GREAT REPUBLIC

Clipper Ship as built. 

Although the memorable era of clipper ship-building, which derived its wonderful impetus from the trade with California, may be said to have closed with the mercantile depressions of the past year, yet we think it will be expected that we should furnish a description of the king of clippers, when we regard the dimensions, known as the four-masted ship Great Republic. This magnificent vessel, as she came from the hand of her builder, was not destined to try her bottom upon the ocean. In the winter of 1853-4, or rather more than a year ago, while on the eve of sailing from New-York, having her cargo on board, the Great Republic took fire from a conflagration, which consumed several warehouses near the dock where she lay, and was burned below the third deck.

But this unfortunate accident did not entirely frustrate the design of giving to the swift fleet of American clippers the largest merchant ship in the world. The Great Republic was sold by the Underwriters to Captain N.B. Palmer and others, of New-York, who immediately proceeded to place her under the charge of Messers. Sneeden & Whitlock, ship-builders, at Green Point, L.I., for reconstruction.

3  Sheet Plan

1/96 SCALE 

TPEH-95208

PRICE:  $ 36.25

Being originally built with four decks, the upper being a light spar-deck, it was not thought proper by her present owners to finish her in the former manner, so the fourth deck was not added. In consequence of this determination, the bed of the bowsprit was cut down a little, and the height of rail was fixed a little below the former spar-deck. Thus she may be said to have been razeed before having sailed a voyage. Beside the usual houses on deck for forecastle, galley, &c., this ship has nothing now above her third deck except a forecastle forward, and a trunk cabin aft, which is entered from the deck forward, and from a steerage deck aft, at the height of the main rail that surrounds the cabin.