New Hampshire Clipper Sailing Postcard

New Hampshire Clipper sailing ship card 19th century, East river NY to San Francisco Cornelius Comstock & Co. was a company that traded in California clipper ships and commission merchandising. The company was involved in the Civil War, serving in the 32nd Infantry from 1861 to 1865. Old sailing ships were often referred to as “tall ships” or “square-rigged vessels” due to their large size and distinctive shape. These vessels were used for exploration, trade, and warfare during the Age of Sail, which lasted from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Under favourable wind conditions, ancient vessels averaged between 4 and 6 knots over open water, and 3 to 4 knots while working through islands or along coasts. In the 1700s, sailing ships still needed at least six weeks to cross the Atlantic. In the early 19th century sailing ships took about six weeks to cross the Atlantic. With adverse winds or bad weather the journey could take as long as fourteen weeks.