''Swordfish'' was an 1851 clipper ship which has been called

William H. Webb William Henry Webb (June 19, 1816 – October 30, 1899) was a 19th-century New York City shipbuilder and philanthropist, who has been called America's first true naval architect. Early life William Henry Webb was born in New York on June 1 ...

’s masterpiece. She is known for her record-breaking race to

San Francisco San Francisco (; Spanish language, Spanish for "Francis of Assisi, Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the List of Ca ...

with the clipper ''Flying Fish''.

Record voyage

“On her first passage out to San Francisco a race was arranged for large stakes between her and the ''Flying-fish'', a Boston record-breaker, built by the great designer, Donald McKay. The ''Sword-fish'' won, making the trip in ninety-two days,—the second best record ever made,—her rival taking ninety-eight days.”

The race took place in the fall the ''Sword Fish'' sailed out of Boston and the ''Flying Fish'' out of New York. The ''Flying Fish'' led to the equator by 4 days, but they both went round the Horn neck and neck. The ''Sword Fish'' would do the journey in 90 days, the ''Flying Fish'' in 98 1/2. Her career best record time to San Francisco was 92 days.

References

Clippers Individual sailing vessels 1851 ships Ships built by William H. Webb {{Merchantship-stub