Thermopylae (1868) | Timeline

Thermopylae was an extreme composite clipper ship built in 1868 by Walter Hood & Co of Aberdeen, to the design of Bernard Waymouth of London. (Intro from Wikipedia)

September 16, 1867 - Aberdeen, Scotland - The keel of the extreme clipper "Thermopylae" is laid at the shipyard of Walter Hood & Co, Aberdeen, for the White Star Line (George Thompson & Co.), Aberdeen

June 26, 1868 - Aberdeen, Scotland - Outer planking completed

August 19, 1868 - Aberdeen, Scotland - "Thermopylae" is launched. The ship, with her green-painted hull is described as the most beautiful sailing ship ever built =(START)

September 17, 1868 - Aberdeen, Scotland - Finished & equipped. White figure-head represents the young King Leonidas

November 7, 1868 - Gravesend, England - Sails on her maiden voyage to Australia under command of Captain Robert Kemball

November 8, 1868 - The Lizard - Passes the Lizard

November 28, 1868 - Line of the Equator - Crosses the line of the Equator

December 13, 1868 - Meridian of Greenwich - Crosses the meridian of Greenwich

January 7, 1869 - Cape Otway, SW of Melbourne - Sights Cape Otway, Australia

January 9, 1869 - Port Phillip, Melbourne, Australia - "Thermopylae" anchors in Melbourne, after sailing for 63 days, establishing a speed record

February 10, 1869 - Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia - Sails from Newcastle to Shanghai with a cargo of coal

March 2, 1869 - Northern Mariana Islands - Thermopylae sails through the Northern Mariana Islands

March 13, 1869 - Shanghai, China - "Thermopylae" arrives in Shanghai in 31 days

July 3, 1869 - Fuzhou, China - Sails to London with a cargo of tea

July 28, 1869 - Anyer (Banten), West Java, Indonesia - Passes Anyer (Sunda Strait)

