Americana completely outstripped. states eighty-nine days). Indeed, so completely have we outstripped the United States and all other nations, that instead of American clippers bringing teas from China to supply the London market, English clippers are frequently engaged to load the early teas from China to New York.[1]
- [Footnote:
ANALYSIS.
White Dogs to Lizard 84 days.
Foochow anchorage to St. Helena 56 "
Foochow anchorage to Deal 88 "
Foochow anchorage to West India Dock 89 "
"The greatest day's work of the Sir Lancelot was crossing from Anjer to the Cape, when she made, by observation, 354 miles in 24 hours. For 7 days (consecutive) she averaged on the same track, with a beam wind, slightly over 300 miles per day; but I think the most remarkable feature in the sailing of this ship was the maintenance of a comparative high speed in light winds, and the great power she had to beat dead to windward against a strong breeze.
"I may mention that after the racing premium was abolished, and with it the sort of mania for China clipper sailing, I had 8 feet cut off all the lower masts, and reduced the masts aloft and the yards in proportion.
"Notwithstanding this the Sir Lancelot is now arrived in London after a voyage from London to Shanghai with general cargo, thence to New York with a tea cargo, thence to London with a general cargo—all in 9 months and 2 days.
"I am afraid I am troubling you with too many details, but I feel proud that this celebrated clipper, one of the very few China clippers left, proves herself in the tenth year of her life as swift as ever."
Mr. MacCunn may well be proud of his ship, and such pride is one of the chief causes of our power and greatness as a maritime nation.]*
- ↑ Among those who took the lead in the production and improvement of clipper ships at that time may be mentioned Captain Maxton, of the Titania, who had formerly commanded the early iron clippers, Lord of the Isles and Falcon, and who has, with the assistance of Messrs. Robert Steele and Son, brought out in successive years the Ariel and Titania, vessels of great beauty. Nor must I overlook Captain Bullock, who navigated the Challenger through the most successful and exciting part of her career; and Captain Rodger, who commanded the Kate Carnie, and subsequently owned the Taeping, Ellen Rodger, Min, and other well-known clippers. Among the builders, the name of the late
