Sovereign of the Seas (clipper)
19th c. American clipper ship
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sovereign of the Seas, a clipper ship built in 1852, was a sailing vessel notable for setting the world record for the fastest sailing ship, with a speed of 22 knots (41 km/h).[2][a]
Sovereign of the Seas | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Builder | Donald McKay of East Boston, MA |
| Launched | 1852 |
| Fate | Ran aground on the Pyramid Shoal in the Strait of Malacca, becoming a total loss, on voyage from Hamburg to China, 6 August 1859[1]: 97 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Extreme clipper |
| Tons burthen | 2421 tons. |
| Length | 252 ft (77 m) |
| Beam | 45.6 ft (13.9 m) |
| Draft | 29.2 ft (8.9 m) |
| Notes | Has held the record for the fastest speed ever for a sailing ship, 22 kn (41 km/h), since 1854 |
Notable passages
Built by Donald McKay of East Boston, Massachusetts, Sovereign of the Seas was the first ship to travel more than 400 nautical miles (740 kilometres) in 24 hours.[3] On the second leg of her maiden voyage, she made a record passage from Honolulu, Hawaii, to New York City in 82 days. She then broke the record to Liverpool, England, making the passage in 13 days 13+1⁄2 hours. In 1853 she was chartered by James Baines of the Black Ball Line, Liverpool for the Australia trade.
Record
In 1854, Sovereign of the Seas recorded the fastest speed for a sailing ship, logging 22 knots (41 km/h).[2]
See also
Notes
- Note that this is a very specific record. It applies to a ship in the most literal sense, a three-masted, square-rigged, sailing vessel. It has been far exceeded by multi-hulled sailing craft and modern monohulls.