August 9, 1869 - Off Mauritius - Passes Mauritius
August 21, 1869 - Cape Agulhas, South Africa - Thermopylae rounds Cape Agulhas
August 29, 1869 - St.Helena Island - Passes St.Helena Island
September 1, 1869 - Ascension Island - Passes Ascension Island
September 6, 1869 - Line of the Equator - Crosses the line of the Equator
September 12, 1869 - Cape Verde Islands - Passes Cape Verde Islands
September 23, 1869 - Azores Islands - Passes the Azores Islands
September 30, 1869 - The Lizard - Thermopylae reaches the coast of England
October 1, 1869 - Dungeness - Thermopylae reaches Dungeness
October 2, 1869 - London - "Thermopylae" passes Gravesend and docks in London after 91 days sailing
November 10, 1869 - London - Thermopylae departs to Australia under command of Captain Robert Kemball
January 25, 1870 - Melbourne, Australia - Arrives in Melbourne
July 29, 1870 - Fuzhou, China - Sails to London
November 12, 1870 - London - "Thermopylae" arrives in London after 105 days sailing
December 23, 1870 - London - "Thermopylae" departs to China
December 26, 1870 - The Downs - "Thermopylae" takes long to get throught the Downs, after loosing an anchor off the Nore
January 13, 1871 - Line of the Equator - "Thermopylae" crosses the line of the Equator in company of "Norman Court"
February 2, 1871 - Meridian of the Cape of Good Hope - Both clipper ships cross the meridian of the Cape of Good Hope, but part follow separate routes from this point
March 2, 1871 - Melbourne, Australia - "Thermopylae" reaches Melbourne
June 22, 1871 - Shanghai, China - Sails to London
July 22, 1871 - Anyer (Banten), West Java, Indonesia - "Thermopylae" passes Sunda Strait
October 6, 1871 - London - "Thermopylae" arrives in London after 106 days sailing
November 11, 1871 - London - Departs to Melbourne under command of Captain Robert Kemball
January 23, 1872 - Melbourne, Australia - Thermopylae arrives in Melbourne
June 18, 1872 - Shanghai, China - Cutty Sark and Thermopylae sail to London together with a cargo of tea
July 19, 1872 - Anyer (Banten), West Java, Indonesia - "Thermopylae" passes Sunda Strait ahead of Cutty Sark
July 26, 1872 - Cocos (Keeling) Islands - Cocos (Keeling) Islands in sight
August 23, 1872 - NW of Cape Town - "Thermopylae" is 490 nautical miles ahead of "Cutty Sark"
October 12, 1872 - London - Thermopylae returns to London, in 115 days, a week before Cutty Sark
November 14, 1872 - London - Thermopylae departs to Melbourne under command of Captain Robert Kemball
November 17, 1872 - Off Dartmouth - Thermopylae drops pilot off Dartmouth
January 27, 1873 - Melbourne, Australia - Thermopylae arrives in Melbourne
July 11, 1873 - Shanghai, China - Thermopylae departs to London two days after "Cutty Sark"
August 8, 1873 - Off Anyer, Banten - Thermopylae passes Anyer
October 20, 1873 - London - "Thermopylae" arrives in London after 101 days sailing
December 2, 1873 - London - Thermopylae departs to Melbourne under command of Captain Robert Kemball
February 17, 1874 - Melbourne, Australia - Thermopylae arrives in Melbourne
July 15, 1874 - Shanghai, China - Sails to England
October 27, 1874 - London - "Thermopylae" arrives in London after 101 days sailing
November 28, 1874 - London - Thermopylae departs to Melbourne under command of Captain Matheson
February 6, 1875 - Melbourne, Australia - Thermopylae arrives in Melbourne
July 8, 1875 - Fuzhou, China - Sails to London
October 31, 1875 - London - "Thermopylae" arrives in London after 115 days sailing
November 29, 1875 - London - Thermopylae departs to Melbourne under command of Captain Matheson
February 9, 1876 - Melbourne, Australia - Thermopylae arrives in Melbourne
July 29, 1876 - Fuzhou, China - Sails to London
November 21, 1876 - Scilly Islands - Thermopylae reaches the Scilly Islands
November 24, 1876 - London - "Thermopylae" arrives in London after 118 days sailing
December 19, 1876 - London - Thermopylae departs to Melbourne under command of Captain Matheson
March 14, 1877 - Melbourne, Australia - Thermopylae arrives in Melbourne
July 8, 1877 - Shanghai, China - Sails to London with a cargo of tea
October 20, 1877 - London - "Thermopylae" arrives in London after 104 days sailing
December 3, 1877 - London - Thermopylae departs to Melbourne under command of Captain Matheson
February 17, 1878 - Melbourne, Australia - "Thermopylae" arrives in Melbourne after 76 days sailing
November 27, 1878 - Shanghai, China - Departs to London
March 17, 1879 - London - "Thermopylae" arrives in London after 110 days sailing
June 2, 1879 - London - Thermopylae departs to Sydney under command of Captain Matheson
September 3, 1879 - Sydney - "Thermopylae" arrives in Sydney after 93 days sailing
November 18, 1879 - Sydney - Thermopylae departs to London
February 7, 1880 - London - "Thermopylae" arrives in London after 81 days sailing
May 21, 1880 - London - Thermopylae departs to Sydney under command of Captain Matheson
August 11, 1880 - Sydney - "Thermopylae" arrives in Sydney after 82 days sailing
October 14, 1880 - Sydney - Thermopylae departs to London
January 12, 1881 - London - "Thermopylae" arrives in London after 88 days sailing
March 10, 1881 - London - Thermopylae departs to Sydney under command of Captain John Henderson
