Media Monday: The Dreadnought

In the 1850s, the Clipper Ships gained fame as some of the fastest ships to ever float, and the Dreadnought was one of the fastest on the Atlantic.  She once set the record for New York to Queenstown in 9 Days and 17 Hours, and averaged a far faster time than most on her packet run.

She was 212 feet long, and 1,227 Gross Register Tons, and could carry about 2,000 tons of cargo and 200 passengers. Her fame was known far and wide, and she performed very well for the Red Cross Line, after being built in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and was of course famous enough to have a song written about her at the time. This is a more modern rendition, but still a good one. 

LYRICS:
Oh, there is a flash packet Flash packet of fame
She hails from New York And the Dreadnought's her name
She's bound to the west Where the stormy winds blow
All away to the westward In the Dreadnought we'll go
Derry down, down, down derry down

With the gale at her back What a sight does she make
A skippin' so merry With the west in her wake
Her sailors like lions On the jacks to and fro
She's the Liverpool packet Oh, Lord let her go!
Derry down, down, down derry down

Now the Dreadnought's a-sailing The Atlantic so wide
While the high roaring seas Move along her black sides
With her sails tight as wires And the Black Flag to show
All away to the Dreadnought To the westward we'll go
Derry down, down, down derry down

Here's a health to the Dreadnought And all her brave crew
To bold captain (Willy!) And his officers too
Talk about your flash packets Swallowtail, Black Ball
The Dreadnought's the flyer That out sails them all!
Derry down, down, down derry down

Author

Steven Woods is the Solaris and Education coordinator at HRMM. He earned his Master's degree in Resilient and Sustainable Communities at Prescott College, and wrote his thesis on the revival of Sail Freight for supplying the New York Metro Area's food needs. Steven has worked in Museums for over 20 years.

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