“ROBIN HOOD” – 1854 ~ 1869 – Extreme clipper built at Medford, Mass. by Hayden & Cudworth for Howes & Crowell of Boston – 186’ x 37’ x 23’6” – Figurehead, Robin Hood with drawn bow. This clipper completed twelve runs to San Francisco, her first from Boston in 127 days and the others from New York. Her best runs were two of 107 days* each and the average of the twelve was 125 days.
In 1861 she collided with the ship “HERBERT” of Boston when departing Melbourne for Singapore. Fortunately, neither of the two ships was seriously damaged and she arrived at Singapore in fifty-two days. On July 20th, 1869, she left San Francisco for Baker’s Island to load cargo for Hampton Roads. After arrival, while taking on cargo, disgruntled crew members set the ship afire and she became a total loss.
*Note that this card claims a passage in “105 days.” Advertising agents, then as now, tended to shrink and stretch facts. The term “clipper,” “medium clipper,” and “extreme clipper” indicated cargo capacity and fast passage potential. “First class extreme clipper” was the favored card slogan regardless of the vessel’s capacity or speed potential.
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