Clipper

Clipper ships were small, very fast sailing ships designed by Americans (1843-1869) for very long voyages, as to China. The were full-rigged ship that had upwards of an acre of canvas.

The set many speed records. The "Flying Cloud" in 1854 went from Boston to San Francisco in 89 days 8 hours. They were displaced by coal burning steamships which were even faster and carried larger cargoes.

American clipper ship of 1850s

Further reading

• Arthur Hamilton Clark. The Clipper Ship Era: An Epitome of Famous American and British Clipper Ships... (1910) 404 pages full text online