June 6, 1881 - Sydney - Thermopylae arrives in Sydney after 90 days
June 15, 1881 - Sydney - Cutty Sark arrives in Sydney and finds the "Tweed" and the "Thermopylae" there, loading coal
October 30, 1881 - Fuzhou, China - "Thermopylae" departs from Fuzhou with a cargo of tea
February 15, 1882 - London - "Thermopylae" arrives in London after 107 days sailing
March 21, 1882 - The Lizard - Thermopylae departs to Sydney under command of Captain John Henderson
June 2, 1882 - Sydney - Thermopylae arrives in Sydney after 73 days
October 14, 1882 - Sydney - Thermopylae departs to London
December 29, 1882 - London - "Thermopylae" arrives in London after 77 days sailing
January 21, 1883 - London - Thermopylae departs to Sydney under command of Captain John Henderson
May 9, 1883 - Sydney - Thermopylae arrives in Sydney after 109 days
October 31, 1883 - Sydney - Thermopylae departs to London
December 31, 1883 - E. of Natal, Brazil - Thermopylae is passed at sea for the first time by another ship, except "Cutty Sark": a german barque
January 26, 1884 - London - "Thermopylae" arrives in London after 87 days sailing
February 25, 1884 - London - Thermopylae departs to Sydney under command of Captain Nathaniel Allan
May 18, 1884 - Sydney - Thermopylae arrives in Sydney after 82 days
October 6, 1884 - Sydney - Thermopylae departs to London
December 23, 1884 - Prawle Point - Thermopylae reaches the southwest coast of England
January 19, 1885 - London - Thermopylae departs to Melbourne under command of Captain Nathaniel Allan
April 8, 1885 - Melbourne, Australia - Thermopylae arrives in Melbourne after 79 days
October 18, 1885 - Sydney - Thermopylae departs to London
January 6, 1886 - London - "Thermopylae" arrives in London after 80 days sailing
February 16, 1886 - London - Thermopylae departs to Sydney under command of Captain Nathaniel Allan
May 20, 1886 - Sydney - Thermopylae arrives in Sydney after 93 days
October 24, 1886 - Sydney - Thermopylae departs to London
January 19, 1887 - London - "Thermopylae" arrives in London after 87 days sailing
May 11, 1887 - London - Thermopylae departs to Sydney under command of Captain Nathaniel Allan
July 25, 1887 - Sydney - Thermopylae arrives in Sydney after 75 days
October 16, 1887 - Sydney - Thermopylae departs to London
January 3, 1888 - London - "Thermopylae" arrives in London after 79 days sailing
February 16, 1888 - London - Thermopylae departs to Sydney under command of Captain Jenkins
May 7, 1888 - Sydney - Thermopylae arrives in Sydney after 80 days
June 9, 1888 - Sydney - Thermopylae departs to London
September 22, 1888 - The Lizard - Thermopylae reaches the southwest coast of England
October 30, 1888 - London - Thermopylae departs to Sydney under command of Captain Jenkins
December 31, 1888 - N. Of Kerguelen Island, Southern Indian Ocean - Thermopylae makes 358 nautical miles in 24 hours
January 29, 1889 - Sydney - Thermopylae arrives in Sydney after 91 days
March 26, 1889 - Sydney - Thermopylae departs to London
June 29, 1889 - London - "Thermopylae" arrives in London after 95 days sailing
August 10, 1889 - London - Thermopylae departs to Sydney under command of Captain Jenkins
November 1, 1889 - Sydney - Thermopylae arrives in Sydney after 83 days
December(?) 1(?), 1889 - Sydney(?) - Sold to W. Ross & Co., London
January 9, 1890 - Sydney - Thermopylae departs to London
April 8, 1890 - Deal, England - Thermophylae reaches the Downs after 89 days
August(?) 1(?), 1890 - Hong Kong(?) - Sold to Redford, Montreal, for £5000
May 5, 1891 - Hong Kong(?) - Departs to Victoria, Canada, with a cargo of Rice
June 24, 1891 - Off Victoria, British Columbia, Canada - After a 60-day crossing from China, the "Thermopylae" sails up the Juan de Fuca Strait and anchors at Royal Roads off Victoria with a cargo of 1,350 tons of rice
December 30(?), 1891 - Victoria - "Thermopylae" departs to Bangkok under command of Captain Winchester
February(?) 15(?), 1892 - Bangkok, Thailand - Thermopylae loads a cargo of rice at Bangkok
February(?) 20(?), 1892 - South China Sea - "Thermopylae" runs into a storm that lasts 50 days!!!
April(?) 11(?), 1892 - Pacific Ocean - As "Thermopylae" sails out of South China Sea, she runs into a hurricane and waves "as high as mountains"
July(?) 11(?), 1892 - Victoria - The "Thermopylae" and crew return to Victoria in tatters after a long 101 days passage. Captain Winchester says it was the roughest passage of his career. His crew resorted to export rice to eat during the last 10 days
January(?) 1(?), 1893(?) - Victoria - "Thermopylae" is reduced to a barque rig and her sails changed - The Pacific route was challenging for the ship because she carried too much sail for Pacific winds and weather
February 15, 1893 - Victoria - Sails to Hong Kong in ballast
March 10, 1893 - Hong Kong - "Thermopylae" arrives in Hong Kong in 23 days
July 1(?), 1893 - Victoria - Arrives at Victoria
January(?) 1(?), 1895 - Victoria - Arrives at Victoria for the last time
June 29, 1895 - Port Blakely, Bainbridge Island (W. of Seattle) - Departs to Scotland after loading lumber at Port Blakely
December 17, 1895 - Leith, Scotland - Reaches Leith after 141 days sailing

