Challenger (clipper) facts for kids
Challenger
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | Challenger |
| Owner |
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| Builder | Richard & Henry Green, Blackwall Yard |
| Launched | 23 December 1852 |
| Fate | Abandoned, 1871 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Clipper |
| Length | 174 ft (53 m) |
| Beam | 32 ft (9.8 m) |
| Draught | 20 ft (6.1 m) |
Challenger was a fast, wooden clipper ship. Clippers were sailing ships designed for speed. She was built in 1852 in London by Richard & Henry Green. This ship was special because her design was inspired by a very fast American clipper called the Oriental. The Oriental visited London in 1850, and its design was carefully studied.
Contents
The Great Race of 1852
In 1852, the Challenger began an exciting race. She was captained by James Killick. Her owner, Richard Green, wanted to prove that British ships could be as fast as American ones.
The Challenger sailed to China to pick up tea. In Shanghai, she loaded her cargo. Then, she met a huge American ship called the Challenge. This American ship was much bigger, about 2,000 tons. It was built especially for speed.
The two ships started a race back to London. Even though the Challenger was smaller (699 tons), she arrived in London two days before the giant American ship! This victory made British ship owners very proud. It also encouraged them to build even faster ships for the tea trade.
More Races and Journeys
Captain James Killick was known for his skill. On August 8, 1853, he started another race with the Challenger. This time, the opponent was the American clipper Nightingale. The race was from Shanghai. The Challenger reached Deal, England, on November 26. She arrived two days earlier than the Nightingale.
Under Captain Killick's command, the Challenger made fast trips. Her average journey time from Shanghai and Hankow was about 115 days. After he left, the average journey time became a bit longer, around 129 days.
In 1863, the Challenger sailed from Hankow to London. She carried a cargo of tea. This journey took 128 days.
Ship Details and Later Years
The Challenger was 174 feet (53 meters) long. She was 32 feet (9.8 meters) wide. Her deepest point below the water was 20 feet (6.1 meters). She weighed 699 tons.
She was specially designed for the China tea trade. This meant she was built to carry tea quickly from China to Britain.
In 1865, a company called Killick Martin & Company bought the Challenger. This company was started by her former captain, James Killick. They operated the ship until 1868.
The ship was sold a few more times. In 1868, William Stewart bought her. Just four days later, she was sold to John, Thomas, and James Septimus Grice. In 1871, she was sold again and moved to Melbourne, Australia. Sadly, she was abandoned shortly after this.
Legacy and Memorials
The Challenger is remembered in a few ways:
- In 1984, Killick Martin & Company received a painting of the Challenger. This was to celebrate their 100th anniversary.
- From the 1980s to 1999, the former owners, Killick Martin & Company Ltd, had their office in a building called "Challenger House" in London. This building still stands today and is called Challenger House.
Richard Green's Statue
The Challenger is also honored on a statue. There is a bas relief (a type of sculpture) of the ship on the side of Richard Green's statue. Richard Green was the ship's original owner. The statue is located outside the Poplar Baths in London. This is not far from where the Challenger was built.
