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Walter A. Simonds , (1900–1982)

Ann McKim

c. 1931
34 in. x 54 in. (86.36 cm x 137.16 cm)

Medium and Support: Ship model

Credit Line: gift of Walter A. Linton

Accession Number: 1931.S13

Current Location: On view : GC2

Commentary

Ann McKim
The First Clipper Ship

Built at Baltimore in 1833
Length 143 ft.; Beam 31 ft.; Depth 14 ft.; Draft 17 ft.; Tonnage 493 tons

The Ann McKim named for his wife by the owner Isaac McKim, is generally known as the original clipper ship. Her frame was of live oak and much mahogany and brass was used in decoration regardless of cost. She carried twelve brass cannons. Prior to her building, most large ocean-going cargo ships were of clumsy model, designed more to carry large cargo than for speed. However, about 1800 the ship builders of Baltimore had developed a type of small, fast schooner known as the Baltimore Clipper which was used as a privateer in the War of 1812 and later in the African slave trade. The model of the "James Madison" shows a vessel of this design. The Ann McKim was the first good-sized ocean-going cargo ship with a hull having the lines of these Baltimore Clippers. She was employed principally in the China and South American trade. Not only was she the best known American ship afloat at the time, but she was also conceded to be the fastest, and her swift passages led others to copy her. Thus, she was the first of many clipper ships built during the next twenty-five years culminating in ships like the Flying Cloud. She ended her days in 1852 under the Chilean flag.

Adapted from Robert E. Peabody, "Ann McKim" catalogue entry in ed. John Ratté, Models of American Sailing Ships, rev. ed. (Andover, MA: Addison Gallery of American Art, 1994), 65

Exhibition List

This object was included in the following exhibitions:

1/4" scale: Models of American Sailing Ships Addison Gallery of American Art , 9/25/1994 - 1/12/1995

Portfolio List Click a portfolio name to view all the objects in that portfolio

This object is a member of the following portfolios:

Exhibitions: Ship Models

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