Thermopylae, Aberdeen docks, 1868

January(?) 1(?), 1896 - Leith - Sold to Portugal for use as a naval training ship and renamed "Pedro Nunes"
May 29, 1896 - Tagus River, Lisbon - The "Pedro Nunes" arrives to the River Tagus, Lisbon
August 20, 1896 - Lisbon, Portugal - The "Pedro Nunes" is incorporated as a school-ship in the portuguese royal Navy
October 13, 1907 - Off Cascais - The Portuguese Royal Navy towed her down the Tagus river using two warships, and before Amelia de Orleans, Queen of Portugal, she was torpedoed with full naval honours =(END)

Bibliography
LUBBOCK, Basil - The China Clippers
OCTAVIUS THORNDIKE HOWE, Frederick C. - American Clipper ships, 1833-1858, Vol.1

RICHARDSON, John - The Cutty Sark Story

Donald McKay | Timeline

McKay, aged 54

Donald McKay (September 4, 1810 – September 20, 1880) was a Canadian-born American who designed and constructed many of the world's great clipper ships that set numerous transoceanic speed records.

September 4, 1810 - Jordan Falls, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia, Canada - Donald McKay is born

October 1(?), 1826 - East River, New York - 16-year old McKay moves to New York and finds work as a sort of day laborer in Isaac Webb's yard

March 24, 1827 - East River, New York - After 5 months of temporary work, McKay signs a contract for an apprenticeship with Isaac Webb

January(?) 1(?), 1832 - Jordan Falls, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia, Canada - 21-year old McKay becomes a "free lance" shipwright of locally established reputation and returns home

January(?) 1(?), 1833 - New York - Donald McKay marries Albenia Martha Boole

February 1, 1834 - East Broadway, New York - Fist son, Cornelius Whitworth, is born

April 3, 1836 - East Broadway - Daughter Frances Jean is born

November 12, 1837 - East Broadway - Second daughter Anne Jane is born
January(?) 1(?), 1839 - Wiscasset, Maine - McKay is commissioned to finish a ship at Wiscasset, Maine

McKay, aged 20

January(?) 1(?), 1840 - Newburyport, Massachusetts - McKay visits John Currier's shipyard and finishes the 427-tons ship "Delia Walker"

