The American-Built Clipper Ship, 1850-1856: Characteristics, Construction, and Details (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "THE LIFE OF A SHIP begins when an individual or organization decides upon the need or desire for such a vehicle to further the pursuit..." (more)
Key Phrases: gilded carved work, half poop, patent steering apparatus, Great Republic, New York, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... impressive detail... Appealing to more than the casual reader, Crothers takes the ships apart literally plank by plank with drawings and accompanying text." -- Soundings

"... will soon be referred to as the ultimate book on the American clipper ship. This work is an instant classic." -- Nautical Research Journal

Product Description

With the sweep of its bow, its graceful lines, and its cloud of canvas, the clipper ship sparked a romance with the American public that still endures 150 years later. During the 1850s, intense intercity rivalries arose around locally built clippers, as they reached and maintained speeds that were unheard of previously. Ships were suddenly christened with romantic names, and the interiors of passenger-carrying vessels reached a new level of embellishment. The product of 35 years of research, The American-Built Clipper Ship presents in exquisite detail 152 clippers that comprise the culmination of the shipbuilder's art. Every facet of clipper-ship design and construction is covered, from felling timber to details on interior finish work. Extraordinarily crisp and detailed drawings by the author, who retired from the design department of the Philadelphia Naval yard, illustrate this magificent work. No other single source covers so many vessels in such detail.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 530 pages
• Publisher: Intl Marine Pub (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070145016
• ISBN-13: 978-0070145016
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,570,979 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic resource for model builders and historians!, June 13, 1998

By A Customer

This is a very (thick) detailed book on the construction of real historic clipper ships. It contains everything from lines to layout to fitting out details for many clipper ships built between 1850 and 1856. No pretty pictures, but lots of useful diagrams and drawings. An experienced shipwright could probably build a very good clipper ship from this complete reference.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For your reference collection, May 10, 2008

By	E. Andes (Fayetteville, AR) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The American-Built Clipper Ship, 1850-1856: Characteristics, Construction, and Details (Paperback)

Bill Crothers' excellent drawings and thorough research make this a definitive reference on the construction of the American clipper ships. The book contains a wide range of information of interest to the maritime historian as well as the model maker. This is a book about the "insides" of these vessels - how they were built and how they worked - rather than about the lovely appearance of the ships under sail.
Highly recommended for your reference shelf.