Antelope of Boston

''Antelope'' was a medium clipper built in 1851 in Medford, near Boston, Massachusetts. She sailed in the San Francisco, China, and Far East trades, and was known for her fine finish work and for her crew's escape from pirates. She is often called ''Antelope of Boston'' to distinguish her from an extreme clipper launched in 1852, ''Antelope of New York''.

Construction

''Antelope'' was designed "to combine large stowage capacity with good sailing qualities." Her frame was white oak, with yellow pine planking and a rock maple keel.

The hull was black, the inside dark buff with blue waterways. Her cabin was "beautifully panelled with satin and zebra woods, set off with rose wood pilasters." The "Boston Daily Atlas" praised ''Antelope''’s ornamental work as "infinitely superior to most of the gaudy stuff now in vogue."

Voyages

''Antelope'' sailed from Boston to San Francisco on her maiden voyage in 149 days, rather than the expected 130 days or less, under the well known Captain Tully Crosby. From there she sailed to Shanghai, returning to New York with a passage of 118 days.

In 1853, ''Antelope'' arrived in San Francisco from New York under Captain Snow on August 31 after a passage of 128 days, returning to New York via Callao in 178 days.

After one more round trip to the West Coast of South America ''Antelope'' went into the China trade.

''Antelope'' incident

''Antelope''’s sailing life was six years and nine months.

In July 1858, under Captain Clarke, ''Antelope'' departed Bangkok for China. On August 6, she struck on Discovery Shoal, Paracels Reef, which was not visible due to a high tide.

Captain Clarke, four passengers, and 13 seamen abandoned ship, and set out in one of the ship's boats. A second boat, which became separated during the night, carried the mate, one seaman, and ten Chinese passengers. Four days later, a Chinese fishing junk came into view. Clarke offered the fishermen $20 for a tow to a place where water could be had. Once the ''Antelope'' party was taken in tow, it became evident that the fishermen were not trustworthy. Fearing piracy, the shipwrecked party cut the tow rope and attempted an escape. The fishermen pursued the boat, attacked it with stones, and finally set two fishermen to stand guard with spears while the others robbed the ''Antelope'' party. In the midst of the confusion, two of the ''Antelope'' sailors took advantage of the distraction and boarded the fishing junk, dispatching its crew. Captain Clarke also attempted to board the junk, but fell in the water and had to be rescued. The shipwrecked ''Antelope'' party then took command of the junk, and arrived in Hong Kong on August 14.

References

External links

Captain Tully Crosby
commander of brig ''Old Colony,'' barque ''Arab,'' and ships ''Kingfisher,'' ''Monterey,'' ''Antelope of Boston'', and ''Charlotte.''

{{DEFAULTSORT:Antelope Of Boston
California clippers
Individual sailing vessels
Ships built in Medford, Massachusetts
Age of Sail merchant ships of the United States
Piracy in the South China Sea
Shipwrecks in the South China Sea
Maritime incidents in August 1858
1851 ships
Combat incidents