October 29, 1840 - Newburyport - Second son Dennis Condry is born
January(?) 1(?), 1841 - Newburyport - McKay and Currier launch the ship "Mary Broughton" (323 tons). Opens his first yard in Newburyport
January(?) 1(?), 1842 - Newburyport - McKay and Currier launch the ship "Ashburton" (449 tons). The trading ship "Courier" (380 tons) is launched
May 3, 1842 - Newburyport - Third son Donald is born
January(?) 1(?), 1843 - Newburyport - The packet ship "St.George" (845 tons) is launched
January(?) 1(?), 1844 - Newburyport - The packet ships "John R. Skiddy" (930 tons) and "Joshua Bates" (620 tons) are launched
October(?) 1(?), 1844 - East Boston - Moves to a family house he builds in East Boston
December 11, 1844 - East Boston - Fourth son John Boole is born
September 15, 1845 - East Boston - The packet ship "Washington Irving" (751 tons) is launched
September 5, 1846 - East Boston - The packet ship "Anglo Saxon" (894 tons) is launched
September 9, 1846 - East Boston - The packet ship "New World" (1,404 tons) is launched
September 20, 1846 - East Boston - Third daughter Albenia is born
July 1(?), 1847 - East Boston - The packet ship "Ocean Monarch" (1,301 tons) is launched
October 1(?), 1847 - East Boston - The packet ship "A.Z." (700 tons) is launched
February 1(?), 1848 - East Boston - The packet ship "Anglo American" (704 tons) is launched
May 1(?), 1848 - East Boston - The packet ship "Jenny Lind" (533 tons) is launched
December 1(?), 1848 - East Boston - The packet ship "L.Z." (897 tons) is launched
December 10, 1848 - Boston - Albenia Boole McKay dies
January(?) 1(?), 1849 - Boston(?) - Donald McKay marries Mary Cressy Litchfield
February 13, 1849 - East Boston - The packet ship "Plymouth Rock" (960 tons) is launched
May 1(?), 1849 - East Boston - The Clipper "Helicon" (400 tons) is launched
June 1(?), 1849 - East Boston - The ship "Reindeer" (800 tons) is launched
December 1(?), 1849 - East Boston - The packet ship "Parliament" (998 tons) is launched
March 1(?), 1850 - East Boston - The Extreme Clipper "Moses Wheeler" is launched
June 1(?), 1850 - East Boston - The packet ship "Cornelius Grinell" (1,118 tons) is launched. The Extreme Clipper "Sultana" is launched
September 1(?), 1850 - East Boston - The packet ship "Antarctic" (1,116 tons) is launched
October 1(?), 1850 - East Boston - The packet ship "Daniel Webster" (1,187 tons) is launched
October 31, 1850 - East Boston - Son Lauchlan is born
December 7, 1850 - East Boston - The 1,535 tons clipper "Staghound" is launched, 60 days after the laying down of her keel
April 15, 1851 - East Boston - The "Flying Cloud" is launched at the shipyard of Donald McKay, for Enoch Train, Boston. Purchased by Grinell, Minturn & Co, New York, for $ 90.000.
June 17, 1851 - East Boston - The extreme clipper "Staffordshire" (1,817 tons) is launched
September 1(?), 1851 - East Boston - The extreme clippers "Flying Fish" (1,505 tons) and "North America" (1,464 tons) are launched
June 19, 1852 - East Boston - The extreme clipper "Sovereign of the Seas" (2,421 tons) is launched
September 24, 1852 - East Boston - The extreme clipper "Westward Ho!" (1,650 tons) is launched
November 25, 1852 - East Boston - The extreme clipper "Bald Eagle" (1,704 tons) is launched
January(?) 1(?), 1853 - East Boston - Daughter Crissy Bliss is born
January 14, 1853 - East Boston - The extreme clipper "Empress of the Seas" (2,200 tons) is launched
May 1(?), 1853 - East Boston - The extreme clipper "Chariot of Fame" (2,050 tons) is launched
June 18, 1853 - New York - Donald McKay and his wife Mary, both book passage on the "Sovereign of the Seas" to Liverpool
July 2, 1853 - Liverpool, England - McKay and wife Mary arrive in Liverpool in 13 days, aboard the "Sovereign of the Seas"
September 4, 1853 - East Boston - The "Great Republic" (4,555 tons), the largest wooden ship ever built, is launched. Between 30,000 to 50,000 people attend the launch, made a public holiday by the City of Boston
November 15, 1853 - East Boston - The extreme clipper "Romance of the Sea" (1,782 tons) is launched
January(?) 1(?), 1854 - East Boston - The extreme clipper "Blanche Moore" (1,787 tons) is launched. The medium clippers "Commodore Perry" (1,964 tons) and "Japan" (1,964 tons) are launched. The schooner "Benin" (692 tons) is launched
January 3, 1854 - East Boston - The extreme clipper "Lightning" (2,083 tons) is launched
April 12, 1854 - East Boston - daughter Frances is born
April 18, 1854 - East Boston - The extreme clipper "James Baines" (2,525 tons) is launched
September 5, 1854 - East Boston - The medium clipper "Santa Claus" (1,256 tons) is launched
January 1(?), 1855 - East Boston - The extreme clipper "Donald McKay" (2,594 tons) is launched. The medium clipper "Zephyr" (1,184 tons) is launched
July 28, 1855 - East Boston - The medium clipper "Defender" (1,413 tons) is launched
January(?) 1(?), 1856 - East Boston - The medium clippers "Abbott Lawrence" (1,497 tons) and "Amos Lawrence" (1,396 tons) are launched. The barque "Henry Hill" (568 tons) is launched
January 4, 1856 - East Boston - Daughter Mary Cressy is born
February 1(?), 1856 - East Boston - The medium clipper "Mastiff" (1,030 tons) is launched
March 22, 1856 - East Boston - The medium clipper "Minnehaha" (1,695 tons) is launched
October 1(?), 1856 - East Boston - The medium clipper "Adriatic" (1,327 tons) is launched
October 13, 1856 - East Boston - The medium clipper "Baltic" (1,372 tons) is launched
November 14, 1856 - Boston - Ann McPherson, his mother, dies
January(?) 1(?), 1858 - East Boston - The medium clipper "Alhambra" (1,097 tons) is launched. The Schooner "R.R. Higgins" is launched
January(?) 1(?), 1859 - East Boston - The ship "Benj. S. Wright" is launched
January(?) 1(?), 1860 - East Boston - The Schooners "H. & R. Atwood" and "Mary B. Dyer" are launched
January 5, 1860 - East Boston - Son Lawrence Litchfield is born
January(?) 1(?), 1861 - East Boston - The ship "General Putnam" is launched
December 6, 1861 - East Boston - McKay sends a long communication to the powerful "Star and Dial" of London, which was published , copied, and widely commented upon throughout the United Kingdom. In it he corrected some of the misstatements being bandied about the english press, frankly set out the naval strenght of the Northern States"
November 14, 1863 - East Boston - The "New South Newspaper" publishes that McKay was going to build an ironclad for the Navy
January(?) 1(?), 1864 - East Boston - The iron side-wheel double ended ship "Ashuelot" (1,030 tons) is launched. The wooden screw propeller ships "Trefoil" (370 tons) and "Yucca" (373 tons) are launched
June 17, 1864 - East Boston - Twins Anna Cushing and Nichols are born
April 26, 1865 - East Boston - The ironclad Monitor "USS Nausett" is launched
August 10, 1865 - East Boston - "USS Nausett" is commissioned
June 25, 1866 - East Boston - The wooden screw propeller ship "Geo. B. Upton" (604 tons) is launched
July 4, 1866 - East Boston - The wooden screw propeller ship "Theodore D. Wagner" (607 tons) is launched
October 4, 1866 - East Boston - Son Guy Allen is born
January(?) 1(?), 1867 - East Boston - The Medium clipper "Helen Morris" (1,285 tons) is launched. The brig "North Star" (410 tons) is launched
January(?) 1(?), 1868 - East Boston - The ship "Sovereign of the Seas" (1,502 tons) is launched
October 6, 1868 - East Boston - Son Wallace is born
January(?) 1(?), 1869 - East Boston - The Schooner "Frank Atwood" (107 tons) is launched. His moderate success in building steamships lead him to dispose of his yard
November 1(?), 1869 - East Boston - The Medium clipper "Glory of the Seas" (2,102 tons) is launched
December 30, 1871 - East Boston - Hugh McKay, his father, dies
January(?) 1(?), 1874 - East Boston - The sloops of War "Adams" (615 tons)  and "Essex" are launched
January(?) 1(?), 1875 - East Boston - Repairs to the schooner "America"
January(?) 1(?), 1877 - Hamilton, Massachusetts - McKay retires due to ill health and moves to a farm in Hamilton, Massachusetts
September 20, 1880 - Hamilton, Massachusetts - Donald McKay dies, aged 70 =(END)

