Champion of the Seas

Champion of the Seas. Photo by Southworth & Hawes ca.1854.
Champion of the Seas. Photo by Southworth & Hawes ca.1854.
History
United States
Owner
  • Donald McKay
  • (1854)
Port of registryBoston
BuilderDonald McKay, East Boston, MA
Launched19 April 1854 (1854-04-19)
In service1854
United Kingdom
Owner
  • Black Ball Line, Liverpool
  • (1854–1866)
  • Thomas Harrison, Thomas Sully Stowe
  • (1866–1874)
  • A. Cassels, Liverpool
  • (1874–1877)
Port of registryLiverpool
AcquiredSeptember 1854 (re-registered)
FateAbandoned in leaking condition 3 January 1877
General characteristics
Class and typeClipper
Tonnage2,447 GRT
Length252 ft (77 m)
Beam45 ft 6 in (13.87 m)
Depth of hold29 ft (8.8 m)
PropulsionSails (6,250 sq yd (5,230 m2))
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Notes[1][2]

Champion of the Seas was the second largest clipper ship destined for the Liverpool, England - Melbourne, Australia passenger service. Champion was ordered by James Baines of the Black Ball Line from Donald McKay. She was launched 19 April 1854 and was abandoned 3 January 1877, off Cape Horn.[3]

Champion of the Seas set a record for the fastest day's run in 24 hours: 465 nautical miles (861 km) noon to noon 10–11 December 1854 under the command of Captain Alexander Newlands (which translates into 19.5 knots). This record stood until August 1984, nearly 130 years.[4]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference bruzelius was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Bunting, W. H. (1994). Portrait of a Port: Boston 1852–1914. London: Belknap Press. p. 74. ISBN 0-674-69076-1.
  3. ^ SV Champion of the Seas (+1877) The Wrecksite
  4. ^ James S. Learmont (1957) SPEED UNDER SAIL, The Mariner's Mirror, 43:3, 225-231