Those with shipping interests in Bridport might be interested in the following article which appeared in the Illustrated London News, for December 10, 1853 - I have to admit that I wasn't aware that any vessels approaching this size had been built down here: THE AUSTRALIAN CLIPPER SHIP "SPEEDY" The fame of the Marco Polo, Indian Queen, Sovereign of the Seas, and other fast sailing American-built ships, will shortly be contested by the new British clipper ship whose portrait we have engraved this week. The Speedy has been built at the yard of Messrs. Cox and Son, of Bridport, on lines said to be unsurpassed by any vessel afloat ; her appearance in the London Docks has excited much interest among the seafaring community and the confidence of her admirers is shown in the fact that heavy wagers are pending upon her accomplishing the voyage to Sydney in less period than any other sailing ship has yet done. She is a noble vessel 1060 tons register, and 1600 tons burthen, and will carry a limited number of passengers at one uniform rate - all accommodated on the saloon or upper deck; the whole of the lower part of the ship being devoted to freight. Her qualifications appear to us equal to those of any vessel we have yet seen, every appointment both for passengers and crew being most perfect. She has a poop of unusually large extent; an elegant saloon ; is very lofty 'tween decks ; and her cabins, both in size and accommodation are of the highest order. Her brokers Messrs. Hotchkin and Mobbs, have spared no pains to render the vessel as comfortable aboard as she is outwardly beautiful in mould. Messrs. Prowse and Co. of Liverpool, the owners of the Speedy, are the proprietors of many of the finest liners afloat. The Speedy, is appointed to sail on the 10th instant, and it will be both curious and satisfactory to the south country builders if the palm of success in the construction of clipper-ships should after all be awarded to Bridport. She is expected to make the passage to Sydney in seventy days. Her dimensions are-length from stem to stern-post, 192 feet ; over all, 202 feet ; beam, 33 feet ; depth of hold, 21 feet; poop, 62 feet long. She is built of teak and English oak.- end of quote. Presumably there is an engraving of this ship in the magazine. Paul 50.33.50N 02.26.70W http://www.pbenyon.plus.com/Naval.html