Flying Cloud, Capt. Cressy, from New York for San Francisco, was spoken May 15, in latitude 1 S., longitude 34 03 W., 18 days out. She crossed the equator in longitude 34 20, 17 days from New York, having run 3672 miles, or 9 miles an hour, since leaving Sandy Hook. This, we believe, is the shortest run on record. The nearest to it was made by the Flying Fish, on her first passage from this port. She ran 3716 miles in 426 hours, and crossed the equator in longitude 32 04. The Flying Cloud was 408 hours, 18 hours less time, but did not run so far by 89 as the Flying Fish; the former, however, is fairly ahead, and we record the fact. Both were built by Mr. McKay, and both have made the shortest passages to San Francisco -- the Flying Cloud ahead. For an abstract of the Flying Cloud's log, see below.
Since the above was written, we have received another report of the Flying Cloud having been spoken May 22, in lat. 9 01 S., lon. 34 50 W., just clear of Cape St. Augustine, and in a fair way of making a glorious run to the Cape.
April 30, lat. 39 25, lon. 68 36, course S. 62 deg., E. dist. 125; winds -- 1st part, South; 2d part, S; 3d part, baffling. Remarks: light airs, fine winds; latter part breeze freshening and veering to W, N, and ENE, all sail set.
May 1, lat. 37 05, lon. 63 36, course S 61 deg. E. dist. 295; winds -- 1st part, NE by E; 2d part, NE by E; 3d part, NE by E. Remarks: fresh breeze, fine weather; all sail set by the wind.
May 2d, lat. 35 34, lon. 57 22, course S 73 deg. E, dist. 316; winds -- 1st part, NE by N; 2d part, NE by E; 3d part, NE by N. Remarks: fresh breeze, fine weather; all sail set by the wind.
May 3d, lat. 34 38, lon. 51 50, course S 78 deg. E, dist. 279; winds -- 1st part, N; 2d part, NW; 3d part, NW. Remarks: gentle breeze, fine weather; all sail set by the wind.
May 4th, lat. 34 34, lon. 46 52, course S 89 deg. E, dist. 247; winds -- 1st part, baffling; 2d part, baffling; 3d part, baffling. Remarks: gentle breeze from NNW to WNW, studdingsails set.
May 5th, lat. 32 55, lon. 43 44, course S 58 deg. E, dist. 184; winds -- 1st part, NNW; 2d part, WNW; 3d part, WNW. remarks: moderate breeze, light rain squalls.
May 6th, lat. 30 53, lon. 41 55, course S 57 deg. E, dist. 153; winds -- 1st part, baffling; 2d part, baffling; 3d part, baffling. remarks: moderate breeze from NNW to SSW; light rain squalls.
May 7th, lat. 29 03, lon. 40 37, course S 32 deg. E, dist. 130; winds -- 1st part, baffling; 2d part, baffling; 3d part, baffling. Remarks: faint breeze from SSW to N, NE and East, fine weather.
May 8th, lat. 27 16, lon. 39 37, course S 26 deg. E, dist. 119; winds -- 1st part, E; 2d part, E; 3d part, SE. Remarks: faint fine weather. This day a gloom has been cast over the ship by the loss of one of my seamen, who came on board sick with dysentery, died and was buried with usual ceremony this morning. He was named "John White", native of Cape Breton, French Canadian, and had every care bestowed upon him during his sickness, but to no avail.
May 9th, lat. 24 24, lon. 39 42, course S 1 ½ deg. W; dist. 172; winds -- 1st part, SE by E; 2d part, SE by E; 3d part, SE by E. Remarks: light airs and showers of rain; latter moderate breeze.
May 10th, lat. 20 50, lon. 38 47, course S 13 deg. E, dist. 220; winds -- 1st part, SE by E; 2d part, SE by E; 3d part, ESE. Remarks: moderate breeze, fine weather; latter squally.
May 11th, lat. 16 47, lon. 37 48, course S 13 deg. E; dist. 250; winds -- 1st part, SE by E; 2d part, SE by E; 3d part, SE by E. Remarks: light breeze, squally; latter fresh and squally.
May 12th, lat. 12 11, lon. 36 26, course S 17 deg. E, dist. 288; winds -- 1st part, E by S; 2d part, E by S; 3d part, E by S. Remarks: fresh breeze and squally; all sail set.
May 13th, lat. 8 00, lon. 34 46, course S 18 deg. E, dist. 264; winds -- 1st part, E by S; 2d part, E by S; 3d part, E by S. Remarks: fresh breeze and squally; all sail set.
May 14th, lat. 3 37, lon. 34 08, course S 8 deg. E, dist. 266; winds -- 1st part, ESE; 2d part, ESE; 3d part, ESE. Remarks: fresh breeze and squally; all sail set.
May 15th, lat. 1 00, lon. 34 02, course S 2 deg. E, dist. 157; winds -- 1st part, SE by E; 2d part, SE by E; 3d part, SE by E. Remarks: light breeze, fine weather; middle and latter faint and squally; civil time this date (15th), at 7 PM. crossed the equator in lon. 34 20, seventeen days from "Sandy Hook" or 408 hours, averaging 9 knots for every hour at sea. Passage 2 days shorter than ever made before. Whole distance run in straight lines from noon to noon of each day is 3672 miles. No time since leaving have skysails been off the ship for over three hours, and that only in one instance.
The Flying Cloud has since been spoken, May 22, in lat. 9 01 S. lon. 34 50 W., and was consequently clear of Cape St. Roque, with every prospect of making a glorious run.
Transcribed by Lars Bruzelius.
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Copyright © 1997 Lars Bruzelius.