Introduction to Clipper Ships:

Here are some basics you should know. A clipper ship is a large sailing vessel, a boat or bigger ship, with three or four masts and square-like sails. The bow or front of the boat is wide and raked forward, allowing increased speed on the open ocean. The clippers were utilized for the New York-San Francisco run during the California Gold Rush, as well as trans-Atlantic routes. The clipper ships of the 1850s are an inspiration for today's Coast Guard cutters, which are designed for speed in rough seas. They aid with trade overseas and can transport perishable goods. They were most known for their speed and efficiency.

About The Inventor:

The inventor of the clipper ship is Donald McKay. Donald McKay was a master shipbuilder and designer. His shipyard was located on Border Street in East Boston. His company has launched some of the fastest clippers in history.

Spouse:

Mary Cressy (m. 1849), Albenia Boole

Background:

McKay was born on a farm in Shelburne County, on September 4, 1810. More specifically Jordan Falls, Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Canada. In his childhood he was educated under the common schools systems. Afterwards, later in life, he was apprenticed in New York City after emigrating in 1827. Once he mastered the skills he was commissioned in 1839 to complete a ship in Wiscasset, Maine. Soon after completion he formed a partnership in Newburyport, Massachusetts where he built and designed many packet ships. As his skill grew and he became increasingly more well known he was asked for different projects and designed many other ships. In 1844 he was chosen to build a ship for the transatlantic traffic by Enoch Train, who also induced him to set up a shipyard in East Boston. A shipyard is a place where ships are produced and mended, or repaired. He died on September 20, 1880; Hamilton MA(Massachusetts).

Why is this important to the Industrial Revolution:

Donald McKay's invention of the clipper is important, because of how much it affected other ship builders and how they design theirs. When clipper ships were named, they represented the evolution and refinement in the design of sail ships. The clipper era ended only when reduced freight rates made the introduction of steamships. These new ships followed in the steps of the clipper, but offered double benefit as they were faster and better at steering direct paths. As clippers grew out of popular vote, more and more countries were using steamboats for long distance trade.

Short Term Impact:

Clipper ships affected the colonies by allowing the colonists to smuggle goods in and out of America. This helped the colonists to stay alive, because it was hard to get food at that point in time.

Long Term Impact:

Clipper ships affect us today because they helped begin a new generations of ships and how we make them now. The steamboat (One of our greatest inventions) was invented after the clipper ship. The steamboat wouldn’t have been created without the invention of the clipper ship and even so it may not have been as effective or efficient.

Changes:

Over the years, clipper ships were never changed. There was nothing wrong with them at that time. Later though, the steamboat was invented. The steamboat replaced clipper ships because it was much faster and provided a direct path from country to country to help transport goods.

Modern Version:

Today, we still transport goods overseas, but instead we use cargo ships. Cargo ships are giant ships that we only use to transport things to other countries or for us to import things. We also use airplanes and and semi trucks to transport things around the country, but on seas we use cargo ships.

Bibliography:

"Celebrate Boston Search." Celebrate Boston Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.

"Donald McKay Facts." Donald McKay Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.

Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue. "Clipper Ships." Clipper Ships. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.

"Methods of Transporting Imported and Exported Goods." Methods of Transporting Imported and Exported Goods. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.

"Star Clippers UK - The UK General Sales Agents." Early History of Clipper Ships: Opium, People and Tea. Star Clippers, 2013. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.

"Star Clippers UK - The UK General Sales Agents." Early History of Clipper Ships: Opium, People and Tea. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.

"Clipper Ship." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.

"Clipper Ships." Clipper Ships. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.