Fleet Wing Clipper Sailing Keychain

Fleet Wing Clipper sailing ship card 19th century, East river NY to San Francisco Randolph M. Cooley & Co. was a New York firm that acted as an agent for the Merchant's Express Line. The firm was located at 118 Water St., Cor. Wall, Tontine Building. Randolph M. Cooley & Co. was in business around 1850. 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 favorable 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.