History of the clipper, from the launching of Donald Mckay's first design in 1846 to the final victory of steam over sail. A portrayal of the era when no man was a real sailor until he had rounded Cape Horn, and when ships raced one another to the Orient to capture the tea trade.

Discusses the design, uses, sailing, and decline of clipper ships that enjoyed a short but glorious reign of the seas during the mid-1800's.

This work offers a new and comprehensive account of the fastest and most beautiful sailing ships ever built. It explores the quest for speed on the seas from the early 1800s through the fast-paced times of the 1850s spurred on by the California Gold Rush of 1849. Not only are the career details of such noted ships as the Flying Cloud and Challenge discussed in detail, but they are also put in context with the times in which they operated. Their builders in East Coast states from Maine to Florida are discussed in detail, as are the men, and a woman in one instance, who commanded and manned these ships. The book documents the roles that owners and shipping agents played, what kinds of cargo the ships carried worldwide and the unusual trades in which they participated.

This amply illustrated, nontechnical book traces the evolution of the sailing ship over the course of 6,000 years — from those of ancient Egypt and Crete (4000-1000 B.C.) to the full-rigged clipper ships of the 19th century. The development of northern and southern European vessels is also described. 20 halftones and 134 figures.

Newburyport was once the most dangerous harbor on the East Coast and one of its most prosperous. Local captains and sailors led the nation to battle during the American Revolution and founded the U.S. Coast Guard. They sent vessels to Bombay, the gold rush and the farthest reaches of the world. Author Dyke Hendrickson explores the perfection of the clipper ship, the city's famous Federalist mansions and the bold adventures from the Age of Sail. Follow the men and women of Newburyport into battle, into gales and into fortune--or ruin.

Comprehensive, profusely illustrated book documents early-20th-century sailing: boat types around the world, racing boats, odd and experimental vessels, more. Over 380 illustrations and photographs. Indexes. Bibliography.