Great Republic (1853)

Later names
Denmark (1869)


Type:
Clipper
Builder:
Donald McKay
Boston, Massachusetts
Ordered:
N/A
Keel Laid:
N/A
Year Built:
1853
Launched:
October 4, 1853
Completed:
N/A
Fate:
Abandoned and sank Mar. 5, 1872 in a hurricane off Bermuda.


Owners
Donald McKay
Boston, Massachusetts
1854:
A. A. Low & Brothers
New York, New York
1869:
Merchants Trading Company
Liverpool, England


Dimensions, machinery and performance
Length:
335'
Hull:
Wood
Beam:
53'
Masts:
4
Draft:
39' (depth)
Sail:
15,653 sq. yards (as built)
Gross Tons:
4,555 (as built)
Engines:
1 steam engine for ships equipment only
Displacement:
N/A
Speed:
17 knots
Crew:
50


History:
Dec. 27, 1853:
Destroyed by fire at New York prior to her maiden voyage. Hulk sold to A. A. Low &
Brothers, rebuilt at Sneeden & Whitlock, Greenpoint, New York to 3,357 tons.
1855:
Maiden voyage New York - Liverpool.
1856:
Chartered to the French govt. as a troop transport during the Crimean War.
1861:
Chartered by the U.S. govt. for use as a transport during the Civil War.
1869:
Sold to Merchants Trading Co., Liverpool, England. Renamed Denmark, used on the East India routes.

Mar. 5, 1872:
Abandoned and sunk off Bermuda.


Notes:
Largest and fastest sailing ship built to date.


Builder's Data
Page published Aug. 28, 2007