THE NEW CLIPPER SHIP WILD PIGEON, Capt. Putnam, which sailed from New York Oct. 14, made the shortest passage to San Francisco, (102 days) of any vessel which sailed in October, having beaten the Comet, Trade Wind and Golden Gate, all magnificent New York clippers, the least of which is 500 tons larger than her. She sailed in company with the Golden Gate, and 10 to 1 were staked in New York in favor of the latter; yet the Wild Pigeon never had wind enough during the passage to obtain her highest rate of speed. The most she made in 24 hours, was 300 miles close hauled, carrying skysails. She had skysails set 75 days, and during 20 consecutive days carried royal staysails and skysails, without lowering one of them. Off Cape Horn she encountered a heavy gale, but carried sail, and she was not hove to during the passage. Capt. Putnam writes, that under every circumstance she proved to be a perfect vessel, so much so that he could not suggest an improvement in her. She was built at Portsmouth, N.H., by Mr. Geo. Raynes, and is owned by Messrs. Oliphant & Son, of New York. We have frequently called attention to the strength, beauty and speed of Mr. Raynes' ships, and now request our New York neighbors to remember that though the Wild Pigeon is owned in New York, she was built nearer sun-rise.

Mr. Raynes has now on the stocks a magnificent freighting ship, 200 feet long, 41� wide and 29 deep, with three full decks. She is of white oak, the growth of New Hampshire, and when finished will be one of the very best ships he ever built. We understand she is for sale.

Boston Daily Atlas, February 4, 1852.

Transcribed by Lars Bruzelius.

Sj�historiska Samfundet | The Maritime History Virtual Archives | The Boston Daily Atlas | Search.

Copyright © 1997 Lars Bruzelius.