Subject Type: Cargo

Flying Cloud, the most famous of the clippers built by Donald McKay, set the world’s sailing record for the fastest passage between New York and San Francisco. The trip took 89 days and 8 hours. a record that held for over 130 years, from 1854 to 1989.

Race from New Orleans to St. Louis against another Mississippi paddle steamer, the Robert E. Lee, was immortalized in a lithograph by Currier and Ives.

A sidewheeler that worked lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire where the modeler used to live.

A conjectural design of a typical 1880’s steam packet of the Mississippi River tributaries. Built from plans by James Haley, which are an adaptation of a larger vessel.

A Portuguese cargo boat once used to carry salt, fruit, and other items to supply the city of Lisbon.

About the Model Getting Virginia’s major cash crop to upriver markets in the 18th century was a challenge due to narrow shallow waterways. The double canoe, developed in 1748, solved the problem before a major channeling operation took place 20 years later. About the Model The tobacco canoe was built […]

An 1851 clipper ship which has been called William H. Webb’s masterpiece. She is known for her record-breaking race to San Francisco with the clipper Flying Fish.