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Swordfish was an 1851 clipper ship which has been called William H. Webb’s masterpiece. She is known for her record-breaking race to San Francisco with the clipper Flying Fish.
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | Swordfish |
| Owner | Barclays & Livingston |
| Builder | William H. Webb |
| Launched | 1851 |
| Fate | Wrecked at the mouth of Yangtze Kiang when her achors were fouled, July 1862 Wreck sold at auction, 26 July 1862 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Extreme clipper |
| Tonnage | 1,036 t (1,020 long tons; 1,142 short tons) |
| Length | 169.6 ft (51.7 m) |
| Beam | 36.6 ft (11.2 m) |
| Draft | 20 ft (6.1 m) |
| Notes | [1] |
“On her first passage out to San Francisco a race was arranged for large stakes between her and the Flying-fish, a Boston record-breaker, built by the great designer, Donald McKay. The Sword-fish won, making the trip in ninety-two days,—the second best record ever made,—her rival taking ninety-eight days.” [2]
The race took place in the fall the Sword Fish sailed out of Boston and the Flying Fish out of New York. The Flying Fish led to the equator by 4 days, but they both went round the Horn neck and neck. The Sword Fish would do the journey in 90 days, the Flying Fish in 98 1/2. The Flying Fish's career best record time to San Francisco was 92 days.[3]
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