Donald McKay's Flying Cloud is probably the best loved and most famous of all sailing ships. A few of McKay's later ships covered more miles in a single day, but no other Clipper ever proved to be so consistently fast under all circumstances, year in and year out. Specifically designed and built for the California trade, the Flying Cloud was launched in 1951 in East Boston. On her maiden voyage to the Golden gate, under command of Capt. Josiah Cressey, she broke all existing records, completing the hazardous trip around the Horn in 89 days and 21 hours from New York. The outstanding record was never exceeded by any sailing ship except the Flying Cloud ferself, reducing her time by 13 hours on a later voyage. During her glorious days, she sailed to California, China, Australia and in the Canada-Briont trade until she was wrecked in 1874.