Ann McKim (clipper)

Ann McKim
Ann McKim
History
United States
OwnerIsaac McKim and his cousin, John McKim Jr.[1]
BuilderKennard & Williamson, Fell's Point, Maryland
Cost$50,000
Launched4 June 1833
In service1833
FateSold to Howland & Aspinwall 1838
United States
OwnerHowland & Aspinwall
Acquired1838
FateSold to Chile 1847
Chile
Acquired1847
Out of service1851
FateDismantled 1852
General characteristics
TypeClipper
Tonnage493 tons OM
Length143 ft (44 m)
Beam31 ft (9.4 m)
Draft14 ft (4.3 m)[2]
PropulsionSails
Complement18 men

Ann McKim was one of the early true clipper ships, designed to meet the increasing demand for faster cargo transportation between the United States and China in the early 1840s. The opening of new Treaty ports in the East allowed American merchants greater access to trade with China, leading to the need for ships that could move cargo more quickly than traditional merchant ships. Ann McKim was one of the ships that had answered the demand in the early years and sailed between New York and China in 1840–1842, until newer and faster cargo-carriers, such as the nearly 600-ton clipper Houqua, the 598-ton China packet Helena, Witch of the Wave, and Rainbow (with the last two built expressly to outperform Ann McKim[3]) started dominating the shipping world of the US-China trade and Ann McKim was shifted back to the South American trade routes.[4]

  1. ^ McKim, Marvin R. (2003). The Inheritance of God's Blessing: The Heritage of Christian Values. Trafford Publishing. ISBN 978-1412003810.
  2. ^ La Grange, Helen (1936). "Clipper ships of America and Great Britain, 1833–1869". G. P. Putnam's sons, New York. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
  3. ^ "Clipper Ships". Daily Alta California. Vol. 4, no. 16. 16 January 1853. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  4. ^ Lienhard, John (1988–1997). "The Engines of Our Ingenuity, episode 338". University of Houston. Retrieved April 10, 2019.