| History | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Joseph Nickerson & Co. (Boston) |
| Builder | Donald McKay |
| Launched | September 5, 1854 |
| Completed | November 1854 |
| Maiden voyage | November 15, 1854 |
| In service | November 15, 1854 – August 9, 1863 |
| Fate | Foundered at sea, August 9, 1863 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Medium clipper |
| Tonnage | 1256 OM |
| Length | 194 ft (59 m) |
| Beam | 38 ft 6 in (11.73 m) |
| Depth of hold | 22 ft 11 in (6.99 m) |
| Decks | 2 |
| Sail plan | Ship-rigged |
Santa Claus was an American medium clipper ship built in Boston by Donald McKay in 1854. In the course of her career, she made three voyages from the East Coast of the United States to San Francisco, California, the fastest of which was a comparatively swift 128-day passage in the winter of 1857–1858. The ship was mainly engaged in the guano trade and in trade to the Far East. In 1858, she brought Chinese immigrants to California; according to one source, she was also at one time engaged in the coolie trade.
Santa Claus sprang a leak while on a voyage from Peru to Germany in August 1863. She sank off French Guiana after being abandoned by her crew, all of whom made it safely to shore in the ship's boats.