Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;TheNickelGuy, post: 8318465, member: 20201&quot;]<b>1970 Nathan B. Palmer</b></p><p><b>Antarctic Pioneer</b></p><p><b>Heraldic Art Medal</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>[ATTACH=full]1473126[/ATTACH] </b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>[ATTACH=full]1473127[/ATTACH] </b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p>Nathaniel Brown Palmer was an American seal hunter, explorer, sailing captain, and ship designer.</p><p>He gave his name to Palmer Land, Antarctica, which he explored in 1820 on his Hero sloop.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1473128[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>Houqua was an early clipper ship with an innovative hull design, built for A.A. Low &amp; Brother in 1844.</p><p><br /></p><p>Captain Nathaniel Palmer was an advisor to the Lows as a marine superintendent and helped design The Houqua.</p><p><br /></p><p>I find no information validating that the Houqua was the actual &quot;First China Clipper&quot; as stated on the obverse of this medal.</p><p><br /></p><p>When these vessels of a new model were built, which were intended to &quot;clip&quot; over the waves rather than plough through them, the improved type of craft became known as &quot;clippers&quot; because of their speed.</p><p><br /></p><p>To sailors, three things made a ship a clipper. She must be sharp-lined, built for speed. She must be tall-sparred and carry the utmost spread of canvas. And she must use that sail, day and night, fair weather and foul.</p><p><br /></p><p>Houqua sailed in the China trade where tea and opium were the usual cargo.</p><p>On May 5th 1853 in a violent squall, a meteor, apparently about the size of a man’s head, broke at the masthead, throwing out the most violent sparks.</p><p>Houqua sailed from Yokohama, August 15, 1864, for New York, and was thereafter never heard from again.</p><p><br /></p><p>It is assumed she sank in a tsunami.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in