The Bald Eagle was a notable clipper ship launched in 1852, renowned for its speed and service during the mid-19th century. Although specific details about her construction, such as dimensions, tonnage, and design features, are not provided in the available Wikipedia excerpt, she is recognized for making four successful round-trip passages from eastern U.S. ports before her disappearance in 1861. One of her most distinguished achievements was setting a record for the fastest passage of a fully loaded ship between San Francisco and New York, completing the voyage in 78 days and 22 hours. This feat underscores her status as a swift and capable vessel during the clipper era, which was characterized by ships built for speed to capitalize on the lucrative trade routes of the time. The service history of the Bald Eagle includes her transoceanic voyages, although there are some discrepancies in sources regarding specific departure and arrival dates, as well as the exact length of her passages. Her final voyage remains shrouded in mystery, with conflicting accounts about her fate. Basil Lubbock recounts an incident in October 1861 where the ship was supposedly attacked by Chinese pirates while en route to Peru, set on fire, and abandoned approximately 500 miles east of Manila. However, this account is widely disputed, with Richard McKay dismissing it as a "fake yarn" and citing F. C. Matthews, a reputable maritime authority, who states that Bald Eagle sailed from Hong Kong to San Francisco with a cargo that included rice, sugar, tea, and treasure, and was never heard from again. Overall, the Bald Eagle holds a significant place in maritime history as a fast and successful clipper ship, exemplifying the era's focus on speed and efficiency in maritime commerce. Her legacy is marked by her record-setting passage and the enduring mystery surrounding her final voyage.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.