Flying Scud

An extreme clipper ship, she was built and launched in 1853 by Metcalf & Norris, Damariscotta, Maine. An extreme clipper ship was designed to sacrifice cargo capacity for speed. They had a bow lengthened above the water - a drawing out and sharpening of the hull. In the United States, extreme clippers were built in the period 1845 to 1855. Extreme clippers remained in vogue only a few years because their design lacked structural integrity. Scud refers to moving fast in a straight line as if driven by the wind. Flying Scud was considered one of the fastest clippers ever built. In spring 1861, sailing from Whampoa to New York she was struck by a whirlwind which carried away all three topgallant masts and many of her 17 sails. She was struck by lightning twice, but ship was not materially damaged. In late fall 1861 one eighth share of the ship was sold for $3500, valuing her at $28,000. She was initially purchased for $100,000 seven years earlier. She was sold to British interests in April 1863 and renamed Cestrian. She went into the England-India service, but not before being captured by Union forces suspected of blockade running cotton.