Bibliography
McKAY, RICHARD C. - Donald McKay and his famous sailing ships

Hornet (1851) | Timeline

The Hornet was an 1851 extreme clipper, of 1,426 tons, built by Westervelt & Mackay, New York for the San Francisco trade. The ship became famous for its race with "Flying Cloud" in 1853. Lost in the Pacific after a catastrophic fire, the survivors reached Hawaii, where they were interviewed by Mark Twain.

Some parts of this timeline are reconstructed until i have access to the ship's log book, buy another clipper ship book with the exact dates to fill the blanks or confirm reconstructed voyage dates. This message will disappear when that happens or another contributor provides the information first. Thank you so much for your visit. Buy books and CDs! Support the writers and artists!

June 20, 1851 - New York - The "Hornet" (1,426 tons) is launched at the shipyard of Westervelt & Mackay, New York, for Chamberlain & Phelps, New York =(START)

October(?) 9(?), 1851 - New York - The "Hornet" departs to San Francisco in her maiden voyage

November(?) 15(?), 1851 - Line of the Equator - Crosses the line of the Equator

December(?) 21(?), 1851 - Off Cape Horn - The "Hornet" reaches Cape Horn in 73 days

January(?) 25(?), 1852 - Line of the Equator - After 17 days off Cape Horn, the "Hornet" reaches the line of Equator in 36 days

February(?) 20(?), 1852 - San Francisco - The "Hornet" reaches San Francisco, 26 days after crossing the line of the Equator

March 1, 1852 - San Francisco - The "Hornet" departs to Panama with 300 passengers

