Opium Clippers

This full-length history of opium uncovers the multi-faceted nature of this remarkable narcotic and the bittersweet effects of a simple poppy with a deadly legacy.

Against great odds, a small group of patriots built a fleet that proved one of the decisive factors in the American Revolution and the War of 1812. These wealthy men had founded the first banks in the United States and built its first railroads, factories, and steamships. Now, they were to cap their achievements by making their young country equally superior in size, and in the process, producing the greatest, swiftest, and most beautiful craft the world had ever seen - the clipper ship. This book not only traces the origins and achievements of the clipper but enlivens the dry bones of historic fact with the flesh and blood of clipper captains and crews. A great era comes to life with their courageous, tenacious stories.

This book is an effort to preserve the records of the most perfect type of sailing ship at the very height of its development, and it has been written entirely for sailors and those who are interested in shipping. I have put down as simply as possible the personal histüry of certain ships and that in the plain language of the sea without any attempt to explajn technical or seafaring terms for the benefit of the landsman. The materiell gathered together in this book has been culled from countless abstract log books, as well aa from information supplied to me, not only by the men who sailed the ships but also by their owners, designers and builders. Indeed I have to thank so many people for their help that a page of print would not contain their names, and I can only hope that this book may, perhaps, recall some pleasant sea memories and thus in some slight way recompense them for their kindness und trouble. Reprint of the original edition (1899)

In the era of commercial sail, clipper ships were the ultimate expression of speed and grace. Racing out to the gold fields of America and Australia, and breaking speed records carrying tea back from China, the ships combined beauty with breathtaking performance. With over 200 gorgeous paintings and illustrations, and thrilling descriptions of the adventures and races on the water, this beautiful book brings the era vividly to life. Chapters include: The origins of the clippers - from the gold rush to the tea trade A hell ship voyage with 'Bully' Waterman, one of the most successful and notorious captains of the era Marco Polo, the fastest ship in the world - her rise to prominence and subsequent decline Mary Patten's battle with Cape Horn - a lady captain takes charge in a very male world Mutiny aboard the 'wild boat of the Atlantic' The great China tea race of 1866 - an amazingly close race across the world, only decided in the final few miles The Sir Lancelot defies the odds - her eccentric captains and rivalry with the legendary Thermopylae The Cutty Sark's longest voyage First-hand accounts, newspaper reports and log entries add fascinating eyewitness detail, whilst the stunning images show how the designs of these thoroughbreds developed over the years. A wonderful read and worthy celebration of these racehorses of the sea.