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Romance of the Seas

Departing Boston's Long Wharf, December 9, 1853

Canadian-born U.S. naval architect, Donald McKay, built the largest and fastest of the clippers - triumphs of the age of sail, the fastest ships ever to run before the wind.

His "Romance of the Seas," named to honor the Romantic writers of the period, was launched from Boston's Long Wharf on October 23, 1853, at dawn, on a tide and wind so perfect she simply sailed away from the wharf and out into the bay.

A rival clipper, the new "David Brown," left New York at the same time, creating a flurry of betting in shipping circles. Both vessels were pushed to their limits as they raced for San Francisco.

The Romance arrived on March 23, 1854, ninety six days after leaving Boston and three days before the Brown.

23 x 30 in. lithograph - 275 edition (remarques available)