The Staffordshire clear of the Horn

Built by Donald McKay for Enoch Train & Company's White Diamond Line, the three decker Staffordshire was one of the few clippers built for transatlantic packet service. On her first run in May 1851, she sailed from Boston to Liverpool in 14 days. In August of that year, train hired veteran clipper captain Josiah Richardson to take Staffordshire to San Francisco, which he did in a brisk 103 days. From there they sailed to Singapore in 51 days, Calcutta (21 days), and thence to Boston in the then record time of 84 days, a pace that few sailing ships ever bettered. Staffordshire's tragic last voyage began at Liverpool on December 9, 1853, from where she departed with 214 passengers, most of them Irish emigrants. On December 24 the stearing gear was disabled and the bowsprit and foremast were carried away. In the course of repairs, Captain Richardson was injured and a few days later, on December 30, 1853, the ship struck Blonde Rock off Seal Island and sank quickly, bow first. 170 passengers and crew were lost including Captain Richardson.