The " Flying Cloud" was built in1851 by Donald McKay, the foremost marine architect and shipbuilder of his time. The ship set record times for the Boston/ New York run to San Francisco during the California gold rush days, and later fast times for the London-China run carrying tea. The feat of the Flying Cloud" was all the more unusual for its' time in that the navigator was a woman, Eleanor Cressy. The ship was finally sold to the Black Ball Line sailing between the U.K. and Australia.

Possibly made by Mr J T Reardon, Australia.

Model maker unknown.
The " Flying Cloud", a clipper ship, was built by Donald McKay, the foremost marine architect and shipbuilder of his time. 1793 tons , she was launched in Boston in 1851 and used initially on the "California gold rush", sailing between Boston ,New York , round the Horn to San Francisco. She was considered the fastest of all the American clippers ,averaging 227 miles/day over 26 days and a single day record of 374 miles during one trip to San Francisco. This feat was doubly remarkable in that the navigator was a woman, Eleanor Cressy, who has been studying ocean currents and weather phenomena since her girlhood in Marblehead Massachhusetts. The " Flying Cloud" was partly dismasted during its' maiden journey Sandy Hook to San Francisco ,but nevertheless carried straight on making repairs and rerigging en route. The " Flying Cloud" later carried tea from China to London, making the trip from Foochow to London in 123 days. Due to financial difficulties of its' American owner the ship was sold in 1863 to James Barnes of Liverpool for the Black Ball Line sailing between the U.K. and Brisbane. Resold in the early 1870's to Smith Edwards, in1874 ,the ship was stranded on the Beacon Island bar St John's while attempting to make St. John's harbour. After lightening ship by offloading some cargo, the ship refloated ,but had to slip in St John's for repair. Sadly ,the ship caught fire when on the slipway, and was sold for scrap.

Ship model and stand, 'Flying Cloud', wood / fabric / metal, made by [J T Reardon, Australia], date unknown.

Model of the clipper, 'Flying Cloud', complete with masts, rigging, yards and tops. Details include carved figurehead, anchors and catheads, bollards, four ship's boats, two in davits, two on deckhouse, belaying rails and pins, and aft ship's wheel. Finished in green and black and mounted on wooden stand.

None

H7902

480 mm

180 mm