Comet (clipper)

This article is about a clipper ship. For other ships, see Comet (disambiguation).
For other ships with the same name, see Comet (1810 schooner), USS Comet, and USNS Comet.

History
United States
NameComet
OwnerBucklin & Crane, New York City
BuilderWilliam H. Webb, New York
LaunchedJuly 10, 1851
FateSold to the United Kingdom, 1863
United Kingdom
OwnerBlack Ball Line
OperatorT. M. Mackay & Co., Liverpool
Acquired1863
RenamedFiery Star [VNKF]
FateSank, 12 May 1865
General characteristics
Class and typeExtreme clipper
Tons burthen1836 tons OM, 1361 tons NM
Length241 ft (73 m) LOA
Beam41 ft 4 in (12.60 m)
Draft22 ft 2 in (6.76 m)
Notes2 decks[1][2]
Comet (1851 California clipper) - spars and sails from "PLANS OF WOODEN VESSELS..." by William H. Webb
Comet (1851 California clipper) - body plan, sheer plan, & half-breadth plan from "PLANS OF WOODEN VESSELS..." by William H. Webb

Comet was an 1851 California clipper built by William H. Webb which sailed in the Australia trade and the tea trade. This extreme clipper was very fast. She had record passages on two different routes: New York City to San Francisco, and Liverpool to Hong Kong, and beat the famous clipper Flying Dutchman in an 1853 race around the Horn to San Francisco.

In 1863 the Comet was sold to the Black Ball Line and renamed the Fiery Star. She was lost at sea on 12 May 1865 after a fire had broken out in her cargo of wool.

  1. ^ Crothers, William L. (1997). The American-Built Clipper Ship, 1850-1856: Characteristics, Construction, Details. Camden, Maine: International Marine. pp. xv., etc. ISBN 0-07-014501-6.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference bruzelius was invoked but never defined (see the help page).