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 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 cover: Gold Rush and the story of Sea Witch America Rules the Waves The Flying Cloud and the Challenge Bully Forbes, the Marco Polo and Schomberg Captain Samuel Samuels and the Dreadnought Richard Robinson, the Fiery Cross and Sir Lancelot The Great Tea Race of 1866 The Thermopylae and Sir Lancelot The Cutty Sark The Australian Wool Trade
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, bringing into sharp focus the elegance of these racehorses of the sea.
