Daguerreotype: "Champion of the Seas," East Boston. circa 1854. Southworth and Hawes, 19th century. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Champion of the Seas was the second largest clipper ship destined for the Liverpool, England - Melbourne, Australia passenger service. Champion was ordered by James Baines of the Black Ball Line from Donald McKay. She was launched 19 April 1854 and remained in the passenger trade until 3 January, 1877, when she was abandoned, leaking badly, with a load of guano off Cape Horn.
Champion of the Seas set a record for the fastest day's run in 24 hours: 465 nautical miles (861 km) noon to noon 10–11 December 1854. This record stood until August 1984, nearly 130 years.
The Journal of George Davidson (1785) from The Rare Book Room - This remarkable document appears to be the record of a mariner from Boston and includes prayers, Freemason material, moral poems, paintings, and some beautiful handwriting.
East Boston - children sunbathing on a shipwreck