Swordfish (clipper)

History
United States
Name:	Swordfish
Owner:	Barclay & Livingston
Builder:	William H. Webb
Launched:	1851
General characteristics
Class & type:	Extreme clipper
Tons burthen:	1,036 tons
Length:	169 ft. 6 in.
Beam:	36 ft. 6 in.
Draft:	20 ft.[1]

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.

“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]

References

1. Bruzelius, Lars (1998-08-13). "Sailing Ships: Swordfish (1851)". The Maritime History Virtual Archives. Retrieved Oct 2, 2011.
2. Bank of the Manhattan Company, Walton Advertising and Printing Company (1915). Ships and shipping of old New York: a brief account of the interesting ... Boston, Mass.: International Marine. p. 56. ISBN 0-07-014501-6.