In honor of Columbus Day, here are a few facts about crossing the Atlantic. (Note: on his 4th voyage Columbus crossed in 21 days--from Spain to the Caribbean Islands--present day Martinique. Pretty fast considering he first went south to the Canary Islands then to the West Coast of Africa to catch the Trade Winds):
Fastest crossing (Eastbound) ship--SS United States, length--3 days, 12 hrs, 12 minutes in 1952
Fastest crossing (Westbound) ship--Master Cat, length--2 days, 20 hours, 9 minutes in 1998
Slowest crossing (Westbound) ship--Sea Wanderer, length--20+ days in 1957 (Her captain, Edward Alcard was circumnavigating the globe in 1957, so his recorded-keeping did not emphasize timeliness)
Humphrey Barton holds the record for the most transatlantic crossings: 20
Sources: http://www.oceanlinermuseum.co.uk/United%20States%20History.htm, http://www.cheoyleeassociation.com/vertueArticle2.htm, http://www.solocircumnavigation.com/SoloSailingCircumnavigation/SinglehandedCircumnavigators.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment