The Clippers

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

The Age of Discovery, from the 15th to the 18th centuries, saw the development of new types of sailing ships that were designed for exploration and colonization. These ships included the Caravel, the carrack, the galleon, and the frigate. These ships had multiple masts and sails and were faster, more maneuverable, and more seaworthy than the previous types.

The caravel, for example, was a small and agile ship that could sail close to the wind and reach speeds of up to 10 kn (19 km/h). The carrack, on the other hand, was a large and heavy ship that could carry more cargo and crew, but was slower and less maneuverable, with a speed of about 6 kn (11 km/h). The galleon was a hybrid of the caravel and the carrack, combining speed and capacity, and could travel at speeds of up to 12 kn (22 km/h). The frigate was a fast and sleek ship that was used for scouting, escorting, and raiding, and could reach speeds of up to 14 kn (26 km/h).

The 19th century witnessed the rise of the clipper, which was the fastest type of sailing ship ever built. Clippers were long and narrow ships with a sharp bow and a large sail area and were optimized for speed rather than cargo. Clippers were used for transporting high-value goods, such as tea, spices, gold, and passengers, and for racing and record-breaking. Clippers could achieve speeds of up to 20 kn (37 km/h) on average, and some could even surpass 30 kn (56 km/h) in short bursts. The fastest clipper ever recorded was the Sovereign of the Seas, which was built by Donald McKay in 1852. This ship reported a speed of 22 kn (41 km/h) while sailing from New York to Australia in 1854.

[Subdeacon Joe]

You weren't an "able seaman" until you learned the ropes.

 

 

 

 

 

[Alpo]

I did not know they had ropes on a ship. I thought they had lines or sheets.

[Pat Riot]

When I was in the Navy we were taught about life aboard the old sailing ships. I think they did this to let us know how good we were going to have it aboard modern Navy vessels. 

Here is a fascinating website regarding early terms and in responses to the posts of @Subdeacon Joe and @Alpo regarding “knowing the ropes”.

 

https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/o/origin-navy-terminology.html

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

A bell rope was the only one I ever knew of.

[Subdeacon Joe]

6 hours ago, Alpo said:

I did not know they had ropes on a ship. I thought they had lines or sheets.

 

 

There are, or can be, up to 7 "ropes" on a tall ship, Now, the foot ropes and tow ropes were obvious, as were the man ropes. But the bolt rope less so.  

But you also had to know which bit of "rope" was a line, which a sheet, which a jackstay.  Which bits of rope are the halyards?  Do you know your buntline from your clewline?

Edited January 22 by Subdeacon Joe

[Father Kit Cool Gun Garth]

My favorite: The Flying Dutchman

 

 

The definition of an American clipper ship is a three-masted, full-rigged ship with square sails on each of her three masts that was built for speed rather than capacity. So the designers of the great clipper ships of the 1840s and 1850s sharpened the bow and stern, creating much hollower lines than before.

[Father Kit Cool Gun Garth]