April 2, 1852 - Panama - The "Hornet" arrives in Panama after sailing for 33 days

August(?) 1(?), 1852 - Whampoa, China - The "Hornet" arrives in Whampoa after sailing for 90 days

January(?) 5(?), 1853(?) - Whampoa, China - The "Hornet" departs to New York

April(?) 1(?), 1853 - New York - The "Hornet" returns to New York after sailing for 117 days

April 26, 1853 - New York - The "Hornet" departs to San Francisco, two days before the "Flying Cloud"

April 29, 1853 - 3 days south of New York - The "Flying Cloud" catches the "Hornet" and passes her, being about 12 miles in the lead

May 15, 1853 - Line of the Equator (31º45W) - The "Hornet" crosses the line of the Equator

May 19, 1853 - Off Fernando de Noronha, Brazil - The "Hornet" sails off Fernando de Noronha island

June 15, 1853 - Off Staten Island, SE tip of Argentina - The "Hornet" reaches Staten Island

July 24, 1853 - Line of the Equator - The "Hornet" crosses the Line of the Equator

August 12, 1853 - San Francisco - The "Hornet" arrives in San Francisco after sailing for 106 days

August(?) 27(?), 1853 - San Francisco - Departs to Philadelphia

October(?) 1(?), 1853 - Callao, Peru - The "Hornet" arrives in Callao after sailing for 34 days

