Comparative passage of clipper ships from New York to California.

May 18, 1853.

To the Editor of the New York Herald:

Sir -- In the Morning Herald of this date, I notice a statement of the comparative passage of clipper ships from New York to California, in which the Swordfish is put down at 93 days.

The Swordfish sailed from New York on the 11th of November, 1851, and arrived at San Francisco on the 10th of February, 1851, making the passage in 90 days, 18 hours. He crossed the Equator in the Pacific inside of 71 days and at the end of 89 days was within 100 miles of San Francisco, or 140 miles less than the Flying Cloud on her first passage.

The time of the Swordfish, say 91 days to San Francisco, 46 from thence to China, and 89 from China home (against the monsoon), has never been equalled, and if the size of the ships is taken into consideration, her passage to California is far ahead of any other.

Yours respectfully,

D.S. Babcock.

New York Herald, May 18, 1853, 1853.

Transcribed by Lars Bruzelius

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