
Rhyanon Demery
Head of Sale
Sold for £2,250 inc. premium
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Specialist Consultant Collectors, Science & Marine
The Thermopylae was a composite clipper built in 1868 by Walter Hood & Co of Aberdeen for George Thompson, who owned the Aberdeen Line, and was launched on the 19th August 1868. Thermopylae was designed for the China tea trade, and set speed records on her maiden voyage to Melbourne in 63 days. She was the great rival of the clipper Cutty Sark and in 1872 Thermopylae raced the Cutty Sark from Shanghai back to London and won by seven days after Cutty Sark lost her rudder. Despite other claims she was considered to be the fastest ship of her size ever built and she held a number of unbroken records.