April 9, 1854 - Philadelphia - The "Hornet" arrives in Philadelphia 
May(?) 1(?), 1854(?) - Philadelphia - Departs to San Francisco
June(?) 15(?), 1854(?) - Cape Horn - The "Hornet" rounds Cape Horn
August(?) 2(?), 1854(?) - San Francisco - Arrives in San Francisco after 91 days
September(?) 5(?), 1854(?) - San Francisco - Departs for New York, via Mazatlan
October(?) 1(?), 1854(?) - Mazatlan, Mexico - Stop at Mazatlan to load cargo
December(?) 1(?), 1854(?) - Cape Horn - The "Hornet" rounds Cape Horn
February(?) 15(?), 1855(?) - New York - The "Hornet" reaches New York
April(?) 1(?), 1855(?) - New York - Departs to San Francisco
June(?) 15(?), 1855(?) - Cape Horn - The "Hornet" rounds Cape Horn
July(?) 17(?), 1855(?) - Coast of California - After 107 days, the "Hornet" faces six days of calms near her destination
July(?) 23(?), 1855(?) - San Francisco - Arrives in San Francisco after 113 days
September(?) 1(?), 1855(?) - San Francisco - Departs to Calcutta, India
November(?) 10(?), 1855(?) - Calcutta - Arrives in Calcutta in 69 days
December(?) 1(?), 1855(?) - Calcutta - Departs to New York
March(?) 12(?) 1856(?) - New York - Arrives in New York in 102 days
December(?) 1(?), 1856(?) - London - Crosses the Atlantic to London 
January 12, 1857 - The Lizard - Sailing to Calcutta, India
April 20, 1857 - Calcutta - The "Hornet" arrives at Calcutta after 97 days
June 28, 1857 - Calcutta - Departs from Calcutta
August(?) 10, 1857 - Cape of Good Hope - The "Hornet" rounds the Cape of Good Hope
October(?) 1(?), 1857 - New York(?) - Returns to New York
January 19, 1859 - Boston - Departs to San Francisco under command of Captain Josiah A. Mitchell
May 28, 1859 - San Francisco - Arrives in San Francisco after 128 days sailing
July(?) 1(?), 1859 - San Francisco - Departs to New York
October(?) 1(?), 1859 - New York - Returns to New York in 87 days
April(?) 23(?), 1860 - New York - Departs to San Francisco
September 4, 1860 - San Francisco - The "Hornet" arrives in San Francisco after sailing for 135 days
October(?) 10(?), 1860 - San Francisco - Departs to New York
November(?) 27(?), 1860 - Cape Horn - Reaches Cape Horn in 47 days
January(?) 16(?), 1861(?) - New York - The "Hornet' arrives in New York after 96 days sailing
February(?) 1(?), 1861(?) - New York - Departs to Bristol, England
February(?) 15(?), 1861(?) - Bristol, England - Arrives in Bristol in 14 days
March(?) 1(?), 1861(?) - Bristol, England - Departs to New York in ballast
March(?) 28(?), 1861(?) - New York - Reaches New York in 27 days
May(?) 1(?), 1861(?) - New York - Departs to San Francisco
September(?) 10(?), 1861(?) - San Francisco - Arrives in San Francisco after 131 days sailing
January(?) 1(?), 1862 - San Francisco - The "Hornet' departs to Philadelphia
February(?) 15(?), 1862 - Valparaiso, Chile - Reaches Valparaiso in 42 days
March(?) 1(?), 1862(?) - Pisagua, Northern Chile - Stops at Pisagua to load cargo
March(?) 10(?), 1862(?) - Iquique, Northern Chile - Stops at Iquique to load cargo
July 23, 1862 - Philadelphia - Arrives at Philadelphia
August 2, 1862 - Philadelphia - Departs for New York with a cargo of nitrate of soda
August 4, 1862 - New York - Arrives in New York with a cargo of nitrate of soda
September(?) 1(?), 1862 - New York - Departs to San Francisco
February 17, 1863 - San Francisco - Arrives in San Francisco ater 124 days sailing
April(?) 4(?), 1863 - San Francisco - Departs to Liverpool, England
August(?) 1(?), 1863 - Liverpool, England - Arrives at Liverpool with a cargo of wheat after 120 days sailing
September(?) 1(?), 1863 - Liverpool - Departs to New York, loaded with coal
October 3, 1863 - New York - Arrives at New York with a cargo of coal, after 32 days sailing
November 30(?), 1863 - New York - Loading at New York for San Francisco. Captain Harding, and the Captain Reed of the "Star of the Union" bet $500 each that their respective ships would arrive out in 120 days or less
December 23(?), 1863 - Line of the Equator - Reaches the line of the Equator in 23 days
January 22(?), 1864 - 50ºS - Off Puerto San Julián/Rio Gallegos area - Reaches 50ºS in 53 days
January 25(?), 1864 - Cape Horn - The "Hornet" reaches Cape Horn and takes 18 days to round it
March 14, 1864 - Line of the Equator - Reaches the Line of the Equator in 103 days
April 1, 1864 - San Francisco - The "Star of the Union" docks in San Francisco after 121 days, with the "Hornet behind at the "heads" of San Francisco. Both captains loose the bet
May(?) 1(?), 1864 - San Francisco - Departs to New York
July(?) 3(?), 1864 - Cape Horn - The "Hornet" rounds Cape Horn
September(?) 5(?), 1864 - New York - The "Hornet" reaches New York in 101 days
October(?) 5(?), 1864(?) - New York - Departs to San Francisco
January(?) 24(?), 1865(?) - San Francisco - Reaches San Francisco after sailing for 111 days
February(?) 20(?), 1865(?) - San Francisco - Departs to Valparaiso, Chile
April(?) 1(?), 1865(?) - Valparaiso, Chile - Stop at Valparaiso to load wool
May(?) 1(?), 1865(?) - Tomé (NE Talcahuano, Chile) - Departs to New York with a cargo of wool
September(?) 1(?), 1865(?) - New York - The "Hornet" reaches New York in 58 days
January 15, 1866 - New York - The "Hornet" departs to San Francisco under command of Captain Josiah A. Mitchell, with a cargo of 6,195 boxes of candles, 2000 cases of kerosene oil, 400 tons of Pacific Railroad iron and 3 small steam engines
March 17, 1866 - Cape Horn - The "Hornet" rounds Cape Horn in unusually calm waters
May 2, 1866 - Line of the Equator - Crosses the Line of the Equator
May 3, 1866 - 1,000 miles W of Galapagos, 2,500 miles SE of Hawaii - The mate went below to draw some varnish, when his lantern caused an explosion, the flames from which shot up through the open hatch and ignited the crossjack, which was hanging clewed up. The fire spread and in a short time the whole ship was in flames
May 4, 1866 - 1,000 miles W of Galapagos, 2,500 miles SE of Hawaii - The "Hornet" goes down. The crew leaves the ship in three open lifeboats =(END)
June 15, 1866 - Hawaii - The captain's boat, with 14 survivors, reaches Hawaii after 43 days at sea.

Bibliography
LUBBOCK, Basil - The China Clippers
OCTAVIUS THORNDIKE HOWE, Frederick C. - American Clipper ships, 1833-1858, Vol.1

RICHARDSON, John - The Cutty Sark Story