Swordfish

An extreme clipper ship built in 1851 by William H. Webb, New York as Yard No. 64. Dimensions 169'6"×36'6"×20 and tonnage 1036 tons.

1851 September 20
Launched at the shipyard of William H. Webb, New York, for Barclay & Livingston, New York. Her first master was Captain David S. Babcock, Stonington, late of the ship Charlestown and the clipper bark Race Horse.
1851 November 12 - February 10
Sailed from New York to San Francisco in 90 days, 16 hours. [Cutler gives November 9 as departure data and 94 days passage time] The clipper Flying Fish which sailed from Boston on November 7 arrived to San Francisco in 100 days and 6 hours.
1852
Sailed from San Francisco to Hong Kong in 48 days.
1852 September 25
Sailed from Whampoa to New York in 89 days.
1853 February 12 - May 30
Sailed from New York to San Franciso in 107 days under command of Captain Charles Collins. Best day's run was 340 miles. The clipper ship Sea Serpent, which left New York on the same day as the Swordfish, arrived to San Francisco less than 48 hours behind her rival.
1853 June 16 - July 19
Sailed from San Francisco to Honolulu in 8 days, 2 hours en route to Shanghai which was reached after 32 days, 9 hours.
1853 October 15 - January 2
Sailed from Whampoa to New York in 97 days. The clipper ship Stag Hound which arrived at the same day was only 87 days on the same passage.
1854
Sold to Crocker & Warren, New York, for about $55.000.
1854 March 29 - July 23
Sailed from New York to San Francisco in 110 days. [Cutler gives 117 days]
1854
Sailed from San Francisco to Hong Kong in 42 days.
1854
Sailed from Manila to New York in 102 days.
1855 March 19 - July 21
Sailed from New York to San Francisco in 113 days.
1855
Sailed from Whanpoa to New York in 91 days.
1856 April
Captain Joseph W. Crocker was given command of the ship.
1856 May 7
Sailed from New York to Panama.
1857 ___ - April 29
Sailed from Manila to New York in 101 days.
1859 December 12 - March 3
Sailed from Shanghai to New York in 81 days, or 72 days from Anjer. The passage from the Equator to New York took 16 days. [Record]
1860
Command of the ship was handed over to Captain Crandall.
1860/61 ___ - March 18
Sailed from Shanghai to New York in 102 days.
1861
Sailed from Hong Kong to San Francisco in 36frac12; days.
1862 July 9
Sailed from Shanghai with a cargo of cotton for Amoy.
1862 July
Drifted ashore and was wrecked at the mouth of Yangtze Kiang when her achors were fouled.
1862 July 26
The wreck was sold at auction.

References:


Updated 1998-08-13 by Lars Bruzelius.


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Copyright © 1998 Lars Bruzelius.